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 COAL RESOURCES LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-37456   47-3445032

(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)

(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(724) 485-3300

CNX Coal Resources LP

CNX Center

1000 CONSOL Energy Drive

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

(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.  ☒

 

 

 


Introductory Note

On November 28, 2017, our sponsor, 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 (“ CONSOL Energy ”) and CNX, which will retain the natural gas exploration and production (E&P) business (the “ Separation ”). Following the Separation, CONSOL Energy 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 related 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.

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Credit Facility

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

The obligations under 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 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 Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The Credit Agreement is being filed herewith solely to provide investors and security holders with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to be a source of financial, business or operational information about the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Credit Agreement 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 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 the Credit Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures.


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 CONSOL Energy, and (iii) CONSOL Funding LLC (the “ SPV ”), a Delaware special purpose entity and wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, as buyer, entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ Purchase and Sale Agreement ”) and (2)(i) CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership, as sub-originator (the “ Sub-Originator ”), 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 CONSOL Energy, 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, CONSOL Energy 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 CONSOL Energy 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 of Sub-Originator’s obligations set forth above is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Sub-Originator PSA which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.6 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.


Amended Partnership Agreement

On November 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation, the Partnership entered into the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (the “ Amended Partnership Agreement ”) to change the name of the Partnership to “CONSOL Coal Resources LP” from “CNX Coal Resources LP” and to delete references to the Class A Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership, all of which have been converted into common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“ Common Units ”), as previously disclosed.

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 Amended Partnership Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 3.2 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Second Amendment to Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement

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 Second Amendment (the “ Operating Agreement Amendment ”) to the Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement dated July 7, 2015, as amended by the First Amendment thereto, dated September 30, 2016 (the “ Existing Operating Agreement ”). The Operating Agreement Amendment amends the Existing Operating Agreement to permit the Partnership to enter into the Credit Agreement and to make certain other required changes.

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 Operating Agreement Amendment, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

First Amendment to First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement

On November 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation, CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership, formerly known as CNX Coal Resources GP LLC (the “ General Partner ”), the Partnership, CNX, CONSOL Energy and certain of its subsidiaries entered into the First Amendment (the “ First Amendment to Omnibus Agreement ”) to the First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement, dated September 30, 2016, by and among CNX, the General Partner, the Partnership and the other parties listed on Exhibit A thereto (the “ Existing Omnibus Agreement ”), to, among other things:

 

    add CONSOL Energy as a party to the Existing Omnibus Agreement;

 

    effect an assignment of all of CNX’s rights and obligations under the Existing Omnibus Agreement to CONSOL Energy and remove CNX as a party to and, except with respect to CNX’s obligations under Article II of the Existing Omnibus Agreement, eliminate all of CNX’s obligations under, the Existing Omnibus Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment to Omnibus Agreement; and

 

    make certain adjustments to the indemnification obligations of the parties.

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 First Amendment to Omnibus Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.3 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

First Amendment to Water Supply Agreement

On November 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation, CNX Water Assets LLC (“ CNX Water Assets ”) and CONSOL Thermal entered into the First Amendment (the “ First Amendment to Water Supply Agreement ”) to the Water Supply and Services Agreement, dated July 7, 2015, by and between CNX Water Assets and CNX Thermal (the “ Water Supply Agreement ”) to revise and remove certain services provided under the agreement, revise the payment terms to require CNX Water Assets to deliver invoices no later than 30 days after the end of each calendar month for the water supply fees incurred during the prior calendar month, to revise the arbitration provisions applicable to the agreement and to make certain other immaterial changes.

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 First Amendment to Water Supply Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.4 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.


First Amendment to Contract Agency Agreement

On November 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation, CONSOL Thermal, CONSOL Energy Sales Company, a subsidiary of CONSOL Energy (“ CONSOL Energy Sales ”), and certain other parties entered into the First Amendment to Contract Agency Agreement (the “ First Amendment to Contract Agency Agreement ”) to amend the terms of the Contract Agency Agreement dated July 7, 2015 (the “ Contract Agency Agreement ”) under which CONSOL Energy Sales acts as agent to market and sell the coal produced from the PAMC and administers the Partnership’s existing coal purchase and sale contracts. The First Amendment to Contract Agency Agreement amends the Contract Agency Agreement to remove from the terms of the Contract Agency Agreement certain contracts and parties that pertain to operations of CNX related to natural gas sales.

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 First Amendment to Contract Agency Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.5 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

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, as administrative agent, and other lender parties thereto (the “ Old Revolver ”). On November 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation, the Partnership paid all fees and other amounts outstanding under the Old Revolver and terminated the Old Revolver and the related loan documents. Other than in respect of the Old Revolver and the Credit Agreement, neither the Partnership nor any of its affiliates has any material relationship with PNC. There were no material prepayment fees or termination penalties in connection with the termination of the Old Revolver.

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 subheading “Credit Agreement” is incorporated herein by reference to this Item 2.03.

Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.

The information set forth under “Introductory Note” is incorporated herein by reference to this Item 5.01.

CONSOL Energy’s Control of the Partnership

In connection with the Separation, CONSOL Energy now controls the Partnership through its direct or indirect ownership of 5,006,496 Common Units, 11,611,067 of the Partnership’s Subordinated Units, 100% of the Partnership’s incentive distribution rights and its 1.7% general partner interest (reflecting 100% of the general partner units) of the Partnership. Prior to the Separation, CNX effectively controlled the Partnership.

CONSOL Energy’s Credit Agreement

Additionally, on November 28, 2017, CONSOL Energy entered into a new revolving credit facility (the “ CONSOL Energy Credit Agreement ”) in connection with the Separation. Pursuant to the CONSOL Energy Credit Agreement and related collateral agreements (collectively, the “ CONSOL Energy Bank Loan Documents ”), CONSOL Energy has pledged its ownership interests in the General Partner to the lenders under the CONSOL Energy Credit Agreement. If CONSOL Energy defaults on any of its obligations under the CONSOL Energy Bank Loan Documents, the lenders could exercise their rights under the CONSOL Energy Bank Loan Documents, which could potentially result in a future change of control of the Partnership.

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

On November 28, 2017, in connection with the Separation, Messrs. Nicholas J. DeIuliis and Stephen W. Johnson resigned as directors of the General Partner.

CONSOL Energy, the sole member of the General Partner, appointed Kurt R. Salvatori and Deborah J. Lackovic as members of the board of directors of the General Partner to fill the vacancies created by the resignations of Messrs. DeIuliis and Johnson, effective November 29, 2017.

Mr. Salvatori, age 48, currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of CONSOL Energy. Mr. Salvatori has served as Vice President of Administration of CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company since January 1, 2017. Previously Mr. Salvatori served as Vice President of Shared Services for CNX from 2016 to January 2017, and prior to that as Vice President of Human Resources from September 2011 to June 2016. Mr. Salvatori joined CNX in April 1992 and held numerous positions at CNX 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.

Ms. Lackovic, age 45, currently serves as the Director of Benefits of CONSOL Energy. Since January 2005, Ms. Lackovic has served in various supervisory roles of increasing responsibility within human resources at CNX, most recently as the General Manager of Compensation and Benefits, a position she held from December 2012 until being promoted to Director of Benefits in September 2017. She joined the Accounting Department of CNX in May 1996, where she served in positions of increasing responsibility and was promoted to Manager Financial Reporting in June 2002, a position she served in until December 2004. Prior to joining CNX, Ms. Lackovic worked at Deloitte from September 1994 to April 1996.

Neither Mr. Salvatori nor Ms. Lackovic are party to any (a) arrangement or understanding regarding their appointment as a director nor do they have any family relationships with any director, executive officer or person nominated or chosen by CONSOL Energy to become a director or executive officer of the General Partner or (b) transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K. Likewise neither Mr. Salvatori nor Ms. Lackovic have entered into any material plan, contract, arrangement or amendment in connection with their appointment as a director of the General Partner.


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

The Partnership filed a Certificate of Amendment (the “ Certificate Amendment ”) to its Certificate of Limited Partnership with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to change the Partnership’s name from “CNX Coal Resources LP” to “CONSOL Coal Resources LP,” effective November 28, 2017. The Partnership also changed the ticker symbol of the Common Units on the New York Stock Exchange to “CCR,” which became effective upon the commencement of trading on November 28, 2017. Along with the ticker symbol change, the Common Units have been assigned a new CUSIP number of 20855T 100.

The description set forth above is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of Certificate Amendment, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 3.1 and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The response to Item 1.01 under the subheading “Amended Partnership Agreement” is incorporated herein by reference to this Item 5.03.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

In connection with the Separation, the Partnership changed its address to CNX Center, 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Suite 100, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317 and its phone number to (724) 485-3300.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  3.1    Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of CONSOL Coal Resources LP, dated November 28, 2017
  3.2    Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CONSOL Coal Resources LP, dated November 28, 2017
10.1    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
10.2    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
10.3    First Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement, dated November  28, 2017, by and among CONSOL Coal Resources LP, CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC, CNX Resources Corporation and the other parties thereto
10.4    First Amendment to Water Supply and Services Agreement, dated November 28, 2017, by and between CNX Water Assets LLC and CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC
10.5    First Amendment to Contract Agency Agreement, dated November 28, 2017, by and among CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC, CONSOL Energy Sales Company and the other parties thereto
10.6    Sub-Originator Sale Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2017, by and between CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC and CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC


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 COAL RESOURCES LP
By:   CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Martha A. Wiegand
  Martha A. Wiegand
  General Counsel and Secretary

Dated: December 4, 2017

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

CNX COAL RESOURCES LP

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of CNX Coal Resources LP (the “Limited Partnership”) pursuant to the provisions of Section 17-202 of the Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

FIRST: The name of the Limited Partnership is CNX Coal Resources LP.

SECOND: The Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership shall be amended by deleting Article 1 in its entirety and substituting, in lieu thereof, a new Article 1 as follows:

1. Name . The name of the limited partnership is CONSOL Coal Resources LP.”

THIRD: This amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership shall become effective on November 28, 2017 at 7:00 a.m.

[signature page follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned executed this Certificate of Amendment on this 27 th day of November, 2017.

 

CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
By:  

CNX COAL RESOURCES GP LLC,

its General Partner

  By:   /s/ Martha A. Wiegand
  Name:   Martha A. Wiegand
  Its:   General Counsel

Exhibit 3.2

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP

A Delaware Limited Partnership

Dated as of

November 28, 2017


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I

  

DEFINITIONS

     2  

Section 1.1

  

Definitions

     2  

Section 1.2

  

Construction

     28  

ARTICLE II

  

ORGANIZATION

     28  

Section 2.1

  

Formation

     28  

Section 2.2

  

Name

     28  

Section 2.3

  

Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices

     29  

Section 2.4

  

Purpose and Business

     29  

Section 2.5

  

Powers

     29  

Section 2.6

  

Term

     29  

Section 2.7

  

Title to Partnership Assets

     30  

ARTICLE III

  

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

     30  

Section 3.1

  

Limitation of Liability

     30  

Section 3.2

  

Management of Business

     30  

Section 3.3

  

Rights of Limited Partners

     30  

ARTICLE IV

  

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

     32  

Section 4.1

  

Certificates

     32  

Section 4.2

  

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

     32  

Section 4.3

  

Record Holders

     33  

Section 4.4

  

Transfer Generally

     34  

Section 4.5

  

Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests

     34  

Section 4.6

  

Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest

     35  

Section 4.7

  

Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights

     36  

Section 4.8

  

Restrictions on Transfers

     36  

Section 4.9

  

Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders

     38  

ARTICLE V

  

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

     39  

Section 5.1

  

Organizational Contributions

     39  

Section 5.2

  

Contributions by the General Partner

     40  

Section 5.3

  

Contributions by Limited Partners

     40  

Section 5.4

  

Interest and Withdrawal

     41  

Section 5.5

  

Capital Accounts

     41  

Section 5.6

  

Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests

     45  

Section 5.7

  

Conversion of Subordinated Units

     46  

Section 5.8

  

Limited Preemptive Right

     47  

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  

Section 5.9

  

Splits and Combinations

     47  

Section 5.10

  

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests

     48  

Section 5.11

  

Issuance of Common Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights

     48  

ARTICLE VI

  

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     50  

Section 6.1

  

Allocations for Capital Account Purposes

     50  

Section 6.2

  

Allocations for Tax Purposes

     61  

Section 6.3

  

Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders

     62  

Section 6.4

  

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus

     63  

Section 6.5

  

Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus

     65  

Section 6.6

  

Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels

     65  

Section 6.7

  

Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units

     66  

Section 6.8

  

Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights

     66  

Section 6.9

  

Entity-Level Taxation

     67  

ARTICLE VII

  

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

     68  

Section 7.1

  

Management

     68  

Section 7.2

  

Certificate of Limited Partnership

     70  

Section 7.3

  

Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority to Sell Assets of the Partnership Group

     70  

Section 7.4

  

Reimbursement of and Other Payments to the General Partner

     71  

Section 7.5

  

Outside Activities

     72  

Section 7.6

  

Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members

     73  

Section 7.7

  

Indemnification

     74  

Section 7.8

  

Liability of Indemnitees

     75  

Section 7.9

  

Standards of Conduct; Resolution of Conflicts of Interest and Elimination of Duties

     76  

Section 7.10

  

Other Matters Concerning the General Partner and Other Indemnitees

     79  

Section 7.11

  

Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests

     80  

Section 7.12

  

Registration Rights of the General Partner and Its Affiliates

     80  

Section 7.13

  

Reliance by Third Parties

     84  

Section 7.14

  

Replacement of Fiduciary Duties

     85  

ARTICLE VIII

  

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

     85  

Section 8.1

  

Records and Accounting

     85  

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  

Section 8.2

  

Fiscal Year

     85  

Section 8.3

  

Reports

     85  

ARTICLE IX

  

TAX MATTERS

     86  

Section 9.1

  

Tax Returns and Information

     86  

Section 9.2

  

Tax Elections

     86  

Section 9.3

  

Tax Controversies

     87  

Section 9.4

  

Withholding

     87  

ARTICLE X

  

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

     87  

Section 10.1

  

Admission of Limited Partners

     87  

Section 10.2

  

Admission of Successor General Partner

     88  

Section 10.3

  

Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

     89  

ARTICLE XI

  

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

     89  

Section 11.1

  

Withdrawal of the General Partner

     89  

Section 11.2

  

Removal of the General Partner

     90  

Section 11.3

  

Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner

     91  

Section 11.4

  

Withdrawal of Limited Partners

     92  

ARTICLE XII

  

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

     93  

Section 12.1

  

Dissolution

     93  

Section 12.2

  

Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution

     93  

Section 12.3

  

Liquidator

     94  

Section 12.4

  

Liquidation

     94  

Section 12.5

  

Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

     95  

Section 12.6

  

Return of Contributions

     95  

Section 12.7

  

Waiver of Partition

     95  

Section 12.8

  

Capital Account Restoration

     95  

ARTICLE XIII

  

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

     95  

Section 13.1

  

Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner

     95  

Section 13.2

  

Amendment Procedures

     97  

Section 13.3

  

Amendment Requirements

     97  

Section 13.4

  

Special Meetings

     98  

Section 13.5

  

Notice of a Meeting

     99  

Section 13.6

  

Record Date

     99  

Section 13.7

  

Postponement and Adjournment

     99  

Section 13.8

  

Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting

     100  

Section 13.9

  

Quorum and Voting

     100  

 

-iii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

          Page  

Section 13.10

  

Conduct of a Meeting

     100  

Section 13.11

  

Action Without a Meeting

     101  

Section 13.12

  

Right to Vote and Related Matters

     101  

ARTICLE XIV

  

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION

     102  

Section 14.1

  

Authority

     102  

Section 14.2

  

Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion

     102  

Section 14.3

  

Approval by Limited Partners

     104  

Section 14.4

  

Certificate of Merger or Certificate of Conversion

     105  

Section 14.5

  

Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion

     106  

ARTICLE XV

  

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

     107  

Section 15.1

  

Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests

     107  

ARTICLE XVI

  

GENERAL PROVISIONS

     108  

Section 16.1

  

Addresses and Notices; Written Communications

     108  

Section 16.2

  

Further Action

     109  

Section 16.3

  

Binding Effect

     109  

Section 16.4

  

Integration

     109  

Section 16.5

  

Creditors

     109  

Section 16.6

  

Waiver

     109  

Section 16.7

  

Third-Party Beneficiaries

     109  

Section 16.8

  

Counterparts

     109  

Section 16.9

  

Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury

     110  

Section 16.10

  

Invalidity of Provisions

     111  

Section 16.11

  

Consent of Partners

     111  

Section 16.12

  

Facsimile and Email Signatures

     111  

Section 16.13

  

Interpretation

     111  

 

-iv-


THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP

THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP (f/k/a CNX Coal Resources LP), dated as of November 28, 2017, is entered into by and between CONSOL COAL RESOURCES GP LLC (f/k/a CNX Coal Resources GP LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, and any other Persons who are or become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein.

WHEREAS, the General Partner and the other parties thereto entered into that certain Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership on September 30, 2016 (the “ Second Amended and Restated Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, effective October 2, 2017, all of the Partnership’s previously issued and outstanding convertible preferred units representing limited partner interests (the “ Class  A Preferred Units ”), which were governed by the Second Amended and Restated Agreement, were converted into Common Units on a one-for-one basis, and the Class A Preferred Units were cancelled;

WHEREAS, on November 28, 2017, CNX Resources, the Partnership’s former sponsor, completed the separation of its business into two independent, publicly traded companies, a coal company, CONSOL, and CNX Resources, which retained the natural gas exploration and production (E&P) business (the “ Separation ”);

WHEREAS, also on November 28, 2017 and in connection with the Separation (i) CNX Resources’ ownership interest in the Partnership was transferred (directly and indirectly) to CONSOL, and (ii) the name of the Partnership changed from “CNX Coal Resources LP” to “CONSOL Coal Resources LP”;

WHEREAS, the General Partner desires to amend and restate the Second Amended and Restated Agreement in order to reflect the Partnership’s name change and to eliminate the provisions relating to the Class A Preferred Units;

WHEREAS, Section 13.1(a) of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement provides that the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner, may amend any provision of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement to reflect a change in the name of the Partnership;

WHEREAS, Section 13.1(d) of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement provides that the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner, may amend any provision of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement to reflect a change that the General Partner determines does not adversely affect the Limited Partners considered as a whole or any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests in any material respect;

 

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WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 13.1(d), the General Partner has determined, as evidenced by its execution of this Agreement, that the amendment of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement to eliminate the provisions relating to the Class A Preferred Units does not adversely affect the Limited Partners considered as a whole or any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests in any material respect; and

WHEREAS, the General Partner, pursuant to its authority under Sections 13.1(a) and 13.1(d) of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement, is amending and restating the Second Amended and Restated Agreement to (i) reflect the Partnership’s name change, and (ii) eliminate the provisions relating to the Class A Preferred Units.

