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): October 18, 2018

 

 

InfraREIT, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   001-36822   75-2952822

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1900 North Akard Street

Dallas, Texas

    75201
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)     (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (214) 855-6700

Not Applicable

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company  ☒

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

InfraREIT/Oncor Merger Agreement

On October 18, 2018, InfraREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and InfraREIT Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and subsidiary of the Company (the “ Partnership ”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”) with Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Oncor ”), 1912 Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Oncor (“ Merger Sub ”), and Oncor T&D Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Oncor (“ Merger Partnership ”), pursuant to which the Company, the Partnership and its subsidiaries (collectively, “ InfraREIT ”) will be acquired by Oncor.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, at the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby, among other things (i) the Company will merge with and into Merger Sub (the “ Company Merger ”), with Merger Sub being the surviving entity (the “ Surviving Company ”), and (ii) the Merger Partnership will merge with and into the Partnership (the “ Partnership Merger ” and, together with the Company Merger, the “ Mergers ”), with the Partnership being the surviving entity (the “ Surviving Partnership ”). As a result of the Mergers, Oncor will own, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding limited partnership interests in the Surviving Partnership, and the Surviving Company will not be structured as a real estate investment trust.

On and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, (i) at the effective time of the Company Merger, each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “ Company Shares ”) (other than any Company Shares that may be held, directly or indirectly, by Oncor, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership) will be converted into the right to receive $21.00 in cash and (ii) at the effective time of the Partnership Merger, each outstanding limited partnership unit of the Partnership (the “ Partnership Units ”) (other than any units held, directly or indirectly, by the Surviving Company or by a certain affiliate of Oncor formed for the purpose of holding a 1% limited partnership interest in the Partnership) will be converted into the right to receive $21.00 in cash.

Oncor has obtained equity financing commitments from Sempra Energy and the owners of Texas Transmission Investment LLC to provide an aggregate equity contribution of approximately $1.330 billion to finance the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and pay certain related fees and expenses. The equity financing commitments are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an equity commitment letter. The obligation to provide the equity financing is subject to a number of customary conditions set forth in the equity commitment letter.

The Merger Agreement includes a “go-shop” provision that allows the Conflicts Committee (the “ Conflicts Committee ”) of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Company Board ”), during the 30-day period following the execution of the Merger Agreement (the “ Go-Shop Period ”), to actively solicit and negotiate with other potential acquirers regarding the making of any Acquisition Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement). Accordingly,


InfraREIT will solicit competing acquisition proposals through November 17, 2018. Following the expiration of the Go-Shop Period, the Company will become subject to customary “no-shop” restrictions on its and its representatives’ ability to solicit third party proposals relating to alternative Acquisition Proposals or to provide information to and engage in discussions with a third party in relation to an alternative transaction, subject to certain customary exceptions to permit the Company Board to comply with its duties under applicable law. However, if a third party has submitted an Acquisition Proposal during the Go-Shop Period that the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, is or would reasonably be likely to result in a Superior Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement), then the Company Board may continue discussions or negotiations with such party. There can be no assurance that the “go-shop” process set forth in the Merger Agreement will result in a Superior Proposal.

The Merger Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties. The Merger Agreement also contains customary pre-closing covenants of the Company and the Partnership, including, among other things, covenants relating to conducting InfraREIT’s business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and to refrain from taking specified actions without the consent of Oncor.

The stockholders of the Company will be asked to vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the Company Merger at a stockholder meeting that will be held on a date to be announced following the customary Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) clearance process. The completion of the Mergers is conditioned on obtaining the approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Mergers) from (i) the holders of Company Shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter and (ii) the holders of Company Shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding for purposes of such calculation any Company Shares held by Hunt Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HCI ”), and its affiliates (together, the “ Company Stockholder Approval ”).

The completion of the Mergers is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of other conditions, including, among others, (i) the closing of the Asset Exchange (as defined below); (ii) obtaining certain consents from InfraREIT’s lenders; (iii) the satisfaction of certain regulatory conditions, including the receipt of the approval of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (the “ PUCT ”) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “ FERC ”); (iv) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “ HSR Act ”); (v) clearance by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“ CFIUS ”); and (vi) other customary closing conditions.

The Merger Agreement also provides for certain termination rights of the Company and Oncor, including the right of either party to terminate the Merger Agreement if the Merger is not consummated by July 15, 2019 (the “ Initial Termination Date ”), subject to extension of the Initial Termination Date on one occasion by either the Company or Oncor for a period of 90 days to allow the parties to continue seeking regulatory approval. Either party may also terminate the Merger Agreement if (i) the PUCT issues a final order denying the requested PUCT approval; (ii) the Company enters into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) after receiving a Superior Proposal; (iii) the Company Stockholder Approval is not

 

2


obtained at the special meeting of the Company stockholders convened for such purpose; or (iv) upon the occurrence of other customary specified conditions. Additionally, Oncor may also terminate the Merger Agreement if the Company Board changes its recommendation regarding the Mergers prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, or if the Asset Exchange Agreement (as defined below) is validly terminated.

Under certain limited circumstances, the Company may be required to pay a termination fee to Oncor. Specifically, if the Merger Agreement is terminated in connection with a change of recommendation of the Company Board in a manner adverse to Oncor, or in certain other customary circumstances, the Company will be required to pay a termination fee. If the Merger Agreement is terminated by December 27, 2018 in connection with the Company’s entry into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal received during the Go-Shop Period, the termination fee will be $19,100,000. If the Merger Agreement is otherwise terminated prior to receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval, the termination fee will be $44,600,000.

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “ Current Report ”) and is incorporated herein by reference.

SU/SDTS Asset Exchange Agreement

On October 18, 2018, Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company and subsidiary of the Company (“ SDTS ”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Asset Exchange Agreement ”) with Oncor and Sharyland Utilities, L.P., a Texas limited partnership and the Company’s sole tenant (“ Sharyland ”), pursuant to which, among other things, SDTS and Sharyland will exchange certain of their existing transmission and distribution assets immediately prior to the consummation of the Mergers.

Pursuant to the Asset Exchange Agreement, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, at the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby, among other things, Sharyland and SDTS will consummate a joint survivor merger, as a result of which (i) Sharyland will acquire SDTS’s transmission and distribution assets in South Texas and (ii) SDTS will acquire Sharyland’s Golden Spread Electric Cooperative interconnection located in the Texas Panhandle, along with certain development projects in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains regions, including the Lubbock Power & Light interconnection (collectively, the “ Asset Exchange ”). The difference between the net book value of the exchanged assets will be paid in cash at closing. The Asset Exchange is structured to qualify, in part, as a simultaneous tax deferred like kind exchange of assets to the extent that the assets exchanged are of “like kind” (within the meaning of Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended).

Immediately prior to the consummation of the Asset Exchange, all of the outstanding equity interests in SDTS held by Sharyland, in its capacity as the managing member of SDTS, shall be cancelled, causing SDTS to become a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of the Partnership.

 

3


The Asset Exchange Agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties. The Asset Exchange Agreement also contains customary pre-closing covenants of SDTS and Sharyland, including, among other things, the agreement of each to conduct its business in the ordinary course of business and to refrain from taking specified actions without the consent of the other party.

The completion of the Asset Exchange is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of other conditions, including, among others, (i) the substantially concurrent consummation of the Mergers; (ii) the substantially concurrent closing of the acquisition by an affiliate of Sempra Energy of a 50% limited partnership interest in Sharyland Holdings LP, which will own a 100% interest in Sharyland (the “ SU Investment ”); (iii) the satisfaction of certain regulatory conditions, including the receipt of the approval of the PUCT and the FERC; (iv) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act; (v) clearance by CFIUS; and (vi) other customary closing conditions.

The Asset Exchange Agreement also provides for certain termination rights of Sharyland and Oncor, including the right of either party to terminate the Asset Exchange Agreement (i) if the Asset Exchange is not consummated by the Initial Termination Date, subject to automatic extension for the same period of time (up to a maximum of 180 days) that the Initial Termination Date is extended under the Merger Agreement or (ii) upon the occurrence of other customary specified conditions. The Asset Exchange Agreement will automatically terminate if the Merger Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to the terms thereof without the Mergers having occurred.

The foregoing description of the Asset Exchange Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Asset Exchange Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2.2 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Omnibus Termination Agreement

On October 18, 2018, concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and the Asset Exchange Agreement, the Company, the Partnership and SDTS entered into an Omnibus Termination Agreement (the “ Termination Agreement ”) with HCI, Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ Hunt Developer ”), Electricity Participant Partnership, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ EPP ”), Hunt Utility Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Hunt Manager ” and, together with HCI, Hunt Developer and EPP, “ Hunt ”), and Sharyland. Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, concurrently with and conditioned upon the closing of the Asset Exchange, among other things, the Partnership will make a payment of $40,536,000 (the “ Termination Fee ”) to Hunt Manager which will be deemed to satisfy in full any obligations of the Company, the Partnership or SDTS arising under (i) certain agreements between the Company, the Partnership or SDTS, on one hand, and Sharyland or Hunt, on the other hand, including the Management Agreement, dated January 29, 2015, among the Company, the Partnership and Hunt Manager (the “ Management Agreement ”), pursuant to which Hunt Manager externally manages the day-to-day operations of the Partnership, and (ii) all of the existing lease agreements between SDTS and Sharyland. The Termination Fee is consistent with the termination fee that is contractually required under the management agreement.    

 

4


The foregoing description of the Termination Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Termination Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Regulatory Cooperation

Each of the parties to the Merger Agreement and the Asset Exchange Agreement have agreed to use their respective reasonable best efforts, subject to certain exceptions, to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Asset Exchange Agreement as promptly as practicable. In furtherance of this obligation, the parties have agreed to submit a single, integrated Joint Application for Sale, Transfer or Merger to the PUCT no later than November 30, 2018 that will request the approval of the Mergers, the Asset Exchange and the SU Investment together with other specified terms as described in each of the agreements.

Relationships

As more fully described in the section entitled “Transactions with Related Persons” included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 22, 2018, which section is incorporated herein by reference, Sharyland is privately-owned by Hunter L. Hunt and other members of the family of Ray L. Hunt and is controlled by Hunter L. Hunt. Ray L. Hunt and Hunter L. Hunt indirectly control HCI, which is deemed to be a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock and indirectly owns Hunt Manager and Hunt Developer. Hunter L. Hunt also serves on the Company Board. As a result, the transactions described in this Current Report were reviewed and approved by the Conflicts Committee.

Forward Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements give the current expectations of the Company’s management. Words such as “could,” “will,” “may,” “assume,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “target,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” or “project” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this report include the Company’s expectations regarding the consummation of the proposed transactions.

Forward-looking statements can be affected by assumptions used or known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statements can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially and adversely from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among other things, (a) the risk and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC from time to time and (b) the following risks inherent in the proposed transactions (in addition to others described elsewhere in this document and in the subsequent filings with the SEC): (1) failure to obtain the approval of the Company’s stockholders; (2) failure to obtain regulatory approval necessary to consummate the proposed transactions or to obtain regulatory approvals on favorable terms and (3) delays in consummating the proposed transactions or the failure to consummate the proposed transactions.

 

5


Because the Company’s forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different and any or all of the Company’s forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and can be affected by assumptions the Company might make or by known or unknown risk and uncertainties. Many factors mentioned in this report and the exhibit hereto and in the Company’s annual and quarterly reports will be important in determining future results. Consequently, the Company cannot assure you that the Company’s expectations or forecasts expressed in such forward-looking statements will be achieved.

Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this report is based only on information currently available to the Company and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

The foregoing summaries of the principal terms of the Merger Agreement, the Asset Exchange Agreement and the Termination Agreement (the “ Agreements ”) have been included to provide stockholders with information regarding their terms and are qualified in their entirety by the terms and conditions of the Agreements. These summaries are not intended to provide any other factual information about InfraREIT, Oncor, Sharyland, Hunt or their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, businesses, assets or liabilities. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Agreements were made solely for purposes of the Agreements and as of specific dates; were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Agreements; may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Agreements instead of establishing these matters as facts; and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to stockholders. In addition, such representations, warranties and covenants (i) will not survive consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, unless otherwise specified in the applicable Agreement, and (ii) were made only as of the date of the Agreements or such other date as is specified in the Agreements. Stockholders are not third-party beneficiaries under the Agreements and should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of InfraREIT, Oncor, Sharyland, Hunt or their respective subsidiaries, affiliates, businesses, assets or liabilities. Moreover, information relating to the subject matter of the representations, warranties and covenants may change after the date of the Agreements, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Company’s public disclosures. The Agreements should not be read alone, but should instead be read in conjunction with the other information regarding the Company, the Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby contained in other filings by the Company with the SEC.

 

6


This report relates to a proposed business combination between InfraREIT and Oncor. The proposed merger and the related agreement and plan of merger will be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for their consideration and approval. In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company will file a proxy statement with the SEC. This report does not constitute a solicitation of any vote or proxy from any stockholder of the Company. Investors are urged to read the proxy statement carefully and in its entirety when it becomes available, as well as any other relevant documents or materials filed or to be filed with the SEC or incorporated by reference in the proxy statement, because they will contain important information about the proposed acquisition. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to the Company’s stockholders. In addition, the proxy statement and other documents will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. When available, the proxy statement and other pertinent documents may also be obtained free of charge at the Investor Relations section of InfraREIT’s website, www.InfraREITInc.com, or by directing a written request to InfraREIT, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 1900 North Akard Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and its directors and executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers is available in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on March 22, 2018. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

       

DESCRIPTION

  2.1*       Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 18, 2018, among Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, 1912 Merger Sub LLC, Oncor T&D Partners, LP, InfraREIT, Inc. and InfraREIT Partners, LP.
  2.2*       Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 18, 2018, among Sharyland Utilities, L.P., Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C. and Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC
10.1       Omnibus Termination Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2018, among InfraREIT, Inc., InfraREIT Partners, LP, Sharyland Distribution  & Transmission Services, L.L.C., Hunt Consolidated, Inc., Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C., Electricity Participant Partnership, L.L.C., Hunt Utility Services, LLC and Sharyland Utilities, L.P.

 

*

Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, the Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted exhibit or schedule to the SEC upon request.

 

7


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.

 

    InfraREIT, Inc.
Date: October 18, 2018     By:  

/s/ Stacey H. Doré

      Stacey H. Doré
      Senior Vice President and General Counsel

 

8

Exhibit 2.1

Execution Version

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

by and among

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC,

1912 MERGER SUB LLC,

ONCOR T&D PARTNERS, LP,

INFRAREIT, INC.

and

INFRAREIT PARTNERS, LP

Dated as of October 18, 2018


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I THE MERGERS AND THE AFFILIATE CONTRIBUTION

     3  

Section 1.1

  The Mergers and the Affiliate Contribution      3  

Section 1.2

  Closing      3  

Section 1.3

  Effective Times      4  

Section 1.4

  Effects of the Mergers      4  

Section 1.5

  Governing Documents      5  

Section 1.6

  Managers      5  

Section 1.7

  Officers      6  

Section 1.8

  General Partner      6  

Section 1.9

  Tax Consequences      6  

ARTICLE II EFFECT ON THE EQUITY INTERESTS OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

     6  

Section 2.1

  Conversion of Equity Interests      6  

Section 2.2

  Treatment of Equity Awards and Plans      8  

Section 2.3

  Exchange and Payment      9  

Section 2.4

  Withholding Rights      12  

Section 2.5

  Dissenters’ Rights      12  

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY PARTIES

     12  

Section 3.1

  Organization, Standing and Power      12  

Section 3.2

  Capitalization      14  

Section 3.3

  Authority      16  

Section 3.4

  No Conflict; Consents and Approvals      17  

Section 3.5

  SEC Reports; Financial Statements      18  

Section 3.6

  No Undisclosed Liabilities      20  

Section 3.7

  Existing Indebtedness      20  

Section 3.8

  Certain Information      20  

Section 3.9

  Absence of Certain Changes or Events      20  

Section 3.10

  Litigation      21  

Section 3.11

  Compliance with Laws      21  

Section 3.12

  Employees      22  

Section 3.13

  Environmental Matters      22  

Section 3.14

  Taxes      24  

Section 3.15

  Contracts      28  

Section 3.16

  Insurance      30  

Section 3.17

  Properties      30  

Section 3.18

  Intellectual Property      31  


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

Section 3.19

  Regulatory Matters      31  

Section 3.20

  State Takeover Statutes      32  

Section 3.21

  Certain Business Practices      32  

Section 3.22

  Affiliate Transactions      33  

Section 3.23

  Brokers      33  

Section 3.24

  Opinion of Financial Advisor      33  

Section 3.25

  No Other Representations or Warranties      33  

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT, MERGER SUB AND MERGER PARTNERSHIP

     33  

Section 4.1

  Organization, Standing and Power      34  

Section 4.2

  Authority      34  

Section 4.3

  No Conflict; Consents and Approvals      35  

Section 4.4

  Certain Information      35  

Section 4.5

  Litigation      36  

Section 4.6

  Ownership and Operations of Merger Sub and Merger Partnership      36  

Section 4.7

  Financing; Solvency      36  

Section 4.8

  Vote/Approval Required      37  

Section 4.9

  Ownership of Company Shares      37  

Section 4.10

  Brokers      37  

Section 4.11

  No Other Representations or Warranties      37  

Section 4.12

  Access to Information      38  

ARTICLE V COVENANTS

     38  

Section 5.1

  Conduct of Business of the Company and the Partnership      38  

Section 5.2

  Conduct of Business of Parent and Merger Partnership Pending the Merger      42  

Section 5.3

  No Control of Other Party’s Business      43  

Section 5.4

  Acquisition Proposals      43  

Section 5.5

  Preparation of Proxy Statement; Stockholders’ Meeting      49  

Section 5.6

  Access to Information; Confidentiality      51  

Section 5.7

  Further Action; Efforts      52  

Section 5.8

  Takeover Laws      55  

Section 5.9

  Notification of Certain Matters      56  

Section 5.10

  Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance      56  

Section 5.11

  Rule 16b-3      58  

Section 5.12

  Dividends      58  

Section 5.13

  Public Announcements      59  

Section 5.14

  Obligations of Parent and the Company      59  

Section 5.15

  Tax Matters      59  

Section 5.16

  Stock Exchange Delisting      61  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

Section 5.17

  Financing      61  

Section 5.18

  APM Private Letter Ruling      63  

Section 5.19

  Debt Matters      64  

Section 5.20

  Rate Case Cooperation      65  

Section 5.21

  Government Reviews      65  

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     65  

Section 6.1

  Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Mergers      65  

Section 6.2

  Conditions to the Obligations of the Company and the Partnership      65  

Section 6.3

  Conditions to the Obligations of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership      66  

Section 6.4

  Frustration of Closing Conditions      68  

ARTICLE VII TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

     68  

Section 7.1

  Termination      68  

Section 7.2

  Effect of Termination      70  

Section 7.3

  Fees and Expenses      70  

Section 7.4

  Amendment or Supplement      72  

Section 7.5

  Extension of Time; Waiver; Any Determinations, Decisions, Etc.      72  

ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS

     72  

Section 8.1

  Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties      72  

Section 8.2

  Notices      73  

Section 8.3

  Interpretation      74  

Section 8.4

  Entire Agreement      74  

Section 8.5

  Parties in Interest      74  

Section 8.6

  Governing Law      75  

Section 8.7

  Submission to Jurisdiction      75  

Section 8.8

  Assignment; Successors      76  

Section 8.9

  Enforcement      76  

Section 8.10

  Currency      77  

Section 8.11

  Severability      77  

Section 8.12

  Waiver of Jury Trial      77  

Section 8.13

  Counterparts      77  

Section 8.14

  .pdf Signature      77  

Section 8.15

  No Presumption Against Drafting Party      77  

Section 8.16

  Liability of Financing Source Parties      78  

 

iii


ANNEXES, EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES:

 

Annex A    Defined Terms
Exhibit A    Non-Interference Agreement
Exhibit B    Regulatory Terms
Exhibit C    Tax Opinion
Schedule A-1   
Schedule A-2   
Schedule A-3   

 

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 18, 2018, is entered into by and among Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Parent ”), 1912 Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Sub ”), Oncor T&D Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and a wholly-owned indirect Subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Partnership ”), InfraREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and InfraREIT Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”). All capitalized terms have the meanings assigned to such terms in Annex  A or as otherwise defined elsewhere in this Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the parties wish to effect a business combination through (i) a merger of the Company with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub being the surviving entity (the “ Company Merger ”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended (the “ MGCL ”), and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, as amended (the “ DLLCA ”), (ii) a contribution (the “ Affiliate Contribution ”) by the Surviving Company of a 1% limited partnership interest in the Partnership to 1912 Holding Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and an Affiliate of Parent (“ Parent Affiliate ”), and (iii) immediately following the consummation of the Company Merger and the Affiliate Contribution, a merger of Merger Partnership with and into the Partnership, with the Partnership being the surviving entity (the “ Partnership Merger ” and, together with the Company Merger, the “ Mergers ”), on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended (the “ DRULPA ”);

WHEREAS, the Company (i) is the sole general partner of the Partnership and (ii) as of the date hereof, owns approximately 72.42% of the outstanding limited partnership units of the Partnership;

WHEREAS, a conflicts committee of independent, disinterested directors of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Company Board ” and, such committee, the “ Conflicts Committee ”) has unanimously declared the Company Merger advisable and in the best interests of the Company, and has approved this Agreement, the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, on substantially the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, and has recommended approval of the same by the Company Board;

WHEREAS, the Company Board, acting on the unanimous recommendation of the Conflicts Committee, has unanimously (a) approved and declared advisable this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated hereby, (b) determined that this Agreement, the Mergers and other transactions contemplated hereby are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and (c) subject to Section  5.4 , resolved to recommend that the Company’s stockholders adopt this Agreement and approve the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively with the foregoing clauses  (a) and (b) , the “ Company Recommendation ”);


WHEREAS, the Company, as the sole general partner of the Partnership, has approved this Agreement and the Partnership Merger and determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Partnership and the limited partners of the Partnership for the Partnership to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the Partnership Merger, on substantially the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Parent has approved this Agreement, the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of Parent and its members for Parent to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the Company Merger, on substantially the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, Parent, as the sole member of Merger Sub, has approved this Agreement, the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of Merger Sub and its members for Merger Sub to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the Company Merger, on substantially the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, Parent, as the general partner of Merger Partnership, has approved this Agreement, the Partnership Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of Merger Partnership and its limited partners for Merger Partnership to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the Partnership Merger, on substantially the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, HTS, Parent, and Merger Sub, among others, are entering into a Non-Interference Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit  A , pursuant to which, among other things, HTS, among others, agrees to take certain actions to support the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent has delivered to the Company a true and complete copy of the Equity Commitment Letter executed by Sempra Energy, a California corporation (“ Sempra ”), and certain direct and indirect equityholders of Texas Transmission Investment LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ TTI Members ”), dated as of the date of this Agreement, pursuant to which Sempra and the TTI Members have, among other things, and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, committed to provide equity financing to Parent in the amounts set forth therein in connection with the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company, the Partnership and certain other parties have entered into the Omnibus Termination Agreement;

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company and an indirect Subsidiary of the Partnership (“ SDTS ”), Sharyland Utilities, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“ SU ”), and Parent have entered into the Asset Exchange Agreement; and

 

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WHEREAS, Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company and the Partnership desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Mergers, and also to prescribe certain conditions to the Mergers as specified herein.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company and the Partnership hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

THE MERGERS AND THE AFFILIATE CONTRIBUTION

Section 1.1 The Mergers and the Affiliate Contribution .