NOW, THEREFORE, the General Partner does hereby amend and restate the Second Amended and Restated Agreement to provide, in its entirety, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1     Definitions . The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

Additional Book Basis ” means, with respect to any Adjusted Property, the portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as determined in accordance with the provisions set forth below in this definition of Additional Book Basis. For purposes of determining the extent to which Carrying Value constitutes Additional Book Basis:

(a)    Any negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a result of either a Book-Down Event or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed to offset or decrease that portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to any prior positive adjustments made thereto pursuant to a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event; and

(b)    If Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result of a Book-Down Event and the Carrying Value of other property is increased as a result of such Book-Down Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional Book Basis; provided , that the amount treated as Additional Book Basis pursuant hereto as a result of such Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property after such Book-Down Event (determined without regard to the application of this clause (b)  to such Book-Down Event).

Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means any Book Basis Derivative Items that are computed with reference to Additional Book Basis. To the extent that the Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable period exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning of such period (the “ Excess Additional Book Basis ”), the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for such period shall be reduced by the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the Excess Additional Book Basis bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning of such period. With respect

 

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to a Disposed of Adjusted Property, the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items shall be the amount of Additional Book Basis taken into account in computing gain or loss from the disposition of such Disposed of Adjusted Property; provided that the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to the determination of the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items attributable to Disposed of Adjusted Property.

Adjusted Capital Account ” means, with respect to any Partner, the balance in such Partner’s Capital Account at the end of each taxable period of the Partnership after giving effect to the following adjustments: (a) credit to such Capital Account any amount which such Partner is (i) obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) or (ii) deemed obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5) and (b) debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

Adjusted Operating Surplus ” means, with respect to any period, (a) Operating Surplus generated with respect to such period less (b) (i) the amount of any net increase in Working Capital Borrowings (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net increase in Working Capital Borrowings in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) with respect to such period, (ii) the amount of any expenditures or payments during such period using the proceeds of the Initial Public Offering as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the IPO Registration Statement that would otherwise constitute Operating Expenditures in the absence of clause (c)(vi) of the definition of “Operating Expenditures” and (iii) the amount of any net decrease in cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net decrease in cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period not relating to an Operating Expenditure made with respect to such period, and plus (c) (i) the amount of any net decrease in Working Capital Borrowings (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net decrease in Working Capital Borrowings in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) with respect to such period, (ii) the amount of any net decrease made in subsequent periods in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures initially established with respect to such period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in Adjusted Operating Surplus in subsequent periods pursuant to clause (b)(iii) above and (iii) the amount of any net increase in cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net increase in cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium. Adjusted Operating Surplus does not include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clause (a)(i) of the definition of “Operating Surplus.”

Adjusted Property ” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section  5.5(d)(i) or Section  5.5(d)(ii) .

 

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Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units ” has the meaning given such term in Section  5.11(a) .

Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means, as of the end of any taxable period, the sum of the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of all the Partners.

Agreed Allocation ” means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section  6.1 , including a Curative Allocation (if appropriate in the context in which the term “Agreed Allocation” is used).

Agreed Value ” of (a) a Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property or asset at the time of contribution and (b) an Adjusted Property means the fair market value of such Adjusted Property on the date of the Revaluation Event, in each case as determined by the General Partner. The General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed Property.

Agreement ” means this Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CONSOL Coal Resources LP, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Associate ” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer, manager, general partner or managing member or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest, (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.

Available Cash ” means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:

(a)    the sum of:

(i)    all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter; and

(ii)    if the General Partner so determines, all or any portion of additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) (i) on

 

4


hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such Quarter or (ii) available to be borrowed as Working Capital Borrowings as of the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter; less

(b)    the amount of any cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to:

(i)    provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including cash reserves for future capital expenditures, future acquisitions and anticipated future debt service requirements of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter;

(ii)    comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject; or

(iii)    provide funds for distributions under Section  6.4 or Section  6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters;

provided, however , that the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to subclause (iii)  above if the effect of such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units, plus any Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage on all Common Units, with respect to such Quarter; provided, further , that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “ Available Cash ” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to the General Partner, its board of directors or board of managers if the General Partner is a corporation or limited liability company, or the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of the General Partner if the General Partner is a limited partnership, as applicable.

Book Basis Derivative Items ” means any item of income, deduction, gain or loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property ( e.g., depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect to an Adjusted Property).

Book-Down Event ” means a Revaluation Event that gives rise to a Net Termination Loss.

 

5


Book-Tax Disparity ” means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section  5.5 and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles.

Book-Up Event ” means a Revaluation Event that gives rise to a Net Termination Gain.

Business Day ” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of Pennsylvania shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

Capital Account ” means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section  5.5 . The “Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

Capital Acquisition ” means any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset acquisition, stock acquisition, merger or other form of investment) control over all or a portion of the assets, properties or business of another Person for the purpose of increasing, over the long term, the operating capacity or capital asset base of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity or capital asset base of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such transaction. For purposes of this definition, “long term” generally refers to a period of time greater than twelve months.

Capital Contribution ” means (a) any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership or that is contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership on behalf of a Partner (including, in the case of an Underwritten Offering of Units, the amount of any underwriting discounts or commissions) or (b) current distributions that a Partner is entitled to receive but otherwise waives.

Capital Improvement ” means (a) the construction of new capital assets by a Group Member, (b) the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets by a Group Member or (c) a capital contribution by a Group Member to a Person that is not a Subsidiary in which a Group Member has, or after such capital contribution will have, directly or indirectly, an equity interest, to fund such Group Member’s pro rata share of the cost of the construction of new, or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing, capital assets by such Person, in each case if and to the extent such construction, replacement, improvement or expansion is made to increase, over the long term, the operating capacity or capital asset base of the Partnership Group, in the case of clause (a)  and clause (b) , or such Person, in the case of clause (c) , from the operating capacity or capital asset base of the Partnership Group or such Person, as the case may be, existing immediately prior to such construction, replacement, improvement, expansion or capital contribution. For purposes of this definition, “long term” generally refers to a period of time greater than twelve months.

 

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Capital Surplus ” means Available Cash distributed by the Partnership in excess of Operating Surplus, as described in Section  6.3(a) .

Carrying Value ” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property or an Adjusted Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in respect of such property and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination; provided, however , that the Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section  5.5(d) to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.

Cause ” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable to the Partnership or any Limited Partner for intentional fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.

Certificate ” means a certificate, in such form (including in global form if permitted by applicable rules and regulations of The Depository Trust Company or its successors and assigns) as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership and evidencing ownership of one or more classes of Partnership Interests. The initial form of certificate approved by the General Partner for Common Units is attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement.

Certificate of Limited Partnership ” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section  7.2 , as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

CESC ” means CONSOL Energy Sales Company, a Delaware corporation.

Citizenship Eligibility Trigger ” has the meaning given such term in Section  4.9(a)(ii) .

claim ” or “ claims ” (for purposes of Section  7.12(g) ) has the meaning given such term in Section  7.12(g) .

Class  A Preferred Units ” has the meaning given such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

Closing Date ” means the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the IPO Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the IPO Underwriting Agreement.

Closing Price ” for any day, with respect to Limited Partner Interests of a particular class, means the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the last closing bid and ask prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the average of the high bid and low ask prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by such other system

 

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then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and ask prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner.

CNX Gas ” means CNX Gas Company LLC, a Virginia limited liability company.

CNX Resources ” means CNX Resources Corporation (f/k/a CONSOL Energy Inc.), a Delaware limited liability company.

CNX Water ” means CNX Water Assets LLC, a West Virginia limited liability company.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.

Combined Interest ” has the meaning given such term in Section  11.3(a) .

Commences Commercial Service ” means the date upon which a Capital Improvement is first put into or commences commercial service by a Group Member following completion of construction, replacement, improvement or expansion and testing, as applicable.

Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Unit ” means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term “Common Unit” does not include a Subordinated Unit prior to its conversion into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms hereof.

Common Unit Arrearage ” means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, as to any Quarter within the Subordination Period, the excess, if any, of (a) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter over (b) the sum of all Available Cash distributed with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter pursuant to Section  6.4(a)(i) .

Conflicts Committee ” means a committee of the Board of Directors composed of two or more directors, each of whom (a) is not an officer or employee of the General Partner, (b) is not an officer, director or employee of any Affiliate of the General Partner (other than Group Members), (c) is not a holder of any ownership interest in the General Partner or its Affiliates or the Partnership Group other than (i) Common Units and (ii) awards that are granted to such director in his or her capacity as a director under any long-term incentive plan, equity compensation plan or similar plan implemented by the General Partner or the Partnership and (d) is determined by the Board of Directors to be independent under the independence standards for directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to trading (or if no such National Securities Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange).

 

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Conrhein ” means Conrhein Coal Company, a Pennsylvania general partnership.

CONSOL ” means CONSOL Energy Inc. (f/k/a CONSOL Mining Corporation), a Delaware corporation.

CONSOL Marine ” means CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC (f/k/a CNX Marine Terminals LLC), a Delaware limited liability company.

CONSOL Thermal ” means CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC (f/k/a CNX Thermal Holdings LLC), a Delaware limited liability company.

Construction Debt ” means debt incurred to fund (a) all or a portion of a Capital Improvement, (b) interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on other Construction Debt or (c) distributions (including incremental Incentive Distributions) on Construction Equity.

Construction Equity ” means equity issued to fund (a) all or a portion of a Capital Improvement, (b) interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on Construction Debt or (c) distributions (including incremental Incentive Distributions) on other Construction Equity. Construction Equity does not include equity issued in the Initial Public Offering.

Construction Period ” means the period beginning on the date that a Group Member enters into a binding obligation to commence a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement Commences Commercial Service and the date that the Group Member abandons or disposes of such Capital Improvement.

Contributed Property ” means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section  5.5(d) , such property or other asset shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.

Contribution Agreement ” means that certain Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among CNX Resources, the General Partner, the Partnership and the Operating Company, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

CPCC ” means CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage ” means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, and as of the end of any Quarter, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum of the Common Unit Arrearages with respect to an Initial Common Unit for each of the Quarters within

 

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the Subordination Period ending on or before the last day of such Quarter over (b) the sum of any distributions theretofore made pursuant to Section  6.4(a)(ii) and the second sentence of Section  6.5 with respect to an Initial Common Unit (including any distributions to be made in respect of the last of such Quarters).

Curative Allocation ” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section  6.1(d)(xi) .

Current Market Price ” means, as of any date for any class of Limited Partner Interests, the average of the daily Closing Prices per Limited Partner Interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date.

Deferred Issuance ” has the meaning given such term in Section  5.3(c) .

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101, et seq. , as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

Departing General Partner ” means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 .

Derivative Partnership Interests ” means any options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights, tracking, profit and phantom interests and other derivative securities relating to, convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests.

Disposed of Adjusted Property ” has the meaning given such term in Section  6.1(d)(xiii)(B) .

Economic Risk of Loss ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section  1.752-2(a) .

Eligibility Certificate ” has the meaning given such term in Section  4.9(b) .

Eligible Holder ” means a Limited Partner whose, or whose owners’ (a) U.S. federal income tax status or lack of proof of U.S. federal income tax status does not have and is not reasonably likely to have, as determined by the General Partner, the material adverse effect described in Section  4.9(a)(i) or (b) nationality, citizenship or other related status does not create and is not reasonably likely to create, as determined by the General Partner, a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture as described in Section  4.9(a)(ii) .

Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount ” has the meaning given such term in Section  6.9 .

Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures ” means an estimate made in good faith by the Board of Directors of the average quarterly Maintenance Capital Expenditures that the Partnership will need to incur to maintain, over the long term, the operating capacity or capital asset base of the Partnership Group (including the Partnership’s proportionate share of the

 

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average quarterly Maintenance Capital Expenditures of its subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) existing at the time the estimate is made. The estimate will be made at least annually and additionally whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of future Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures. The Partnership shall disclose to the Limited Partners any material change in the amount of Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures in its reports made in accordance with Section  8.3 to the extent not previously disclosed. Any adjustments to Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall be prospective only.

Event Issue Value ” means, with respect to any Common Unit as of any date of determination, (i) in the case of a Revaluation Event that includes the issuance of Common Units pursuant to a public offering and solely for cash, the price paid for such Common Units, or (ii) in the case of any other Revaluation Event, the Closing Price of the Common Units on the date of such Revaluation Event or, if the General Partner determines that a value for the Common Unit other than such Closing Price more accurately reflects the Event Issue Value, the value determined by the General Partner.

Event of Withdrawal ” has the meaning given such term in Section  11.1(a) .

Excess Additional Book Basis ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Additional Book Basis Derivative Items.”

Excess Distribution ” has the meaning given such term in Section  6.1(d)(iii)(A) .

Excess Distribution Unit ” has the meaning given such term in Section  6.1(d)(iii)(A) .

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

Expansion Capital Expenditures ” means cash expenditures for Capital Acquisitions or Capital Improvements. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall include interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees paid during the Construction Period on Construction Debt. Where cash expenditures are made in part for Expansion Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each.

Final Subordinated Units ” has the meaning given such term in Section  6.1(d)(x)(A) .

First Liquidation Target Amount ” has the meaning given such term in Section  6.1(c)(i)(D) .

First Target Distribution ” means $0.58938 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the Initial Period, it means the product of $0.58938 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Initial Period and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the Quarter in which the Closing Date occurs), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section  5.11 , Section  6.6 and Section  6.9 .

 

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Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis ” means, when calculating the number of Outstanding Units for any period, a basis that includes (a) the weighted average number of Outstanding Units during such period plus (b) all Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests (i) that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Units or for which Units are issuable, in each case that are senior to or pari passu with the Subordinated Units, (ii) whose conversion, exercise or exchange price, if any, is less than the Current Market Price on the date of such calculation, (iii) that may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units prior to or during the Quarter immediately following the end of the period for which the calculation is being made without the satisfaction of any contingency beyond the control of the holder other than the payment of consideration and the compliance with administrative mechanics applicable to such conversion, exercise or exchange and (iv) that were not converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units during the period for which the calculation is being made; provided , however , that for purposes of determining the number of Outstanding Units on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis when calculating whether the Subordination Period has ended or Subordinated Units are entitled to convert into Common Units pursuant to Section  5.7 , such Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests shall be deemed to have been Outstanding Units only for the four Quarters that comprise the last four Quarters of the measurement period; provided , further , that if consideration will be paid to any Group Member in connection with such conversion, exercise or exchange, the number of Units to be included in such calculation shall be that number equal to the difference between (x) the number of Units issuable upon such conversion, exercise or exchange and (y) the number of Units that such consideration would purchase at the Current Market Price.

General Partner ” means CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC (f/k/a CNX Coal Resources GP LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general partner of the Partnership, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership (except as the context otherwise requires).

General Partner Interest ” means the equity interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it) and includes any and all rights, powers and benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. For purposes of determining the Percentage Interest attributable to the General Partner at any point in time, the General Partner Interest shall be deemed to be represented by a specific number of hypothetical limited partner units, and the Percentage Interest attributable to the General Partner Interest shall equal the ratio of the number of such hypothetical limited partner units to the sum of the total number of Units and the number of hypothetical limited partner units. After giving effect to the Initial Public Offering, including any exercise of the Over-Allotment Option and the Deferred Issuance, the Percentage Interest attributable to the General Partner Interest shall be 2%, which for the purposes of this definition equates to 473,921 hypothetical limited partner units. In connection with the issuance of additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership as described in Section  5.2(b) , (i) if the General Partner makes additional Capital Contributions as contemplated by Section  5.2(b) , the number of hypothetical limited partner units represented by the General Partner Interest shall be increased as necessary to maintain the Percentage Interest attributable to the General Partner Interest at the level it was immediately prior to such issuance and (ii) if the General Partner does not make additional Capital Contributions as contemplated by Section  5.2(b) , the number of hypothetical limited partner units represented by the General Partner Interest shall stay the same, which shall result in a reduction of the Percentage Interest attributable to the General Partner Interest.

 

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Greenlight Capital Funds ” means each Person named as a purchaser in Exhibit A to the Private Placement Purchase Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.

Gross Liability Value ” means, with respect to any Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i), the amount of cash that a willing assignor would pay to a willing assignee to assume such Liability in an arm’s-length transaction.

Group ” means two or more Persons that have, or with or through any of their respective Affiliates or Associates have, any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power over or disposing of any Partnership Interests.

Group Member ” means a member of the Partnership Group.

Group Member Agreement ” means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, in each case, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Hedge Contract ” means any exchange, swap, forward, cap, floor, collar, option or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of reducing the exposure of a Group Member to fluctuations in, for example, interest rates, the price of commodities, basis differentials or currency exchange rates in their operations or financing activities and not for speculative purposes.

Holder ” means any of the following:

(a)    the General Partner who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities;

(b)    any Affiliate of the General Partner who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities (other than natural persons who are Affiliates of the General Partner by virtue of being officers, directors or employees of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates);

(c)    any Person who has been the General Partner within the prior two years and who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities;

(d)    any Person who has been an Affiliate of the General Partner within the prior two years and who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities (other than natural persons who were Affiliates of the General Partner by virtue of being officers, directors or employees of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates); and

 

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(e)    a transferee and current Record Holder of Registrable Securities to whom the transferor of such Registrable Securities, who was a Holder at the time of such transfer, assigns its rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided , such transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and provides its name and address to the Partnership promptly upon such transfer.

IDR Reset Common Units ” has the meaning given such term in Section  5.11(a) .

IDR Reset Election ” has the meaning given such term in Section  5.11(a) .

Incentive Distribution Right ” means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights in this Agreement (and no other rights otherwise available to or other obligations of a holder of a Partnership Interest).

Incentive Distributions ” means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(v) , (vi) and (vii)  and Sections 6.4(b)(iii) , (iv) and (v) .

Incremental Income Taxes ” has the meaning given such term in Section  6.9 .

Indemnified Persons ” has the meaning given such term in Section  7.12(g)(i) .

Indemnitee ” means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of (i) any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or (ii) any Affiliate of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner as a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of another Person owing a fiduciary duty to any Group Member; provided , that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services and (f) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement because such Person’s status, service or relationship exposes such Person to potential claims, demands, suits or proceedings relating to the Partnership Group’s business and affairs.

Ineligible Holder ” has the meaning given such term in Section  4.9(c) .

Initial Common Units ” means the Common Units sold in the Initial Public Offering.

Initial Limited Partners ” means CNX Resources (with respect to its Limited Partner Interest as the Organizational Limited Partner and the Common Units and Subordinated Units received by it pursuant to Section  5.3(a) ), the General Partner (with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights received by it pursuant to Section  5.2(a) ), the IPO Underwriters upon the

 

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issuance by the Partnership of Common Units as described in Section  5.3(b) in connection with the Initial Public Offering and the Greenlight Capital Funds upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units as described in Section  5.3(d) in connection with the Private Placement.

Initial Period ” means the portion of the fiscal quarter commencing on the Closing Date and ending on September 30, 2015.

Initial Public Offering ” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public (including the offer and sale of Common Units pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option), as described in the IPO Registration Statement.

Initial Unit Price ” means (a) with respect to the Common Units and the Subordinated Units, the Initial Public Offering price per Common Unit at which the Common Units were first offered to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the IPO Prospectus or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.

Interim Capital Transactions ” means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than Working Capital Borrowings and other than for items purchased on open account or for a deferred purchase price in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member and sales of debt securities of any Group Member; (b) issuances of equity interests of any Group Member (including the Common Units sold to the IPO Underwriters in the Initial Public Offering and the Common Units sold to the Greenlight Capital Funds in the Private Placement) to anyone other than the Partnership Group; (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements; and (d) capital contributions received by a Group Member.

IPO Prospectus ” means the final prospectus relating to the Initial Public Offering dated June 30, 2015 and filed by the Partnership with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the Securities Act on July 1, 2015.

IPO Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-203165), as amended or supplemented, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Public Offering.

IPO Underwriter ” means each Person named as an underwriter in Exhibit A to the IPO Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.

IPO Underwriting Agreement ” means that certain Underwriting Agreement dated as of June 30, 2015 among the IPO Underwriters, CNX Resources, the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company and CONSOL Thermal, providing for the purchase of Common Units by the IPO Underwriters.

 

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Liability ” means any liability or obligation of any nature, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise.

Limited Partner ” means, unless the context otherwise requires, each Initial Limited Partner, each additional Person that becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and any Departing General Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section  11.3 , in each case, in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.

Limited Partner Interest ” means an equity interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Subordinated Units, Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Interests or a combination thereof (but excluding Derivative Partnership Interests), and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

Liquidation Date ” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a)  and (d) of the third sentence of Section  12.1 , the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.

Liquidator ” means one or more Persons selected pursuant to Section  12.3 to perform the functions described in Section  12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.

lower tier partnership has the meaning given such term in Section  6.1(d)(xiii)(D) .

Maintenance Capital Expenditures ” means cash expenditures (including expenditures for the construction of new capital assets or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets) by a Group Member made to maintain, over the long term, the operating capacity or capital asset base of the Partnership Group. For purposes of this definition, “long term” generally refers to a period of time greater than twelve months.

Merger Agreement ” has the meaning given such term in Section  14.1 .

Minimum Quarterly Distribution ” means $0.5125 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the Initial Period, it means the product of $0.5125 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Initial Period and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the Quarter in which the Closing Date occurs), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section  5.11 , Section  6.6 and Section  6.9 .

National Securities Exchange ” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Exchange Act (or any successor to such Section).

 

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Net Agreed Value ” means (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property or other asset reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property or other asset is subject when contributed and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section  5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution, in either case as determined and required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code.

Net Income ” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section  5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section  6.1(d) ; provided, however , that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section  6.1(d) shall be made without regard to any reversal of such items under Section  6.1(d)(xiii) .

Net Loss ” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section  5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section  6.1(d) ; provided, however , that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section  6.1(d) shall be made without regard to any reversal of such items under Section  6.1(d)(xiii) .

Net Positive Adjustments ” means, with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the total positive adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account of such Partner pursuant to Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.

Net Termination Gain ” means, for any taxable period, (a) the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section  5.5(b) ) that are recognized by the Partnership (i) after the Liquidation Date or (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group), or (b) the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of Unrealized Gain over the aggregate amount of Unrealized Loss deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section  5.5(d) on the date of a Revaluation Event; provided, however, that the items included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section  6.1(d) .

Net Termination Loss ” means, for any taxable period, (a) the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section  5.5(b) ) that are recognized by the Partnership (i) after the Liquidation Date or (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a

 

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member of the Partnership Group), or (b) the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of Unrealized Loss over the aggregate amount of Unrealized Gain deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section  5.5(d) on the date of a Revaluation Event; provided, however, that the items included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section  6.1(d) .

Noncompensatory Option ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.721-2(f).

Nonrecourse Built-in Gain ” means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Section  6.2(b) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.

Nonrecourse Deductions ” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

Notice ” means a written request from a Holder pursuant to Section  7.12 which shall (a) specify the Registrable Securities intended to be registered, offered and sold by such Holder, (b) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Registrable Securities and (c) contain the undertaking of such Holder to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required or appropriate in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements and obligations in connection with the registration and disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to Section  7.12 .

Notice of Election to Purchase ” has the meaning given such term in Section  15.1(b) .

Omnibus Agreement ” means that certain Omnibus Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, among CNX Resources, the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company, CONSOL Thermal, Conrhein, CPCC, CESC, CNX Gas, CONSOL Marine and CNX Water, as amended by that certain First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement dated as of September 30, 2016, and that certain First Amendment to First Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement dated as of the date hereof which added CONSOL as a party thereto, and as such agreement may be further amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Operating Agreement ” means that certain Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, among CPCC, Conrhein and CONSOL Thermal, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement dated as of September 30, 2016, and that certain Second Amendment to Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement dated as of the date hereof which added the Partnership as a party thereto for limited purposes, and as such agreement may be further amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

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Operating Company ” means CONSOL Operating LLC (f/k/a CNX Operating LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, and any successors thereto.

Operating Expenditures ” means all Partnership Group cash expenditures (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of expenditures in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned), including taxes, compensation of employees, officers and directors of the General Partner, reimbursement of expenses of the General Partner and its Affiliates, debt service payments, Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings and payments made in the ordinary course of business under any Hedge Contracts, subject to the following:

(a)    repayments of Working Capital Borrowings deducted from Operating Surplus pursuant to clause (b)(iii) of the definition of “Operating Surplus” shall not constitute Operating Expenditures when actually repaid;

(b)    payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than Working Capital Borrowings shall not constitute Operating Expenditures;

(c)    Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures, (ii) actual Maintenance Capital Expenditures, (iii) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions, (iv) distributions to Partners, (v) repurchases of Partnership Interests, other than repurchases of Partnership Interests by the Partnership to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans or reimbursement of expenses of the General Partner for purchases of Partnership Interests by the General Partner to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans or (vi) any other expenditures or payments using the proceeds of the Initial Public Offering as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the IPO Registration Statement; and

(d)    (i) amounts paid in connection with the initial purchase of a Hedge Contract shall be amortized over the life of such Hedge Contract and (ii) payments made in connection with the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to the expiration of its scheduled settlement or termination date shall be included in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such Hedge Contract.

Operating Surplus ” means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,

(a)    the sum of (i) $50.0 million, (ii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, but excluding cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions and the termination of Hedge Contracts (provided that cash receipts from the termination of a Hedge Contract prior to its scheduled settlement or termination date shall be included in Operating Surplus in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such Hedge Contract), (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) after the end of such period but on or before the

 

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date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings and (iv) the amount of cash distributions from Operating Surplus paid during the Construction Period (including incremental Incentive Distributions) on Construction Equity, less

(b)    the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, (ii) the amount of cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) established by the General Partner to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures and (iii) all Working Capital Borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred, or repaid within such 12-month period with the proceeds of additional Working Capital Borrowings; provided , however , that disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Operating Surplus” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner or to such other Person selecting such counsel or obtaining such opinion.

Option Closing Date ” means the date or dates on which any Common Units were sold by the Partnership to the IPO Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

Organizational Limited Partner ” means CNX Resources in its capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

Outstanding ” means, with respect to Partnership Interests, all Partnership Interests that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding in the Partnership Register as of the date of determination; provided, however , that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class, all Partnership Interests owned by or for the benefit of such Person or Group shall not be entitled to be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Partnership Interests so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section  11.1(b)(iv) (such Partnership Interests shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Interests for purposes of this Agreement or the Delaware Act); provided, further , that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than the Partnership), (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i) , provided , that, upon or prior

 

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to such acquisition, the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, or (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class issued by the Partnership with the prior approval of the Board of Directors, provided , that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply.

Over-Allotment Option ” means the option to purchase additional Common Units granted to the IPO Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the IPO Underwriting Agreement.

Partner Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions ” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.

Partners ” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

Partnership ” means CONSOL Coal Resources LP (f/k/a CNX Coal Resources LP), a Delaware limited partnership.

Partnership Group ” means, collectively, the Partnership and its Subsidiaries.

Partnership Interest ” means any equity interest, including any class or series of equity interest, in the Partnership, which shall include any Limited Partner Interests and the General Partner Interest but shall exclude any Derivative Partnership Interests.

Partnership Minimum Gain ” means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

Partnership Register ” means a register maintained on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner, or, if the General Partner so determines, by the Transfer Agent as part of the Transfer Agent’s books and transfer records, with respect to each class of Partnership Interests in which all Record Holders and transfers of such class of Partnership Interests are registered or otherwise recorded.

Per Unit Capital Amount ” means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated on a per Unit basis, underlying any Unit held by a Person other than the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner who holds Units.

Percentage Interest ” means, as of any date of determination, (a) as to the General Partner, the Percentage Interest attributable to the General Partner as determined pursuant to the definition of “General Partner Interest” above, (b) as to any Unitholder with respect to Units, the

 

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product obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the Percentage Interest attributable to the General Partner Interest and the percentage applicable to clause (c)  below by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of Units held by such Unitholder by (B) the total number of Outstanding Units, and (c) as to the holders of other Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section  5.6 , the percentage calculated in accordance with the method established as a part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest with respect to an Incentive Distribution Right shall at all times be zero.

Person ” means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, estate, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

Plan of Conversion ” has the meaning given such term in Section  14.1 .

Private Placement ” means the Partnership’s issuance and sale of Common Units to the Greenlight Capital Funds on the Closing Date pursuant to the Private Placement Purchase Agreement in reliance upon the “private placement” exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

Private Placement Purchase Agreement ” means that certain Common Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2015, among the Partnership and the Greenlight Capital Funds, as amended by that certain Amendment thereto, dated as of June 30, 2015, providing for the Partnership’s issuance and sale of Common Units to the Greenlight Capital Funds.

Privately Placed Units ” means any Common Units issued for cash or property other than pursuant to a public offering.

Pro Rata ” means (a) when used with respect to Units or any class thereof, apportioned among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when used with respect to Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (c) when used with respect to holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, apportioned among all holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Incentive Distribution Rights held by each such holder and (d) when used with respect to Holders who have requested to include Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement pursuant to Section  7.12(a) or Section  7.12(b) , apportioned among all such Holders in accordance with the relative number of Registrable Securities held by each such holder and included in the Notice relating to such request.

Purchase Date ” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class (other than Limited Partner Interests owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV .

Quarter ” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, or, with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Partnership which includes the Closing Date, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.

Rate Eligibility Trigger ” has the meaning given such term in Section  4.9(a) .

 

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Recapture Income ” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.

Record Date ” means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to receive notice of, or entitled to exercise rights in respect of, any lawful action of Limited Partners (including voting) or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.

Record Holder ” means (a) with respect to any class of Partnership Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Person in whose name a Partnership Interest of such class is registered in the records of the Transfer Agent and in the Partnership Register as of the Partnership’s close of business on a particular Business Day, or (b) with respect to other classes of Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Interest is registered in the Partnership Register that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the Partnership’s close of business on a particular Business Day.

Redeemable Interests ” means any Limited Partner Interests subject to redemption pursuant to amendments adopted by the General Partner pursuant to Section  4.9 .

Registrable Security ” means any Partnership Interest other than the General Partner Interest; provided, however , that any Registrable Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security: (a) at the time a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Security is declared effective by the Commission, or otherwise becomes effective under the Securities Act, and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement; (b) at the time such Registrable Security may be disposed of pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor or similar rule or regulation under the Securities Act); (c) when such Registrable Security is held by a Group Member and (d) at the time such Registrable Security has been sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under Section  7.12 of this Agreement have not been assigned to the transferee of such securities.

Registration Statement ” has the meaning given such term in Section  7.12(a) of this Agreement.

Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means, as of the end of any taxable period, (a) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units, the excess of (i) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units as of the end of such period over (ii) the sum of those Partners’ Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period, (b) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Interest), the excess of (i) the Net Positive Adjustments of the General Partner as of the end of such period over (ii) the sum of the General Partner’s Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the General Partner Interest for each prior taxable period, and (c) with respect to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, the excess of (i) the Net Positive Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period over (ii) the sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable period.

 

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Required Allocations ” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section  6.1(d)(i) , Section  6.1(d)(ii) , Section  6.1(d)(iv) , Section  6.1(d)(v) , Section  6.1(d)(vi) , Section  6.1(d)(vii) or Section  6.1(d)(ix) .

Reset MQD ” has the meaning given such term in Section  5.11(e) .

Reset Notice ” has the meaning given such term in Section  5.11(b) .

Retained Converted Subordinated Unit ” has the meaning given such term in Section  5.5(c)(ii) .

Revaluation Event ” means an event that results in adjustment of the Carrying Value of each Partnership property pursuant to Section  5.5(d)(ii) .

Second Amended and Restated Agreement ” has the meaning given such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

Second Liquidation Target Amount ” has the meaning given such term in Section  6.1(c)(i)(E) .

Second Target Distribution ” means $0.64063 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the Initial Period, it means the product of $0.64063 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Initial Period and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the Quarter in which the Closing Date occurs), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section  5.11 , Section  6.6 and Section  6.9 .

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

Selling Holder ” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to the procedures in Section  7.12 of this Agreement.

Separation ” has the meaning given such term in the recitals to this Agreement.

Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means in connection with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, (a) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders’ Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such taxable period bear to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time, (b) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Interest), the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the General Partner’s Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such taxable period bear to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustment as of that time and (c) with respect to the Partners holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such taxable period bear to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.

 

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Special Approval ” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee acting in good faith.

Subordinated Unit ” means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Subordinated Units in this Agreement. The term “Subordinated Unit” does not include a Common Unit. A Subordinated Unit that is convertible into a Common Unit shall not constitute a Common Unit until such conversion occurs.

Subordination Period ” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and expiring on the first to occur of the following dates:

(a)    the first Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section  6.3(a) in respect of any Quarter beginning with the Quarter ending June 30, 2018 in respect of which (i) (A) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, the General Partner Interest and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case with respect to each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, the General Partner Interest and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case in respect of such periods and (B) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units, the General Partner Interest and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case that were Outstanding during such periods on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis, and (ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.

(b)    the first Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section  6.3(a) in respect of any Quarter beginning with the Quarter ending June 30, 2016 in respect of which (i) (A) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, the General Partner Interest and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case with respect to the four-Quarter period immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded 150% of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, the General Partner Interest and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case in respect of such period, and (B) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for the four-Quarter period immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded 150% of the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units, the General Partner Interest and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case that were Outstanding during such period on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis, plus the corresponding Incentive Distributions and (ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.

 

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Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the general partner interests of such partnership is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

Surviving Business Entity ” has the meaning given such term in Section  14.2(b)(ii) .

Target Distributions ” means, collectively, the First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution.

Tax Matters Partner ” has the meaning given such term in Section  9.3 .

Third Target Distribution ” means $0.76875 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the Initial Period, it means the product of $0.76875 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the Initial Period and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the Quarter in which the Closing Date occurs), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section  5.11 , Section  6.6 and Section  6.9 .

Trading Day ” means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which the referenced Partnership Interests of any class are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if such Partnership Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City are not legally required to be closed.

Transaction Documents ” has the meaning given such term in Section  7.1(b) .

transfer ” has the meaning given such term in Section  4.4(a) .

Transfer Agent ” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as may be appointed from time to time by the General Partner to act as registrar and transfer agent for any class of Partnership Interests in accordance with the Exchange Act and the rules of the National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading (if any); provided, however , that, if no such Person is appointed as registrar and transfer agent for any class of Partnership Interests, the General Partner shall act as registrar and transfer agent for such class of Partnership Interests.

Treasury Regulation ” means the United States Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

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Underwritten Offering ” means (a) an offering pursuant to a Registration Statement in which Partnership Interests are sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public (other than the Initial Public Offering), (b) an offering of Partnership Interests pursuant to a Registration Statement that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks and (c) an “at-the-market” offering pursuant to a Registration Statement in which Partnership Interests are sold to the public through one or more investment banks or managers on a best efforts basis.

Unit ” means a Partnership Interest that is designated by the General Partner as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units and Subordinated Units but shall not include (i) hypothetical limited partner units representing the General Partner Interest or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.

Unit Majority ” means (i) during the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), voting as a separate class, and at least a majority of the Outstanding Subordinated Units, voting as a separate class, and (ii) after the end of the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units.

Unitholders ” means the Record Holders of Units.

Unpaid MQD ” has the meaning given such term in Section  6.1(c)(i)(B) .

Unrealized Gain ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section  5.5(d) ) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section  5.5(d) as of such date).

Unrealized Loss ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section  5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section  5.5(d) ).

Unrecovered Initial Unit Price ” means at any time, with respect to a Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of such Units.

Unrestricted Person ” means (a) each Indemnitee, (b) each Partner, (c) each Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, employee or agent of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner and (d) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Unrestricted Person” for purposes of this Agreement from time to time.

 

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U.S. GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.

Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ” has the meaning given such term in Section  11.1(b) .

Working Capital Borrowings ” means borrowings incurred pursuant to a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement that are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to the Partners; provided that when such borrowings are incurred it is the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within twelve months from the date of such borrowings other than from additional Working Capital Borrowings.

Section 1.2     Construction . Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation” and (d) the terms “hereof,” “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The General Partner has the power to construe and interpret this Agreement and to act upon any such construction or interpretation. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any construction or interpretation of this Agreement by the General Partner, any action taken pursuant thereto and any determination made by the General Partner in good faith shall, in each case, be conclusive and binding on all Record Holders, each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and all other Persons for all purposes.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1     Formation . The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner previously formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act. The General Partner hereby amends and restates the Second Amended and Restated Agreement in its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties, liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes.

Section 2.2     Name . The name of the Partnership shall be “CONSOL Coal Resources LP”. Subject to applicable law, the Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words “Limited Partnership,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.

 

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Section 2.3     Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices . Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.

Section 2.4     Purpose and Business . The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate in furtherance of the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however , that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would be reasonably likely to cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve the conduct by the Partnership of any business and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to so propose or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in determining whether to propose or approve the conduct by the Partnership of any business shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion.

Section 2.5     Powers . The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section  2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.

Section 2.6     Term . The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII . The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.

 

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Section 2.7     Title to Partnership Assets . Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more Affiliates of the General Partner or one or more nominees of the General Partner or its Affiliates, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more Affiliates of the General Partner or one or more nominees of the General Partner or its Affiliates shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however , that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership or one or more of the Partnership’s designated Affiliates as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further , that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to any successor General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

Section 3.1     Limitation of Liability . The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.

Section 3.2     Management of Business . No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. No action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall be deemed to be participating in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) nor shall any such action affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the Liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.

Section 3.3     Rights of Limited Partners .