(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the DLLCA and the MGCL, at the Company Merger Effective Time, the Company shall be merged with and into Merger Sub. Following the Company Merger, the separate corporate existence of the Company shall cease, and Merger Sub shall continue as the surviving entity in the Company Merger (the “ Surviving Company ”).

(b) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Affiliate Contribution Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Surviving Company to assign a 1% limited partnership interest in the Partnership to Parent Affiliate pursuant to an Assignment Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Company (the “ Assignment Agreement ”).

(c) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the DRULPA, at the Partnership Merger Effective Time, Merger Partnership shall be merged with and into the Partnership. Following the Partnership Merger, the separate existence of Merger Partnership shall cease, and the Partnership shall continue as the surviving partnership (the “ Surviving Partnership ”).

Section 1.2 Closing . The closings of the Mergers and the Affiliate Contribution (collectively, the “ Closing ”) shall take place at 10:00 a.m., Dallas time, on the third Business Day following the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver of the conditions set forth in Article  VI (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver of those conditions), at the offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, 2100 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, Texas, 75201, unless another date, time or place is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “ Closing Date .”

 

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Section 1.3 Effective Times .

(a) Upon the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, as soon as practicable on the Closing Date, the Company and Merger Sub shall (i) file a certificate of merger (the “ Company Certificate of Merger ”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “ Delaware Secretary of State ”), executed in accordance with the DLLCA and the Laws of the State of Delaware, (ii) file articles of merger (the “ Company Articles of Merger ”) with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “ SDAT ”), executed in accordance with the MGCL and (iii) make any and all other filings or recordings required to be made by the Company or Merger Sub under the MGCL and the DLLCA in connection with the Company Merger. The Company Merger shall become effective upon the later of the acceptance for record of the Company Articles of Merger by the SDAT, the filing of the Company Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State or on such other date and time as may be mutually agreed to by the parties hereto and specified in the Company Articles of Merger and the Company Certificate of Merger in accordance with the MGCL and the DLLCA (not to exceed five days from the date of filing) (the time the Company Merger becomes effective being the “ Company Merger Effective Time ”).

(b) Upon the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, as soon as practicable on the Closing Date, the Surviving Company and Parent Affiliate shall execute the Assignment Agreement effecting the Affiliate Contribution. The Affiliate Contribution shall occur and be effective immediately after the Company Merger Effective Time and prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time (the time the Affiliate Contribution becomes effective being the “ Affiliate Contribution Effective Time ”).

(c) Upon the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, as soon as practicable on the Closing Date after the Affiliate Contribution Effective Time, the Partnership and Merger Partnership shall (i) file a certificate of merger (the “ Partnership Certificate of Merger ”) with the Delaware Secretary of State, executed in accordance with the DRULPA and (ii) make any and all other filings or recordings required to be made by the Partnership or Merger Partnership under the DRULPA in connection with the Partnership Merger. The Partnership Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Partnership Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State or on such other date and time as may be mutually agreed to by the parties hereto and specified in the Partnership Certificate of Merger in accordance with the DRULPA (the time the Partnership Merger becomes effective being the “ Partnership Merger Effective Time ”).

(d) Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, the parties shall cause the Asset Exchange Effective Time, the Company Merger Effective Time, the Affiliate Contribution Effective Time and the Partnership Merger Effective Time to occur sequentially on the Closing Date. The Asset Exchange Effective Time shall occur first, followed immediately by the Company Merger Effective Time, followed immediately by the Affiliate Contribution Effective Time, followed immediately by the Partnership Merger Effective Time.

Section 1.4 Effects of the Mergers .

(a) The Company Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and in the relevant provisions of the DLLCA and the MGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Company Merger Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Company, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub shall become and shall constitute the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Company.

 

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(b) The Partnership Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and in the relevant provisions of the DRULPA. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Partnership Merger Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Partnership and Merger Partnership shall vest in the Surviving Partnership, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Partnership and Merger Partnership shall become and shall constitute the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Partnership.

Section 1.5 Governing Documents .

(a) At the Company Merger Effective Time, (i) the certificate of formation of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, shall be the certificate of formation of the Surviving Company until thereafter amended in accordance with its terms and as provided by applicable Law and (ii) the limited liability company agreement of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, shall be the limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Company until thereafter amended as provided therein or by applicable Law.

(b) At the Partnership Merger Effective Time, (i) the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership shall be amended in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Company to reflect the admission of Parent Affiliate as the general partner of the Partnership, and, as so amended, shall be the certificate of limited partnership of the Surviving Partnership until thereafter amended in accordance with its terms and as provided by applicable Law and (ii) without any further action on the part of the Partnership and Merger Partnership, the limited partnership agreement of the Partnership shall be amended in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Company, and, as so amended, shall be the limited partnership agreement of the Surviving Partnership until thereafter amended in accordance with its terms, the certificate of limited partnership of the Surviving Partnership and as provided by applicable Law.

(c) Promptly following the Partnership Merger Effective Time, (i) the Parent Affiliate shall execute and deliver to the Surviving Partnership such documents or instruments as may be required to effect its admission as the general partner of the Surviving Partnership, (ii) the Surviving Company shall execute and deliver to the Surviving Partnership such documents or instruments as may be required to effect its admission as a limited partner of the Surviving Partnership, and (iii) the Parent Affiliate and the Surviving Company shall thereafter be admitted to the Surviving Partnership as the successor general partner and a limited partner, respectively, of the Surviving Partnership at the Partnership Merger Effective Time and shall carry on the business of the Surviving Partnership without dissolution as provided in the Partnership Agreement.

Section 1.6 Managers . The managers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time shall be the managers of the Surviving Company until the earliest of their death, resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

 

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Section 1.7 Officers . The officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Company until the earliest of their death, resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

Section 1.8 General Partner . Parent Affiliate shall be the general partner of the Partnership following the Partnership Merger.

Section 1.9 Tax Consequences . The parties hereto intend that, for U.S. federal and applicable state and local income tax purposes, (a) the Company Merger shall be treated as a taxable sale by the Company of all of the Company’s assets to Parent in exchange for the Company Merger Consideration and the assumption of all of the Company’s liabilities, followed by the distribution of such Company Merger Consideration to the stockholders of the Company in liquidation of the Company pursuant to Revenue Ruling 69-6, 1969-1 C.B. 104, Section 331 and Section 562 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), (b) this Agreement be, and is hereby adopted as, a “plan of liquidation” of the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, pursuant to which the distribution (or deemed distribution) of the Company Merger Consideration to the stockholders of the Company, in complete liquidation of the Company pursuant to Section 331 and Section 562 of the Code, is effected and (c) the Partnership Merger shall be treated as the sale of the Partnership Units held by Persons other than the Surviving Company or Parent Affiliate to Parent in exchange for the Partnership Merger Consideration. The parties hereto agree not to take any position on any Tax Return that is inconsistent with the foregoing for all U.S. federal and, if applicable, state and local tax purposes.

ARTICLE II

EFFECT ON THE EQUITY INTERESTS OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

Section 2.1 Conversion of Equity Interests .

(a) Conversion of Company Shares . At the Company Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Company Merger and without any action on the part of the Company or Merger Sub or the holders of any shares of capital stock of the Company or Merger Sub:

(i) Each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (such shares, collectively, the “ Company Shares ”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time (other than Company Shares to be canceled in accordance with Section  2.1(a)(ii)) shall thereupon be converted automatically into and shall thereafter represent the right to receive $21.00 in cash, without interest, and subject to deduction for any required withholding Tax (the “ Per Share Merger Consideration ”). The Per Share Merger Consideration may be subject to adjustment in accordance with Section  2.1(c) and the second sentence of Section  5.12 . The aggregate amount of cash payable as the Per Share Merger Consideration is hereinafter referred to as the “ Company Merger Consideration .” As of the Company Merger Effective Time, all Company Shares shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and (other than Company Shares to be canceled in accordance with Section  2.1(a)(ii) ) shall cease to exist, and shall thereafter only represent the right for each Company Share to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration to be issued or paid in accordance with Section  2.3 .

 

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(ii) Each Company Share owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

(iii) The limited liability company interests in Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding as the limited liability company interests of the Surviving Company. Such limited liability company interests shall be the only interests in the Surviving Company that are issued and outstanding immediately after the Company Merger Effective Time.

(b) Conversion of Partnership Units . At the Partnership Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Partnership Merger and without any action on the part of Merger Partnership or the Partnership, or the equityholders of Merger Partnership or the Partnership:

(i) Except as set forth in Section  2.1(b)(iii) , each limited partnership unit of the Partnership (such units, collectively, the “ Partnership Units ”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time (excluding any Partnership Units held by the Surviving Company or Parent Affiliate) shall thereupon be converted automatically into and shall thereafter represent the right to receive $21.00 in cash, without interest, and subject to deduction for any required withholding Tax (the “ Per Partnership Unit Merger Consideration ”). The Per Partnership Unit Merger Consideration may be subject to adjustment in accordance with Section  2.1(c) and the second and third sentences of Section  5.12 . The aggregate amount of cash payable as the Per Partnership Unit Merger Consideration is hereinafter referred to as the “ Partnership Merger Consideration ” and, together with the Company Merger Consideration, the “ Merger Consideration .” Except as set forth in Section  2.1(b)(iii) , as of the Partnership Merger Effective Time, all Partnership Units shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and shall thereafter only represent the right to receive the Per Partnership Unit Merger Consideration to be issued or paid in accordance with Section  2.3 .

(ii) All limited partnership units of Merger Partnership issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time shall automatically be converted into a number of Partnership Units equal to the number of Partnership Units converted into the right to receive the Partnership Merger Consideration pursuant to Section  2.1(b)(i) .

(iii) At the Partnership Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Partnership Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any partnership interest in the Partnership, each Partnership Unit held by the Surviving Company and Parent Affiliate immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time and the general partner interest in the Partnership shall be unaffected by the Partnership Merger and shall remain outstanding as Partnership Units of the Surviving Partnership held by Parent and Parent Affiliate.

 

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(c) If at any time during the period between the date of this Agreement and the Company Merger Effective Time or Partnership Merger Effective Time, any change in the outstanding equity of the Company or the Partnership, as applicable, or securities convertible into or exchangeable into or exercisable for such equity, shall occur as a result of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a reverse stock split) or subdivision or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend or stock distribution with a record date during such period (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any cash dividends permitted by clause (a)  of the first sentence of Section  5.12 ) or other similar transaction, as applicable, then an appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made to the Per Share Merger Consideration or the Per Partnership Unit Merger Consideration, as applicable; provided , however , that nothing set forth in this Section  2.1(c) shall be construed to supersede or in any way limit the prohibitions set forth in Section  5.1 hereof.

Section 2.2 Treatment of Equity Awards and Plans .

(a) LTIP Units . Immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, (i) any vesting conditions applicable to each outstanding LTIP Unit (as defined in the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Stock Plan ”)), shall, as provided in Section 4.4(E)(vi) of the Partnership Agreement, automatically and without any required action on the part of the holder thereof, accelerate in full, and all restrictions with respect thereto shall, automatically and without any required action on the part of the holder thereof, lapse and (ii) the Company, as the general partner of the Partnership, shall exercise its right to cause a Forced Conversion (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) with respect to the maximum number of LTIP Units then eligible for conversion in accordance with Section 4.4.E(iii) of the Partnership Agreement, such that, as of immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, each LTIP Unit shall be converted into one Partnership Unit. For the avoidance of doubt, such Partnership Units issued in respect of such LTIP Units shall be treated as Partnership Units for purposes of this Agreement and the holders of such Partnership Units shall be treated as holders of Partnership Units as described in Section  2.1(b) .

(b) ESPP . As soon as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement and in any event prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, the Company shall take all actions (including obtaining any necessary determinations and/or resolutions of the Company Board or a committee thereof and, if appropriate, amending the terms of the Company’s 2015 Non-Qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ ESPP ”)) that may be necessary or required under the ESPP and applicable Law to (i) ensure that no purchase period shall be authorized or commenced under the ESPP on or after the date of this Agreement, (ii) terminate the ESPP in its entirety at the Company Merger Effective Time with no further rights granted or exercised under the ESPP thereafter and (iii) prohibit the entry of new participants in the ESPP following the date of this Agreement.

 

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(c) At or prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, the Company and the Company Board, both for itself and as the sole general partner of the Partnership, shall adopt any resolutions and take any actions that are necessary or desirable to (i) effectuate the treatment of the LTIP Units pursuant to Section  2.2(a) and (ii) cause the Stock Plan to terminate at the Company Merger Effective Time. The Company shall take all actions necessary to ensure that from and after the Company Merger Effective Time neither Parent nor the Surviving Company will be required to deliver Company Shares, Partnership Units or other capital stock of the Company or the Partnership to any Person pursuant to or in settlement of Company equity awards.

Section 2.3 Exchange and Payment .

(a) Prior to the Closing, Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership shall enter into an agreement (in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Partnership) with Equiniti Trust Company to act as agent for the equityholders of the Company and the Partnership in connection with the Mergers (the “ Paying Agent ”) to receive the applicable Merger Consideration to which holders of Company Shares or Partnership Units shall become entitled pursuant to this Article  II . At or prior to the Closing, Parent shall deposit (or cause to be deposited) with the Paying Agent cash in an amount sufficient to make all payments pursuant to this Article  II (such cash being hereinafter referred to as the “ Payment Fund ”). The Paying Agent shall make payments of the Company Merger Consideration and the Partnership Merger Consideration out of the Payment Fund in accordance with this Agreement. The Payment Fund shall not be used for any purpose other than to fund payments due pursuant to this Article  II , except as provided in this Agreement. The Surviving Company shall pay all charges and expenses, including those of the Paying Agent, incurred by it in connection with the exchange of Company Shares and Partnership Units for the applicable Merger Consideration.

(b) Promptly after the Closing, the Surviving Company shall cause the Paying Agent to mail to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates that (i) immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time represented outstanding Company Shares (each, a “ Share Certificate ”) that were converted into the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration with respect thereto pursuant to Section  2.1(a)(i) and (ii) immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time represented outstanding Partnership Units (together with the Share Certificates, the “ Certificates ”) that were converted into the right to receive the Per Partnership Unit Merger Consideration with respect thereto pursuant to Section  2.1(b)(i) : (A) a letter of transmittal in customary form (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates held by such Person shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof as provided in Section  2.3(i) ) to the Paying Agent); and (B) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of such Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof as provided in Section  2.3(i) ) in exchange for the applicable Merger Consideration payable with respect thereto pursuant to Section  2.1(a)(i) and Section  2.1(b)(i) . Upon surrender of a Certificate (or an affidavit of loss in lieu thereof as provided in Section  2.3(i) ) to the Paying Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may be reasonably required, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the applicable Merger Consideration for each Company Share or Partnership Unit, as applicable, formerly represented by such Certificate (subject to deduction for any required withholding Tax), and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. Promptly after the Closing Date, the Paying Agent shall issue and deliver to each holder of uncertificated Company Shares or Partnership Units represented by book entry (“ Book-Entry Interests ”) a check or wire transfer for the amount of cash that such holder is entitled to receive pursuant to Section  2.1(a)(i) and Section  2.1(b)(i) in respect of such

 

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Book-Entry Interests, without such holder being required to deliver a Certificate or an executed letter of transmittal to the Paying Agent, and such Book-Entry Interests shall then be canceled. No interest will be paid or accrued for the benefit of holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Interests on the applicable Merger Consideration payable in respect of Certificates or Book-Entry Interests.

(c) If payment of the applicable Merger Consideration is to be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the surrendered Certificate or Book-Entry Interest is registered, it shall be a condition of payment that such Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or shall be otherwise in proper form for transfer or such Book-Entry Interest shall be properly transferred and that the Person requesting such payment shall have paid any transfer and other Taxes required by reason of the payment of the applicable Merger Consideration to a Person other than the registered holder of the Certificate or Book-Entry Interest surrendered or shall have established to the satisfaction of the Surviving Company or the Partnership, as applicable, that such Tax either has been paid or is not applicable.

(d) Until surrendered or transferred as contemplated by this Section  2.3 , each Certificate or Book-Entry Interest (other than any Certificate or Book-Entry Interest evidencing Company Shares to be canceled in accordance with Section  2.1(a)(ii) ) shall be deemed at any time after the Company Merger Effective Time or the Partnership Merger Effective Time, as applicable, to represent only the right to receive the applicable Merger Consideration payable in respect of Company Shares or Partnership Units theretofore represented by such Certificate or Book-Entry Interests, as applicable, pursuant to Section  2.1(a)(i) and Section  2.1(b)(i) .

(e) Prior to the Closing, Parent and the Company shall cooperate to establish procedures with the Paying Agent and the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) to ensure that (i) if the Closing occurs at or prior to 10:30 a.m. (Dallas time) on the Closing Date, the Paying Agent will transmit to DTC or its nominees on the Closing Date an amount in cash in immediately available funds equal to the number of Company Shares held of record by DTC or such nominee immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time multiplied by the Per Share Merger Consideration (such amount, the “ DTC Payment ”) and (ii) if the Closing occurs after 10:30 a.m. (Dallas time) on the Closing Date, the Paying Agent will transmit to DTC or its nominee on the first Business Day after the Closing Date an amount in cash in immediately available funds equal to the DTC Payment.

(f) At the Company Merger Effective Time or the Partnership Merger Effective Time, as applicable, holders of Company Shares or Partnership Units (that are converted into the right to receive Per Share Merger Consideration or Per Partnership Unit Merger Consideration, as applicable) shall cease to be, and shall have no rights as, stockholders of the Company or limited partners of the Partnership, other than the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration or Per Partnership Unit Merger Consideration, as applicable, as provided under Section  2.1 . All cash paid upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates or Book-Entry Interests in accordance with the terms of this Article  II shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Company Shares or Partnership Units, as applicable, formerly represented by such Certificates or Book-Entry Interests. On the Closing Date, the stock transfer books of the Company and the unit transfer books of the Partnership shall be closed and there shall be no further registration of transfers of the Company Shares or Partnership Units (except for the transfer of Partnership Units owned by the Company to the Surviving Company in the Company Merger and

 

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the transfer of Partnership Units to Parent Affiliate in the Affiliate Contribution). If, after the Closing, Certificates are presented to the Surviving Company, the Surviving Partnership or the Paying Agent for transfer or transfer is sought for Book-Entry Interests, such Certificates or Book-Entry Interests shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article  II .

(g) The Paying Agent shall invest any cash included in the Payment Fund as directed by the Surviving Company, on a daily basis; provided , that any investment of such cash shall in all events be in short-term obligations of the United States of America with maturities of no more than 30 days or guaranteed by the United States of America and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America or in commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Corporation, respectively. If for any reason (including investment losses) the cash in the Payment Fund is insufficient to fully satisfy all of the payment obligations to be made in cash by the Paying Agent hereunder (but subject to Section  2.4 ), the Surviving Company shall promptly deposit cash into the Payment Fund in an amount which is equal to the deficiency in the amount of cash required to fully satisfy such cash payment obligations. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be payable to the Surviving Company.

(h) At any time following the date that is 12 months after the Closing Date, the Surviving Company shall be entitled to require the Paying Agent to deliver to it any funds (including any interest received with respect thereto) which have been made available to the Paying Agent and which have not been disbursed to holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Interests, and thereafter such holders shall be entitled to look to the Surviving Company or the Surviving Partnership (subject to abandoned property, escheat or other similar Laws), as applicable, only as general creditors thereof with respect to the applicable Merger Consideration payable upon due surrender of their Certificate or Book-Entry Interests.