(a)    Each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand, and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:

(i)    to obtain from the General Partner either (A) the Partnership’s most recent filings with the Commission on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings on Form 10-Q or Form 8-K or (B) if the Partnership is no longer subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation under the Securities Act); provided , that the foregoing materials shall be deemed to be available to a Limited Partner in satisfaction of the requirements of this Section  3.3(a)(i) if posted on or accessible through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website;

 

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(ii)    to obtain a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner; and

(iii)    to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto.

(b)    To the fullest extent permitted by law, the rights to information granted the Limited Partners pursuant to Section  3.3(a) replace in their entirety any rights to information provided for in Section 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act, and each of the Limited Partners, each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have any rights as Limited Partners, interest holders or otherwise to receive any information either pursuant to Sections 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act or otherwise except for the information identified in Section  3.3(a) .

(c)    The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or its business or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section  3.3 ).

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or Section 17-305 of the Delaware Act, each of the Limited Partners, each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have rights to receive information from the Partnership or any Indemnitee for the purpose of determining whether to pursue litigation or assist in pending litigation against the Partnership or any Indemnitee relating to the affairs of the Partnership except pursuant to the applicable rules of discovery relating to litigation commenced by such Person or Group.

 

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ARTICLE IV

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP

INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 4.1     Certificates . Record Holders of Partnership Interests and, where appropriate, Derivative Partnership Interests, shall be recorded in the Partnership Register and ownership of such interests shall be evidenced by a physical certificate or book entry notation in the Partnership Register. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, unless the General Partner shall determine otherwise in respect of some or all of any or all classes of Partnership Interests, Partnership Interests shall not be evidenced by physical certificates. Certificates, if any, shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President and the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or other authorized officer of the General Partner, and shall bear the legend set forth in Section  4.8(f) . The signatures of such officers upon a Certificate may, to the extent permitted by law, be facsimiles. In case any officer who has signed or whose signature has been placed upon such Certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such Certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Partnership with the same effect as if he or she were such officer at the date of its issuance. If a Transfer Agent has been appointed for a class of Partnership Interests, no Certificate for such class of Partnership Interests shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided , however , that, if the General Partner elects to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests of such class in global form, the Certificate shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Partnership Interests have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership. Subject to the requirements of Section  6.7(b) and Section  6.7(c) , if Common Units are evidenced by Certificates, on or after the date on which Subordinated Units are converted into Common Units pursuant to the terms of Section  5.7 , the Record Holders of such Subordinated Units (a) if the Subordinated Units are evidenced by Certificates, may exchange such Certificates for Certificates evidencing the Common Units into which such Record Holder’s Subordinated Units converted or (b) if the Subordinated Units are not evidenced by Certificates, shall be issued Certificates evidencing the Common Units into which such Record Holders’ Subordinated Units converted. With respect to any Partnership Interests that are represented by physical certificates, the General Partner may determine that such Partnership Interests will no longer be represented by physical certificates and may, upon written notice to the holders of such Partnership Interests and subject to applicable law, take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to cause such Partnership Interests to be registered in book entry or global form and may cause such physical certificates to be cancelled or deemed cancelled.

Section 4.2     Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates .

(a)    If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Interests as the Certificate so surrendered.

 

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(b)    The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued, if the Record Holder of the Certificate:

(i)    makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;

(ii)    requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;

(iii)    if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct, to indemnify the Partnership, the Limited Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and

(iv)    satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner or the Transfer Agent.

If a Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after such Limited Partner has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such Limited Partner shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.

(c)    As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section  4.2 , the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.

Section 4.3     Record Holders .

The names and addresses of Unitholders as they appear in the Partnership Register shall be the official list of Record Holders of the Partnership Interests for all purposes. The Partnership and the General Partner shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person or Group, regardless of whether the Partnership or the General Partner shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person or Group in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Person on the other hand, such representative Person shall be the Limited Partner with respect to such Partnership Interest upon becoming the Record Holder in accordance with Section  10.1(b) and have the rights and obligations of a Limited Partner hereunder as and to the extent provided herein, including Section  10.1(c) .

 

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Section 4.4     Transfer Generally .

(a)    The term “transfer,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest assigns all or a part of such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner as a result thereof, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, excluding a pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage but including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.

(b)    No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV . Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void, and the Partnership shall have no obligation to effect any such transfer or purported transfer.

(c)    Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or limit a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the General Partner or any Limited Partner of any or all of such Person’s shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in the General Partner or such Limited Partner and the term “transfer” shall not include any such disposition.

Section 4.5     Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests .

(a)    The General Partner shall maintain, or cause to be maintained by the Transfer Agent in whole or in part, the Partnership Register on behalf of the Partnership.

(b)    The General Partner shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are duly endorsed and surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, however , that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section  4.5 , the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of this Section  4.5(b) , the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered. Upon the proper surrender of a Certificate, such transfer shall be recorded in the Partnership Register.

 

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(c)    Upon the receipt by the General Partner of a duly endorsed certificate or, in the case of uncertificated Limited Partner Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Transfer Agent of proper transfer instructions from the Record Holder of uncertificated Limited Partner Interests, such transfer shall be recorded in the Partnership Register.

(d)    By acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests pursuant to a transfer in accordance with this Article IV , each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee, agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person or Group) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred to such Person when any such transfer or admission is reflected in the Partnership Register and such Person becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound, by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) shall be deemed to represent that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and (iv) shall be deemed to make the consents, acknowledgements and waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement.

(e)    Subject to (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section  4.5 , (ii) Section  4.3 , (iii) Section  4.8 , (iv) with respect to any class or series of Limited Partner Interests, the provisions of any statement of designations or an amendment to this Agreement establishing such class or series, (v) any contractual provisions binding on any Limited Partner and (vi) provisions of applicable law including the Securities Act, Limited Partner Interests shall be freely transferable.

(f)    The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their Subordinated Units and Common Units (whether issued upon conversion of the Subordinated Units or otherwise) to one or more Persons.

Section 4.6     Transfer of the General Partner s General Partner Interest .

(a)    Subject to Section  4.6(c) below, prior to June 30, 2025, the General Partner shall not transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest to a Person unless such transfer (i) has been approved by the prior written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) or (ii) is of all, but not less than all, of its General Partner Interest to (A) an Affiliate of the General Partner (other than an individual) or (B) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with the merger or consolidation of the General Partner with or into such other Person or the transfer by the General Partner of all or substantially all of its assets to such other Person.

 

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(b)    Subject to Section  4.6(c) below, on or after June 30, 2025, the General Partner may transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest owned by the General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section  4.6 , the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section  10.2 , be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner effective immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.

Section 4.7     Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights . The General Partner or any other holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of its Incentive Distribution Rights without the approval of any Limited Partner or any other Person.

Section 4.8     Restrictions on Transfers .

(a)    Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV , no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed). The Partnership may issue stop transfer instructions to any Transfer Agent in order to implement any restriction on transfer contemplated by this Agreement.

(b)    The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it receives an Opinion of Counsel that such restrictions are necessary to (i) avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) or (ii) preserve the uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided, however , that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted to trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.

 

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(c)    The transfer of an IDR Reset Common Unit that was issued in connection with an IDR Reset Election pursuant to Section  5.11 shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section  6.8(b) and Section  6.8(c) .

(d)    The transfer of a Subordinated Unit or a Common Unit resulting from the conversion of a Subordinated Unit shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section  6.7(b) and Section  6.7(c) .

(e)    Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

(f)    Each Certificate or book entry evidencing Partnership Interests shall bear a conspicuous legend in substantially the following form:

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT) WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR (C) CAUSE CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). THE GENERAL PARTNER OF CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO (A) AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED) OR (B) PRESERVE THE UNIFORMITY OF THE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS IN CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP (OR ANY CLASS OR CLASSES THEREOF). THIS SECURITY MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON ITS TRANSFER PROVIDED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS SECURITY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL PARTNER AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE PARTNERSHIP. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.

 

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Section 4.9     Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders .

(a)    If at any time the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that:

(i)    the U.S. federal income tax status (or lack of proof of the U.S. federal income tax status) of one or more Limited Partners or their beneficial owners has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates that can be charged to customers by any Group Member (a “ Rate Eligibility Trigger ”); or

(ii)    any Group Member is subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of one or more Limited Partners or their beneficial owners (a “ Citizenship Eligibility Trigger ”);

then, the General Partner, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the approval of any Limited Partner, may adopt such amendments to this Agreement as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to (A) in the case of a Rate Eligibility Trigger, obtain such proof of the U.S. federal income tax status of such Limited Partners and, to the extent relevant, their beneficial owners, as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reduce the risk of the occurrence of a material adverse effect on the rates that can be charged to customers by any Group Member or (B) in the case of a Citizenship Eligibility Trigger, obtain such proof of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of such Limited Partners and, to the extent relevant, their beneficial owners, as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to eliminate or mitigate the risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any properties or interests therein of a Group Member.

(b)    Amendments adopted pursuant to this Section  4.9 may include provisions requiring all Limited Partners to certify as to their (and their beneficial owners’) status as Eligible Holders upon demand and on a regular basis, as determined by the General Partner, and may require transferees of Units to so certify prior to being admitted to the Partnership as Limited Partners (any such required certificate, an “ Eligibility Certificate ”).

(c)    Amendments adopted pursuant to this Section  4.9 may provide that (i) any Limited Partner who fails to furnish to the General Partner, within a reasonable period, requested proof of its (and its beneficial owners’) status as an Eligible Holder or (ii) if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner (or its beneficial owner) is not an Eligible Holder (an “ Ineligible Holder ”), the Limited Partner Interests owned by such Limited Partner shall be subject to redemption. In addition, the General Partner shall be substituted and treated as the owner of all Limited Partner Interests owned by an Ineligible Holder.

 

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(d)    If the General Partner adopts amendments pursuant to this Section  4.9 providing for the redemption of Limited Partner Interests, the aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Limited Partner Interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Limited Partner Interests of each such class included among the Redeemable Interests. The redemption price shall be paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 5% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.

(e)    The General Partner shall, in exercising, or abstaining from exercising, voting rights in respect of Limited Partner Interests held by it on behalf of Ineligible Holders, distribute the votes or abstentions in the same manner and in the same ratios as the votes of Limited Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) in respect of Limited Partner Interests other than those of Ineligible Holders are distributed, either casting votes for or against or abstaining as to the matter.

(f)    Upon dissolution of the Partnership, an Ineligible Holder shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section  12.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Ineligible Holder’s share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for Partnership purposes as a purchase by the Partnership from the Ineligible Holder of its Limited Partner Interests (representing the right to receive its share of such distribution in kind).

(g)    At any time after an Ineligible Holder can and does certify that it has become an Eligible Holder, such Ineligible Holder may, upon application to the General Partner, request that with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Ineligible Holder not redeemed, such Ineligible Holder be admitted as a Limited Partner, and upon approval of the General Partner, such Ineligible Holder shall be admitted as a Limited Partner and shall no longer constitute an Ineligible Holder, and the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the owner in respect of such Ineligible Holder’s Limited Partner Interests.

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 5.1     Organizational Contributions . In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Delaware Act, the General Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $20.00 for a 2% General Partner Interest in the Partnership and was admitted as the General Partner of the Partnership, and the Organizational Limited Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $980.00 for a 98% Limited Partner Interest in the Partnership and was admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership. As of the Closing Date, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the interest of the Organizational Limited Partner was partially redeemed in exchange for the return of the initial Capital Contribution of the Organizational Limited Partner, and 98% of any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial Capital Contributions was allocated and distributed to the Organizational Limited Partner, and the

 

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balance thereof was allocated and distributed to the General Partner. The Organizational Limited Partner continued as a limited partner of the Partnership with respect to the portion of its interest that was not partially redeemed.

Section 5.2     Contributions by the General Partner .

(a)    On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the General Partner contributed to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, the 2% OpCo Interest (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) in exchange for (i) a continuation of its 2% General Partner Interest (after giving effect to any exercise of the Over-Allotment Option and the Deferred Issuance), subject to all of the rights, privileges and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and (ii) the Incentive Distribution Rights.

(b)    Upon the issuance of any additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership (other than (i) the Common Units issued pursuant to the Initial Public Offering, (ii) the Common Units and Subordinated Units issued pursuant to Section  5.3(a) (including any Common Units issued pursuant to the Deferred Issuance), (iii) any Common Units issued pursuant to Section  5.11 , (iv) any Common Units issued pursuant to Section  5.3(c) , (v) the Common Units issued to the Greenlight Capital Funds pursuant to the Private Placement and (vi) any Common Units issued upon the conversion of any Partnership Interests), the General Partner may, in order to maintain the Percentage Interest with respect to its General Partner Interest, make additional Capital Contributions in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the quotient determined by dividing (x) the Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interests immediately prior to the issuance of such additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership by (y) 100% less the Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interest immediately prior to the issuance of such additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership times (B) the gross amount contributed to the Partnership by the Limited Partners (before deduction of underwriters’ discounts and commissions) in exchange for such additional Limited Partner Interests.

Section 5.3     Contributions by Limited Partners .

(a)    On the Closing Date, pursuant to and as described in the Contribution Agreement, CNX Resources contributed to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, the 98% OpCo Interest (as defined in the Contribution Agreement), in exchange for (i) 861,067 Common Units, (ii) 11,611,067 Subordinated Units and (iii) the right to receive cash distributions from the Partnership as set forth in the Contribution Agreement.

(b)    On the Closing Date and pursuant to the IPO Underwriting Agreement, each IPO Underwriter contributed cash to the Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to each IPO Underwriter, all as set forth in the IPO Underwriting Agreement.

(c)    The Partnership issued to CNX Resources at the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option period for no additional consideration additional Common Units (the “ Deferred Issuance ”), all as set forth in the IPO Underwriting Agreement and the Contribution Agreement.

 

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(d)    On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Private Placement Purchase Agreement, each Greenlight Capital Fund contributed cash to the Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to each Greenlight Capital Fund, all as set forth in the Private Placement Purchase Agreement.

(e)    Except for the Capital Contributions made or to be made pursuant to Section  5.3(a) through Section  5.3(d) and for Capital Contributions required to be made by or on behalf of a Person acquiring Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests in connection with future issuances in accordance with Section  5.6 , no Limited Partner will be required to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 5.4     Interest and Withdrawal .

No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority over any other Partner either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.

Section 5.5     Capital Accounts .

(a)    The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee, agent or representative in any case in which such nominee, agent or representative has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). The initial Capital Account balance attributable to the General Partner Interest issued to the General Partner pursuant to Section  5.2(a) shall equal the Net Agreed Value of the Capital Contribution specified in Section  5.2(a) , which shall be deemed to equal the product of the number of hypothetical limited partner units set forth in the definition of “General Partner Interest” and the Initial Unit Price for each Common Unit (and the initial Capital Account balance attributable to each hypothetical limited partner unit representing the General Partner Interest shall equal the Initial Unit Price for each Common Unit). The initial Capital Account balance attributable to the Common Units and Subordinated Units issued to CNX Resources pursuant to Section  5.3(a) and, to the extent applicable, Section  5.3(c) shall equal the respective Net Agreed Value of the Capital Contributions specified in Section  5.3(a) or Section  5.3(c) , as applicable, which shall be deemed to equal the product of the number of Common Units and Subordinated Units issued to CNX Resources pursuant to Section  5.3(a) or Section  5.3(c) , as applicable, and the Initial Unit Price for each such Common Unit and Subordinated Unit (and the initial Capital Account balance attributable to each such Common Unit and Subordinated Unit shall equal its Initial Unit Price). The initial Capital Account balance attributable to the Common Units issued to the IPO Underwriters pursuant to Section  5.3(b) and, to the extent applicable,

 

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Section  5.3(c) shall equal the product of the number of Common Units so issued to the IPO Underwriters and the Initial Unit Price for each Common Unit (and the initial Capital Account balance attributable to each such Common Unit shall equal its Initial Unit Price). The initial Capital Account balance attributable to the Common Units issued to the Greenlight Capital Funds pursuant to Section  5.3(d) shall equal the product of the number of Common Units so issued to the Greenlight Capital Funds and the Initial Unit Price (which shall equal $15.00) for each such Common Unit (and the initial Capital Account balance attributable to each such Common Unit shall equal its Initial Unit Price). The initial Capital Account attributable to the Incentive Distribution Rights shall be zero. Thereafter, the Capital Account shall in respect of each such Partnership Interest be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section  5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section  6.1 , and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section  5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section  6.1 .

(b)    For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is to be allocated pursuant to Article V or Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose); provided , that:

(i)    Solely for purposes of this Section  5.5 , the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement or governing, organizational or similar documents) of all property owned by (x) any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes and (y) any other partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity classified as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes of which a Group Member is, directly or indirectly, a partner, member or other equity holder.

(ii)    All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section  6.1 .

(iii)    The computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made, except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.734-2(b)(1)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

 

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(iv)    In the event the Carrying Value of Partnership property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), any Unrealized Gain resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain, and any Unrealized Loss resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as an item of loss.

(v)    Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnership’s Carrying Value with respect to such property as of such date.

(vi)    An item of income of the Partnership that is described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) of the Code (with respect to items of income that are exempt from tax) shall be treated as an item of income for the purpose of this Section 5.5(b), and an item of expense of the Partnership that is described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code (with respect to expenditures that are not deductible and not chargeable to capital accounts), shall be treated as an item of deduction for the purpose of this Section  5.5(b) .

(vii)    In accordance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property on the date it was acquired by the Partnership were equal to the Agreed Value of such property. Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section  5.5(d) to the Carrying Value of any Partnership property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to such property shall be determined under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d)(2) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment.

(viii)    The Gross Liability Value of each Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i) shall be adjusted at such times as provided in this Agreement for an adjustment to Carrying Values. The amount of any such adjustment shall be treated for purposes hereof as an item of loss (if the adjustment increases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership) or an item of gain (if the adjustment decreases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership).

(c)    (i) Except as otherwise provided in this Section  5.5(c) , a transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.

(ii)    Subject to Section  6.7(b) , immediately prior to the transfer of a Subordinated Unit or of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section  5.7 by a holder thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this subparagraph 5.5(c)(ii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will (A) first, be allocated to the Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred in an

 

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amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any converted Subordinated Units (“ Retained Converted Subordinated Units ”) or Subordinated Units. Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B)  hereinabove, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A)  hereinabove.

(iii)    Subject to Section  6.8(b) , immediately prior to the transfer of an IDR Reset Common Unit by a holder thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this subparagraph 5.5(c)(iii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its IDR Reset Common Units will (A) first, be allocated to the IDR Reset Common Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such IDR Reset Common Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any IDR Reset Common Units. Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained IDR Reset Common Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B)  hereinabove, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred IDR Reset Common Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A)  above.