(i) If any Certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and the holder’s compliance with the replacement requirements established by the Paying Agent, including, if necessary, the posting by such Person of a bond in customary amount as indemnity against any claim that may be made against such Certificates, the Surviving Company or the Surviving Partnership with respect to such Certificate, the Paying Agent will deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the applicable Merger Consideration payable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement.

(j) None of Parent, Merger Sub, the Surviving Company, the Partnership, Merger Partnership, the Surviving Partnership, the Company or the Paying Agent, or any employee, officer, trustee, director, agent or Affiliate thereof, shall be liable to any Person in respect of Merger Consideration from the Payment Fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. Any amounts remaining unclaimed by holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Interests immediately prior to the time at which such amounts would otherwise escheat to, or become the property of, any Governmental Entity shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Company, free and clear of any claims or interest of any such holders or their successors, and any former holder of Company Shares or Partnership Units who has not theretofore complied with this Section  2.3 shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Company for payment of their claim for applicable Merger Consideration, without any interest thereon.

 

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Section 2.4 Withholding Rights . Each Person making any payment pursuant to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to any holder of Company Shares or Partnership Units or any amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, as applicable, such amounts as such payor is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, as applicable, as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

Section 2.5 Dissenters Rights . No dissenters’ or appraisal rights shall be available with respect to the Mergers.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY PARTIES

Except (a) as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered by the Company to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “ Company Disclosure Letter ”) (it being agreed that disclosure of any information in a particular section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any other section or subsection of this Agreement to which the relevance of such information is reasonably apparent on its face) or (b) as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents made available to Parent ( provided , that any risk factor disclosures contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” any disclosure of risks included in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or any other statements that are similarly predictive or forward-looking in nature shall be excluded), the Company and the Partnership jointly and severally represent and warrant to Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership as follows:

Section 3.1 Organization, Standing and Power .

(a) Each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (i) is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and/or operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except, with respect to clauses  (ii) and (iii) , as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, change, circumstance, occurrence, condition, development or effect that, individually or in the aggregate with any other event, change, circumstance, occurrence, condition, development or effect, has had or would reasonably be expected to (A) have a material adverse effect on the properties, assets, liabilities, business, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company and the Company

 

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Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (B) prevent, materially delay or materially impede the performance by the Company or the Partnership of their obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby, provided , however , that with respect to clause  (A) , no event, change, circumstance, occurrence, condition, development or effect shall constitute or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or is a Material Adverse Effect to the extent resulting from: (1) changes in general economic, securities, credit or other financial market, business or geopolitical conditions; (2) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any acts of war or terrorism; (3) general legal, regulatory, economic or business condition changes or developments arising after the date of this Agreement in the electric transmission or electric distribution industries in Texas, other than changes or developments that render operationally unusable any facility or property of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries; (4) any adoption, implementation, promulgation, repeal, modification, interpretation or proposal of any rule, regulation, ordinance, order, protocol or any other Law of or by any Governmental Entity or by ERCOT; (5) changes in GAAP or any applicable accounting regulations or principles or interpretations thereof after the date of this Agreement; (6) any change in the price or trading volume of the Company’s stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”) ( provided , that the facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to any such change(s) that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect); (7) any failure in and of itself by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to meet internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions ( provided , that the facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such failure that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect); (8) any Transaction Litigation ( provided , that the facts, events, changes, effects, developments, circumstances or occurrences underlying such Transaction Litigation that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect); (9) any action or omission on the part of the Company or any Company Subsidiary required to be taken or omitted under the terms of this Agreement, the Asset Exchange Agreement (without giving effect to any waiver by SU thereunder) or the Omnibus Termination Agreement or with the consent or at the direction of Parent; or (10) the execution, announcement or pendency of this Agreement and the Asset Exchange Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including any loss of, or adverse change in, the relationship of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries with its customers, financing sources or suppliers ( provided , that this clause  (10) shall not apply to references to “Material Adverse Effect” in Section  3.4 ); provided , further , that (x) facts, events, changes, effects, developments, circumstances or occurrences set forth in clauses  (1) through (4)  may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect to the extent such matters, changes, effects or developments have a materially disproportionate and adverse effect on the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to other entities engaged in the relevant business in the State of Texas and (y) any condition or requirement of or arising from the Regulatory Approvals shall not constitute, or be deemed to contribute to, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Company has previously furnished or otherwise made available to Parent true and complete copies of (i) the Company’s charter (the “ Company Charter ”), (ii) the Company’s bylaws (the “ Company Bylaws ”), (iii) the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership (the “ Certificate of Limited Partnership ”), (iv) the Partnership Agreement and (v) the

 

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governing documents of each of the Company Subsidiaries (other than the Partnership), in each case of clauses  (i) through (iv) , as amended to the date of this Agreement, and each of the foregoing was duly adopted and as so delivered is in full force and effect. None of the Company, the Partnership nor any of their respective Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision of such documents in any material respect.

(c) Section 3.1(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete list of each Company Subsidiary, together with its jurisdiction of organization and the ownership interest (and percentage interest) of the Company or a Company Subsidiary and any other Person, as applicable, in each Company Subsidiary. Except for the capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, the Company Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership), the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any equity, membership interest, partnership interest, joint venture interest, or other equity or voting interest in, or any interest convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for any of the foregoing, nor is it under any current or prospective obligation to form or participate in, provide funds to, make any loan, capital contribution, guarantee, credit enhancement or other investment in, or assume any liability or obligation of, any Person.

(d) Except as set forth on Section  3.1(d) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Company has not exempted any “Person” from any “Common Stock Ownership Limit” or “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” or established or increased an “Excepted Holder Limit,” as such terms are defined in the Company Charter, which exemption or Excepted Holder Limit is currently in effect.

Section 3.2 Capitalization .

(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 450,000,000 Company Shares and (ii) 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”). As of September 30, 2018, (A) 43,962,167 Company Shares were issued and outstanding, all of which were validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were free of preemptive rights, (B) no shares of Preferred Stock were outstanding and (C) an aggregate of 16,742,160 Company Shares are subject to issuance in connection with redemption or exchange rights of holders of Partnership Units in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement. No Company Subsidiary owns any shares of capital stock of the Company. As of September 30, 2018, other than 236,401 Company Shares reserved for issuance under the Stock Plan, 250,000 Company Shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP and the 16,742,160 Company Shares described in clause (C)  above, the Company has no shares of capital stock reserved for issuance. Upon any issuance of any Company Shares in accordance with the terms of the Stock Plan, such Company Shares will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Except as set forth above, (1) there are no outstanding or authorized (x) shares of capital stock or other voting securities of the Company (other than Company Shares that have become outstanding after September 30, 2018, but were reserved for issuance as set forth above), (y) securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company or (z) except as set forth in Section  3.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, options or other rights to acquire from the Company, and no obligation of the Company to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of the Company, (2) there are no outstanding obligations of the Company to repurchase,

 

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redeem or otherwise acquire any capital stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of the Company, (3) there are no other options, calls, warrants or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock of the Company to which the Company is a party and (4) there are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of the Company on any matter. The Company is not required to be registered as an “investment company,” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(b) The Company is the sole general partner of the Partnership. As of September 30, 2018 the Company holds 43,962,167 Partnership Units. In addition to the Partnership Units held by the Company, as of September 30, 2018, (i) 16,623,853 issued and outstanding Partnership Units (excluding LTIP Units) were held by Persons other than the Company, (ii) 93,491 issued and outstanding LTIP Units were earned, vested and not subject to forfeiture, (iii) 24,816 issued and outstanding LTIP Units were unvested, (iv) 236,401 LTIP Units were reserved under the Stock Plan and available for future issuance pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, and (v) other than the foregoing specified number of units, no other units or equity interests in the Partnership were issued and outstanding. All of the Partnership Units (including LTIP Units) were duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the DRULPA). Section  3.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list as of September 30, 2018 of all holders (other than the Company) of the Partnership Units (including LTIP Units), the number and type of such Partnership Units held, and the grant date, vesting schedule, terms and, where applicable, exercise price of such Partnership Units. Except as set forth in Section  3.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, as of the date hereof, there are no (A) existing options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible securities, or other rights, agreements or commitments which obligate the Partnership to issue, transfer or sell any partnership interests in the Partnership or any securities convertible into exchangeable for any partnership interests in the Partnership or (B) outstanding contractual obligations of the Partnership to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any partnership interests of the Partnership or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any partnership interests of the Partnership. Except as set forth on Section  3.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the Partnership Units that are owned by the Company are owned free and clear of any security interests, liens, claims, pledges, agreements, limitations in voting rights, charges or other encumbrances (collectively, “ Liens ”) other than any transfer and other restrictions under applicable federal and state securities Laws or the Partnership Agreement.

(c) Except with respect to the Partnership (which is the subject of Section  3.2(b) ) or as set forth on Section  3.2(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter, each of the outstanding equity interests in each of the Company Subsidiaries is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and all such shares are owned by the Company or another Company Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens (other than any transfer and other restrictions under applicable federal and state securities Laws). Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party to any Contract with respect to the voting of, that restricts the transfer of or that provides registration rights in respect of, any shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company or any of Company Subsidiaries.

 

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(d) All dividends or other distributions on the Company Shares and the Partnership Units and any dividends or other distributions on any securities of any of the Company Subsidiaries that have been authorized or declared prior to the date of this Agreement have been paid in full (except to the extent such dividends have been publicly announced and are not yet due and payable).

Section 3.3 Authority .

(a) The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and, subject to Company Stockholder Approval, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, and, other than the Company Stockholder Approval and the filing of the Company Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State and the Company Articles of Merger with the SDAT, no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity (the “ Bankruptcy Exceptions ”)).

(b) The Conflicts Committee unanimously declared the Company Merger advisable and in the best interests of the Company, and has approved this Agreement, the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, and has recommended approval of the same by the Company Board. On or prior to the date of this Agreement, at a meeting duly called and held, acting on the unanimous recommendation of the Conflicts Committee, the Company Board has unanimously (i) approved and declared advisable this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) determined that this Agreement, the Mergers and other transactions contemplated hereby are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company, (iii) subject to Section  5.4 , resolved to recommend that its stockholders vote to adopt this Agreement and approve the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (iv) directed that this Agreement and the Company Merger be submitted to the stockholders of the Company for their consideration, which resolutions remain in full force and effect and have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way. The Company Stockholder Approval is the only vote or consent of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company necessary to approve this Agreement or the Company Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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(c) The Partnership has all necessary partnership power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Partnership and the consummation by the Partnership of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Partnership and the Company in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, and, other than filing the Partnership Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State, no additional proceedings on the part of the Partnership are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by the Partnership of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Partnership. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Partnership and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Partnership, enforceable against the Partnership in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable Bankruptcy Exceptions).

Section 3.4 No Conflict; Consents and Approvals .

(a) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the Partnership, and the consummation by the Company and the Partnership of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not (i) subject to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, conflict with or violate the Company Charter, the Company Bylaws, the Certificate of Limited Partnership or the Partnership Agreement, as applicable, or the equivalent organizational documents of any of the other Company Subsidiaries, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals and authorizations contemplated by clauses  (i) through (xii)  of Section  3.4(b) have been obtained and all filings described in such clauses have been made, conflict with or violate any federal, state, territorial, provincial, municipal, regional, tribal, local or foreign law, statute or ordinance, common law, or any rule, regulation, judgment, Order, writ, injunction or decree (collectively, “ Law ”) applicable to the Company or any Company Subsidiary, or by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound or (iii) result in any breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default), or result in the loss of a benefit under, or terminate or give rise to any right of termination (except pursuant to the Omnibus Termination Agreement), vesting (except as provided in Section  2.2 ), cancellation, amendment, notification, purchase or sale (including any purchase option, option to sell, right of first refusal, right of first offer, right of first negotiation or similar option or right) under, or acceleration of, or result in the creation of any Lien on any of the assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, arrangement, commitment, deed of trust, loan, contract, agreement, lease (whether for real or personal property), easement, license, right of way, permit or other instrument or obligation (each, a “ Contract ”) to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective properties are bound, except, in the case of clauses  (ii) and (iii) , for any such conflict, breach, violation, default, loss, right or other occurrence that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the Partnership, and the consummation by the Company and the Partnership of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, action by, filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except for (i) such filings as may be required under applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,

 

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as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), and under state securities, takeover and “blue sky” laws, (ii) such filings, reports or notices to, and consents, registrations, approvals, permits, orders and authorizations to or from the PUCT pursuant to authority asserted by the PUCT pursuant to the Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act, Tex. Util. Code Ann. §§ 11.001-66.016, as amended (“ PURA ”), the PUCT’s regulations thereunder and the approval of the PUCT thereunder (the “ PUCT Approval ”), (iii) any filings, reports or notices to, and consents, registrations, approvals, permits, orders and authorizations to or from, ERCOT or the TRE, (iv) such filings with the FERC pursuant to the Federal Power Act (the “ Federal Power Act ”), and the approval of the FERC thereunder (the “ FERC Approval ”), (v) such filings with the FCC required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ FCC Approval ”), (vi) the filings required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “ HSR Act ”), and the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act (the “ HSR Act Approval ” and collectively with the PUCT Approval, the FERC Approval, the FCC Approval and the CFIUS Approval, the “ Regulatory Approvals ”), (vii) such filings as are necessary to comply with the applicable requirements of the NYSE, (viii) the filing of the Company Certificate of Merger and the Partnership Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State, (ix) the filing of the Company Articles of Merger with the SDAT, (x) the submission of a joint voluntary notice of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to CFIUS pursuant to the DPA and receipt of the CFIUS Approval, (xi) such consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, filings, registrations or notifications as may be required as a result of the identity of Parent or any of its Affiliates and (xii) any such consent, approval, authorization, permit, action, filing or notification the failure of which to make or obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.5 SEC Reports; Financial Statements .

(a) The Company has filed or furnished, as applicable, on a timely basis since January 1, 2016, all forms, reports, statements, certifications, schedules and other documents (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) required to be filed or furnished by it with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) (all such forms, reports, statements, certifications, schedules and other documents filed or furnished since January 1, 2016, collectively, the “ Company SEC Documents ”). As of their respective dates, or, if amended, as of the date of the last such amendment, each of the Company SEC Documents complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”), as the case may be, each as in effect on the date so filed. As of their respective filing dates (or, if amended or superseded by a subsequent filing, as of the date of such amendment or superseding filing), none of the Company SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or incorporated by reference therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(b) Each of the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents (including any related notes thereto) have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q, Form 8-K or any

 

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successor form under the Exchange Act, and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain footnotes and are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments) and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries at the respective dates thereof and the results of their operations and cash flows for the periods indicated and complied in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC applicable thereto.

(c) The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) designed to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms. The Company maintains internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The Company has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to the date hereof, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company Board (i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any material respect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other Persons who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Since January 1, 2016, there have not been any actual or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, enforcement actions, penalties, whistleblower reports or material written complaints (and, to the knowledge of the Company, no other material complaints) regarding accounting controls or auditing matters of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

(d) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with (i) the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and (ii) the rules and regulations of the NYSE, in each case, that are applicable to the Company. None of the Company Subsidiaries is currently separately subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The Company has made available to Parent all comment letters and all material correspondence between the SEC, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, since January 1, 2016. As of the date hereof, there are no material outstanding or unresolved comments received from the SEC with respect to any of the Company SEC Documents filed or furnished by the Company with the SEC and, as of the date hereof, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the Company SEC Documents is the subject of ongoing SEC review.

(e) Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party to, or has any commitment to become a party to in the future, any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K), which is intended to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liability of, the Company or any Company Subsidiary that would otherwise be required to be disclosed on the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s audited financial statements or other Company SEC Documents.

 

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Section 3.6 No Undisclosed Liabilities . Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise, that would be required by GAAP to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto) of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, except for liabilities and obligations (a) reflected or reserved against in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 (or the notes thereto) included in the Company SEC Documents, (b) incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since December 31, 2017, (c) incurred pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (d) that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.7 Existing Indebtedness .

(a) The Company has made available to Parent correct and complete copies of all Contracts evidencing or securing any Existing Indebtedness of the Company or any Company Subsidiary (the “ Existing Loan Documents ”).

(b) The Existing Loan Documents are in full force and effect in all material respects. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in default in any material respect, nor has it received written notice that it is in default in any material respect, under the Existing Loan Documents that remains uncured or which will not be cured prior to the Closing Date. The Company is current in all payments of principal and interest due under each Existing Loan Document applicable to it through the most recent scheduled payment date prior to the date hereof.

Section 3.8 Certain Information . None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the proxy statement to be sent to the stockholders of the Company in connection with the Company Stockholders Meeting (such proxy statement, as amended or supplemented, the “ Proxy Statement ”) will, at the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the stockholders of the Company and at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Partnership makes any representation or warranty with respect to any information supplied by Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement.

Section 3.9 Absence of Certain Changes or Events . Since December 31, 2017 through the date of this Agreement, (a) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (b) there has not been any event, change, circumstance, occurrence, condition, development or effect that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (c) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has taken any action that, if taken after the date of this Agreement without Parent’s prior written consent, would constitute a breach of Sections 5.1(b)(v) , 5.1(b)(vi) , 5.1(b)(x) , or 5.1(b)(xxiii) (with respect to Section  5.1(b)(xxiii) , solely as it relates to Sections 5.1(b)(v) , 5.1(b)(vi) and 5.1(b)(x) ).

 

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Section 3.10 Litigation . As of the date of this Agreement, except (a) as set forth on Section  3.10 of the Company Disclosure Letter and (b) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there is no civil, criminal or administrative suit, claim, action, proceeding, enforcement action, hearing, arbitration, mediation or investigation (each, an “ Action ”) by or before any Governmental Entity pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets. Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties or assets is or are subject to any outstanding judgment, order, injunction, rule or decree of any Governmental Entity that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.11 Compliance with Laws .

(a) Except with respect to environmental matters, Taxes and energy regulatory matters (which are the subject of Section  3.13 , Section  3.14 and Section  3.19 respectively), (i) the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Laws applicable to them or by which any of their respective properties are bound, except where any non-compliance would not, individually or the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) no investigation, review or proceeding by any Governmental Entity with respect to the Company or any Company Subsidiary is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, nor has any Governmental Entity indicated an intention to conduct the same, except for such investigations, reviews or proceedings, the outcome of which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except with respect to Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits (which are the subject of Section  3.13 ), the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries have in effect all permits, licenses, certifications, exemptions, registrations, consents, authorizations, franchises, variances, certificates, orders and approvals of all Governmental Entities (collectively, “ Permits ”) necessary for them to own, lease or operate their properties and to carry on their businesses as now conducted, except for any Permits the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Except with respect to Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits (which are the subject of Section  3.13 ), all Permits described in Section  3.11(b) are valid and in full force and effect and the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries are in compliance with such Permits, except where the failure to be valid, to be in full force and effect or to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Except with respect to Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits (which are the subject of Section  3.13 ), all applications required to have been filed for the renewal of any of the Permits described in Section  3.11(b) have been filed on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Entity, and all other filings required to have been made with respect to such Permits have been duly made on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Entity, except where the failure to file such applications would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 3.12 Employees .

(a) Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has, or has had within the previous six years, any employees. Except as set forth in Section  3.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, no individual natural person (whether directly or through an entity of which he or she is the sole or majority member or owner) is providing material services to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries as a consultant or independent contractor. The Company’s activities are managed and operated by Hunt Manager under the Management Agreement. The Company has provided Parent with a complete and accurate copy of the Management Agreement, including all amendments thereto. Other than the Stock Plan or the ESPP, none of the Company, any of the Company Subsidiaries, or any of their ERISA Affiliates, is a party to, sponsors, maintains, contributes to or, within the previous six years, has had any obligations under or with regard to, any Benefit Plans, whether or not subject to ERISA.

(b) None of the Company, the Partnership or any of their ERISA Affiliates have maintained, sponsored, contributed to or had any obligation to contribute to, at any time within the previous six years, any pension plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, a “multiple employer plan” within the meaning of Section 210(a) of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code or any “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.

(c) Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is, or has been within the previous six years, a party to or otherwise bound by any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a labor union or labor organization, and there are no pending, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, labor strike, picket, dispute, walk-out, work stoppage, slow-down, lockout or other labor disturbance involving the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries. Each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries is, and at all times during the previous six years has been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws respecting employment and labor including all Laws relating to terms and conditions of employment, overtime pay, FLSA compliance, employee and independent contractor classification, non-discrimination, non-retaliation, wages and hours, employee leave, recordkeeping, equal employment opportunity, work authorization, immigration, occupational health and safety, collective bargaining, and the full payment of all required social security contributions and employment-related Taxes.

Section 3.13 Environmental Matters .