(d)    (i) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of a Noncompensatory Option, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section  5.11 , or the conversion of the General Partner’s Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section  11.3(b) , the Capital Account of each Partner and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, and any such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss shall be treated, for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, as if it had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property for an amount equal to its fair market value immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated among the Partners at such time pursuant to Section  6.1(c) and Section  6.1(d) in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized following an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership would have been allocated; provided, however, that in the event of the issuance of a Partnership Interest pursuant to the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option where the right to share in Partnership capital represented by such Partnership Interest differs from the consideration paid to acquire and exercise such option, the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately after the issuance of such Partnership Interest shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s); provided further, however , that in the event of an issuance of Partnership Interests for a de minimis amount of cash or Contributed Property, in

 

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the event of an issuance of a Noncompensatory Option to acquire a de minimis Partnership Interest, or in the event of an issuance of a de minimis amount of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the General Partner may determine that such adjustments are unnecessary for the proper administration of the Partnership. If, upon the occurrence of a Revaluation Event described in this Section  5.5(d) , a Noncompensatory Option of the Partnership is outstanding, the Partnership shall adjust the Carrying Value of each Partnership property in accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(1) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2). In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests (or, in the case of a Revaluation Event resulting from the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, immediately after the issuance of the Partnership Interest acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Noncompensatory Option if required pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(1)) shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt. In making its determination of the fair market values of individual properties, the General Partner may first determine an aggregate value for the assets of the Partnership that takes into account the current trading price of the Common Units, the fair market value of all other Partnership Interests at such time, and the amount of Partnership Liabilities. The General Partner may allocate such aggregate value among the individual properties of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines appropriate). Absent a contrary determination by the General Partner, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a Revaluation Event shall be the value that would result in the Capital Account for each Common Unit that is Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event being equal to the Event Issue Value.

(ii)    In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Capital Accounts of all Partners and the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, and any such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss shall be treated, for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, as if it had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property for an amount equal to its fair market value immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated among the Partners at such time pursuant to Section  6.1(c) and Section  6.1(d) in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized following an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of a distribution that is not made pursuant to Section  12.4 or in the case of a deemed distribution, be determined in the same manner as that provided in Section  5.5(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section  12.4 , be determined by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may adopt.

Section 5.6     Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests .

(a)    The Partnership may issue additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.

 

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(b)    Each additional Partnership Interest authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section  5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Interests), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may, or shall be required to, redeem the Partnership Interest; (v) whether such Partnership Interest is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Interest will be issued, evidenced by Certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Interest and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Interest to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Interest.

(c)    The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section  5.6 , including Common Units issued in connection with the Deferred Issuance, (ii) the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the issuance of Common Units pursuant to Section  5.11 , (iv) reflecting admission of such additional Limited Partners in the Partnership Register as the Record Holders of such Limited Partner Interests and (v) all additional issuances of Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests or in connection with the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

(d)    No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.

Section 5.7     Conversion of Subordinated Units .

(a)    All of the Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the expiration of the Subordination Period.

(b)    (b) A Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the provisions of Section  6.7 .

 

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Section 5.8     Limited Preemptive Right . Except as provided in this Section  5.8 and in Section  5.2 and Section  5.11 or as otherwise provided in a separate agreement by the Partnership, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Interest, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created. Other than with respect to the issuance of Partnership Interests in connection with the Initial Public Offering, the General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates, to purchase Partnership Interests from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the Partnership issues Partnership Interests to Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Interests.

Section 5.9     Splits and Combinations .

(a)    Subject to Section  5.9(e) , Section  6.6 and Section  6.9 (dealing with adjustments of distribution levels), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Interests to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis (including any Common Unit Arrearage or Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage) or stated as a number of Units (including the number of Subordinated Units that may convert prior to the end of the Subordination Period) are proportionately adjusted.

(b)    Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice (or such shorter periods as required by applicable law). The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Interests to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.

(c)    If a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Interests, or a subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests, is made as contemplated in this Section  5.9 , the number of hypothetical limited partner units representing the General Partner Interest constituting the Percentage Interest of the General Partner (as determined immediately prior to the Record Date for such distribution, subdivision or combination) shall be appropriately adjusted as of the date of payment of such distribution, or the effective date of such subdivision or combination, to maintain such Percentage Interest of the General Partner.

(d)    Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates or uncertificated Partnership Interests to the Record Holders of Partnership Interests as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Interests held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Interests Outstanding, the

 

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Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of Partnership Interests represented by Certificates, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.

(e)    The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units (or fractional hypothetical limited partner units representing the General Partner Interest) upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units (and fractional hypothetical limited partner units representing the General Partner Interest) but for the provisions of Section  5.6(d) and this Section  5.9(e) , each fractional Unit (and hypothetical limited partner unit) shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (or hypothetical limited partner unit), with fractional Units (or hypothetical limited partner units) equal to or greater than a 0.5 Unit (or hypothetical limited partner unit) being rounded to the next higher Unit (or hypothetical limited partner unit).

Section 5.10     Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests . All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303(a), 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act.

Section 5.11     Issuance of Common Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights .

(a)    Subject to the provisions of this Section  5.11 , the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right, at any time when there are no Subordinated Units Outstanding and the Partnership has made a distribution pursuant to Section  6.4(b)(v) for each of the four most recently completed Quarters and the amount of each such distribution did not exceed Adjusted Operating Surplus for such Quarter, to make an election (the “ IDR Reset Election ”) to cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section  5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive their respective proportionate share of a number of Common Units (the “ IDR Reset Common Units ”) derived by dividing (i) the average amount of the aggregate cash distributions made by the Partnership for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights by (ii) the average of the cash distributions made by the Partnership in respect of each Common Unit for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (the number of Common Units determined by such quotient is referred to herein as the “ Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units ”). If at the time of any IDR Reset Election the General Partner and its Affiliates are not the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights, then the IDR Reset Election shall be subject to the prior written concurrence of the General Partner that the conditions described in the immediately preceding sentence have been satisfied. Upon the issuance of such IDR Reset Common Units, the Partnership will issue to the General Partner an additional General Partner Interest (represented by hypothetical limited partner units) equal to the product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner immediately prior to such issuance by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less such

 

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Percentage Interest by (y) the number of such IDR Reset Common Units, and the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership in exchange for such issuance. The making of the IDR Reset Election in the manner specified in this Section  5.11 shall cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section  5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive IDR Reset Common Units and the General Partner will become entitled to receive an additional General Partner Interest on the basis specified above, without any further approval required by the General Partner or the Unitholders other than as set forth in this Section  5.11(a) , at the time specified in Section  5.11(c) unless the IDR Reset Election is rescinded pursuant to Section  5.11(d) .

(b)    To exercise the right specified in Section  5.11(a) , the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall deliver a written notice (the “ Reset Notice ”) to the Partnership. Within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the Partnership of such Reset Notice, the Partnership shall deliver a written notice to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights of the Partnership’s determination of the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units that each holder of Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive.

(c)    The holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and the General Partner will be entitled to receive the related additional General Partner Interest on the fifteenth Business Day after receipt by the Partnership of the Reset Notice; provided , however , that the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights shall not occur prior to the approval of the listing or admission for trading of such IDR Reset Common Units by the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then listed or admitted for trading if any such approval is required pursuant to the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange.

(d)    If the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then traded has not approved the listing or admission for trading of the IDR Reset Common Units to be issued pursuant to this Section  5.11 on or before the 30 th calendar day following the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice and such approval is required by the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange, then the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right to either rescind the IDR Reset Election or elect to receive other Partnership Interests having such terms as the General Partner may approve, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, that will provide (i) the same economic value, in the aggregate, as the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units would have had at the time of the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice, as determined by the General Partner, and (ii) for the subsequent conversion of such Partnership Interests into Common Units within not more than 12 months following the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions that are reasonably acceptable to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights).

 

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(e)    The Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions shall be adjusted at the time of the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units or other Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section  5.11 such that (i) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution shall be reset to equal the average cash distribution amount per Common Unit for the two Quarters immediately prior to the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice (the “ Reset MQD ”), (ii) the First Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 115% of the Reset MQD, (iii) the Second Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 125% of the Reset MQD and (iv) the Third Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 150% of the Reset MQD.

(f)    Upon the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section  5.11(a) , the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights will (i) first, be allocated to IDR Reset Common Units in an amount equal to the product of (A) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit, and (ii) second, as to any remaining balance in such Capital Account, be retained by the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights. If there is not sufficient capital associated with the Incentive Distribution Rights to allocate the full Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit to the IDR Reset Common Units in accordance with clause (i)  of this Section  5.11(f) , the IDR Reset Common Units shall be subject to Sections 6.1(d)(x)(B) and (C) .

ARTICLE VI

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 6.1     Allocations for Capital Account Purposes . For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Section  5.5(b) ) for each taxable period shall be allocated among the Partners as provided herein below.

(a)     Net Income . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section  6.1(d) , Net Income for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:

(i)    First, to the General Partner until the aggregate of the Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section  6.1(a)(i) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate of the Net Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section  6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable periods; and

(ii)    The balance, if any, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, and (y) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest.

 

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(b)     Net Loss . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section  6.1(d) , Net Loss for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Loss for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:

(i)    First, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata; provided, however, that Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section  6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

(ii)    The balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.

(c)     Net Termination Gains and Losses . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section  6.1(d) , Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period shall be allocated in the manner set forth in this Section  6.1(c) . All allocations under this Section  6.1(c) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section  6.1 and after all distributions of Available Cash provided under Section  6.4 and Section  6.5 have been made; provided, however, that solely for purposes of this Section  6.1(c) , Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section  12.4 .

(i)    Except as provided in Section  6.1(c)(iv) and subject to the provisions set forth in the last sentence of this Section  6.1(c)(i) , Net Termination Gain (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain) shall be allocated in the following order and priority:

(A)    First, to the General Partner until the aggregate of the Net Termination Gain allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section  6.1(c)(i)(A) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the Net Termination Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(ii)(D) or Section  6.1(c)(iii)(C) for all previous taxable periods;

(B)    Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section  6.4(a)(i) or Section  6.4(b)(i) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2)  is hereinafter referred to as the “ Unpaid MQD ”) and (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage;

(C)    Third, if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit into a Common Unit, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding equals the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, determined for the taxable period (or portion thereof) to which this allocation of gain relates, and (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section  6.4(a)(iii) with respect to such Subordinated Unit for such Quarter;

 

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(D)    Fourth, 100% to the General Partner and all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Unpaid MQD, (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage, and (4) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter after the Closing Date or the date of the most recent IDR Reset Election, if any, over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iv) and Section 6.4(b)(ii) for such period (the sum of subclauses (1) , (2) , (3) and (4)  is hereinafter referred to as the “ First Liquidation Target Amount ”);

(E)    Fifth, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x)  and (y) of this clause (E) , until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter after the Closing Date or the date of the most recent IDR Reset Election, if any, over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section  6.4(a)(v) and Section  6.4(b)(iii) for such period (the sum of subclauses (1)  and (2) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Second Liquidation Target Amount ”);

(F)    Sixth, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x)  and (y) of this clause (F) , until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter after the Closing Date or the date of the most recent IDR Reset Election, if any, over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section  6.4(a)(vi) and Section  6.4(b)(iv) for such period; and

(G)    Finally, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x)  and (y) of this clause (G) .

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions in this Section 6.1(c)(i), the General Partner may adjust the amount of any Net Termination Gain arising in connection with a Revaluation Event that is allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in a manner that will result (i) in the Capital Account for each Common Unit that is Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event

 

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being equal to the Event Issue Value and (ii) to the greatest extent possible, the Capital Account with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights that are Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event being equal to the amount of Net Termination Gain that would be allocated to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(i) if the Capital Accounts with respect to all Partnership Interests that were Outstanding immediately prior to such Revaluation Event and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property were equal to zero.

(ii)    Except as otherwise provided by Section  6.1(c)(iii) , Net Termination Loss (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Loss) shall be allocated:

(A)    First, if Subordinated Units remain Outstanding, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;

(B)    Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;

(C)    Third, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata; provided that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section  6.1(c)(ii)(C) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

(D)    Fourth, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.

(iii)    Net Termination Loss deemed recognized pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of Net Termination Loss as a result of a Revaluation Event prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and prior to the Liquidation Date shall be allocated:

(A)    First, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding equals the Event Issue Value; provided that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section  6.1(c)(iii)(A) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account);

(B)    Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest; provided, however, that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section  6.1(c)(iii)(B) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

 

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(C)    The balance, if any, to the General Partner.

(iv)    If (A) a Net Termination Loss has been allocated pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(iii) , (B) a Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss subsequently occurs (other than as a result of a Revaluation Event) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit, and (C) after tentatively making all allocations of such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss provided for in Section  6.1(c)(i) or Section  6.1(c)(ii) , as applicable, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit does not equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if Section  6.1(c)(iii) had not been part of this Agreement and all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(i) or Section  6.1(c)(ii) , as applicable, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction included in such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss, as applicable, shall be specially allocated to all Unitholders in a manner that will, to the maximum extent possible, cause the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(i) or Section  6.1(c)(ii) , as applicable.

(d)     Special Allocations . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section  6.1 , the following special allocations shall be made for such taxable period in the following order:

(i)     Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section  6.1 , if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section  6.1(d) , each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section  6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Section  6.1(d)(vi) and Section  6.1(d)(vii) ). This Section  6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(ii)     Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain . Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section  6.1 (other than Section  6.1(d)(i) ), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section  6.1(d) , each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to

 

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this Section  6.1(d) and other than an allocation pursuant to Section  6.1(d)(i) , Section  6.1(d)(vi) and Section  6.1(d)(vii) with respect to such taxable period. This Section  6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(iii)     Priority Allocations .

(A)    If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed pursuant to Section  12.4 ) with respect to a Unit for a taxable period exceeds the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed with respect to another Unit within the same taxable period (the amount of the excess, an “ Excess Distribution ” and the Unit with respect to which the greater distribution is paid, an “ Excess Distribution Unit ”), then (1) there shall be allocated gross income and gain to each Unitholder receiving an Excess Distribution with respect to the Excess Distribution Unit until the aggregate amount of such items allocated with respect to such Excess Distribution Unit pursuant to this Section  6.1(d)(iii)(A) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the amount of the Excess Distribution; and (2) the General Partner shall be allocated gross income and gain with respect to each such Excess Distribution in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (aa) the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest at the time when the Excess Distribution occurs by (y) a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest at the time when the Excess Distribution occurs, times (bb) the total amount allocated in clause (1)  above with respect to such Excess Distribution.

(B)    After the application of Section  6.1(d)(iii)(A) , all or any portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for the taxable period, if any, shall be allocated (1) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section  6.1(d)(iii)(B) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the cumulative amount of all Incentive Distributions made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights from the Closing Date to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable period; and (2) to the General Partner an amount equal to the product of (aa) an amount equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest by (y) the sum of 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1)  above.

(iv)     Qualified Income Offset . In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership gross income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible; provided, however, that an allocation pursuant to this Section  6.1(d)(iv) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section  6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section  6.1(d)(iv) were not in this Agreement.

 

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(v)     Gross Income Allocation . In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, however, that an allocation pursuant to this Section  6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section  6.1 have been tentatively made as if Section  6.1(d)(iv) and this Section  6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.

(vi)     Nonrecourse Deductions . Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners Pro Rata. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that satisfies such requirements.

(vii)     Partner Nonrecourse Deductions . Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, the Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.

(viii)     Nonrecourse Liabilities . For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated as determined by the General Partner in accordance with any permissible method under Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3).

(ix)     Code Section  754 Adjustments . To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.734-2(b)(1)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

 

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(x)     Economic Uniformity; Changes in Law .

(A)    At the election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon, or after, the termination of the Subordination Period, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period, after taking into account allocations pursuant to Section  6.1(d)(iii) , shall be allocated 100% to each Partner holding Subordinated Units that are Outstanding as of the termination of the Subordination Period (“ Final Subordinated Units ”) in the proportion of the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner to the total number of Final Subordinated Units then Outstanding, until each such Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such Final Subordinated Units to an amount that after taking into account the other allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction to be made with respect to such taxable period will equal the product of (1) the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner and (2) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose of this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying Final Subordinated Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to the conversion of such Final Subordinated Units into Common Units. This allocation method for establishing such economic uniformity will be available to the General Partner only if the method for allocating the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Subordinated Units between the transferred and retained Subordinated Units pursuant to Section  5.5(c)(ii) does not otherwise provide such economic uniformity to the Final Subordinated Units.

(B)    With respect to an event triggering an adjustment to the Carrying Value of Partnership property pursuant to Section  5.5(d) during any taxable period of the Partnership ending upon, or after, the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section  5.11 , after the application of Section  6.1(d)(x)(A) , any Unrealized Gains and Unrealized Losses shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner that to the nearest extent possible results in the Capital Accounts maintained with respect to such IDR Reset Common Units issued pursuant to Section  5.11 equaling the product of (1) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and (2) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.

(C)    With respect to any taxable period during which an IDR Reset Common Unit is transferred to any Person who is not an Affiliate of the transferor, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the transferor Partner of such transferred IDR Reset Common Unit until such transferor Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such transferred IDR Reset Common Unit to an amount equal to the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.

(D)    For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (1) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (2) make special allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, Unrealized Gain or

 

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Unrealized Loss; and (3) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section  6.1(d)(x)(D) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests issued and Outstanding or the Partnership, and if such allocations are consistent with the principles of Section 704 of the Code.

(xi)     Curative Allocation .

(A)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section  6.1 , other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of gross income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section  6.1 . Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Required Allocations relating to (1) Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain and (2) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. In exercising its discretion under this Section  6.1(d)(xi)(A) , the General Partner may take into account future Required Allocations that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Required Allocations previously made. Allocations pursuant to this Section  6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners. Further, allocations pursuant to this Section  6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall be deferred with respect to allocations pursuant to clauses (1)  and (2) of the second sentence of this Section  6.1(d)(xi)(A) to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations are likely to be offset by subsequent Required Allocations.

(B)    The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section  6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section  6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

(xii)     Equalization of Capital Accounts With Respect to Privately Placed Units . Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss deemed recognized as a result of a Revaluation Event shall first be allocated to the (A) Unitholders holding Privately Placed Units, Pro Rata, or (B) Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, as applicable, to the extent necessary to cause the Capital Account in respect of each Privately Placed Unit then Outstanding to equal the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit (other than Privately Placed Units) then Outstanding.

 

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(xiii)     Corrective and Other Allocations . In the event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items or any Book-Down Event or any recognition of a Net Termination Loss, the following rules shall apply:

(A)    The General Partner shall allocate Additional Book Basis Derivative Items consisting of depreciation, amortization, depletion or any other form of cost recovery (other than Additional Book Basis Derivative Items included in Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) with respect to any Adjusted Property to the Unitholders, Pro Rata, and the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, all in the same proportion as the Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss resulting from the Revaluation Event that gave rise to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items was allocated to them pursuant to Section  6.1(c) .

(B)    If a sale or other taxable disposition of an Adjusted Property, including, for this purpose, inventory (“ Disposed of Adjusted Property ”) occurs other than in connection with an event giving rise to Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss, the General Partner shall allocate (1) items of gross income and gain (aa) away from the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights and (bb) to the Unitholders, or (2) items of deduction and loss (aa) away from the Unitholders and (bb) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, to the extent that the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the Disposed of Adjusted Property (determined in accordance with the last sentence of the definition of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items) treated as having been allocated to the Unitholders pursuant to this Section  6.1(d)(xiii)(B) exceed their Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to such Disposed of Adjusted Property. For purposes of this Section  6.1(d)(xiii)(B) , the Unitholders shall be treated as having been allocated Additional Book Basis Derivative Items to the extent that such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items have reduced the amount of income that would otherwise have been allocated to the Unitholders under the Partnership Agreement ( e.g. , Additional Book Basis Derivative Items taken into account in computing cost of goods sold would reduce the amount of book income otherwise available for allocation among the Partners). Any allocation made pursuant to this Section  6.1(d)(xiii)(B) shall be made after all of the other Agreed Allocations have been made as if this Section  6.1(d)(xiii) were not in this Agreement and, to the extent necessary, shall require the reallocation of items that have been allocated pursuant to such other Agreed Allocations.

(C)    Net Termination Loss in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) such Net Termination Loss and (2) the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments shall be allocated in such a manner, as determined by the General Partner, that to the extent possible, the Capital Account balances of the Partners will equal the amount they would have been had no prior Book-Up Events occurred, and any remaining Net Termination Loss shall be allocated pursuant to Section  6.1(c) hereof. In allocating Net Termination Loss pursuant to this Section  6.1(d)(xiii)(C) , the General Partner shall attempt, to the extent possible, to cause the Capital Accounts of the Unitholders, on the

 

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one hand, and holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, on the other hand, to equal the amount they would equal if (i) the Carrying Values of the Partnership’s property had not been previously adjusted in connection with any prior Book-Up Events, (ii) Unrealized Gain and Unrealized Loss (or, in the case of a liquidation, actual gain or loss) with respect to such Partnership Property were determined with respect to such unadjusted Carrying Values, and (iii) any resulting Net Termination Gain had been allocated pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(i) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, taking into account the provisions set forth in the last sentence of Section  6.1(c)(i) ).

(D)    In making the allocations required under this Section  6.1(d)(xiii) , the General Partner may apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy the purpose of this Section  6.1(d)(xiii) . Without limiting the foregoing, if an Adjusted Property is contributed by the Partnership to another entity classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes (the “ lower tier partnership ”), the General Partner may make allocations similar to those described in Sections 6.1(d)(xiii)(A) through (C)  to the extent the General Partner determines such allocations are necessary to account for the Partnership’s allocable share of income, gain, loss and deduction of the lower tier partnership that relate to the contributed Adjusted Property in a manner that is consistent with the purpose of this Section  6.1(d)(xiii) .

(xiv)     Special Curative Allocation in Event of Liquidation Prior to Conversion of the Last Outstanding Subordinated Unit . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section  6.1 (other than the Required Allocations), if (A) the Liquidation Date occurs prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and (B) after having made all other allocations provided for in this Section  6.1 for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit does not equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if Section  6.1(c)(iii) and Section  6.1(c)(iv) had not been part of this Agreement and all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(i) or Section  6.1(c)(ii) , as applicable, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction for such taxable period shall be reallocated among all Unitholders in a manner determined appropriate by the General Partner so as to cause, to the maximum extent possible, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(i) or Section  6.1(c)(ii) , as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the reallocation of items set forth in the immediately preceding sentence provides that, to the extent necessary to achieve the Capital Account balances described above, (x) items of income and gain that would otherwise be included in Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs, shall be reallocated from Unitholders holding Subordinated Units to Unitholders holding Common Units and (y) items of deduction and loss that would otherwise be included in Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be reallocated from Unitholders holding Common Units to Unitholders holding Subordinated Units. In the event that (i) the Liquidation Date occurs on or before the date (not including any extension of time prescribed by law) for the filing of the Partnership’s federal income tax return for the taxable period immediately prior to the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs and (ii) the reallocation of items for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs as set forth above in this Section  6.1(d)(xiv) fails to achieve the Capital

 

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Account balances described above, items of income, gain, loss and deduction that would otherwise be included in the Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for such prior taxable period shall be reallocated among all Unitholders in a manner that will, to the maximum extent possible and after taking into account all other allocations made pursuant to this Section  6.1(d)(xiv) , cause the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section  6.1(c)(i) or Section  6.1(c)(ii) , as applicable.

Section 6.2     Allocations for Tax Purposes .

(a)    Except as otherwise provided herein, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section  6.1 .

(b)    In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, as determined to be appropriate by the General Partner (taking into account the General Partner’s discretion under Section  6.1(d)(x)(D) ); provided, however, that the General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d) in all events.

(c)    The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.

(d)    In accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1250-1(f), any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section  6.2 , be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

 

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(e)    All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided, however , that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

(f)    Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction, for federal income tax purposes, shall be determined for each taxable period and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided, however, that such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the last Option Closing Date or the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the next succeeding month; provided, further, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income or loss realized and recognized other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which such gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder or for the proper administration of the Partnership.

(g)    Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee, agent or representative in any case in which such nominee, agent or representative has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.

(h)    If, as a result of an exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the General Partner shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

Section 6.3     Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders .

(a)    Within 45 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on September 30, 2015, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. The Record Date for the first distribution of Available Cash shall not be prior to the final closing of the Over-Allotment Option or the Deferred Issuance. All amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to

 

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Section  6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section  6.5 , be deemed to be “ Capital Surplus .” Distributions and redemption payments, if any, by the Partnership shall be subject to the Delaware Act notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement.

(b)    Notwithstanding Section  6.3(a) (but subject to the last sentence of Section  6.3(a) ), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all cash received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section  12.4 .

(c)    The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, or amounts withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a distribution of Available Cash to such Partners, as determined appropriate under the circumstances by the General Partner.

(d)    Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.

Section 6.4     Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus .

(a)     During the Subordination Period . Available Cash with respect to any Quarter within the Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section  6.3 or 6.5 shall be distributed as follows, except as otherwise required in respect of additional Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Section  5.6(b) :

(i)    First, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

(ii)    Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage existing with respect to such Quarter;

(iii)    Third, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to the Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

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(iv)    Fourth, to the General Partner and all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

(v)    Fifth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A)  and (B) of this clause (v) , until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;

(vi)    Sixth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A)  and (B) of this clause (vi) , until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and

(vii)    Thereafter, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A)  and (B) of this clause (vii) ;

provided, however, that if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section  6.6(a) , the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section  6.4(a)(vii) .

(b)     After the Subordination Period . Available Cash with respect to any Quarter after the Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section  6.3 or Section  6.5 shall be distributed as follows, except as otherwise required in respect of additional Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Section  5.6(b) :

(i)    First, to the General Partner and all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

(ii)    Second, to the General Partner and all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

(iii)    Third, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A)  and (B) of this clause (iii) , until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;

 

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(iv)    Fourth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A)  and (B) of this clause (iv) , until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and

(v)    Thereafter, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A)  and (B) of this clause (v) ;

provided, however, that if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section  6.6(a) , the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section  6.4(b)(v) .

Section 6.5     Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus . Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section  6.3(a) shall be distributed, unless the provisions of Section  6.3 require otherwise, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until a hypothetical holder of a Common Unit acquired on the Closing Date has received with respect to such Common Unit distributions of Available Cash that are deemed to be Capital Surplus in an aggregate amount equal to the Initial Unit Price. Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus shall then be distributed (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (B) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage. Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in accordance with Section  6.4 .

Section 6.6     Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels .

(a)    The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, Target Distributions, Common Unit Arrearages and Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Interests in accordance with Section  5.9 . In the event of a distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distributions shall be adjusted proportionately downward in the same proportion that the distribution had to the fair market value of the Common Units immediately prior to the announcement of the distribution. If the Common Units are publicly traded on a National Securities Exchange, then the fair market value will be the Current Market Price before the ex-dividend date, and if the Common Units are not publicly traded, then the fair market value for the purposes of the immediately preceding sentence will be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

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(b)    The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section  5.11 and Section  6.9 .

Section 6.7     Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units .

(a)    Except with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units, the holder of a Subordinated Unit shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder; provided, however , that immediately upon the conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section  5.7 , the Unitholder holding a Subordinated Unit shall possess all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder with respect to such converted Subordinated Units, including the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units; provided, however, that such converted Subordinated Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Sections 5.5(c)(ii) , 6.1(d)(x)(A) , 6.7(b) and 6.7(c) .

(b)    A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer a Subordinated Unit or a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section  5.7 (other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholder’s Capital Account with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units would be negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section  5.5(c)(ii)(B) .

(c)    The holder of a Common Unit that has resulted from the conversion of a Subordinated Unit pursuant to Section  5.7 shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to Section  4.1 (if the Common Units are represented by Certificates) and shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Unit to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each such Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section  6.7(c) , the General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such Common Units, including the application of Sections 5.5(c)(ii) , 6.1(d)(x) and 6.7(b) ; provided, however, that no such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units.

Section 6.8     Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights .

(a)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights (1) shall (x) possess the rights and obligations provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to Article III and Article VII and (y) have a Capital Account as a Partner pursuant to Section  5.5 and all other provisions related thereto and (2) shall not (x) be entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval or

 

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vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, except as provided by law, (y) be entitled to any distributions other than as provided in Sections 6.4(a)(v) , (vi) and (vii) , Sections 6.4(b)(iii) , (iv) and (v) , and Section  12.4 or (z) be allocated items of income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in this Article VI ; provided, however , that for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not preclude the Partnership from making any other payments or distributions in connection with other actions permitted by this Agreement.

(b)    A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer an IDR Reset Common Unit (other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholder’s Capital Account with respect to the retained IDR Reset Common Units would be negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section  5.5(c)(iii) .

(c)    A holder of an IDR Reset Common Unit that was issued in connection with an IDR Reset Election pursuant to Section  5.11 shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to Section  4.1 (if the Common Units are evidenced by Certificates) or evidence of the issuance of uncertificated Common Units, and shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Unit to a Person that is not an Affiliate of such holder, until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each such IDR Reset Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section  6.8(c) , the General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such IDR Reset Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such IDR Reset Common Units, including the application of Section  5.5(c)(iii) , Section  6.1(d)(x)(B) , or Section  6.1(d)(x)(C) ; provided, however , that no such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units.

Section 6.9     Entity-Level Taxation . If legislation is enacted or the official interpretation of existing legislation is modified by a governmental authority, which after giving effect to such enactment or modification, results in a Group Member becoming subject to federal, state or local or non-U.S. income or withholding taxes in excess of the amount of such taxes due from the Group Member prior to such enactment or modification (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any increase in the rate of such taxation applicable to the Group Member), then the General Partner may, in its sole and absolute discretion, reduce the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions by the amount of income or withholding taxes that are payable by reason of any such new legislation or interpretation (the “ Incremental Income Taxes ”), or any portion thereof selected by the General Partner, in the manner provided in this Section  6.9 . If the General Partner elects to reduce the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions for any Quarter with respect to all or a portion of any Incremental Income Taxes, the General Partner shall estimate for such Quarter the Partnership Group’s aggregate liability (the “ Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount ”) for all (or the relevant portion of) such Incremental Income Taxes; provided that any difference between such estimate and the actual liability for Incremental Income Taxes (or the relevant portion thereof) for such Quarter may, to the extent determined by the General Partner, be taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined. For each such Quarter, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be the product

 

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obtained by multiplying (a) the amounts therefor that are set out herein prior to the application of this Section  6.9 times (b) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) Available Cash with respect to such Quarter by (ii) the sum of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for such Quarter, as determined by the General Partner. For purposes of the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to a Quarter will be deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for that Quarter.

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1     Management .

(a)    The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted to a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section  7.3 , shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section  2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section  2.4 , including the following:

(i)    the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests, and the incurring of any other obligations;

(ii)    the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;

(iii)    the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.3 and Article XIV);

(iv)    the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; subject to Section  7.6(a) , the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group Member; and the making of capital contributions to any Group Member;

(v)    the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the Liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the

 

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other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if the same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);

(vi)    the distribution of cash held by the Partnership;

(vii)    the selection and dismissal of officers, employees, agents, internal and outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

(viii)    the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and Indemnitees;

(ix)    the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other Persons (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth in Section  2.4 ;

(x)    the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;

(xi)    the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

(xii)    the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section  4.8 );

(xiii)    the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Interests, or the issuance of Derivative Partnership Interests;

(xiv)    the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in the management of any Group Member; and

(xv)    the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.

(b)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each Record Holder and each other Person who may acquire an interest in a Partnership Interest or that is otherwise bound by this Agreement hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement and the Group Member Agreement of each other Group Member, the IPO Underwriting Agreement, the Private

 

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Placement Purchase Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Operating Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the IPO Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement (collectively, the “ Transaction Documents ”) (in each case other than this Agreement, without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or restatements thereof entered into after the date such Person becomes bound by the provisions of this Agreement); (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or on behalf of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i)  of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Interests or are otherwise bound by this Agreement; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV ) shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

Section 7.2     Certificate of Limited Partnership . The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section  3.3(a) , the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.

Section 7.3     Restrictions on the General Partner s Authority to Sell Assets of the Partnership Group .

Except as provided in Article XII and Article XIV , the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination or sale of ownership interests of the Partnership’s Subsidiaries) without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance.

 

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Section 7.4     Reimbursement of and Other Payments to the General Partner .

(a)    Except as provided in this Section  7.4, and elsewhere in this Agreement or in any of the Transaction Documents, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner or member of any Group Member.

(b)    Except as may be otherwise provided in any of the Transaction Documents, the General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect costs and expenses it or its Affiliates incur or payments it or its Affiliates make on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person, including Affiliates of the General Partner, to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group) and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner or its Affiliates in connection with managing and operating the Partnership Group’s business and affairs (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section  7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner or its Affiliates as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section  7.7 . Any allocation of expenses to the Partnership by the General Partner in a manner consistent with its or its Affiliates’ past business practices shall be deemed to have been made in good faith.

(c)    The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of officers, employees, consultants and directors of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any officers, employees, consultants and directors pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section  7.4(b) . Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section  7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section  4.6 .

 

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(d)    The General Partner and its Affiliates may charge any member of the Partnership Group a management fee to the extent necessary to allow the Partnership Group to reduce the amount of any state franchise or income tax or any tax based upon the revenues or gross margin of any member of the Partnership Group if the tax benefit produced by the payment of such management fee or fees exceeds the amount of such fee or fees.

(e)    The General Partner and its Affiliates may enter into an agreement to provide services to any Group Member for a fee or otherwise than for cost.

Section 7.5     Outside Activities .

(a)    The General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership, (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a Limited Partner in the Partnership) and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement, (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt securities or equity interests in any Group Member, (C) the guarantee of, and mortgage, pledge or encumbrance of any or all of its assets in connection with, any indebtedness of any Group Member or (D) the performance of its obligations under the Omnibus Agreement.

(b)    Each Unrestricted Person (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise to any Group Member or any Partner; provided , that such Unrestricted Person does not engage in such business or activity using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to such Unrestricted Person. None of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any Unrestricted Person.

(c)    Subject to the terms of Section  7.5(a) and Section  7.5(b) , but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Unrestricted Person (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section  7.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner or any other Unrestricted Person for the Unrestricted Persons (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) the Unrestricted Persons shall have no obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise to present business

 

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opportunities to the Partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or in equity, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to any Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner). No Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Partnership shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Partnership, and such Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) shall not be liable to the Partnership, to any Limited Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement for breach of any duty by reason of the fact that such Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) pursues or acquires for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the Partnership; provided , that such Unrestricted Person does not engage in such business or activity using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to such Unrestricted Person.

(d)    The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Interests in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units and/or other Partnership Interests acquired by them. The term “Affiliates” when used in this Section  7.5(d) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.

Section 7.6     Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members .

(a)    The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by such Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however , that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arm’s-length basis (without reference to the lending party’s financial abilities or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes of this Section  7.6(a) and Section  7.6(b) , the term “Group Member” shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.

(b)    The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner. No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another Group Member), except for short-term cash management purposes.

(c)    No borrowing by any Group Member or the approval thereof by the General Partner shall be deemed to constitute a breach of any duty, expressed or implied, of the General Partner or its Affiliates to the Partnership or the Limited Partners existing hereunder, or existing at law, in equity or otherwise, by reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly or indirectly to (i) enable distributions to the General Partner or its

 

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Affiliates (including in their capacities as Limited Partners) to exceed the General Partner’s Percentage Interest of the total amount distributed to all Partners or (ii) hasten the expiration of the Subordination Period or the conversion of any Subordinated Units into Common Units.

Section 7.7     Indemnification .

(a)    To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all threatened, pending or completed claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal and including appeals, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee and acting (or refraining to act) in such capacity on behalf of or for the benefit of the Partnership; provided , that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless pursuant to this Agreement if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in intentional fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful; provided, further, no indemnification pursuant to this Section  7.7 shall be available to any Affiliate of the General Partner (other than a Group Member), or to any other Indemnitee, with respect to any such Affiliate’s obligations pursuant to the Transaction Documents. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section  7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

(b)    To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section  7.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section  7.7 , the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Section  7.7 .

(c)    The indemnification provided by this Section  7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under this Agreement or any other agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law, in equity or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity under the IPO Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns, executors and administrators of the Indemnitee.

 

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(d)    The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any Liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such Person’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such Liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

(e)    For purposes of this Section  7.7 , the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section  7.7(a) ; and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.

(f)    In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

(g)    An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section  7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

(h)    The provisions of this Section  7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees and their heirs, successors, assigns, executors and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

(i)    No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section  7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section  7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

Section 7.8     Liability of Indemnitees .

(a)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners or any other Persons who are bound by this Agreement for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in intentional fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

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(b)    The General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.

(c)    To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership, to the Partners or to any such other Persons who are bound by this Agreement, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership or to such Partners or to any such other Persons who are bound by this Agreement for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

(d)    Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section  7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section  7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

Section 7.9     Standards of Conduct; Resolution of Conflicts of Interest and Elimination of Duties .

(a)    Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any action, or any Affiliate of the General Partner causes the General Partner to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless a lesser standard is provided for in this Agreement, or the determination, action or omission has been approved as provided in Section  7.9(b)(i) or Section  7.9(b)(ii) , the General Partner, or such Affiliate causing the General Partner to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such action in good faith. Whenever the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee) or any Affiliate of the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any action, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless a lesser standard is provided for in this Agreement or the determination, action or omission has been approved as provided in Section  7.9(b)(i) or Section  7.9(b)(ii) , the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee) or any Affiliate of the General Partner shall make such determination or take or decline to take such action in good faith. The foregoing and other lesser standards governing any determination, action or omission provided for in this Agreement are the sole and exclusive standards governing any such determinations, actions and omissions of the General Partner, the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee) and any Affiliate of the General Partner, and no such Person shall be subject to any fiduciary duty or other duty or obligation, or any other, different or higher standard (all of which duties, obligations and standards are hereby eliminated, waived and

 

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disclaimed), under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. Any such determination, action or omission by the General Partner, the Board of Directors or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee) or any Affiliate of the General Partner will for all purposes be presumed to have been in good faith. In any proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Partnership, any Limited Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement challenging such determination, action or omission, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of proving that such determination, action or omission was not in good faith. In order for a determination or the taking or declining to take an action to be in “good faith” for purposes of this Agreement, the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such action must subjectively believe that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the Partnership. In making such determination or taking or declining to take such action, such Person or Persons may take into account the totality of the circumstances or the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other relationships or transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership.