(a) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and except as set forth in the Company SEC Documents: (i) the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries and, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, each of the properties that the foregoing own, occupy, operate on or lease (“ Property ”) are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, and possess and are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Permits required under such Environmental Laws to operate as they presently operate; (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, there are no Materials of Environmental Concern at any Property or any other location, including any formerly owned, occupied, operated or leased by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, except under circumstances in

 

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compliance with Environmental Law and that would not reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries under any applicable Environmental Law; (iii) there has been no Release of Materials of Environmental Concern by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries with respect to which investigative, remedial or corrective action is required pursuant to any Environmental Laws at any Property, or to the knowledge of the Company, at any other location, and there has not been any contamination or Release at any Property, or to the knowledge of the Company, at any other location, that is required to be reported by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to a Governmental Entity under Environmental Laws; (iv) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is conducting or responsible for any reporting, investigation or remediation of any actual or alleged Release at any location, including any Property; (v) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has received any written request for information pursuant to section 104(e) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or similar state statute or any other Environmental Law, concerning any Release or threatened Release of Materials of Environmental Concern at any location except, with respect to any such request for information concerning any such Release or threatened Release, to the extent such matter has been formally resolved with the appropriate foreign, federal, state or local regulatory authority or otherwise; (vi) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has received any written notice, claim or complaint, or is presently subject to any Action, relating to noncompliance with Environmental Laws or any other liabilities pursuant to Environmental Laws, and to the knowledge of the Company, no such matter has been threatened in writing and (vii) the Company has delivered to Parent copies of all material environmental documents prepared since December 31, 2010, in its possession relating to the Company’s or any Company Subsidiary’s compliance with or liability relating to Environmental Laws or the environmental condition of any property owned, occupied, leased or operated on by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries.

(b) Notwithstanding any other representations and warranties in this Agreement, except for Section  3.9 ( Absence of Certain Changes or Events ), Section  3.11 ( Compliance with Laws ) and Section  3.16 ( Insurance ), the representations and warranties in this Section  3.13 are the only representations and warranties in this Agreement with respect to Environmental Laws or Materials of Environmental Concern.

(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned below:

(i) “ Environmental Laws ” means all applicable federal, state, territorial, provincial, municipal, regional, tribal, local or foreign laws, statutes or ordinances, common laws, rules, regulations, standards, judgments, orders, writs, injunctions, decrees, or arbitration awards of a Governmental Entity or requirements of a Governmental Entity agency or an Environmental Permit, relating to human exposure to Materials of Environmental Concern, relating to worker health or safety matters, or relating to the protection of the environment, including the protection of flora and fauna and the quality of the ambient air, soil, surface water or groundwater, in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

 

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(ii) “ Environmental Permits ” means all permits, licenses, registrations, and other authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws.

(iii) “ Materials of Environmental Concern ” means (A) any hazardous, acutely hazardous, or toxic (or words of similar import) substance, material or waste defined and regulated as such or as a “pollutant” or a “contaminant” under Environmental Laws, including the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; or (B) any petroleum, petroleum product, breakdown product or byproduct, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive material or radon.

(iv) “ Release ” means any emission, spill, seepage, leak, escape, leaching, discharge, injection, pumping, pouring, placing, discarding, abandoning, injecting, emptying, dumping, disposal, dispersal, deposit, migration or release of any Materials of Environmental Concern from any source into or upon the environment.

Section 3.14 Taxes .

(a) All Tax Returns required by applicable Law to be filed by or on behalf of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries have been timely filed in accordance with all applicable Laws (after giving effect to any extensions of time in which to make such filings), and all such Tax Returns are true and complete in all material respects.

(b) All Taxes payable on or before the date hereof by or on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary (whether or not shown on a Tax Return) have been fully and timely paid, except those Taxes being contested in good faith or for which adequate reserves or accruals have been provided in accordance with GAAP.

(c) The Company (i) for all taxable years commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2015 (the year with respect to which the Company first made the election to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes) through and including its taxable year ended December 31, 2017, has been operated in conformity for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (a “ REIT ”) within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code, (ii) has operated, and will continue to operate, in such a manner so as to enable it to qualify for taxation as a REIT from January 1, 2018 through the Company Merger Effective Time and (iii) has not taken or omitted to take any action that could reasonably be expected to result in the Company’s failure to qualify for taxation as a REIT, and no challenge to the Company’s status or qualification for taxation as a REIT is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing. Section  3.14(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth each Company Subsidiary and its classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes as of the date hereof, including a list of each (x) “qualified REIT subsidiary” within the meaning of Section 856(i)(2) of the Code (each, a “ Qualified REIT Subsidiary ”), (y) taxable REIT subsidiary within the meaning of Section 856(l)(2) of the Code (each a “ Taxable REIT Subsidiary ”) and (z) REIT owned directly or indirectly by the Company. Each entity that is listed in Section  3.14(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter as a partnership or limited liability company has, since the later of the date of its formation and the date on which the Company first acquired an interest in such entity, been treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a partnership or disregarded entity, as the case may be,

 

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and not as a corporation or an association taxable as a corporation. Other than corporations that have jointly elected with the Company to be a Taxable REIT Subsidiary, no entity in which the Company owns an interest is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Other than the securities of entities described in this Section  3.14(c) , neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary owns or has owned any securities, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (15 U.S.C. 80a-1, et seq. ).

(d) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary holds any asset the disposition of which would be subject to rules similar to Section 1374 of the Code (or otherwise result in any “built-in gains” Tax under Section 337(d) of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder), nor has any of them disposed of any such asset during its current taxable year.

(e) No Liens for Taxes exist with respect to any assets or properties of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, except for statutory Liens for Taxes not yet due.

(f) All representations made by Hunt Electric Infrastructure Investments Corporation (formerly known as Hunt Capital Corporation) (“ HEIIC ”) in the ruling submission(s) in respect to the Internal Revenue Service (the “ IRS ”) private letter ruling issued to HEIIC on March 13, 2007 (the “ Private Letter Ruling ”), and all facts referred to in the Private Letter Ruling, continue to be true in all material respects with respect to the assets and revenue of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, and the Company has made available to Parent complete and correct copies of the IRS private letter ruling request and all other material correspondence with the IRS regarding such ruling submission(s) and, to the knowledge of the Company, any opinions regarding the same. Other than with respect to the Private Letter Ruling, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has requested, has received or is subject to any ruling of a Governmental Entity, or has entered into any written agreement with a Governmental Entity, in each case with respect to Taxes (including, any “closing agreement” within the meaning of Section 7121 of the Code (or any comparable agreement under applicable state, local or foreign Tax Law)).

(g) None of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries (i) has been within the past five years or is currently the subject of any audits examinations, investigations or other proceedings in respect of any material Taxes or Tax matters by any Governmental Entity, (ii) has received any notice in writing from any Governmental Entity that such an audit, examination, investigation or other proceeding is contemplated or pending, (iii) has waived or agreed to an extension of time of any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, or (iv) is subject to any written claim or deficiency for any Tax which has not been satisfied by payment, settled or been withdrawn.

(h) Each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries has (i) complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws, rules and regulations relating to the payment and withholding of Taxes and have paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity all material amounts required to be withheld and paid over on or prior to the due date thereof under all applicable Laws, (ii) in all material respects, properly completed and timely filed all IRS Forms W-2, 1099, and 1042-S required to be filed and (iii) collected and remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity all material sales and use Taxes, or furnished properly completed exemption certificates, and has maintained all such records and supporting documents as and to the extent required by applicable Law.

 

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(i) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to any Tax indemnity, allocation or sharing agreement or similar agreement or arrangement other than (i) any agreement or arrangement between the Company and any Company Subsidiary and (ii) provisions in commercial Contracts not primarily relating to Taxes.

(j) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has constituted any of (i) a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.337(d)-7T(f)(2)) or (ii) a member of a “separate affiliated group” of a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355 of the Code), in each case (A) in a distribution of shares qualifying or intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 or 356 of the Code since December 7, 2015 or (B) in a distribution which could otherwise constitute part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(k) Except as set forth in Section  3.14(k) of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary: (i) is or has ever been a member of an affiliated group of corporations filing a consolidated U.S. federal income Tax Return or (ii) has any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than the Company or any Company Subsidiary) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of any state, local, or foreign law), or as a transferee or successor.

(l) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has engaged in any “reportable transaction” as defined in Section 6707A(c)(1) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b).

(m) Taking into account all distributions to be made by the Company prior to the Company Merger Effective Time and the deemed liquidating distribution occurring at the Company Merger Effective Time (as described in Section  1.9 ), the Company will have distributed cash for the taxable year that includes the Closing Date and ends at the Company Merger Effective Time to its stockholders of record, in an amount that is at least $50,000,000 greater than the Company’s REIT taxable income and net capital gain for such taxable year through and including the Company Merger Effective Time (based on reasonable estimates agreed to in writing by the Company and Parent and including the taxable gain recognized in the deemed sale described in Section  1.9 ) and the Company will not be subject to Tax under Section 857(b) or 4981 of the Code in respect of such taxable year.

(n) Beginning with the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 2015, (i) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have not incurred any material liability for Taxes under Sections 856(g)(5)(C), 857(b)(1), 857(b)(4), 857(b)(5), 857(b)(6)(A), 857(b)(7), 857(f), 860(c) or 4981 of the Code or Section 337(d) (and/or Section 1374) of the Code (and the applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder) which have not been previously paid and (ii) since January 1, 2018, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has incurred any material liability for Taxes other than (A) in the ordinary course of business or (B) transfer or similar Taxes arising in

 

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connection with a sale, exchange or other transfer of property. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary holds any asset that, if sold at or prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, would be subject to Tax (regardless of the amount of gain or income resulting from such sale) under Section 857(b)(6)(A) of the Code.

(o) There are no Company Tax Protection Agreements in force at the date of this Agreement, and, as of the date of this Agreement, no person has raised in writing, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to raise, a material claim against the Company or any Company Subsidiary for any breach of any Company Tax Protection Agreement.

(p) S ection 3.13(p) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth each Subsidiary Partnership that has made a valid election under Section 754 of the Code.

(q) As of December 31 st of each taxable year of the Company from and since the Company’s taxable year ended December 31, 2015, and as of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary (other than Taxable REIT Subsidiaries of the Company) had, or has, any current or accumulated earnings and profits attributable to the Company or any other corporation accumulated in any non-REIT year within the meaning of Section 857 of the Code.

(r) (i) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has failed to obtain or comply with any assessment or reassessment with respect to real property to the extent required under applicable Law or otherwise failed to comply in any material respect with applicable Laws relating to the reporting, collection and payment of real property Taxes and (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, there are no proposed reassessments of any real property owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary that would result in a material increase in the amount of any Tax to which Company or any Company Subsidiary would be subject.

(s) The Company is not a “successor corporation” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.856-8(c)(2)) of InfraREIT, L.L.C.

(t) The Company has complied with the requirements of Section 857(f)(1) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Sections 1.857-8 with respect to each of the Company’s completed taxable years.

(u) None of the Company or any Company Subsidiary has (i) agreed or is required to make an adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code or any similar provision of state or local tax law by reason of a change in method of accounting prior to the Closing, (ii) entered into a closing agreement prior to the Closing or (iii) engaged in an installment sale or open transaction, or received a prepaid amount, prior to the Closing which, in each case that would require Parent, the Surviving Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date.

(v) The Company will not be a “personal holding company” within the meaning of Section 542(a) of the Code for its taxable year that ends at the Company Merger Effective Time.

 

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(w) As used in this Agreement:

(i) “ Taxes ” means U.S. federal, state, provincial, local or foreign taxes of whatever kind or nature imposed by a Governmental Entity, including all net income, gross income, alternative minimum, accumulated earnings, capital gain, gross receipts, sales, use, value added, services, ad valorem, environmental, occupation, margins, commercial activity, transfer, franchise, capital stock, capital investment, profits, license, withholding, windfalls, payroll, employment, unemployment, excise, registration, social security, disability, workers’ compensation contributions, estimated, severance, stamp, stamp duty, occupancy, real property, and personal property (tangible and intangible), escheat, or other similar taxes, including all interest, penalties and additions imposed with respect to such amounts, whether disputed or not, and including any obligation to indemnify or otherwise assume or succeed to the Tax liability of any other Person.

(ii) “ Tax Returns ” means all domestic or foreign (whether national, federal, state, provincial, local or otherwise) returns, declarations, statements, reports, schedules, forms and information returns relating to Taxes, including any attachments thereto and any amendments thereto.

Section 3.15 Contracts .

(a) Except for this Agreement, the Asset Exchange Agreement and the Omnibus Termination Agreement, the other agreements executed contemporaneously herewith or therewith and Contracts listed on Section  3.15(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, and except as filed with the SEC, as of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by any Contract that:

(i) is filed or required to be filed by the Company as a “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act);

(ii) relates to any partnership, joint venture, co-investment, limited liability, strategic alliance or similar agreement involving the Company or any Company Subsidiary (other than any such agreement solely between or among the Company and its Subsidiaries);

(iii) contains any non-compete, exclusivity, “most favored nations” or other similar provision that limits or purports to limit, in any material respect, either the type of business in which the Company or any Company Subsidiary (or, after giving effect to the Mergers, Parent or its Subsidiaries) may engage, the terms or conditions the Company or any Company Subsidiary (or, after giving effect to the Mergers, Parent or its Subsidiaries) can offer to any other Person, or the geographic area in which the Company or any Company Subsidiary (or, after giving effect to the Mergers, Parent or its Subsidiaries) may so engage;

(iv) involves any pending or future acquisition or disposition of (A) real property or real property interest or (B) except as in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, any material personal property, in each case, with a fair market value in excess of $1,000,000;

 

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(v) involves any pending or contemplated merger, consolidation or similar business combination transaction with the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries;

(vi) by its terms obligates the Company or any Company Subsidiary to make expenditures (other than principal and/or interest payments or the deposit of other reserves with respect to debt obligations) or entitled to payments (A) in excess of $1,000,000, in any 12-month period or (B) in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate over the term of such Contract;

(vii) relates to the settlement or proposed settlement of any dispute or Action in which the amount to be paid in settlement involves (A) the issuance of any securities by the Company or any Company Subsidiary or (B) the payment of any cash or other consideration having a value, in each case, of more than $1,000,000;

(viii) contains a standstill or similar Contract pursuant to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary has agreed not to acquire assets or securities of any other Person;

(ix) is of the type that is or would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act;

(x) involves the lease by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (as lessors) of any Retained Assets;

(xi) was entered into with any Company Subsidiary or any other Person in which the Company holds, directly or indirectly, any ownership interest which relates to the rights of the Company with respect to voting, rights of first offer, rights of first refusal or other similar rights regarding equity interests in such Person;

(xii) evidences a capitalized lease obligation in excess of $5,000,000, or that is an indenture, credit agreement, loan agreement, security agreement, guarantee, note, mortgage, suretyship, “keep well” or other agreement providing for or guaranteeing indebtedness of any Person in excess of $5,000,000 (other than surety or performance bonds, letters of credit or similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in each case to the extent not drawn upon), except for any Contract solely among or between the Company and any Company Subsidiary;

(xiii) contains restrictions on the ability of the Company, the Partnership or any Company Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions (other than pursuant to the Company Charter, Company Bylaws, the Partnership Agreement or any Existing Loan Document);

(xiv) purports to bind Affiliates of the Company (other than any Company Subsidiary) in any material respect, excluding any Contracts where such Affiliates of the Company are also parties to such Contracts;

 

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(xv) contains a put, call or similar right pursuant to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary could be required to purchase or sell, as applicable, any equity interests of any Person or assets that have a fair market value or purchase price of more than $1,000,000, or constitutes an interest rate cap, interest rate collar, interest rate swap or other Contract relating to a hedging transaction.

Each such Contract described in clauses  (i)  through (xv)  above is referred to herein as a “ Material Contract .”

(b) Each Material Contract is valid and binding on the Company or the Company Subsidiary party thereto and, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, except for such failures to be valid and binding or to be in full force and effect that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company, or the Company Subsidiary party thereto, has performed all obligations required to be performed under such Material Contracts prior to the date of this Agreement. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there is no default under any Material Contract by the Company or any Company Subsidiary party thereto or, to the knowledge of the Company, by any other party thereto, and no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default thereunder by the Company or any Company Subsidiary party thereto or, to the knowledge of the Company, by any other party thereto. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has given or received notice of any violation or default under any Material Contract, except for violations or defaults that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The Company has made available to Parent prior to the date of this Agreement, accurate and complete copies of all written Material Contracts, including all amendments thereto as in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

(d) Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any material Government Contracts.

Section 3.16 Insurance . The Company has made available to Parent all material insurance policies maintained by the Company or any Company Subsidiary (each, an “ Insurance Policy ”). Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) all Insurance Policies are in full force and effect, (b) all premiums due and payable thereon have been paid, (c) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in breach or default under any Insurance Policy and (d) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has taken any action or failed to take any action which, with notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default, or permit the termination or modification, of any Insurance Policy.

Section 3.17 Properties . Except as has not had or would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have good and marketable title, in fee or valid leasehold, easement, license, right of way or other rights, to the Retained Assets necessary to permit the Company and the

 

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Company Subsidiaries to conduct their business with respect to the Retained Assets as currently conducted free and clear of any Liens, options, rights of first refusal, rights of first offer or any similar options to purchase or lease all or any portion of the Retained Assets, conditions, encroachments, easements, rights-of-way, restrictions or other similar encumbrances, other than Permitted Liens. In the case of any such real property leased by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or subject to an easement or other rights of use for the benefit of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, except as has not had or would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there exists no uncured breach or default on the part of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, the landlord, under the applicable lease, or the grantor or licensor, under the applicable easement or use agreement. There are no condemnation or eminent domain proceedings (or any consensual agreement in lieu of condemnation or eminent domain) pending, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened in writing, with respect to any real property that the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries owns, leases or operates in the Retained Assets, except as has not had or would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.18 Intellectual Property . Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

(a) The Company and the Company Subsidiaries own or have the right to use, pursuant to a license, sublicense, agreement or otherwise, all Intellectual Property required in the operation of their businesses as presently conducted, and none of the foregoing will be adversely impacted by the execution of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(b) Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has infringed, misappropriated, or otherwise violated, directly or indirectly, the Intellectual Property rights of any Person during the past six years and no third party has asserted in a writing delivered to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries an unresolved claim that the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the Intellectual Property rights of such third party; and

(c) To the knowledge of the Company, no third party is infringing misappropriating or otherwise violating on the Company-Owned Intellectual Property.

Section 3.19 Regulatory Matters .

(a) The Company’s Subsidiary, SDTS, is subject to regulation under Texas Law as a “public utility” and an “electric utility” (as such terms are defined in PURA) and as a “transmission service provider” (as such term is defined in 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.5). SDTS is not a “holding company” under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005. Except as set forth in Section  3.19(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is party to any ongoing regulatory proceedings at the PUCT, nor is the Company or any Company Subsidiary party to any ongoing enforcement actions, whether formal or informal, by the PUCT, the TRE, Independent Market Monitor, North American Electric Reliability Corporation or other agency with enforcement authority except for such regulatory proceedings and enforcement actions that have not had and would not be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Except as set forth on Section  3.19(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, no investigation, review or proceeding by any Governmental Entity with respect to the Company or any Company Subsidiary is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, nor has any Governmental Entity indicated an intention to conduct the same, except for such investigations, reviews or proceedings, the outcome of which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.20 State Takeover Statutes . Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership in Section  4.9 , the Company Board has taken all action required to be taken by it in order to exempt this Agreement and the Mergers from, and this Agreement and the Mergers are exempt from, the requirements of any “moratorium,” “control share,” “fair price,” “affiliate transaction,” “business combination” or other takeover Laws or regulations included in the MGCL (including the Maryland Business Combination Act and Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act) or the DRULPA (collectively, “ Takeover Laws ”).

Section 3.21 Certain Business Practices . The Company, the Company Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, their respective directors, officers, employees, consultants and agents, in each case acting on behalf of the Company, have complied in all material respects at all times since January 1, 2015, and are in compliance in all material respects with (a) the provisions of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (15 U.S.C. § 78dd1, et seq.) (“ FCPA ”), and (b) the provisions of all anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering Laws of each jurisdiction in which the Company and the Company Subsidiaries operate and in which any agent thereof is conducting or has conducted business involving the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries. None of the Company, any of the Company Subsidiaries and/or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of the Company’s and the Company Subsidiaries’ respective directors, officers, employees, consultants and agents in each case acting on behalf of the Company have paid, offered or promised to pay, or authorized or ratified the payment, directly or indirectly, of any monies or anything of value to any national, provincial, municipal or other Government Official or any political party or candidate for political office for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of such official or of any Governmental Entity to obtain or retain business, or direct business to any person or to secure any other improper benefit or advantage in each case in violation in any material respect of the FCPA and any Laws described in clause (b) of the immediately preceding sentence, except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As used in this Section  3.21 , the term “ Government Official ” means any official, officer, employee, or Representative of, or any Person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of, any Governmental Entity, and includes any official or employee of any entity directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any Governmental Entity, and any officer or employee of a public international organization, as well as any Person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any such Governmental Entity, or for or on behalf of any such public international organization. The Company and the Company Subsidiaries maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with the FCPA and other anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering Laws in each jurisdiction in which the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries operates.

 

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Section 3.22 Affiliate Transactions . Except as set forth in Section  3.22 of the Company Disclosure Letter, no officer, director or Affiliate of Hunt, the Company, or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party to any material Contract with or binding upon the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets or has any material interest in any material property used by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or has engaged in any material transaction with the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries since January 1, 2017.

Section 3.23 Brokers . No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person, other than Evercore Group, L.L.C., is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries. The Company has made available to Parent a complete and accurate copy of all Contracts pursuant to which Evercore Group, L.L.C. is entitled to any fees and expenses in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 3.24 Opinion of Financial Advisor . Evercore Group, L.L.C. has delivered to the Conflicts Committee its written opinion, dated as of the date of this Agreement, to the effect that, as of such date, the Per Share Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Company Shares other than Hunt. A copy of such opinion will be delivered to Parent for informational purposes only on a non-reliance basis promptly following the execution of this Agreement.