(b)    Unless a lesser standard is otherwise provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, on the other hand, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any agreement contemplated herein or therein, any duty under this Agreement or any duty stated or implied by law, in equity or otherwise, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special Approval or (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates). The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval or Unitholder approval of such resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval or Unitholder approval. If the General Partner does not submit the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest to the Conflicts Committee or the Unitholders as provided in either clause (i)  or clause (ii) , respectively, of the first sentence of this Section  7.9(b) , then any such resolution or course of action shall be governed by Section  7.9(a) . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any agreement contemplated herein or therein, any duty under this Agreement or any duty stated or implied by law, in equity or otherwise, whenever the General Partner makes a determination to refer any potential conflict of interest to the Conflicts Committee for Special Approval, to seek Unitholder approval or to adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval or Unitholder approval, then the General Partner shall be entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, and the General Partner shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard or duty imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in making such determination shall be permitted to do so in its sole and

 

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absolute discretion. If Special Approval is sought, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Conflicts Committee acted in good faith, and if the Board of Directors determines that a director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Conflicts Committee, then it shall be presumed that, in making its determination, the Board of Directors acted in good faith. In any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner or the Partnership or by or on behalf of any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest challenging any action or decision by the Conflicts Committee with respect to any matter referred to the Conflicts Committee for Special Approval, or challenging any determination by the Board of Directors that a director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Conflicts Committee, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming the presumption that the Conflicts Committee or the Board of Directors, as applicable, acted in good faith. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty stated or implied by law, in equity or otherwise, the conflicts of interest described in the IPO Registration Statement and any actions of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates taken in connection therewith are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any agreement contemplated herein or therein, any duty under this Agreement or any duty stated or implied by law, in equity or otherwise.

(c)    Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any action, or any Affiliate of the General Partner causes the General Partner to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then (i) the General Partner, or such Affiliate causing it to do so, is entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination or to take or decline to take such action free of any duty (including any fiduciary duty) stated or implied by law, in equity or otherwise or of any obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, (ii) the General Partner, or such Affiliate causing it to do so, shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity and (iii) the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such action shall be permitted to do so in their sole and absolute discretion. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrases “at its option,” “in its sole and absolute discretion” or some variation of those phrases, are used in this Agreement, they indicate that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its Partnership Interests, refrains from voting or transferring its Partnership Interests or otherwise acts in its capacity as a Limited Partner, it shall be acting in its individual capacity.

(d)    The General Partner’s organizational documents may provide that determinations to take or decline to take any action in its individual, rather than representative, capacity may or shall be determined by its members, if the General Partner is a limited liability company, stockholders, if the General Partner is a corporation, or the members or stockholders of the General Partner’s general partner, if the General Partner is a general or limited partnership.

 

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(e)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of, or approve the sale or disposition of, any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by either the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be, in each case, in its sole and absolute discretion.

(f)    The Limited Partners, each Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a general partner or member of a Group Member, to approve actions by the general partner or member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section  7.9 .

(g)    For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the Board of Directors, any member of the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee) and any member of any such committee, the officers of the General Partner or any Affiliates of the General Partner (including any Person making a determination or acting for or on behalf of such Affiliate of the General Partner) make a determination on behalf of or recommendation to the General Partner, or cause the General Partner to take or omit to take any action, whether in the General Partner’s capacity as the General Partner or in its individual capacity, the standards of care applicable to the General Partner shall apply to such Persons, and such Persons shall be entitled to all benefits and rights (but not the obligations) of the General Partner hereunder, including eliminations, waivers and modifications of duties (including any fiduciary duties) to the Partnership, any of its Partners or any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person bound by this Agreement, and the protections and presumptions set forth in this Agreement.

Section 7.10     Other Matters Concerning the General Partner and Other Indemnitees .

(a)    The General Partner and any other Indemnitee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(b)    The General Partner and any other Indemnitee may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisors selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the advice or opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner or such Indemnitee, respectively, reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been taken or omitted to be taken in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.

(c)    The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership or any Group Member.

 

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Section 7.11     Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests . The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests; provided that, except as permitted pursuant to Section  4.9 or approved by the Conflicts Committee, the General Partner may not cause any Group Member to purchase Subordinated Units during the Subordination Period. As long as Partnership Interests are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Interests shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Interests for its own account, subject to the provisions of Article IV and Article X .

Section 7.12     Registration Rights of the General Partner and Its Affiliates .

(a)     Demand Registration. Upon receipt of a Notice from any Holder at any time after the 180 th day after the Closing Date, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as reasonably practicable a registration statement under the Securities Act (each, a “ Registration Statement ”) providing for the resale of the Registrable Securities identified in such Notice, which may, at the option of the Holder giving such Notice, be a Registration Statement that provides for the resale of the Registrable Securities from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. The Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement and to remain effective and available for the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Selling Holders named therein until the earlier of (i) six months following such Registration Statement’s effective date and (ii) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold. In the event one or more Holders request in a Notice to dispose of a number of Registrable Securities that such Holder or Holders reasonably anticipates will result in gross proceeds of at least $25 million in the aggregate pursuant to a Registration Statement in an Underwritten Offering, the Partnership shall retain underwriters that are reasonably acceptable to such Selling Holders in order to permit such Selling Holders to effect such disposition through an Underwritten Offering; provided, however, that the Partnership shall have the exclusive right to select the bookrunning managers. The Partnership and such Selling Holders shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form that is reasonably acceptable to the Partnership and take all reasonable actions as are requested by the managing underwriters to facilitate the Underwritten Offering and sale of Registrable Securities therein. No Holder may participate in the Underwritten Offering unless it agrees to sell its Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement on the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and completes and delivers all necessary documents and information reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. In the event that the managing underwriter of such Underwritten Offering advises the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in its opinion the inclusion of all or some Registrable Securities would adversely and materially affect the timing or success of the Underwritten Offering, the amount of Registrable Securities that each Selling Holder requested be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be reduced on a Pro Rata basis to the aggregate amount that the managing underwriter deems will not have such material and adverse effect. Any Holder may withdraw from such Underwritten Offering by notice to the Partnership and the managing underwriter; provided , such notice is delivered prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering.

 

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(b)     Piggyback Registration. At any time after the 180 th day after the Closing Date, if the Partnership shall propose to file a Registration Statement (other than pursuant to a demand made pursuant to Section  7.12(a) ) for an offering of Partnership Interests for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan, an offering relating to a transaction on Form S-4 or an offering on any registration statement that does not permit secondary sales), the Partnership shall notify all Holders of such proposal at least five Business Days before the proposed filing date. The Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to include such number of Registrable Securities held by any Holder in such Registration Statement as each Holder shall request in a Notice received by the Partnership within two Business Days of such Holder’s receipt of the notice from the Partnership. If the Registration Statement for which the Partnership gives notice under this Section  7.12(b) is for an Underwritten Offering, then any Holder’s ability to include its desired amount of Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement shall be conditioned on such Holder’s inclusion of all such Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Offering; provided , that, in the event that the managing underwriter of such Underwritten Offering advises the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in its opinion the inclusion of all or some Registrable Securities would adversely and materially affect the timing or success of the Underwritten Offering, the amount of Registrable Securities that each Selling Holder requested be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be reduced on a Pro Rata basis to the aggregate amount that the managing underwriter deems will not have such material and adverse effect. In connection with any such Underwritten Offering, the Partnership and the Selling Holders involved shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form that is reasonably acceptable to the Partnership and take all reasonable actions as are requested by the managing underwriters to facilitate the Underwritten Offering and sale of Registrable Securities therein. No Holder may participate in the Underwritten Offering unless it agrees to sell its Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement on the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and completes and delivers all necessary documents and information reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. Any Holder may withdraw from such Underwritten Offering by notice to the Partnership and the managing underwriter; provided , such notice is delivered prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering. The Partnership shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any Registration Statement or Underwritten Offering initiated by it under this Section  7.12(b) prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement or the pricing date of the Underwritten Offering, as applicable.

(c)     Sale Procedures. In connection with its obligations under this Section  7.12 , the Partnership shall:

(i)    furnish to each Selling Holder (A) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing a Registration Statement or any supplement or amendment thereto, upon request, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the Commission), and provide each such Selling Holder the opportunity to object to any information pertaining to such Selling Holder and its plan of distribution that is contained therein and make the corrections reasonably requested by such Selling Holder with respect to such information prior to filing a Registration Statement or

 

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supplement or amendment thereto and (B) such number of copies of such Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Persons may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Partnership will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to clause (B)  hereof that is available on the Commission’s website;

(ii)    if applicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the managing underwriter, shall reasonably request; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to qualify generally to transact business in any jurisdiction where it is not then required to so qualify or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(iii)    promptly notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (A) the filing of a Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement to be used in connection therewith, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and, with respect to such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective and (B) any written comments from the Commission with respect to any Registration Statement or any document incorporated by reference therein and any written request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement thereto;

(iv)    immediately notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (A) the occurrence of any event or existence of any fact (but not a description of such event or fact) as a result of which the prospectus or prospectus supplement contained in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of the prospectus contained therein, in the light of the circumstances under which a statement is made), (B) the issuance or threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or (C) the receipt by the Partnership of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction. Following the provision of such notice, subject to Section  7.12(f) , the Partnership agrees to, as promptly as practicable, amend or supplement the prospectus or prospectus supplement or take other appropriate action so that the prospectus or prospectus supplement does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and to take such other reasonable action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings related thereto; and

(v)    enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities, including the provision of comfort letters and legal opinions as are customary in such securities offerings.

 

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(d)     Suspension. Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from the Partnership of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section  7.12(c)(iv) , shall forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registrable Securities by means of a prospectus or prospectus supplement until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by such subsection, or until it is advised in writing by the Partnership that the use of the prospectus may be resumed, and receipt of copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus.

(e)     Expenses. Except as set forth in an underwriting agreement for the applicable Underwritten Offering or as otherwise agreed between a Selling Holder and the Partnership, all costs and expenses of a Registration Statement filed or an Underwritten Offering that includes Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section  7.12 (other than underwriting discounts and commissions on Registrable Securities and fees and expenses of counsel and advisors to Selling Holders) shall be paid by the Partnership.

(f)     Delay Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s compliance with its obligations in this Section  7.12 would be detrimental to the Partnership because such registration would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (y) require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render the Partnership unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to postpone compliance with such obligations for a period of not more than six months; provided, however, that such right may not be exercised more than twice in any 24-month period.

(g)     Indemnification .

(i)    In addition to and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation under Section  7.7 , the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, “ Indemnified Persons ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section  7.12(g) as a “ claim ” and in the plural as “ claims ”) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus under which any Registrable Securities were registered or sold by such Selling Holder under the Securities Act, or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be liable

 

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to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

(ii)    Each Selling Holder shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership, the General Partner, the General Partner’s officers and directors and each Person who controls the Partnership or the General Partner (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Partnership to the Selling Holders, but only with respect to information regarding such Selling Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for inclusion in a Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or free writing prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities held by such Selling Holder.

(iii)    The provisions of this Section  7.12(g) shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution that a Person entitled to indemnification under this Section  7.12(g) may have pursuant to law, equity, contract or otherwise.

(h)     Specific Performance. Damages in the event of breach of Section  7.12 by a party hereto may be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that each party, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to seek an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses it may have on the ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief. The existence of this right will not preclude any such party from pursuing any other rights and remedies at law or in equity that such party may have.

Section 7.13     Reliance by Third Parties . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer or representative of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer or representative as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer or representative in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or representative be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or representative. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or such officer or representative shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the

 

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time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

Section 7.14     Replacement of Fiduciary Duties . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that, at law or in equity, the General Partner or any other Indemnitee would have duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Partnership, to another Partner, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or to any other Person bound by this Agreement, all such duties (including fiduciary duties) are hereby eliminated, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and replaced with the duties or standards expressly set forth herein. The elimination of duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Partnership, each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement and replacement thereof with the duties or standards expressly set forth herein are approved by the Partnership, each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

Section 8.1     Records and Accounting . The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section  3.3(a) . Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the Partnership Register, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided , that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Partnership shall not be required to keep books maintained on a cash basis, and the General Partner shall be permitted to calculate cash-based measures, including Operating Surplus and Adjusted Operating Surplus, by making such adjustments to its accrual basis books to account for non-cash items and other adjustments as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

Section 8.2     Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.

Section 8.3     Reports .

(a)    Whether or not the Partnership is subject to the requirement to file reports with the Commission, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership (or such shorter period as required by the Commission), the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including by posting on or making accessible through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website), to

 

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each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner, and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

(b)    Whether or not the Partnership is subject to the requirement to file reports with the Commission, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 45 days after the close of each Quarter (or such shorter period as required by the Commission) except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including by posting on or making accessible through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website), to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

ARTICLE IX

TAX MATTERS

Section 9.1     Tax Returns and Information . The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable period or year that it is required by law to adopt, from time to time, as determined by the General Partner. In the event the Partnership is required to use a taxable period other than a year ending on December 31, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to change the taxable period of the Partnership to a year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal, state and local income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable period shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable period ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.

Section 9.2     Tax Elections .

(a)    The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section  6.2(f) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.

 

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(b)    Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.

Section 9.3     Tax Controversies . Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner shall designate the Organizational Limited Partner or such other Partner as the General Partner shall determine as the “tax matters partner” (as defined in Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code) (the “ Tax Matters Partner ”), and such Person is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the Tax Matters Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the Tax Matters Partner to conduct such proceedings.

Section 9.4     Withholding . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code, or established under any foreign law. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section  6.3 or Section  12.4(c) in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.

ARTICLE X

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 10.1     Admission of Limited Partners .

(a)    Upon the issuance by the Partnership of (i) Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights to the General Partner, CNX Resources and the IPO Underwriters in connection with the Initial Public Offering and (ii) Common Units to the Greenlight Capital Funds in connection with the Private Placement, in each case as described in Article V , such Persons were, by acceptance of such Limited Partner Interests, and upon becoming the Record Holders of such Limited Partner Interests, admitted to the Partnership as Initial Limited Partners in respect of the Common Units, Subordinated Units or Incentive Distribution Rights issued to them and bound by this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Persons.

(b)    By acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests transferred in accordance with Article IV or acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to Article V or pursuant to a merger, consolidation or conversion pursuant to Article XIV , and except as provided in amendments adopted pursuant to Section  4.9 , each transferee of, or other such Person acquiring, a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee, agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person or Group, who shall

 

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be subject to Section  10.1(c) below) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued to such Person when such Person becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or acquired, (ii) shall become bound, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound, by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) shall be deemed to represent that the transferee or acquirer has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and (iv) shall be deemed to make any consents, acknowledgements or waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement. A Person may become a Limited Partner without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A Person may not become a Limited Partner without acquiring a Limited Partner Interest and becoming the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest. The rights and obligations of a Person who is an Ineligible Holder shall be determined in accordance with Section  4.9 .

(c)    With respect to any Limited Partner that holds Units representing Limited Partner Interests for another Person’s account (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such Limited Partner shall, in exercising the rights of a Limited Partner in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, take all action as a Limited Partner by virtue of being the Record Holder of such Units at the direction of the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume such Limited Partner is so acting without further inquiry.

(d)    The name and mailing address of each Record Holder shall be listed in the Partnership Register maintained for such purpose by the Partnership or the Transfer Agent. The General Partner shall update the Partnership Register from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable).

(e)    Any transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to share in the profits and losses, to receive distributions, to receive allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit or any similar item or to any other rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to Section  10.1(b) .

Section 10.2     Admission of Successor General Partner . A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section  4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to (a) the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner pursuant to Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 or (b) the transfer of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section  4.6 ; provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section  4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor is hereby authorized to and shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.

 

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Section 10.3     Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership . To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary or appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the Partnership Register to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership.

ARTICLE XI

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

Section 11.1     Withdrawal of the General Partner .

(a)    The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “ Event of Withdrawal ”):

(i)    The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;

(ii)    The General Partner transfers all of its General Partner Interest pursuant to Section  4.6 ;

(iii)    The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section  11.2 ;

(iv)    The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)  through (C) of this Section  11.1(a)(iv) or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;

(v)    A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or

(vi)    (A) if the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) if the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) if the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) if the General Partner is a natural person, such person’s death or adjudication of incompetency and (E) otherwise upon the termination of the General Partner.

If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section  11.1(a)(iv) , (v) or (vi)(A) , (B) , (C) or (E)  occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section  11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.

 

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(b)    Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, on June 30, 2025, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided, that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“ Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ”) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed); (ii) at any time after 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, on June 30, 2025, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section  11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section  11.2 or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i)  of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section  11.1(a)(i) , the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal, a successor is not elected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section  12.1 unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section  12.2 . Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section  11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section  10.2 .

Section 11.2     Removal of the General Partner . The General Partner may not be removed unless such removal is both (i) for Cause and (ii) approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66  2 3 % of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) voting as a single class. Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, voting as a separate class, and Unitholders holding a majority of the Outstanding Subordinated Units (if any Subordinated Units are then Outstanding), voting as a separate class, including, in each case, Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates.

 

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Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section  10.2 . The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section  11.2 , such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section  10.2 , automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section  11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section  10.2 .

Section 11.3     Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner .

(a)    In the event of withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement, if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section  11.1 , then the Departing General Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal of such Departing General Partner, to require such successor General Partner to purchase such Departing General Partner’s General Partner Interest and its or its Affiliates’ general partner interests (or equivalent interests), if any, in the other Group Members and all of its or its Affiliates’ Incentive Distribution Rights (collectively, the “ Combined Interest ”) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of the Departing General Partner’s withdrawal. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders pursuant to Section  11.2 or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement and (i) if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 , as applicable, or (ii) if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section  12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then such successor General Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or removal of such Departing General Partner (or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such Combined Interest. In any event described in the preceding sentences of this Section  11.3(a) , the Departing General Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section  7.4 , including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing General Partner or its Affiliates (other than any Group Member) for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.

For purposes of this Section  11.3(a) , the fair market value of the Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing General Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing General Partner’s withdrawal or removal, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing General Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after

 

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the effective date of such withdrawal or removal, then the Departing General Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing General Partner’s successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed or admitted to trading, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing General Partner, the value of the Incentive Distribution Rights and the General Partner Interest and other factors it may deem relevant.

(b)    If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section  11.3(a) , the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and its Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section  11.3(a) , without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.