Section 3.25 No Other Representations or Warranties . Except for the representations and warranties contained in Article  IV , each of the Company and the Partnership acknowledges that none of Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership or any other Person on behalf of Parent or Merger Partnership has made or is making any other express or implied representation or warranty, whether written or oral, with respect to Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates and neither the Company nor the Partnership has relied on any representation or warranty by any Person regarding Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership, except as expressly set forth in Article  IV .

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT, MERGER SUB AND MERGER PARTNERSHIP

Except as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered by Parent to the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “ Parent Disclosure Letter ”) (it being agreed that disclosure of any information in a particular section or subsection of the Parent Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any other section or subsection of this Agreement to which the relevance of such information is reasonably apparent on its face), Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the Company and the Partnership as follows:

 

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Section 4.1 Organization, Standing and Power .

(a) Each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership (i) is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) has all requisite limited liability company or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted and (iii) is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except, with respect to clauses  (ii) and (iii) , as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Parent Material Adverse Effect ” means any event, change, circumstance, occurrence, condition, development or effect that, individually or in the aggregate with any other event, change, circumstance, occurrence, condition, development or effect, has or would reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impede the performance by Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership of their respective obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) Parent has previously furnished to the Company a true and complete copy of the certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement and limited partnership agreement, or equivalent organizational documents of each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, in each case as amended to the date of this Agreement, and each as so delivered is in full force and effect. None of the Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership is in violation of any provision of its certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement or equivalent organizational documents in any material respect.

Section 4.2 Authority . Each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership has all necessary limited liability company or similar power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership and the consummation by Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of Parent, in its capacity as the sole member of Merger Sub and the general partner of Merger Partnership, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, subject, in the case of the consummation of the Mergers, to the filing of the Partnership Certificate of Merger and the Company Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State and the Company Articles of Merger with the SDAT. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Partnership, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by applicable Bankruptcy Exceptions).

 

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Section 4.3 No Conflict; Consents and Approvals .

(a) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, and the consummation by Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate the certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement or equivalent organizational documents of Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals and authorizations contemplated by clauses  (i) through (xi)  of Section  4.3(b) have been obtained and all filings described in such clauses have been made, conflict with or violate any Law applicable to Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership or by which any of their respective properties are bound or (iii) result in any breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default), or result in the loss of a benefit under, or terminate or give rise to any right of termination, vesting, cancellation, amendment, notification, purchase or sale (including any purchase option, option to sell, right of first refusal, right of first offer, right of first negotiation or similar option or right) under, or acceleration of, any Contract to which Parent or Merger Partnership is a party or by which Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership or any of their respective properties are bound, except, in the case of clauses  (ii) and (iii) , for any such conflict, breach, violation, default, loss, right or other occurrence that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, and the consummation by Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, action by, filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except for (i) such filings as may be required under applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, and under state securities, takeover and “blue sky” laws, (ii) the PUCT Approval, (iii) any filings, reports or notices to, and consents, registrations, approvals, permits, orders and authorizations to or from, ERCOT or the TRE, (iv) the FERC Approval, (v) FCC Approval, (vi) the HSR Act Approval, (vii) such filings as necessary to comply with the applicable requirements of the NYSE, (viii) the filing of the Company Certificate of Merger and the Partnership Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State, (ix) the filing of the Company Articles of Merger with the SDAT, (x) the submission of a joint voluntary notice of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to CFIUS pursuant to the DPA and receipt of the CFIUS Approval and (xi)  any such consent, approval, authorization, permit, action, filing or notification the failure of which to make or obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.4 Certain Information . None of the information supplied or to be supplied by Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement will, at the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the stockholders of the Company and at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership make no representation or warranty with respect to any information supplied by the Company, the Partnership, Hunt or any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement.

 

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Section 4.5 Litigation . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, there is no Action by or before any Governmental Entity pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership that seeks to enjoin, or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of preventing, making illegal, or otherwise interfering with, any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.6 Ownership and Operations of Merger Sub and Merger Partnership . Merger Sub and Merger Partnership have been formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby and prior to the Company Merger Effective Time and the Partnership Merger Effective Time, respectively, neither Merger Sub nor Merger Partnership will have engaged in any other business activities and will not have incurred any liabilities or obligations other than as contemplated herein. Immediately prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, Parent will be the sole member of Merger Sub. Immediately prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time, Parent will be the sole general partner of Merger Partnership, and the Surviving Company will be the sole limited partner of Merger Partnership.

Section 4.7 Financing; Solvency .

(a) Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership will have available to them on the Closing Date, sufficient cash, available committed lines of credit or other sources of immediately available funds to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, including payment of all amounts required to be paid pursuant to Article  II , and to pay all related fees and expenses.

(b) Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Parent has delivered to the Company a true and complete copy of the executed equity commitment letter, dated as of the date of this Agreement (the “ Equity Commitment Letter ”), from Sempra and the TTI Members pursuant to which Sempra and the TTI Members have, among other things, and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, committed to provide equity financing to Parent in the amounts set forth therein, which shall, combined, and, together with its available committed lines of credit, be at least the amount necessary for Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership to satisfy their obligations under this Agreement, in connection with the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Equity Commitment Letter expressly provides, and will continue to expressly provide until the earlier of the Closing and the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, that each of the Company and the Partnership is a third-party beneficiary thereof that is entitled to cause Parent to obtain the equity financing provided for under the Equity Commitment Letter subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein and in this Agreement. As of the date hereof, the Equity Commitment Letter is in full force and effect and, to the knowledge of Parent, is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Sempra and the TTI Members, enforceable against Sempra and the TTI Members in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy Exceptions. There is no default under the Equity Commitment Letter by Sempra and the TTI Members, and no event has occurred that, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default thereunder by Sempra or the TTI Members.

 

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(c) Assuming that (i) the conditions to the obligation of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership to consummate the Mergers have been satisfied or waived, and (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Article  III are true and correct, then at and immediately following the Company Merger Effective Time and after giving effect to all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Parent, the Surviving Company and each Subsidiary of the Surviving Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Surviving Partnership), will be Solvent. Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership are not entering into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors.

Section 4.8 Vote/Approval Required . No vote or consent of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of Parent is necessary to approve this Agreement or the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated hereby. The vote or consent of Parent as the sole member of Merger Sub (which shall have occurred prior to the Company Merger Effective Time) is the only vote or consent of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of Merger Sub necessary to approve this Agreement or the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated hereby. The vote or consent of Parent as the general partner of Merger Partnership (which shall have occurred prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time) is the only vote or consent of the holders of any partners of Merger Partnership necessary to approve this Agreement or the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 4.9 Ownership of Company Shares . As of the date of this Agreement, neither Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership, nor any of Parent’s Affiliates owns (directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record) any Company Shares or Partnership Units or holds any rights to acquire or vote any Company Shares or Partnership Units, except pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 4.10 Brokers . No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person, other than Barclays, is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership.

Section 4.11 No Other Representations or Warranties . Except for the representations and warranties contained in Article  III , each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership acknowledges that none of the Company, the Partnership or any other Person on behalf of the Company or the Partnership has made or is making any other express or implied representation or warranty, whether written or oral, with respect to the Company, the Partnership, or any of the other Company Subsidiaries or their respective Affiliates, businesses, operations, properties, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects, or any estimates, projections, forecasts and other forward-looking information or business and strategic plan information regarding the Company, the Partnership and the other Company Subsidiaries or with respect to any other information provided to Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership or their respective Representatives in connection with the Mergers or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Neither the Company, the Partnership nor any other Person will have or be subject to any liability to Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership or any other Person resulting from the

 

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distribution to Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership, or Parent’s, Merger Sub’s or Merger Partnership’s use of, any such information, including any information, documents, projections, forecasts or other material made available to Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership in certain “data rooms” or management presentations in expectation of, or in connection with, the Mergers or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.12 Access to Information . Each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership (a) has had an opportunity to discuss and ask questions regarding the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership) with the management of the Company, (b) has had access to the books and records of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, the “data room” maintained by the Company for purposes of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such other information as it has desired or requested to review and (c) has conducted its own independent investigation of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and the transactions contemplated hereby, and has not relied on any representation or warranty by any Person regarding the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, except as expressly set forth in Article  III .

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS

Section 5.1 Conduct of Business of the Company and the Partnership .

(a) Each of the Company and the Partnership covenants and agrees that, during the period from the date hereof until the Company Merger Effective Time or the earlier termination of this Agreement, except (i) as permitted or required by (A) this Agreement, (B) the Asset Exchange Agreement (without giving effect to any or waiver by SU thereunder) or (C) the Omnibus Termination Agreement, (ii) as disclosed in Section  5.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (iii) as required by applicable Law or (iv) unless Parent shall otherwise consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Company shall, and shall cause each of the Company Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership), to (x) conduct its business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, in material compliance with all applicable Laws, (y) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact its business organization, goodwill, ongoing business and present relationships with Governmental Entities, tenants, customers, suppliers, creditors and other Persons with which it has material business relations and the services of its present officers and employees and (z) maintain the Company’s qualification for taxation as a REIT; provided , however , that no action by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries with respect to matters specifically addressed by any provision of Section  5.1(b) shall be deemed a breach of this Section  5.1(a) unless such action constitutes a breach of such provision of Section  5.1(b) .

(b) Between the date of this Agreement and the Company Merger Effective Time, except (w) as required or expressly permitted by (1) this Agreement, (2) the Asset Exchange Agreement (without giving effect to any waiver by SU thereunder) or (3) the Omnibus Termination Agreement, (x) as disclosed in Section  5.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter, (y) as required by applicable Law or (z) unless Parent shall otherwise consent in writing (which consent, other than with respect to clauses (i) ,  (ii) and (iii) , shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries shall:

 

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(i) amend or otherwise change, or propose to amend or otherwise change, its charter or bylaws or any similar governing instruments;

(ii) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization;

(iii) authorize for issuance, issue, sell, deliver or agree or commit to issue, sell or deliver (whether through the issuance or granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, rights to purchase or otherwise) any shares of any class, partnership interests or any equity equivalents (including any share options or share appreciation rights) or any other securities convertible into or exchangeable for any shares, partnership interests or any equity equivalents (including any share options or share appreciation rights), except (A) issuances of Company Shares upon redemption or exchange of Partnership Units pursuant to the Partnership Agreement or (B) issuances of Company Shares or Partnership Units to directors of the Company in accordance with the Company’s director compensation policy as in effect as of the date of this Agreement as set forth in Section  5.1(b)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Letter;

(iv) authorize, declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to any of their respective share capital, partnership interests or other equity interests, or make any actual, constructive or deemed distribution in respect of any shares of their respective share capital, partnership interests or other equity interests, or otherwise make any payments to equityholders in their capacity as such (except for (A) the payment of dividends or other distributions described in Section  5.12 , (B) the payment of dividends or other distributions declared publicly at least five days prior to the date of this Agreement and (C) any dividend or other distribution by a Company Subsidiary to the Company or to other Company Subsidiaries);

(v) adjust, split, combine, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any of their respective share capital, partnership interests or other equity interests (except (A) the redemption or exchange of Partnership Units pursuant to the Partnership Agreement or (B) after reasonable prior notice to Parent detailing the necessity of such action, in connection with any repurchase deemed necessary in order to maintain its status as a REIT under the Code), or reclassify, combine, split, subdivide or otherwise amend the terms of any of their respective share capital, partnership interests or other equity interests;

(vi) (A) acquire or agree to acquire (whether by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise), directly or indirectly, any corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof or, except as permitted by Section  5.1(b)(xi) , any assets, securities, real property, personal property, equipment, business or other rights, in each case, having a value in excess of $10,000,000 individually or $20,000,000 in the aggregate, other than purchases of inventory, supplies and similar materials in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or pursuant to existing Material Contracts listed on Section  3.14 of the Company Disclosure Letter; or (B) issue, sell, license, sublicense, abandon, allow to lapse, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) or

 

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authorize the issuance, sale, disposition, grant or transfer of any corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof or any Retained Assets, assets, real property, personal property, equipment, business or other rights, or their respective share capital, partnership interests or other equity interests, any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of their respective share capital, partnership interests or other equity interests or such convertible or exchangeable securities, in each case, having a value in excess of $10,000,000 individually or $20,000,000 in the aggregate, other than sales or dispositions of inventory and other assets in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to existing Material Contracts;

(vii) enter into any agreement with respect to the voting of any of their respective share capital, partnership interests or other equity interests;

(viii) (A) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (other than a Company Subsidiary), (B) issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt security (other than the issuance of trade credit issued in the ordinary course of business), (C) enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of another entity or (D) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible for the indebtedness or other obligations of another Person (other than a guaranty by the Company on behalf of any of the Company Subsidiaries), in each case, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and in any event not in excess of $5,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate;

(ix) except in connection with transactions or expenditures that are otherwise permitted by this Section  5.1(b) , amend in any material respect, terminate (other than at the end of the term), renew or materially extend, or waive any material noncompliance with the terms of or breaches under, any Material Contract, or enter into any Contract that would have been a Material Contract had it been entered into prior to the date of this Agreement;

(x) make any material changes with respect to accounting policies or procedures, except (A) as required by changes in GAAP (or any interpretation thereof), Regulation S-X of the Exchange Act or a Governmental Entity or quasi-Governmental Entity (including the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization) or (B) as required by a change in applicable Law;

(xi) make any capital expenditures that are not contemplated by the capital expenditures forecast provided by the Company to Parent, a copy of which is provided in Section  5.1(b)(xi) of the Company Disclosure Letter (the “ CapEx Forecast ”), except to the extent that any such capital expenditure inconsistent with the CapEx Forecast is (A) reasonably necessary in response to natural disasters, acts of God, fires, terrorist attacks or changes in applicable Law, (B) reasonably necessary to satisfy obligations to service customers under applicable Law to maintain the safety or reliability of the Company’s or the Company Subsidiaries’ assets, or (C) required to maintain compliance with Good Utility Practice;

 

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(xii) except (A) as otherwise permitted by this Section  5.1(b) , (B) for borrowings under existing revolving credit facilities (or replacements thereof on comparable terms) for purposes of funding ordinary course working capital or (C) pursuant to any mandatory payments under any indebtedness or other similar arrangements in existence on the date of this Agreement, incur, pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than (1) in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice, (2) reflected or reserved against in the most recent consolidated financial statements (or notes thereto) included in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement or (3) fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;

(xiii) subject to clauses  (iv) and (v)  of this Section  5.1(b) , take any action that could reasonably be expected to, or fail to take any action the failure of which could reasonably be expected to, (A) cause the Company to fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes (until the REIT status is terminated by virtue of the Company Merger), (B) result in a reasonable challenge by the IRS or any other Governmental Entity to the Company’s qualification for taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (C) cause the Partnership to be treated other than as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (D) cause any Company Subsidiary to cease to be treated for U.S. federal income Tax purposes as a disregarded entity, partnership, Qualified REIT Subsidiary or Taxable REIT Subsidiary, as the case may be; provided , however , if taking an action (or refraining therefrom) described in this clause  (xiii) would be otherwise required or prohibited, as applicable, by any other clause in this Section  5.1(b) , the Company shall (1) promptly notify Parent, (2) make reasonable effort to permit Parent to review and comment on such action, and (3) take such action as Parent reasonably recommends;

(xiv) except in each case if the Company reasonably determines, after prior consultation with Parent, that such action is reasonably necessary to preserve the Company’s qualification for taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal tax purposes, or to preserve the entity classification of any Company Subsidiary as a disregarded entity, partnership, Qualified REIT Subsidiary or Taxable REIT Subsidiary, as the case may be, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (A) file any Tax Return that is materially inconsistent with a previously filed Tax Return of the same type for a prior taxable period (taking into account any amendments), (B) except as provided in Section  5.15 , amend any Tax Return, (C) make, change or rescind any Tax election that alters the Tax classification of any entity, (D) with respect to any material Tax election not described in clause (C)  of this Section  5.1(b)(xiv) , make any such Tax election that is inconsistent with past practice or change or rescind any such Tax election (other than the designation of dividends paid by it as “capital gain dividends” within the meaning of Section 857 of the Code), (E) settle or compromise any material Tax claim or assessment by any Governmental Entity, (F) change any Tax accounting method, (G) enter into any closing agreement with respect to Taxes, (H) request any ruling with respect to Taxes from a Governmental Entity, (I) surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, or (J) consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment;

 

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(xv) compromise, settle or agree to settle any Action (including any Action relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby), or consent to the same, other than compromises, settlements or agreements in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that involve only the payment of money damages (A) not in excess of $1,000,000 individually or $2,000,000 in the aggregate or (B) consistent with the reserves reflected in the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2017;

(xvi) materially amend or terminate the Omnibus Termination Agreement;

(xvii) (A) hire any employee or engage any consultant who is a natural person; (B) enter into, or become bound by, any collective bargaining or other Contract with a labor union or representative of employees; (C) amend the Management Agreement or enter into a new management or similar Contract; (D) forgive any loans to any natural person who provides material services to the Company or any Company Subsidiaries; or (E) except as (1) required by the terms of any previously disclosed Benefit Plan or (2) expressly permitted by Section  5.1(b)(iii) , establish, adopt, amend, enter into, incur any liability under, become obligated to contribute to or terminate any Benefit Plan (including approving or amending any awards thereunder);

(xviii) enter into any Contract that would materially limit or otherwise restrict (A) the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any successor thereto from engaging or competing in any line of business or conducting its business in any geographic area or (B) the terms or conditions the Company or any Company Subsidiary (or, after giving effect to the Mergers, Parent or its Subsidiaries) can offer to any other Person;

(xix) enter into any new line of business;

(xx) terminate, cancel or fail to maintain any Insurance Policy without replacing such coverage with insurance coverage that is substantially similar to insurance coverage maintained on the date hereof ( provided that, if any such replacement coverage cannot be obtained for less than 125% of the last annual premium with respect to the Insurance Policy being replaced, the Company or Company Subsidiary, as applicable, shall purchase the maximum amount of coverage that can be obtained for 125% of such last annual premium);

(xxi) settle, compromise or adjust any property damage, rent loss or other claim under any Insurance Policy related to casualty or other damage except for claims which do not exceed $1,000,000 per claim or $2,000,000 in the aggregate;

(xxii) enter into any Company Tax Protection Agreement; or

(xxiii) agree to take any of the actions described in (i)  through (xxii) .

Section 5.2 Conduct of Business of Parent and Merger Partnership Pending the Merger . From and after the date hereof and prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time, and except as may otherwise be required by applicable Law, each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership shall not, directly or indirectly, take any action which is intended to or which would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 5.3 No Control of Other Party s Business . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the Company’s or the Company Subsidiaries’ (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership’s) operations prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time, and nothing contained in this Agreement shall give the Company or the Partnership, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct Parent’s or its Subsidiaries’ operations prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time. Prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time, each of the Company and Parent shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and its Subsidiaries’ respective operations.

Section 5.4 Acquisition Proposals .

(a) Go-Shop Period . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, during the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and continuing until 11:59 p.m. (Dallas time) on the 30th day following the date hereof (the “ Go-Shop Period End Time ”), the Company, the Company Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives shall have the right to (i) solicit, initiate, facilitate or encourage the making of any Acquisition Proposal, including by way of furnishing information with respect to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries to any Person and its Representatives pursuant to a legally binding executed confidentiality agreement on terms that, taken as a whole, are at least as restrictive to the other party as those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement (it being understood that such confidentiality agreement (A) shall contain a standstill provision at least as restrictive as the standstill provision contained in the Confidentiality Agreement ( provided , that, for the avoidance of doubt, such agreement may permit the submission of an Acquisition Proposal to the Company Board on a confidential basis) and (B) shall not include any exclusivity provision or other term that would restrict, in any manner, the Company’s ability to consummate the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to comply with its obligations under this Agreement) (any confidentiality agreement described in this clause  (i) being referred to as an “ Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement ”); provided , that a copy of all such non-public information not previously provided to Parent (or its Representatives) is provided to Parent as promptly as practicable (and, in any event, within 24 hours) after such information has been furnished to such Person (or its Representatives) and (ii) participate in discussions or negotiations with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or otherwise cooperate in connection with or assist or participate in or facilitate any such discussions or negotiations or any effort or attempt to make any Acquisition Proposal. Notwithstanding the occurrence of the Go-Shop Period End Time, the Company and its Representatives may continue to engage in the activities described in this Section  5.4 with respect to any Excluded Party, for the avoidance of doubt, so long as such Excluded Party continues to be an Excluded Party, including with respect to any amended or revised proposal submitted by such Excluded Party, following the Go-Shop Period End Time.

(b) No Solicitation or Negotiation . Except as otherwise expressly provided by this Section  5.4 and subject to Section  5.4(d) and Section  5.4(g) , the Company agrees that, from the Go-Shop Period End Time until the earlier of the Company Merger Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article  VII , and subject to the other provisions of this Section  5.4 , neither the Company, any of the Company Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective directors, officers or employees, shall, and the Company shall cause its and the Company Subsidiaries’ other Representatives not to, directly or indirectly:

 

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(i) initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage, knowingly induce or knowingly facilitate any inquiries or discussion regarding, or the making of any inquiry, request, indication of interest, proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal;

(ii) engage in, enter into, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions (other than informing any Person of the provisions contained in this Section  5.4(b) ) or negotiations regarding, or provide any information or data to any Person with respect to, or otherwise knowingly cooperate in any way with, or knowingly facilitate in any way any effort by, any Person in connection with, any Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry, request, indication of interest, proposal or offer that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal;

(iii) waive, terminate, modify, amend, release or assign any provisions of any confidentiality or standstill agreement (or similar agreement) to which it is a party or fail to enforce, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, the provisions of any such agreement, including by obtaining an injunction to prevent any breach of such agreements and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions thereof in any court having jurisdiction;

(iv) approve or recommend an Acquisition Proposal, or declare advisable or execute or enter into any confidentiality agreement, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement, collaboration agreement or other agreement with respect to, or that is intended or could reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement entered into in accordance with Section  5.4(a) ) or requiring or having the effect of requiring the Company to abandon, terminate or breach its obligations hereunder or fail to consummate the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (an “ Alternative Acquisition Agreement ”); or

(v) agree to or propose publicly to do any of the foregoing.

Without limiting the foregoing, it is agreed that any violation of the restrictions set forth in the preceding sentence by any of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or their respective Representatives shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section  5.4 by the Company.

(c) Exceptions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (including anything stated elsewhere in this Section  5.4 ), from the Go-Shop Period End Time until the time, but not after, the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained, or the earlier termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article  VII , if the Company receives an unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a material breach of this Section  5.4 , then, (i) the Company may provide nonpublic information in response to a request therefor by such

 

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Person if the Company has received or receives from such Person an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement, and makes available to Parent and Merger Sub as promptly as practicable (and, in any event, within 24 hours) any such information concerning the Company or any Company Subsidiary that the Company or its Representatives provides to any such Person and that was not previously made available to Parent or Merger Sub, and (ii) the Company may engage or participate in discussions or negotiations with such Person and its Representatives regarding such Acquisition Proposal if, prior to taking any of the actions described in clause  (i) or (ii) , the Company Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that (1) the failure to take such action would be inconsistent with its duties under applicable Law, (2) such Acquisition Proposal either constitutes a Superior Proposal or is reasonably likely to lead to a Superior Proposal.

(d) Notice . From the date hereof until the Go-Shop Period End Time, the Company shall (i) advise Parent in writing once every five (5) Business Days of the entry into an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement by the Company or any of its Representatives during the preceding five (5) Business Day period, (ii) provide to Parent in writing once every five (5) Business Days a summary of any inquiries or requests for discussion or negotiation which could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal and (iii) notify Parent within one (1) Business Day of any written Acquisition Proposal or any material modification of or material amendment to the status or terms of any such Acquisition Proposal, and provide complete and unredacted copies of all material documentation relating to such Acquisition Proposal, including in each case of clauses (i)  through (iii) notifying Parent of the identity of the Person entering into an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement or making any such Acquisition Proposal, request, inquiry, indication of interest, proposal or offer. From and after the Go-Shop Period End Time until the earlier of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article VII , the Company promptly (and in any event within 24 hours) shall advise Parent orally and in writing of (i) any Acquisition Proposal or any material modification of or material amendment to the status or terms of any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) any request for non-public information relating to the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, other than requests for information not reasonably expected to be related to an Acquisition Proposal and (iii) any inquiry or request for discussion or negotiation which could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, including in each case the identity of the Person making any such Acquisition Proposal, request, inquiry, indication of interest, proposal or offer and the material terms of any such Acquisition Proposal or indication or inquiry (including, if applicable, copies of any written requests, inquiries, indications of interest, proposals or offers, including proposed agreements) and thereafter shall keep Parent reasonably informed, on a prompt basis (and in any event within 24 hours), of the status and terms of any such proposals or offers (including providing complete and unredacted copies of all material documentation relating to such Acquisition Proposal, request, inquiry, indication of interest, proposal, offer or proposed agreement) and the status of any such discussions or negotiations. None of the Company or any Company Subsidiary shall, after the date of this Agreement, enter into any confidentiality or similar agreement that would prohibit it from providing the information set forth in this Section  5.4(d) to Parent.

 

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(e) Definitions . As used in this Agreement:

(i) “ Acquisition Proposal ” means any indication of interest, proposal, offer or inquiry, written or oral (whether binding or non-binding), made by any Person or group of Persons (other than Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership) with respect to (A) any merger, joint venture, partnership, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, tender offer, recapitalization, reorganization, share exchange, business combination, restructuring, refinancing or other similar transaction (whether or not subject to any pre-conditions), or any revisions thereof, involving the Company (or any Company Subsidiary), (B) any acquisition by any Person, which, if consummated would result in, any Person (or group of Persons) becoming the beneficial owner or having the right to acquire beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of 20% or more of the total voting power or any class of the equity securities of the Company, (C) any direct or indirect acquisition, purchase, lease, exchange, transfer or license, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by means of the acquisition of shares of any Company Subsidiary, which if consummated would result in any Person or group of Persons becoming the owner of assets or properties that constitute 20% or more of the assets and properties (based on fair market value) of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, immediately prior to such transaction, (D) any issuance or sale or other disposition (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction) in a single transaction or a series of related transactions of 20% or more of the voting power of any class of equity securities of the Company or 20% or more of the equity interests or general partner interests in the Partnership or (E) any other transaction having a similar effect to those described in the foregoing clauses (A)  through (D) , in each case, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(ii) “ Excluded Party ” means any Person or group of Persons from whom the Company or any of its Representatives has received a written Acquisition Proposal after the execution of this Agreement and prior to the Go-Shop Period End Time that the Company Board has determined in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, either constitutes a Superior Proposal or is reasonably likely to lead to a Superior Proposal (such determination to be made no later than the Go-Shop Period End Time); provided , that any such Person or group shall cease to be an Excluded Party upon the earliest to occur of the following: (A) in the case of a group of Persons, the members of such group that were members of such group immediately prior to the Go-Shop Period End Time no longer constitute, or would no longer be reasonably capable of constituting, more than 50% of the equity financing of such group of Persons at all times following the Go-Shop Period End Time; (B) such Person’s or group’s Acquisition Proposal is withdrawn, terminated or expires (it being understood that any amendment, modification or replacement of such Acquisition Proposal shall not, in and of itself, be deemed a withdrawal of such Acquisition Proposal); (C) the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that such Person’s or group’s Acquisition Proposal no longer constitutes a Superior Proposal or is no longer reasonably likely to lead to a Superior Proposal; and (D) 11:59 p.m. (Dallas time) on the 70 th day following the date hereof.

(iii) “ Superior Proposal ” means any unsolicited (unless made by an Excluded Party) bona fide written Acquisition Proposal (except that, for purposes of this definition, the references in the definition of “Acquisition Proposal” to “20%” shall be replaced by “50%”) which the Company Board has determined in its good faith judgment,

 

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after consultation with outside legal counsel and financial advisors, taking into account all legal, financial and regulatory aspects of the transaction described in such Acquisition Proposal, including the identity of the Person making such Acquisition Proposal, the certainty of closing, the availability of financing and the ability of such Person to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Acquisition Proposal, (A) would reasonably be expected to be consummated in accordance with its terms (if accepted) and (B) is on terms and conditions more favorable to the holders of Company Shares (solely in their capacities as such) from a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (after taking into account any revisions to the terms of the transactions contemplated by Section  5.4(g) and any different time period likely to be required to consummate such Acquisition Proposal relative to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement).

(f) No Adverse Recommendation Change or Alternative Acquisition Agreement . Except as expressly permitted by Section  5.4(g) , the Company Board (or any committee thereof) shall not:

(i) (A) withhold, withdraw or fail to make when required by this Agreement (or publicly propose or resolve to withhold, withdraw or fail to make when required by this Agreement) the Company Recommendation, (B) qualify, amend or modify (or publicly propose or resolve to qualify, amend or modify), in a manner adverse to Parent or Merger Sub, the Company Recommendation, (C) fail to include the Company Recommendation in the Proxy Statement, (D) approve, endorse, adopt or recommend (or propose to approve, endorse, adopt or recommend) an Acquisition Proposal, (E) if any Acquisition Proposal that is structured as a tender offer or exchange offer for outstanding Company Shares is commenced pursuant to Rule 14d-2 of the Exchange Act, make any public recommendation other than a recommendation in a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 against such Acquisition Proposal, (F) if an Acquisition Proposal other than an Acquisition Proposal subject to Regulation 14D shall have been publicly announced or disclosed, fail to recommend against such Acquisition Proposal or fail to reaffirm the Company Recommendation on or prior to the earlier of (1) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Company Stockholders Meeting and (2) 10 Business Days (which for this purpose shall be used as such term is used in Rule 14d-9 of the Exchange Act) after such Acquisition Proposal shall have been publicly announced or disclosed (or such fewer number of days as remains prior to the Company Stockholders Meeting), or (G) resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing (any of the actions described in the foregoing clauses  (A) through (F) , an “ Adverse Recommendation Change ”); or

(ii) approve, adopt, publicly declare advisable or recommend (or agree to, resolve or publicly propose to approve, adopt, declare advisable or recommend), or cause or permit the Company to enter into any Alternative Acquisition Agreement (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement).

(g) Adverse Recommendation Change . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, at any time prior to the time, but not after, the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained, the Company Board may (i) following receipt of a bona fide Acquisition Proposal after the execution of this Agreement that did not result from a material breach of this

 

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Section  5.4 and that the Company Board determines in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel) constitutes a Superior Proposal, if such Acquisition Proposal has not been withdrawn and continues to be a Superior Proposal, (A) make an Adverse Recommendation Change or (B) terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section  7.1(c)(ii) and concurrently enter into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal, or (ii) in response to a material event, occurrence, development or state of facts or circumstances that was not known to the Company Board prior to the date of this Agreement (or if known, the consequences of which were not known or reasonably foreseeable), other than the receipt, existence or terms of an Acquisition Proposal, or an inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, or the consequences thereof (an “ Intervening Event ”), make an Adverse Recommendation Change, in each case referred to in the foregoing clauses  (i) and (ii) , only if the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with the directors’ duties under applicable Law; provided , however , that the Company Board shall not be entitled to effect an Adverse Recommendation Change under this Section  5.4(g) or terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section  7.1(c)(ii) unless:

(i) the Company shall have provided prior written notice (a “ Determination Notice ”) to Parent at least five Business Days in advance of taking such actions (the “ Notice Period ”) to the effect that the Company Board intends to take such action and specifying in reasonable detail the circumstances giving rise to such proposed action, including, in the case such action is proposed to be taken in connection with a Superior Proposal, the information specified by Section  5.4(d) with respect to such Superior Proposal, including describing the material terms and conditions of, and attaching an unredacted copy of the most recent draft of, the Superior Proposal that is the basis of such action and the material terms of any financing commitment related thereto (it being understood that such material terms shall include the identity of the Person making such Superior Proposal), and, in the case such action is proposed to be taken in connection with an Intervening Event, the material facts underlying the Company Board’s determination that an Intervening Event has occurred;

(ii) the Company shall have, and shall have caused its financial and legal advisors to have, during the Notice Period, negotiated with Parent and its Representatives in good faith (to the extent Parent desires to negotiate) to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement such that it would cause such Acquisition Proposal to no longer constitute a Superior Proposal (or, in the case of an Adverse Recommendation Change in response to an Intervening Event, such that the failure to effect an Adverse Recommendation Change would not be inconsistent with the directors’ duties under applicable Law); provided , however , that in the event of any amendment to the financial terms or any other material terms of such Superior Proposal or any material change in the facts or circumstances relating to an Intervening Event, the Company shall be required to deliver a new Determination Notice to Parent and to comply with the requirements of this Section  5.4(g)(ii) with respect to such new Determination Notice and a new Notice Period (with such Notice Period and each subsequent Notice Period having a term of two Business Days) shall commence upon the delivery of such new Determination Notice; and

 

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(iii) at or following the end of such Notice Period, the Company Board, after taking into account any revisions to this Agreement made or proposed in writing by Parent prior to the time of such determination pursuant to Section  5.4(g)(ii) , shall have determined in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that in the case of a Superior Proposal, the Acquisition Proposal continues to constitute a Superior Proposal (or, in the case of an Adverse Recommendation Change in response to an Intervening Event, that the failure to effect an Adverse Recommendation Change would still be inconsistent with the directors’ duties under applicable Law), taking into account any changes to this Agreement proposed in writing by Parent in response to the Determination Notice or otherwise.

(h) Certain Permitted Disclosure . Nothing contained in this Section  5.4 shall be deemed to prohibit the Company, the Company Board or any committee of the Company Board from (i) taking and disclosing to the stockholders of the Company a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a), Rule 14d-9 or Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A promulgated under the Exchange Act, (ii) making a “stop-look-and listen” communication to the Company stockholders pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any similar communications to the Company stockholders) and (iii) making any other disclosure to the stockholders if the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that failure to make such disclosure would be inconsistent with the directors’ duties under applicable Law; provided that any Adverse Recommendation Change may only be made in accordance with Section  5.4(g) .

(i) No-Shop Period . From and after the Go-Shop Period End Time, except as otherwise provided in Section  5.4(a) , the Company, the Company Subsidiaries and each of their respective officers and directors will, and the Company will cause its, its Affiliates’ and the Company Subsidiaries’ employees and other Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any Person conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal. The Company also agrees that it will promptly (and, in any event, within 24 hours of the Go-Shop Period End Time or, with respect to each Excluded Party, once such Person ceases to be an Excluded Party) request the prompt return or destruction of all non-public information concerning the Company or its Subsidiaries theretofore furnished by the Company or any Company Subsidiary or their respective Representatives to any such Person with whom a confidentiality agreement related to a strategic transaction was entered into at any time in accordance with the terms of such confidentiality agreement and shall cease providing any further information to any such Person or its Representatives and it will immediately terminate all access granted to any such Person and its Representatives to any physical or electronic data room. The Company agrees that it will promptly inform its Representatives of the obligations undertaken in this Section  5.4(i) .

Section 5.5 Preparation of Proxy Statement; Stockholders Meeting .

(a) As promptly as reasonably practicable following the submission of the PUCT Filing (but in any event, no more than 10 days after the date on which the PUCT Filing is submitted), the Company shall, with the assistance of Parent, prepare and file the Proxy Statement in preliminary form relating to the Company Stockholders Meeting and, subject to Section  5.4(g) , shall include the Company Recommendation in the Proxy Statement.

 

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(b) Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company and the Partnership shall cooperate with each other in the preparation of the Proxy Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership will furnish to the Company the information relating to it required by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder to be set forth in the Proxy Statement. Each of Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company and the Partnership shall promptly correct any information provided by it for use in the Proxy Statement which shall have become false or misleading. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company shall, upon written request, provide legal counsel to Parent with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Proxy Statement, all responses to requests for additional information by, and replies to comments of, the SEC, prior to filing such documents with the applicable Governmental Entity and mailing such documents to the Company’s stockholders. The Company shall consider in good faith all comments reasonably proposed by Parent or its legal counsel and agrees that all information relating to Parent and its Subsidiaries included in the Proxy Statement shall be in the form and content reasonably satisfactory to Parent. The Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable notify Parent of the receipt of any comments from the SEC with respect to the Proxy Statement and any request by the SEC for any amendment to the Proxy Statement or for additional information. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to resolve all SEC comments with respect to the Proxy Statement as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof, and the Company shall cause the definitive Proxy Statement to be mailed to the Company’s stockholders as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date the SEC staff advises that it has no further comments thereon.

(c) As promptly as reasonably practicable (but no more than 40 days after the date on which the Proxy Statement is mailed to the Company’s stockholders), the Company, acting through the Company Board, shall (i) take all action necessary in accordance with applicable Law, the Company Charter and the Company Bylaws to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders for the purpose of obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval (the “ Company Stockholders Meeting ”) and (ii) except to the extent that the Company Board shall have effected an Adverse Recommendation Change in accordance with Section  5.4(g) , include in the Proxy Statement the recommendation of the Company Board that the stockholders of the Company vote in favor of the approval of this Agreement and use its reasonable best efforts to solicit the Company Stockholder Approval (including by soliciting proxies from the Company’s stockholders). Unless the Company Board shall have effected an Adverse Recommendation Change as permitted by and determined in accordance with Section  5.4(g) , the parties shall cooperate and use their reasonable best efforts to defend against any efforts by any Person, which could reasonably be expected to prevent the Company Stockholder Approval from being obtained; provided , however , that any indication by one or more stockholders of the Company of its or their intent to vote against the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Company Merger will not, in and of itself, give rise to any such obligation of the Company. The Company shall not postpone or adjourn the Company Stockholders Meeting; provided , however , that (x) the Company may adjourn, recess, or postpone, and at the request of Parent it shall adjourn, recess or postpone, the Company Stockholders Meeting for a reasonable period to solicit additional proxies, if the Company or Parent, respectively, reasonably believes there will be insufficient Company Shares represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the Company Stockholders Meeting or to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval ( provided that , unless agreed in writing by the Company and Parent, all such adjournments, recesses or postponements shall be for no more than 10 Business Days each) and (y) the Company may

 

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adjourn, recess, or postpone the Company Stockholders Meeting to the extent (and only to the extent) that the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with the Company’s outside legal counsel and Parent, that such adjournment, recess or postponement is necessary under applicable Law for the filing and distribution of any amended or supplemental disclosure. Upon written request, the Company shall keep Parent reasonably informed regarding the status of the proxy solicitation, including, if requested, by promptly providing daily voting reports. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that the Company Stockholders Meeting is called, noticed, convened, held and conducted, and that all proxies solicited in connection with the Company Stockholders Meeting are solicited in compliance with applicable Law, the rules of the NYSE and the Company Charter and the Company Bylaws. The Company agrees that, unless this Agreement shall have been validly terminated in accordance with Article  VII , the obligation of the Company to call, give notice of, convene and hold the Company Stockholders Meeting and mail the Proxy Statement to the Company’s stockholders shall not be affected by an Adverse Recommendation Change or the commencement, public proposal, public disclosure or communication to the Company, the Company Board or any committee thereof of any Acquisition Proposal. The Company agrees that no matters shall be brought before the Company Stockholders Meeting other than the adoption of this Agreement and approval of the Company Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any related “golden parachute” vote under Rule 14a-21(c) of the Exchange Act and any related and customary procedural matters (including a proposal to adjourn the meeting to allow additional solicitation of votes).

Section 5.6 Access to Information; Confidentiality .

(a) From the date hereof to the Partnership Merger Effective Time or the earlier termination of this Agreement, upon reasonable prior written notice, and subject to Section  5.7(b)(viii) , the Company shall, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership) and/or Hunt Manager to, afford to Parent and its Representatives reasonable access during normal business hours, consistent with applicable Law, to all their respective properties, facilities, personnel, contracts and books and records, including to conduct non-invasive environmental site assessments, and shall furnish Parent with all financial, operating and other data and information as Parent shall reasonably request in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such investigation or consultation shall be conducted in such a manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the business or operations of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries. None of the Company, any of the Company Subsidiaries or Hunt Manager shall be required to provide access to or to disclose information where such access or disclosure would (i) breach any agreement with any third party, (ii) constitute a waiver of or jeopardize the attorney-client or other privilege held by the Company or (iii) otherwise violate any applicable Law ( provided that the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to allow for such access or disclosure in a manner that does not result in such a loss, breach or violation of such privilege).

(b) Except as otherwise expressly permitted or contemplated by this Agreement, each party shall continue to abide by the terms of the Amended and Restated Confidentiality Agreement, dated June 18, 2018, by and between the Company and Parent (the “ Confidentiality Agreement ”), which Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

 

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(c) Without limiting the foregoing, each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership shall comply with its obligations under all applicable data protection Laws relating to personally identifiable information provided to such parties by the Company or the Partnership in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (“ PII ”), shall hold all PII in confidence, and comply with the Company and the Partnership’s reasonable written instructions regarding the handling of PII consistent with applicable PURA provisions, ERCOT Protocols and practices and other applicable Law.

Section 5.7 Further Action; Efforts .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section  5.7 , for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including in connection with obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, each party shall have exclusive final approval, acting reasonably, over any testimony that will be made to any Governmental Entity by any of its Representatives, any written responses to discovery requests directed to that specific party and any oral presentations of evidence made on behalf of that specific party. For the avoidance of doubt, this exclusive right of final approval shall not apply to joint pleadings filed in connection with the PUCT Filing.

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company and the Partnership, on the one hand, and Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, on the other hand, shall cooperate with each other and use, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to use, their respective reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done, and assist and cooperate with the other parties to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as promptly as reasonably practicable, including negotiating, preparing and filing as promptly as reasonably practicable all documentation to effect all necessary notices, reports and other filings and to obtain as promptly as reasonably practicable all consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations necessary or advisable to be obtained from any third party and/or any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the following:

(i) The Company, Parent and the Partnership shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, make all filings required of the Company, the Partnership, Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership under the HSR Act in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which shall be filed as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in any event no later than 45 days from the date hereof. Each of the Company and Parent shall bear their own costs of complying with this Section  5.7(b) , and the Company and Parent shall each pay 50% of the applicable filing fee required under the HSR Act with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(ii) Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company and the Partnership shall submit to the PUCT a single, integrated filing (jointly on behalf of the parties, including, to the extent applicable, the other parties to the transactions referred to below) that requests prior approval by the PUCT of the Mergers, the transactions contemplated by the Asset Exchange Agreement and the SU Investment (as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement) (the “ PUCT Filing ”) as promptly as reasonably practicable

 

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after the Go-Shop Period End Time, but in no event later than 45 days after the date hereof. Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company and the Partnership further agree that the PUCT Filing shall contain, at a minimum, all of the terms and undertakings set forth in Exhibit  B hereto (the “ Regulatory Terms ”).