(c)    If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section  12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section  11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the amount equal to the product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner and (y) the Net Agreed Value of the Partnership’s assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to its Percentage Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing General Partner was entitled. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be its Percentage Interest.

Section 11.4     Withdrawal of Limited Partners . No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however , that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.

 

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ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

Section 12.1     Dissolution . The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section  11.1 , Section  11.2 or Section  12.2 , to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section  12.2 ) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:

(a)    an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section  11.1(a) (other than Section  11.1(a)(ii) ), unless a successor is elected and a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section  11.1(b) or Section  11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section  10.2 ;

(b)    an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;

(c)    the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or

(d)    at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.

Section 12.2     Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution . Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section  11.1(a)(i) or (iii)  and the failure of the Unitholders to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section  11.1 or Section  11.2 , then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section  11.1(a)(iv) , (v) or (vi) , then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:

(i)    the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII ;

(ii)    if the successor General Partner is not the Departing General Partner, then the interest of the Departing General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section  11.3 ; and

(iii)    the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement;

 

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provided, however, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner under the Delaware Act and (y) neither the Partnership nor any Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

Section 12.3     Liquidator . Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section  12.2 , the General Partner (or in the event of dissolution pursuant to Section  12.1(a) , the holders of a Unit Majority) shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, if any, voting as a single class. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, if any, voting as a single class. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, if any, voting as a single class. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII , the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section  7.3 ) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.

Section 12.4     Liquidation . The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:

(a)    The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section  12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnership’s assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.

 

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(b)    Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section  12.3 ) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI . With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.

(c)    All property and all cash in excess of that required to satisfy liabilities as provided in Section  12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section  12.4(c) ) for the taxable period of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable period (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).

Section 12.5     Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership . Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section  12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

Section 12.6     Return of Contributions . The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.

Section 12.7     Waiver of Partition . To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

Section 12.8     Capital Account Restoration . No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable year of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

Section 13.1     Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner . Each Limited Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:

(a)    a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;

 

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(b)    admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;

(c)    a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for federal income tax purposes;

(d)    a change that the General Partner determines (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners considered as a whole or any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests in any material respect (except as permitted by subsection (g) of this Section  13.1 ), (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed or admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section  5.9 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the IPO Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;

(e)    a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;

(f)    an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;

(g)    an amendment that (i) sets forth the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties of any class or series of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Section  5.6 or (ii) the General Partner determines to be necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with the authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests pursuant to Section  5.6 ;

 

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(h)    any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;

(i)    an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement or a Plan of Conversion approved in accordance with Section  14.3 ;

(j)    an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section  2.4 or Section  7.1(a) ;

(k)    (k) a merger, conveyance or conversion pursuant to Section  14.3(d) or Section  14.3(e) ; or

(l)    any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.

Section 13.2     Amendment Procedures . Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement, and, in declining to propose or approve an amendment to this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in determining whether to propose or approve any amendment to this Agreement shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion. An amendment to this Agreement shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and, except as otherwise provided by Section  13.1 or Section  13.3 , the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage of Outstanding Units is required under this Agreement. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any amendments. The General Partner shall be deemed to have notified all Record Holders as required by this Section  13.2 if it has posted or made accessible such amendment through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website.

Section 13.3     Amendment Requirements .

(a)    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section  13.1 and Section  13.2 , no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of (i) in the case of any provision of this Agreement other than Section  11.2 or Section  13.4 , reducing such percentage or (ii) in the case of Section  11.2 or Section  13.4 , increasing such percentages, unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the

 

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affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute (x) in the case of a reduction as described in subclause (a)(i) hereof, not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced, (y) in the case of an increase in the percentage in Section  11.2 , not less than 90% of the Outstanding Units or (z) in the case of an increase in the percentage in Section  13.4 , not less than a majority of the Outstanding Units.

(b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of Section  13.1 and Section  13.2 , no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section  13.3(c) or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without the General Partner’s consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.

(c)    Except as provided in Section  14.3 , and without limitation of the General Partner’s authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any Limited Partners as contemplated in Section  13.1 , any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section  13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section  14.3(f) , no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable partnership law of the state under whose laws the Partnership is organized.

(e)    Except as provided in Section  13.1 , this Section  13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.

Section 13.4     Special Meetings . All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII . Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called and the class or classes of Units for which the meeting is proposed. No business may be brought by any Limited Partner before such special meeting except the business listed in the related request. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send or cause to be sent a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given as provided in Section  16.1 . Limited Partners shall not be permitted to vote on matters that would

 

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cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business. If any such vote were to take place, to the fullest extent permitted by law, it shall be deemed null and void to the extent necessary so as not to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

Section 13.5     Notice of a Meeting . Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section  13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section  16.1 .

Section 13.6     Record Date . For purposes of determining the Limited Partners who are Record Holders of the class or classes of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section  13.11 , the General Partner shall set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading or U.S. federal securities laws, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange or U.S. federal securities laws shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which such Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals.

Section 13.7     Postponement and Adjournment . Prior to the date upon which any meeting of Limited Partners is to be held, the General Partner may postpone such meeting one or more times for any reason by giving notice to each Limited Partner entitled to vote at the meeting so postponed of the place, date and hour at which such meeting would be held. Such notice shall be given not fewer than two days before the date of such meeting and otherwise in accordance with this Article XIII . When a meeting is postponed, a new Record Date need not be fixed unless such postponement shall be for more than 45 days. Any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned by the General Partner one or more times for any reason, including the failure of a quorum to be present at the meeting with respect to any proposal or the failure of any proposal to receive sufficient votes for approval. No Limited Partner vote shall be required for any adjournment. A meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned by the General Partner as to one or more proposals regardless of whether action has been taken on other matters. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII .

 

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Section 13.8     Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting . The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except (i) when the Limited Partner attends the meeting 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 and (ii) that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove of any matters submitted for consideration or to object to the failure to submit for consideration any matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the beginning of the meeting.

Section 13.9     Quorum and Voting . Except as otherwise provided or required by or under (i) this Agreement, (ii) the rules or regulations of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to trading, (iii) applicable law or (iv) any regulation applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Interests, the presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority in voting power of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) entitled to vote at the meeting shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or classes. Abstentions and broker non-votes in respect of such Units shall be deemed to be Units present at such meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum. For all matters presented to the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units at a meeting at which a quorum is present for which no minimum or other vote of Limited Partners is required by any other provision of this Agreement, the rules or regulations of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to trading, applicable law or any regulation applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Interests, a majority of the votes cast by the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners (with abstentions and broker non-votes being deemed to not have been cast with respect to such matter). On any matter where a minimum or other vote of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units is provided by any other provision of this Agreement, the rules or regulations of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to trading, applicable law or any regulation applicable to the Partnership or the Partnership Interests, such minimum or other vote shall be the vote of Limited Partners required to approve such matter (with the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes to be determined based on the vote of Limited Partners required to approve such matter; provided that if the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes is not specified by such applicable rule, regulation or law, and there is no prevailing interpretation of such effect, then abstentions and broker non-votes shall be deemed to not have been cast with respect to such matter; provided further , that, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any matter on which this Agreement requires the approval of a specified percentage of the Outstanding Units, abstentions and broker non-votes shall be counted as votes against such matter). The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the exit of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum.

Section 13.10     Conduct of a Meeting . The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section  13.4 , the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall

 

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designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the submission and revocation of approvals in writing.

Section 13.11     Action Without a Meeting . If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Outstanding Units held by such Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Outstanding Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any permitted action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals are first deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.

Section 13.12     Right to Vote and Related Matters .

(a)    Only those Record Holders of the Outstanding Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section  13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of “Outstanding”) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.

 

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(b)    With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person that is the Record Holder (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), such Record Holder shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume such Record Holder is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section  13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section  4.3 .

(c)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Record Holder of an Incentive Distribution Right shall not be entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Right on any Partnership matter.

ARTICLE XIV

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION

Section 14.1     Authority . The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability limited partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America or any other country, pursuant to a written plan of merger or consolidation (“ Merger Agreement ”) or a written plan of conversion (“ Plan of Conversion ”), as the case may be, in accordance with this Article XIV .

Section 14.2     Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion .

(a)    Merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner; provided, however , that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to consent to a merger, consolidation or conversion, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in determining whether to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion.

(b)    If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:

(i)    the name and state or country of domicile of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;

(ii)    the name and state of domicile of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “ Surviving Business Entity ”);

(iii)    the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;

 

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(iv)    the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity interests of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (A) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights and (B) in the case of equity interests represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;

(v)    a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership, operating agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;

(vi)    the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section  14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement ( provided, however, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated therein); and

(vii)    such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

(c)    If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the conversion, the General Partner shall approve the Plan of Conversion, which shall set forth:

(i)    the name of the converting entity and the converted entity;

(ii)    a statement that the Partnership is continuing its existence in the organizational form of the converted entity;

(iii)    a statement as to the type of entity that the converted entity is to be and the state or country under the laws of which the converted entity is to be incorporated, formed or organized;

(iv)    the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity interests of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the converted entity;

 

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(v)    in an attachment or exhibit, the Certificate of Limited Partnership;

(vi)    in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership, articles of incorporation or other organizational documents of the converted entity;

(vii)    the effective time of the conversion, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of conversion or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Plan of Conversion (provided, that if the effective time of the conversion is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of conversion, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of conversion and stated therein); and

(viii)    such other provisions with respect to the proposed conversion that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

Section 14.3     Approval by Limited Partners .

(a)    Except as provided in Section  14.3(d) and Section  14.3(e) , the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII . A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent and, subject to any applicable requirements of Regulation 14A pursuant to the Exchange Act or successor provision, no other disclosure regarding the proposed merger, consolidation or conversion shall be required.

(b)    Except as provided in Section  14.3(d) and Section  14.3(e) , the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority unless the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, effects an amendment to any provision of this Agreement that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement adopted pursuant to Article XIII , would require for its approval the vote or consent of a greater percentage of the Outstanding Units or of any class of Limited Partners, in which case such greater percentage vote or consent shall be required for approval of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.

(c)    Except as provided in Section  14.3(d) and Section  14.3(e) , after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or certificate of conversion pursuant to Section  14.4 , the merger, consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s assets to, another limited liability entity that shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of

 

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such conversion, merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of limited liability under the laws of the jurisdiction governing the other limited liability entity (if that jurisdiction is not Delaware) of any Limited Partner as compared to its limited liability under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the General Partner determines that the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with substantially the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.

(e)    Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another limited liability entity if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner under the laws of the jurisdiction governing the other limited liability entity (if that jurisdiction is not Delaware) as compared to its limited liability under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed), (ii) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to this Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section  13.1 , (iii) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (iv) each Unit Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Unit of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation and (v) the number of Partnership Interests to be issued by the Partnership in such merger or consolidation does not exceed 20% of the Partnership Interests (other than Incentive Distribution Rights) Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.

(f)    Pursuant to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Article XIV may (i) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (ii) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for the Partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section  14.3 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.

Section 14.4     Certificate of Merger or Certificate of Conversion . Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger or certificate of conversion or other filing, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or the appropriate filing office of any other jurisdiction, as applicable, in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act or other applicable law.

 

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Section 14.5     Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion .

(a)    At the effective time of the merger or consolidation:

(i)    all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;

(ii)    the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;

(iii)    all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and

(iv)    all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.

(b)    At the effective time of the conversion:

(i)    the Partnership shall continue to exist, without interruption, but in the organizational form of the converted entity rather than in its prior organizational form;

(ii)    all rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by the Partnership shall continue to be owned by the converted entity in its new organizational form without reversion or impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or assignment having occurred, but subject to any existing liens or other encumbrances thereon;

(iii)    all liabilities and obligations of the Partnership shall continue to be liabilities and obligations of the converted entity in its new organizational form without impairment or diminution by reason of the conversion;

(iv)    all rights of creditors or other parties with respect to or against the prior interest holders or other owners of the Partnership in their capacities as such in existence as of the effective time of the conversion will continue in existence as to those liabilities and obligations and may be pursued by such creditors and obligees as if the conversion did not occur;

(v)    a proceeding pending by or against the Partnership or by or against any of Partners in their capacities as such may be continued by or against the converted entity in its new organizational form and by or against the prior Partners without any need for substitution of parties; and

(vi)    the Partnership Interests that are to be converted into partnership interests, shares, evidences of ownership or other securities in the converted entity as provided in the Plan of Conversion shall be so converted, and Partners shall be entitled only to the rights provided in the Plan of Conversion.

 

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ARTICLE XV

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

Section 15.1     Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests .

(a)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three Business Days prior to the date that the notice described in Section  15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section  15.1(b) is mailed.

(b)    If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section  15.1(a) , the General Partner shall deliver to the applicable Transfer Agent or exchange agent notice of such election to purchase (the “ Notice of Election to Purchase ”) and shall cause the Transfer Agent or exchange agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner), together with such information as may be required by law, rule or regulation, at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be filed and distributed as may be required by the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section  15.1(a) ) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, or instructions agreeing to such redemption in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent or exchange agent as the Transfer Agent or exchange agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at such Record Holder’s address as reflected in the Partnership Register shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent or exchange agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section  15.1 . If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate or redemption instructions shall not have been surrendered for purchase or provided,

 

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respectively, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Article IV , Article V , Article VI and Article XII ) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section  15.1(a) ) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent or exchange agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, or instructions agreeing to such redemption, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the Partnership Register, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the Record Holder of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Article IV , Article V , Article VI and Article XII ).

(c)    In the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, at any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section  15.1 may surrender such holder’s Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent or exchange agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section  15.1(a) therefor, without interest thereon, in accordance with procedures set forth by the General Partner.

ARTICLE XVI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 16.1     Addresses and Notices; Written Communications .

(a)    Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below. Except as otherwise provided herein, any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interests at such Record Holder’s address as shown in the Partnership Register, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Interests by reason of any assignment or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a Partner shall consent to receiving notices, demands, requests, reports or proxy materials via electronic mail or by the Internet or (ii) the rules of the Commission shall permit any report or proxy materials to be delivered electronically or made available via the Internet, any such notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials shall be deemed given or made when delivered or made available via such mode of delivery. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section  16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing in the Partnership Register is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver

 

108


it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in such Record Holder’s address) if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section  2.3 . The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.

(b)    The terms “in writing,” “written communications,” “written notice” and words of similar import shall be deemed satisfied under this Agreement by use of email and other forms of electronic communication.

Section 16.2     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.

Section 16.3     Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

Section 16.4     Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

Section 16.5     Creditors . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

Section 16.6     Waiver . No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

Section 16.7     Third-Party Beneficiaries . Each Partner agrees that (a) any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Indemnitee and (b) any Unrestricted Person shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Unrestricted Person.

Section 16.8     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest, pursuant to Section  10.1(a) or Section  10.1(b) without execution hereof.

 

109


Section 16.9     Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury .

(a)    This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.

(b)    Each of the Partners and each Person or Group holding any beneficial interest in the Partnership (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise):

(i)    irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (A) arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of this Agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among Partners or of Partners to the Partnership, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Partners or the Partnership), (B) brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the Partnership, (C) asserting a claim of breach of a duty (including any fiduciary duty) owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Partnership or the General Partner, or owed by the General Partner, to the Partnership or the Partners, (D) asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (E) asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, in each case regardless of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims; provided, however , that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings over which the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware does not have subject matter jurisdiction shall be brought in any other court in the State of Delaware having subject matter jurisdiction;

(ii)    irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction) in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding;

(iii)    agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware or of any other court to which proceedings in the courts of the State of Delaware may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper;

(iv)    expressly waives any requirement for the posting of a bond by a party bringing such claim, suit, action or proceeding;

(v)    consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such services shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof; provided, however , that nothing in this clause (v)  shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law; and

(vi)    IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH CLAIM, SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

 

110


Section 16.10     Invalidity of Provisions . If any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement is or becomes for any reason, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions and/or parts thereof contained herein shall not be affected thereby, and this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been contained herein, and such provision and/or part of a provision shall be reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

Section 16.11     Consent of Partners . Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.

Section 16.12     Facsimile and Email Signatures . The use of facsimile signatures and signatures delivered by email in portable document format (.pdf) or other electronic format affixed in the name and on behalf of the Transfer Agent on Certificates representing Common Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.

Section 16.13     Interpretation . To the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event of any ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the Partners and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any Partner by virtue of the authorship or any of the provisions of this Agreement.

[ REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. ]

 

111


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
CONSOL COAL RESOURCES GP LLC
By:  

/s/ James A. Brock

Name:   James A. Brock
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CONSOL Coal Resources LP


EXHIBIT A

to the Third Amended and Restated

Agreement of Limited Partnership of

CONSOL Coal Resources LP

Certificate Evidencing Common Units

Representing Limited Partner Interests in

CONSOL Coal Resources LP

 

No.    Common Units

In accordance with Section 4.1 of the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CONSOL Coal Resources LP, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “ Partnership Agreement ”), CONSOL Coal Resources LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), hereby certifies that (the “ Holder ”) is the registered owner of Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”) transferable in the records of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT) WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR (C) CAUSE CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). THE GENERAL PARTNER OF CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO (A) AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED

 

A-1


OR TAXED) OR (B) PRESERVE THE UNIFORMITY OF THE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS IN CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP (OR ANY CLASS OR CLASSES THEREOF). THIS SECURITY MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON ITS TRANSFER PROVIDED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS SECURITY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL PARTNER AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE PARTNERSHIP. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.

The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement and (iii) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.

This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent. This Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Dated:     CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP
    By:  

CONSOL COAL RESOURCES GP LLC,

its general partner

      By:  

 

      By:  

 

 

Countersigned and Registered by:

[                                                           ]

as Transfer Agent

By:  

 

  Authorized Signature

[Reverse of Certificate]

 

A-2


ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM       as tenants in common       UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT—
           

 

  Custodian   

 

TEN ENT       as tenants by the entireties       (Cust)      (Minor)
JT TEN       as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common      

under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors

Act

 

 

              (State)

Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.

 

A-3


ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS OF

CONSOL COAL RESOURCES LP

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,      hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto

 

    

 

    

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address of assignee)

    

 

(Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee)

Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same in the records of CONSOL Coal Resources LP.

 

Date:      NOTE: The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change.
    

 

(Signature)

    

 

(Signature)

THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE

GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE

GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,

STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN

ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS

WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED

SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION

PROGRAM), PURSUANT

TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15

    

No transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered in the records of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.

 

A-4

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

 

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  

 

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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  

 

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             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  

 

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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

 

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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.

 

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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

 

-5-


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 10.2

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.

 

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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.

 

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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;

 

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  (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

 

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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

 

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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.

 

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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 10.3

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.

 

2


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 10.4

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.

 

2


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 10.5

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

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  

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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”;

 

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(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.

 

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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.

 

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  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;

 

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(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;

 

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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.

 

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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

 

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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.

 

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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