(iii) Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company and the Partnership shall jointly file with the FERC an application for the FERC Approval as promptly as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than 45 days after the date hereof.

(iv) The parties shall jointly submit a draft and a final notice to CFIUS pursuant to the DPA with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, within one day after the date hereof, the parties shall jointly contact the Staff Chair of CFIUS to inform CFIUS of the transaction, the identity of counsel to the parties and that a notice will be filed pursuant to the DPA. The parties shall use reasonable best efforts to submit a draft notice to CFIUS within 14 calendar days after the date hereof and to submit a final notice to CFIUS as soon as reasonably practicable following the date that CFIUS provides comments to the draft notice. Parent shall pay any applicable filing fee imposed by CFIUS under the DPA applicable to the transactions contemplated under this Agreement.

(v) Subject to Laws relating to the exchange of information, Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, on the one hand, and the Company and the Partnership, on the other hand, shall, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates, to, use their respective reasonable best efforts to provide the other parties a reasonable opportunity to review in advance and, to the extent practicable, each will consult with the other on and consider in good faith the views of the other parties in connection with, all material information that appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, or oral presentations or testimony made to any Governmental Entity in connection with obtaining the Regulatory Approvals. In particular, unless prohibited by Law or a Governmental Entity, no party shall make any filing, notification, submission of written materials or presentations to a Governmental Entity in connection with the Regulatory Approvals without first providing the other parties with a copy of such notification in draft form and giving such other parties a reasonable opportunity to comment on its content before it is filed with the relevant Governmental Entities, and such first party shall consider all reasonable comments timely made by the other parties in this respect. In exercising the foregoing rights and obligations, each of the Company, the Partnership, Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership shall act reasonably and as promptly as reasonably practicable.

(vi) Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, on the one hand, and the Company and the Partnership, on the other hand, shall not schedule, participate in or initiate any meetings or communications with any Subject Governmental Entity in connection with the Regulatory Approvals without giving the other party or its Representatives a reasonable opportunity to participate in such meeting or communication unless prohibited by the applicable Subject Governmental Entity. Without limiting the foregoing, the parties hereto shall keep each other reasonably apprised of all substantive

 

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communications with Governmental Entities or Other Interested Parties in which they participate or of which they are aware regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided , however , that nothing in this Section  5.7 shall prevent, limit or restrict any party or its Affiliates from (A) interacting, communicating or making filings or applications with, or resolving any investigation or other inquiry of, any PUCT staff in connection with proceedings before the PUCT, other than proceedings with respect to the PUCT Filing and (B) responding to unsolicited inquiries related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from any Governmental Entity ( provided , further , that in the case of clause  (B) , such party will notify the other parties to this Agreement of any such unsolicited inquiries and such party’s response to the inquiries as promptly as reasonably practicable).

(vii) Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, on the one hand, or the Company and the Partnership, on the other hand shall be permitted to schedule, participate in or initiate any meetings or communications with any Other Interested Party without giving the other parties or their respective Representatives the opportunity to participate in any such meeting or communication (an “ Interested Party Communication ”); provided , however , that promptly following any Interested Party Communication, each party participating in such Interested Party Communication shall provide a reasonable summary of such communication to each party that did not participate therein.

(viii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) commercially and/or competitively sensitive information and materials of a party will be provided to the other parties on an outside counsel-only basis while, to the extent feasible, making a version from which the commercial and/or competitively sensitive information has been redacted available to the other party and (B) no party will be required to provide the other party any personal identifying information that is submitted to CFIUS pursuant to the DPA.

(c) The Company and the Partnership, on the one hand, and Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, on the other hand, shall, upon request by the other, furnish the other with all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, directors, officers and equityholders and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with any statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries to or with any Governmental Entity in connection with the Regulatory Approvals.

(d) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, without limiting the generality of the other undertakings pursuant to this Section  5.7 , each of the Company, the Partnership, Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, the following actions:

(i) the prompt provision to each and every federal, state, local or foreign court or Governmental Entity (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the FCC, the FERC and the PUCT) with jurisdiction over any Regulatory Approvals of information and documents reasonably requested by any such court or Governmental Entity or that are necessary, proper or advisable to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

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(ii) obtaining the Regulatory Approvals as expeditiously as possible, provided that obtaining any such approval does not constitute a Burdensome Condition; and

(iii) the avoidance of the entry or enactment of any permanent, preliminary or temporary injunction or other order, decree, decision, determination, judgment or Law that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to prevent, enjoin or otherwise prohibit, or materially impair, restrain or restrict, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, provided that such avoidance does not constitute a Burdensome Condition.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the “reasonable best efforts” standard set forth in this Section  5.7 shall not in any event be construed to require Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates or direct or indirect equityholders, or permit or require (except as contemplated by this Agreement (excluding this Section  5.7 ) or the Asset Exchange Agreement (excluding Section 5.05 thereof)) the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates without the prior written consent of Parent to (i) sell or agree to sell, hold or agree to hold separate, or otherwise dispose or agree to dispose of any asset, (ii) conduct or agree to conduct its business in any particular manner (except as contemplated by this Agreement or the Asset Exchange Agreement), (iii) agree to any order, action or regulatory condition of any regulatory body, whether in an approval proceeding or another regulatory proceeding, that would constitute a Burdensome Condition or (iv) in connection with the CFIUS Approval, offer or agree to mitigation provisions that limit the right of any member of Parent to retain or exercise its governance rights, including any amendments, modifications, waivers or other changes to the governing agreements of Parent.

(f) Nothing in this Agreement shall require Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company or the Partnership to make any filing in state or federal court to vacate, modify, reverse, remove, file exceptions to, file a motion for rehearing of, or appeal any permanent, preliminary or temporary injunction, decision, order, judgment, determination, decree or Law entered, issued or enacted by any Governmental Entity that would make consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement unlawful, that would prevent, enjoin or otherwise prohibit, or in any manner impair, restrain or restrict, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that in any manner prohibits, modifies or alters this Agreement (or seeks to do the same), even if such decision order, judgment, determination, decree or Law imposes or seeks to impose obligations that do not constitute a Burdensome Condition; provided that no party shall be required to make any filing whatsoever to challenge any decision, order, judgment, determination or decree of the PUCT or the FERC; provided further, however, that if any of Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company or the Partnership files exceptions to or a motion for rehearing or appeal of any permanent, preliminary or temporary injunction, decision, order, judgment, or determination, decree or Law entered, issued or enacted by any Governmental Entity, then no other Party shall oppose or contest such filing.

Section 5.8 Takeover Laws . If any Takeover Law is or becomes applicable to Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, this Agreement, the Mergers or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby, the Company and the Company Board shall take all action necessary to ensure that the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated hereby may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to eliminate or minimize the effect of such Takeover Law on this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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Section 5.9 Notification of Certain Matters .

(a) The Company and Parent shall promptly notify each other of (i) any notice or other communication received by such party from any Governmental Entity in connection with the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated hereby or from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Action commenced or, to such party’s knowledge, threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting such party or any Company Subsidiary which relate to the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated hereby (“ Transaction Litigation ”) or (iii) the discovery of any fact or circumstance that, or the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which would reasonably be expected to result in any of the conditions to the Mergers set forth in Article  VI not being satisfied or satisfaction of those conditions being materially delayed in violation of any provision of this Agreement; provided , however , that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section  5.9(a) shall not (x) cure any breach of, or non-compliance with, any other provision of this Agreement or (y) limit the remedies available to the party receiving such notice; provided further , that failure to give prompt notice pursuant to clause  (iii) shall not constitute a failure of a condition to the Mergers set forth in Article  VI except to the extent that the underlying fact or circumstance not so notified would standing alone constitute such a failure.

(b) The Company and Parent shall keep the other parties reasonably informed with respect to the status of any Transaction Litigation if any such other party is not a party thereto. The Company shall reasonably consult with Parent and its Representatives with respect to the defense, negotiations or settlement of, any Transaction Litigation, and the Company shall consider in good faith Parent’s advice with respect to such Transaction Litigation. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries nor any of its or their Representatives to, compromise, settle or come to a settlement arrangement regarding any Transaction Litigation or consent thereto unless Parent shall otherwise consent in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

Section 5.10 Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance .

(a) From the Closing Date through the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date, Parent shall cause the Surviving Company to indemnify and hold harmless each present (as of the Company Merger Effective Time) and former officer or director, including but not limited to the members of the Conflicts Committee, of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (the “ Indemnified Parties ”), against all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, judgments, inquiries, fines and reasonable fees, costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, incurred in connection with any Action, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to (i) the fact that the Indemnified Party is or was an officer, director, employee, fiduciary or agent of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or (ii) acts or omissions taken by an Indemnified Party in their capacity as such or taken at the request of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Company

 

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Merger Effective Time, to the fullest extent the Company would have been permitted under applicable Law and the Company Charter and Company Bylaws as in effect at the date hereof. In the event of any such Action, (A) each Indemnified Party shall be entitled to advancement from the Surviving Company, within 10 Business Days of receipt by Parent or the Surviving Company from the Indemnified Party of a request therefor, of expenses incurred in the defense of any Action to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law and the Company Charter and Company Bylaws as in effect at the date hereof; provided , that any Person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such Person is not entitled to indemnification, (B) neither Parent nor the Surviving Company shall settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any proceeding or threatened action, suit, proceeding, investigation or claim (and in which indemnification could be sought by such Indemnified Party hereunder), unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such action, suit, proceeding, investigation or claim or such Indemnified Party otherwise consents, and (C) the Surviving Company shall cooperate in the defense of any such matter.

(b) The certificate of formation and limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Company shall contain provisions no less favorable in the aggregate with respect to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation of former or present directors and officers than are presently set forth in the Company Charter and Company Bylaws, which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six years from the Company Merger Effective Time in any manner that would adversely affect in any material respect the rights thereunder of any such individuals.

(c) For a period of six years from the Closing Date, the Surviving Company shall either cause to be maintained in effect the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance maintained by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in effect on the date hereof (accurate and complete copies of which have been previously made available to Parent) with respect to matters arising on or before the Company Merger Effective Time or cause to be provided substitute policies or purchase, a “tail policy,” in either case of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions that are not less advantageous in the aggregate than such policy with respect to matters arising on or before the Company Merger Effective Time; provided , however , that after the Company Merger Effective Time, the Surviving Company shall not be required to pay with respect to such insurance policies in respect of any one policy year annual premiums in excess of 300% of the last annual premium paid by the Company prior to the date hereof in respect of the coverage required to be obtained pursuant hereto, but in such case shall purchase as much coverage as reasonably practicable for such amount; provided further , that if the Surviving Company purchases a “tail policy” and the coverage thereunder costs more than 300% of such last annual premium, the Surviving Company shall purchase the maximum amount of coverage that can be obtained for 300% of such last annual premium. At the Company’s option, the Company may purchase, prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, a six-year prepaid “tail policy” on terms and conditions (in both amount and scope) providing substantially equivalent benefits as the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance maintained by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries with respect to matters arising on or before the Company Merger Effective Time, covering without limitation the transactions contemplated hereby, subject to the limitations set forth in this Section  5.10 , and such “tail policy” shall satisfy the provisions of this Section  5.10(c) .

 

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If such tail prepaid policy has been obtained by the Company prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, Parent shall cause such policy to be maintained in full force and effect, for a period of six years from the Closing Date, and cause all obligations thereunder to be honored by the Surviving Company.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if any Action (whether arising before, at or after the Company Merger Effective Time) is instituted against any Indemnified Party on or prior to the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date, the provisions of this Section  5.10 shall continue in effect until the final disposition of such Action.

(e) The indemnification provided for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an Indemnified Party is entitled, whether pursuant to Law, Contract or otherwise. The provisions of this Section  5.10 shall survive the consummation of the Mergers and, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement that may be to the contrary, expressly are intended to benefit, and shall be enforceable by, each of the Indemnified Parties and their respective heirs and legal Representatives.

(f) In the event that the Surviving Company or any of its respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or a majority of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the Surviving Company or Parent, as the case may be, shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section  5.10 .

Section 5.11 Rule 16b-3 . Prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, the Company shall take such steps as may be reasonably necessary or advisable hereto to cause dispositions of Company equity securities (including derivative securities) pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by each individual who is a director or officer of the Company to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

Section 5.12 Dividends . From and after the date hereof and prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time, (a) the Company may make distributions to its stockholders, the Partnership may make distributions to the Company, and any direct or indirect Company Subsidiary may make distributions to the Partnership, to allow for regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.25 per share to be paid on the Company Shares and Partnership Units (including, in the event the Closing does not coincide with the end of a quarter, a prorated portion of the $0.25 per share quarterly cash dividend on the Company Shares and Partnership Units for the quarter in which the Closing occurs) and (b) upon consultation with Parent, the Company shall make distributions to its stockholders (and as necessary the Partnership shall make distributions to the Company, and any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Partnership may make distributions to the Partnership, as needed in order to facilitate such distributions by the Company) so as to (i) maintain the Company’s qualification for taxation as a REIT under the Code and (ii) avoid the payment of income or excise tax under Sections 857 or 4981 of the Code (or any other entity-level Tax), in each case taking into account the taxable gain recognized in the deemed sale and subsequent deemed liquidating distribution occurring at the Company Merger Effective Time (as described in Section  1.9 ). If the Company is required to pay a distribution described in clause  (b) of the first sentence of this Section  5.12 , or if the Company declares any other distribution on the Company

 

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Shares on or prior to the Company Merger Effective Time (other than as described in clause  (a) of the first sentence of this Section  5.12 ), the Per Share Merger Consideration shall be decreased by the amount of the per Company Share amount of any such distribution(s). For the avoidance of doubt and consistent with Section  2.1(b)(i) , any reduction in the Per Share Merger Consideration pursuant to the provisions of this Section  5.12 will give rise to an identical reduction in the Per Partnership Unit Merger Consideration.

Section 5.13 Public Announcements . Except with respect to (a) an Adverse Recommendation Change, (b) a press release or other public statement that is consistent in all material respects with previous press releases, public disclosures or public statements made by a party hereto in accordance with this Agreement, including in investor conference calls, SEC filings, Q&As or other publicly disclosed documents, in each case under this clause  (b) , to the extent such disclosure is still accurate in all material respects (and not misleading), (c) as may be required by applicable Law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange or national securities quotation system or (d) in connection with a dispute between the parties hereto regarding the transactions contemplated hereby, each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, on the one hand, and the Company and the Partnership, on the other hand, shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, consult with each other before issuing, and give each other a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon, any press release or other public statements with respect to this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any such press release or make any public announcement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

Section 5.14 Obligations of Parent and the Company . Whenever this Agreement requires a Subsidiary of Parent (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Surviving Company or the Surviving Partnership) to take any action, such requirement shall be deemed to include an undertaking on the part of Parent to cause such Subsidiary to take such action. Whenever this Agreement requires a Company Subsidiary to take any action, such requirement shall be deemed to include an undertaking on the part of the Company to cause such Company Subsidiary to take such action and, after the Company Merger Effective Time, on the part of the Surviving Company to cause such Company Subsidiary to take such action.

Section 5.15 Tax Matters .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, but subject to Sections 5.1(b)(iv) , 5.1(b)(v), 5.1(b)(xiii) , 5.1(b)(xiv) and 5.12 , the Company shall take all actions, and refrain from taking all actions, that in the reasonable judgment of the Company Board, upon advice of counsel to the Company, and upon consultation with Parent, as necessary to ensure that the Company (i) will qualify for taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes for its current taxable year and any other taxable year that includes the Closing Date, (ii) will not become liable for U.S. federal income Tax under Sections 856(g)(5)(C), 857(b)(1), 857(b)(4), 857(b)(5), 857(b)(6)(A), 857(b)(7), 857(f), 860(c) or 4981 of the Code or Section 337(d) (and/or Section 1374) of the Code (and the applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder) and similar provisions of state or local Tax law and (iii) preserves the U.S. federal income Tax status of any Company Subsidiary as a disregarded entity, partnership, Qualified REIT Subsidiary or Taxable REIT Subsidiary, as the case may be. After the date of this Agreement and

 

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prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, the Company shall cooperate in good faith to address all reasonable requests of Parent with respect to maintenance of the Company’s qualification for taxation as a REIT for the Company’s 2015 through 2017 taxable years (including with respect to the filing of the 2017 IRS Form 1120-REIT) and the continuation of such qualification for taxation as a REIT for the taxable year ending with the Company Merger Effective Time.

(b) Parent and the Company shall, upon written request, use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Governmental Entity or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed (including with respect to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement).

(c) On and after the Company Merger Effective Time, Parent and the Surviving Company shall take all commercially reasonable actions, and refrain from taking all actions, as customary to enable the Company to qualify for taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes for its current taxable year and any other taxable year that includes the Closing Date; provided , however , that nothing in this Section  5.15(c) shall obligate Parent or the Surviving Company to take or pursue any Action in a court.

(d) The Company shall prepare or cause to be prepared and timely file or cause to be timely filed (taking into account any applicable extensions of time) all Tax Returns for the Company and each Company Subsidiary required to be filed (taking into account any applicable extensions of time) prior to the Closing Date for all taxable periods ending prior to the Closing Date, including timely filing of Tax Returns for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (taking into account any applicable extensions of time) to the extent such Tax Returns are required to be filed prior to the Closing Date. Any such Tax Returns prepared by the Company shall be prepared in a manner consistent with the historic Tax accounting practices of the Company (except as may be required under applicable Tax Law, this Agreement or with the prior written consent of Parent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Company shall pay all Taxes shown as due on such Tax Returns. In the case of Tax Returns that both relate to income Taxes or the Texas franchise Tax for taxable periods ending prior to the Closing Date and are to be filed by the Company after the date of this Agreement and on or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall provide to Parent copies of such Tax Returns at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the due date of such Tax Returns (including applicable extensions). Parent shall cause to be timely filed all Tax Returns for the Company and each Company Subsidiary that are required to be filed on or after the Closing Date.

(e) On the Closing Date, prior to the Company Merger, the Company shall deliver to Parent a duly executed certificate of non-foreign status, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form of the sample certification set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(b)(2)(iv)(B) and including any additional information as may be required by Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 1446(f)(2). On the Closing Date, prior to the Partnership Merger, the Partnership shall deliver to Parent a duly executed certificate of non-foreign status from each Person that constitutes and is treated as a partner for U.S. federal income tax purposes (or, in the case of any such Person that is a disregarded entity, such Person’s sole owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and that has provided such a certificate to the Partnership. The receipt of such certificates by Parent shall not be a condition to the Partnership Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby, but if Parent has not received such

 

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certificate from or with respect to a partner (or such partner’s sole owner, as applicable), Parent shall be entitled to withhold any applicable U.S. tax on cash distributed to or on behalf of such Person (as determined by Parent in its sole discretion), in accordance with Sections 1445 and 1446(f) of the Code.

Section 5.16 Stock Exchange Delisting . The Company shall cooperate with Parent and take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable on its part under applicable Laws and rules and policies of the NYSE to enable the delisting by the Surviving Company of the Company Shares from the NYSE and the deregistration of the Company Shares under the Exchange Act as promptly as practicable after the Company Merger Effective Time, and, in any event, no more than 10 days after the Closing Date.

Section 5.17 Financing .

(a) From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing Date and the Termination Date, each of the Company and the Partnership agrees to use reasonable best efforts to provide, and to use reasonable best efforts to cause the Company Subsidiaries (other than the Partnership) and each of their respective Representatives to provide, such cooperation as may be reasonably requested by Parent in connection with the arrangement of the receipt of proceeds (x) from an issuance of equity by Parent or any of its direct or indirect equityholders (the “ Equity Financing ”) or (y) from an issuance of debt by Parent or any of its direct or indirect equityholders (the “ Debt Financing ,” with the Equity Financing and Debt Financing each referred to hereafter as a “ Financing ”), including reasonable best efforts to (i) provide assistance with any discussions of and/or furnish, as applicable, such business, financial statements, pro forma financials, projections, management discussion and analysis and other customary financial data and information reasonably required in connection with any Financing, all for use in connection therewith, (ii) direct their respective independent accountants to provide customary and reasonable assistance in connection with any Financing, including in connection with providing customary comfort letters and consents, (iii) obtain customary payoff letters, releases of liens and other instruments of termination or discharge reasonably requested by Parent or any of its direct or indirect equityholders in connection with the repayment of indebtedness of the Company, the Partnership and their respective Subsidiaries as necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (iv) subject to Section  5.19(a) , authorize and facilitate discussions, meetings and other engagement by Parent, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, Hunt Manager, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or SU, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, with the current lenders, noteholders or other providers of Existing Indebtedness to the Company or the Company Subsidiaries for the purpose of obtaining Debt Financing, including by necessary or appropriate waivers of the Confidentiality Agreement to permit such activities. Parent shall reimburse the Company for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in connection with cooperation provided for in this Section  5.17(a) to the extent the information requested was not otherwise prepared or available in the ordinary course of business. Any lender, underwriter, arranger, manager, placement agent or similar entity in connection with any Financing by Sempra or its Affiliates shall be deemed to be a “Representative” of Sempra for the purposes of the Amended and Restated Confidentiality Agreement, dated June 18, 2018, by and between Sempra Energy and the Company. Any lender, underwriter, arranger, manager, placement agent or similar entity in connection with any Financing by Parent or its Affiliates shall be deemed to be a “Representative” of Parent for purposes of the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

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(b) From and after the date hereof until the earlier of the Termination Date and the Closing Date, it is understood that Parent or any of its direct or indirect equityholders may seek to market and consummate all or a portion of any Financing. In this regard, and for the avoidance of doubt, each of the Company and the Partnership acknowledges that its cooperation obligations set forth in Section  5.17(a) include the obligation upon the reasonable request of Parent to use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate with any such efforts; provided , that such cooperation obligations are limited to those set forth in Section  5.17(a) .

(c) Prior to the Closing Date, none of the Company, the Company Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives shall be required to take any action that would subject such Person to actual or potential liability, to bear any cost or expense or to pay any commitment or other similar fee or make any other payment or incur any other liability or provide or agree to provide any indemnity in connection with any Financing or their performance of their respective obligations under this Section  5.17 or any information utilized in connection therewith. Parent shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives from and against any and all costs suffered or incurred by them in connection with the arrangement of any Financing and the performance of their respective obligations under this Section  5.17 and any information utilized in connection therewith (other than arising from information provided by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries specifically for use in the Financing pursuant to Section  5.17(a) ). Each of the Company and the Partnership hereby consents to the use of the logos of the Company, the Partnership and their respective Subsidiaries in connection with any Financing; provided , that such logos are used solely in a manner that is not intended to or reasonably likely to harm or disparage the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries or the reputation or goodwill of the Company, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

(d) Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership acknowledge and agree that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is not conditioned upon the consummation of, or the receipt by Parent or any of its direct or indirect equityholders or any of their Affiliates of the proceeds of, the Financing.

(e) Parent shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, permit any amendment or modification to, or any waiver of any provision (including any remedy) under, or voluntarily replace the Equity Commitment Letters if such amendment, modification, waiver or voluntary replacement (i) adds new (or adversely modifies any existing) conditions to the consummation of the equity financing as compared to those in the Equity Commitment Letters, each as in effect on the date of this Agreement, in a manner that would make any portion of the equity financing less likely to be timely obtained, (ii) adversely affects the ability of Parent to enforce its rights against other parties to the Equity Commitment Letters or any definitive agreements relating to the equity financing as so amended, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified, in any material respect, relative to the ability of Parent to enforce its rights against such other parties to the Equity Commitment Letters, each as in effect on the date hereof or in the applicable definitive agreements relating to the equity financing, (iii) reduces the aggregate amount of the equity financing (other than reductions of any amounts thereof constituting increases thereto after the date hereof), or (iv) would otherwise prevent, impede or delay the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby; provided , that for the avoidance of doubt no consent from the Company shall be required for any amendment, replacement, supplement or modification of the Equity Commitment Letters that is limited to adding any direct or indirect equityholders of Parent that have not executed the Equity Commitment Letters as of the date of this Agreement.

 

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Section 5.18 APM Private Letter Ruling .

(a) Parent and the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, jointly prepare and file with the IRS written requests (collectively, the “ Ruling Request ,” and together with all related materials and supplements thereto filed or to be filed with the IRS, the “ IRS Submissions ”) that the IRS issue a private letter ruling or rulings (the “ APM Private Letter Ruling ”) to the effect that a normalization violation will not occur if the Partnership does not adjust existing accumulated deferred federal income tax balances to account for the consequences of the basis adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code resulting from the Mergers.

(b) Each party shall provide the other party and its tax counsel with copies of, and a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on, drafts of all proposed IRS Submissions prepared by the first party and will incorporate any comments or suggested revisions as are reasonably requested by the other party or its tax counsel with respect thereto; provided , however , that the rights to review and comment granted hereunder shall not result in unreasonable delays in submitting the IRS Submissions to the IRS. To the extent that a party, in its good faith judgment, considers any information included in such IRS Submissions (or drafts thereof) to be confidential, such party may require that any such documents provided to the other party be redacted to exclude such information. Subject to the foregoing, a party filing an IRS Submission shall provide the other party with copies of such IRS Submission promptly following the filing thereof.

(c) A Representative of each of Parent and the Partnership shall be given the opportunity to participate in all substantive scheduled communications with the IRS concerning the IRS Submissions, including all substantive scheduled conference calls and in-person meetings. In addition, each party (i) shall keep the other party reasonably informed and shall consult in good faith with the other party and its tax counsel with respect to any issue relating to the IRS Submissions and (ii) shall provide the other party with copies of all correspondence, notices, and other written materials received from the IRS and shall otherwise keep the other party and its tax counsel advised of significant developments, and of any substantive communications, in each case, regarding the IRS Submissions and the Mergers. Each party agrees to cooperate and use its commercially reasonable efforts to assist in obtaining the APM Private Letter Ruling requested in the Ruling Request. Each party agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any appropriate information and additional representations as requested by the IRS in order to issue the APM Private Letter Ruling. No additional rulings will be requested unless mutually agreed by the parties.

(d) To the extent that the procedures described in Section  5.18(b) and Section  5.18(c) differ from the procedures applicable to any other regulatory filings described in this Agreement, the procedures described in Section  5.18(b) and Section  5.18(c) shall govern.

(e) Each of the parties hereby expressly acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of the parties to consummate the Mergers are not conditioned in any way on the issuance or receipt of the APM Private Letter Ruling or on obtaining any specific ruling from the IRS requested in the IRS Submission.

 

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(f) Parent shall bear, and reimburse the Partnership for, all out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Partnership in connection with the Ruling Request, the IRS Submissions and the APM Private Letter Ruling.

Section 5.19 Debt Matters .

(a) For a period of 60 days after the date hereof (the “ Consent Period ”), the Company shall have the exclusive right to seek, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain, the consent of the relevant number of holders under each of the Subject Notes (the “ Noteholders ”) to an amendment to the terms of the Subject Notes substantially on the terms set forth on Schedule A-1 and Schedule A-2 hereto, together with any modified terms (x) as may be acceptable to Parent or (y) that are reasonably necessary to meet the conditions set forth in Section  6.3(h)(i) (the “ Noteholder Consents ”). During the Consent Period, except upon the prior written request of the Company, Parent shall not, and shall cause its Representatives and Affiliates not to, schedule, participate in or initiate any meetings or communications with any of the Noteholders or, subject to Section  5.14 , make any public statements with respect to the subject matter of this Section  5.19 . Prior to commencing the solicitation of the Noteholder Consents pursuant to this Section  5.19(a) , the Company shall provide Parent a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the material documents by which the Noteholder Consents will be solicited or effected and will consider comments from Parent in good faith. As reasonably requested by Parent, the Company shall provide information regarding the status of the Noteholder Consent process.

(b) In furtherance of the provisions of this Section  5.19 , Parent and the Company shall cooperate with the other party and use their reasonable best efforts to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section  6.3(h) . For purposes of this Section  5.19 , “reasonable best efforts” shall include the parties hereto taking actions consistent with the Company’s obligations under Section  5.17 , subject to the terms set forth on Schedule A-3 hereto.

(c) Following the good faith determination by the Company that it has satisfied the conditions set forth in Section  6.3(h) (other than to the extent that any effective Noteholder Consent is conditioned upon the consummation of the Closing), the Company shall be entitled to notify Parent in writing of such determination (a “ Consent Determination ”). Following Parent’s receipt of such Consent Determination, the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied the conditions set forth in Section  6.3(h) in full (subject only to the effectiveness of the amendments to the Subject Notes prior to or substantially concurrently with the Closing), unless Parent delivers a written notice to the Company that details the basis of Parent’s objections to the Consent Determination (an “ Objection Notice ”) no later than the end of the period of 10 Business Days commencing on the date upon which the Consent Determination was delivered to Parent (the “ Objection Period ”). If Parent does not deliver an Objection Notice to the Company prior to the expiration of the Objection Period, then the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied the conditions set forth in Section  6.3(h) (subject only to the effectiveness of the amendments to the Subject Notes prior to or substantially concurrently with the Closing) unless and except to the extent that after the expiration of the Objection Period but prior to the effectiveness of the Closing an intervening event occurs with respect to SDTS that will cause the conditions set forth in clause (i) of Section  6.3(h) not to be met prior to or substantially concurrently with the effectiveness of the Closing and the same is not cured or otherwise waived and/or consented to by the Noteholders prior to or substantially concurrently with the Closing.

 

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Section 5.20 Rate Case Cooperation .

(a) From and after the Go-Shop Period End Time until the earliest of (i) the Closing, (ii) the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article VII or (iii) the date on which the PUCT Approval is received, the Company shall cooperate with Parent in preparing Rate Case Material. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company shall, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership) and/or Hunt Manager to, afford to Parent and its Representatives reasonable access to all of their respective properties, facilities, personnel, contracts, books and records and financial, operating and other data and information in accordance with Section  5.6 .

(b) For purposes of this Section  5.20 , “ Rate Case Material ” means any documentation, studies or other material reasonably necessary to support Parent in prosecuting a ratemaking proceeding for the Retained Assets.

ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 6.1 Conditions to Each Party s Obligation to Effect the Mergers . The obligation of each party to effect the Mergers is subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, mutual waiver by the Company (on behalf of itself and the Partnership) and Parent (on behalf of itself, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership) (except that Section  6.1(a)(ii) is not waivable), at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(a) Stockholder Approval . Approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Mergers) shall have been obtained from (i) the holders of Company Shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter and (ii) the holders of Company Shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding for purposes of such calculation any Company Shares held by Hunt (together, the “ Company Stockholder Approval ”).

(b) No Injunctions or Legal Restraints; Illegality . No court or other Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the Mergers or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (each, an “ Order ”).

(c) Regulatory Approvals . The Regulatory Approvals shall have been obtained and have become final ( provided , that, with respect to the PUCT Approval, “final” shall be as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act, Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 2001.144 (“ APA 2001.144 ”)) and each of the Regulatory Approvals shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6.2 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company and the Partnership . The obligation of each of the Company and the Partnership to effect the Mergers is also subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver by the Company (on behalf of itself and the Partnership), at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

 

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(a) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations or warranties shall be true and correct at and as of such earlier date), except where the failure of such representations or warranties to be true and correct does not have, or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect (it being understood that, for purposes of determining the accuracy of such representations and warranties, all materiality, “Parent Material Adverse Effect” and similar qualifiers set forth in such representations and warranties shall be disregarded).

(b) Performance of Obligations of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership . Each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing.

(c) Officers Certificate . The Company shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate signed by an executive officer of Parent certifying as to the matters set forth in Section  6.2(a) and Section  6.2(b) .

Section 6.3 Conditions to the Obligations of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership . The obligation of each of Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership to effect the Mergers is also subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver by Parent (on behalf of itself, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership), at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(a) Representations and Warranties . (i) Except for the representations and warranties referred to in clauses  (ii) and (iii) , below, each of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Partnership set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations or warranties shall be true and correct at and as of such earlier date), except where the failure of such representations or warranties to be true and correct does not have, or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect (it being understood that, for purposes of determining the accuracy of such representations and warranties, all materiality, “Material Adverse Effect” and similar qualifiers set forth in such representations and warranties shall be disregarded), (ii) each of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Partnership contained in Section  3.2(a) and Section  3.2(b) ( Capitalization ) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent a representation or warranty is made as of a specific date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be so true and correct at and as of such date) except for de minimis inaccuracies, and (iii) each of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Partnership contained in the first sentence of Section  3.1(a) ( Organization, Good Standing and Qualification ), Section  3.3(a) ( Authority ) and Section  3.23 ( Brokers ) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent a representation or warranty is made as of a specific date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be so true and correct at and as of such date).

 

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(b) Performance of Obligations of the Company . Each of the Company and the Partnership shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing.

(c) Omnibus Termination Agreement . The Subject Agreements and the Subject Leases (each as defined in the Omnibus Termination Agreement) shall have been terminated in accordance with the terms of the Omnibus Termination Agreement, and all other provisions of the Omnibus Termination Agreement shall remain unchanged without modification or amendment from the terms in effect as of the date hereof.

(d) Asset Exchange Agreement . The Merger (as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement) shall have been consummated.

(e) Officers Certificate . Parent shall have received on the Closing Date certificates signed by an executive officer of the Company and the Partnership certifying as to the matters set forth in Section  6.3(a) , Section  6.3(b) and Section  6.3(i) .

(f) Absence of Burdensome Condition; Regulatory Approvals . (i) No Law or any Regulatory Approvals, individually or in the aggregate, shall contain, include, impose, or require any undertakings, terms, conditions, liabilities, obligations, commitments or sanctions, or any structural or remedial actions, that constitute a Burdensome Condition and (ii) Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 and 13 of the Regulatory Terms shall have been approved by an order issued by the PUCT.

(g) Tax Opinion . Parent shall have received a tax opinion of Baker Botts LLP, tax counsel to the Company (or such other law firm as may be reasonably approved by Parent), dated as of the Closing Date in the form of Exhibit  C attached hereto (the “ Tax Opinion ”). The Tax Opinion will be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications and representations, including representations made by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries in officer’s certificates executed by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, provided that Parent is given a reasonable opportunity to review and reasonably comment on such representations.

(h) Company Debt . (i) Other than compliance by SDTS with respect to the use and/or application of any cash proceeds received by SDTS in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Asset Exchange Agreement and any collateral pledge and/or guarantee obligations arising under the Subject Notes as a result of such transactions, no make-whole or mandatory prepayment will be due and payable and no Default or Event of Default (as such terms are defined in the Subject Notes) will exist immediately after giving effect to the Closing and (ii) effective prior to or substantially concurrently with the Closing, each of the terms of the Subject Notes listed in Schedule A-1 hereto shall have been deleted, modified, removed or amended as referred to therein in all material respects or otherwise be no longer in effect or the Subject Notes shall have otherwise been amended in a manner consented to by Parent.

 

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(i) Absence of Material Adverse Effect . From the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred an event, change, circumstances, occurrence, condition, development or effect that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.4 Frustration of Closing Conditions . None of Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company or the Partnership may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Article  VI to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such party’s breach of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

Section 7.1 Termination . This Agreement may be terminated and the Mergers may be abandoned at any time prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval has been obtained (with any termination by Parent also being an effective termination by Merger Sub and Merger Partnership, and any termination by the Company also being an effective termination by the Partnership):

(a) by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;

(b) by either Parent or the Company:

(i) if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before July 15, 2019 (the “ Initial Termination Date ”); provided , that if as of such date all the conditions to Closing, other than the conditions set forth in Section  6.1(c) , shall have been satisfied, shall be capable of being satisfied at such time or would be capable of being satisfied at such time but for the fact that the condition set forth in Section  6.1(c) is not satisfied, the Initial Termination Date may be extended on one occasion by either Parent or the Company for a period of 90 days by written notice to the other party (the Initial Termination Date, as extended pursuant to this Section  7.1(b)(i) , being the “ Termination Date ”); provided , further , that neither party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section  7.1(b)(i) if any action of such party or failure of such party to perform or comply with the covenants and agreements of such party set forth in this Agreement shall have been the primary cause of, or resulted directly in, the failure of the Mergers to be consummated by the Termination Date;

(ii) if any court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity shall have issued an Order restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such Order shall have become final and non-appealable; provided , the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section  7.1(b)(ii) shall not be available to any party if the issuance of such Order was attributable to the failure of such party to perform its obligations under this Agreement;

(iii) if the PUCT issues a final (as defined in APA 2001.144) order denying the requested PUCT Approval and, within 30 days following the date that such order becomes final within the meaning of APA 2001.144, such order has not been vacated or materially modified; or

 

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(iv) if the Company Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the Company Stockholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or postponement thereof at which a vote on the adoption of this Agreement was taken;

(c) by the Company:

(i) if Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach of failure to perform (A) would result in the failure of a condition set forth in Section  6.1 or Section  6.2 and (B) cannot be cured by the Termination Date; or, if curable prior to the Termination Date, has not been cured within the earlier of (x) 30 days after written notice thereof is given by the Company to Parent and (y) the Termination Date; provided , that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section  7.1(c)(i) if it is then in material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement; or

(ii) if, prior to the receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval, (A) the Company Board has received a Superior Proposal, (B) the Company is in compliance with its obligations under Section  5.4 in all material respects, (C) to the extent permitted by, and effected in accordance with Section  5.4(g) , the Company Board approves, and the Company enters into concurrently with the termination of this Agreement, an Alternative Acquisition Agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal and (D) prior to or concurrently with (and as a condition to) such termination, the Company pays Parent the applicable Termination Fee due under Section  7.3 ;

(d) by Parent:

(i) if the Company or the Partnership shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, which breach of failure to perform (A) would result in the failure of a condition set forth in Section  6.1 or Section  6.3 and (B) cannot be cured by the Termination Date or, if curable prior to the Termination Date, has not been cured within the earlier of (x) 30 days after written notice thereof is given by Parent to the Company and (y) the Termination Date; provided , that Parent shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section  7.1(d)(i) if Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership is then in material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement;

(ii) if: (A) the Company Board shall have made an Adverse Recommendation Change; provided , however , that Parent shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section  7.1(d)(ii)(A) after the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained at the Company Stockholders Meeting; or (B) the Company enters into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement entered into pursuant to Section  5.4 );

(iii) if the PUCT issues a final (as defined in APA 2001.144) order imposing a Burdensome Condition (which has not been accepted by Parent) and, within 30 days following the date that such order becomes final within the meaning of APA 2001.144, such order has not been vacated or materially modified; or

 

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(iv) if the Asset Exchange Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms.

The party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section  7.1 (other than pursuant to Section  7.1(a) ) shall give notice of such termination to the other party, specifying the provisions hereof pursuant to which such termination is made and describing the basis therefor in reasonable detail.

Section 7.2 Effect of Termination . In the event of termination of this Agreement, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company or the Partnership (or any of their Affiliates or Representatives), except that the Confidentiality Agreement and the provisions of this Section  7.2 , Section  7.3 (Fees and Expenses) , Section  5.10 ( Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance ), Section  5.17(c) ( Financing ) and Article  VIII ( General Provisions ) shall survive the termination of this Agreement; provided , however , that none of Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company or the Partnership shall be released from any liabilities or damages arising out of actual and intentional fraud or a Willful and Material Breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement.

Section 7.3 Fees and Expenses .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section  5.7(b)(i) or this Section  7.3 , all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the Mergers are consummated.

(b) In the event that:

(i) this Agreement is terminated by either Parent or the Company pursuant to Section  7.1(b)(i) or Section  7.1(b)(iv) or by Parent pursuant to Section  7.1(d)(i) and (A) (1) prior to the Termination Date in the event of a termination pursuant to Section  7.1(b)(i) or Section  7.1(d)(i) or (2) prior to the Company Stockholders Meeting in the event of a termination pursuant to Section  7.1(b)(iv) , (x) a bona fide Acquisition Proposal shall have been received by the Company, the Company Board or any Representative of the Company or (y) any Person shall have publicly proposed or publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make an Acquisition Proposal and, with respect to clauses (x)  and (y) , in the case of a termination pursuant to Section  7.1(b)(i) or Section  7.1(d)(i) , not withdrawn prior to such termination, and in the case of a termination pursuant to Section  7.1(b)(iv) not publicly withdrawn at least two Business Days prior to the Company Stockholders Meeting and (B) within 12 months after such termination, the Company or any Company Subsidiary enters into a definitive agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (provided, that for purposes this Section  7.3(b)(ii) , the references to “20% or more” in the definition of Acquisition Proposal shall be deemed to be references to “more than 50%”) that is later consummated, then promptly (but in no event later than three Business Days) after the consummation of such Acquisition Proposal, the Company shall pay to Parent the Termination Fee;

 

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(ii) this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section  7.1(c)(ii) , then prior to or concurrently with (and as a condition to) such termination, the Company shall pay to Parent the Termination Fee; or

(iii) this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to Section  7.1(d)(ii) , then promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days, after the date of such termination, the Company shall pay to Parent the Termination Fee.

Termination Fee ” shall mean an amount equal to $44,600,000; provided , that if the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section  7.1(c)(ii) to enter into a Superior Proposal with any Excluded Party, then the Termination Fee shall mean an amount equal to $19,100,000, it being understood that in no event shall the Company be required to pay the Termination Fee on more than one occasion.

(c) Payment of the Termination Fee, if applicable, shall be made by wire transfer of same-day funds to the account or accounts designated by Parent.

(d) The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section  7.3 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that, without these agreements, Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership would not enter into this Agreement. The Company acknowledges that the Termination Fee is not a penalty, but is liquidated damages, in reasonable amounts that will compensate Parent in the circumstances in which such fee is payable for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, which amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision. Accordingly, if the Company fails promptly to pay any amounts due pursuant to this Section  7.3 , and, in order to obtain such payment, Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership commences a suit that results in a judgment against the Company for the amounts set forth in this Section  7.3 , the Company shall pay to Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership its costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) in connection with such suit, together with interest on the amounts due pursuant to this Section  7.3 from the date such payment was required to be made until the date of payment at the prime lending rate as published in The Wall Street Journal in effect on the date such payment was required to be made plus two percent per annum.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, except in the case of actual and intentional fraud or a Willful and Material Breach of this Agreement by the Company, if this Agreement is terminated under circumstances in which the Company is required to pay the Termination Fee and the Termination Fee is actually paid to Parent in accordance with this Section  7.3 , the payment of the Termination Fee (and any amounts payable pursuant to Section  7.3(d) ) shall be Parent’s, Merger Sub’s and Merger Partnership’s sole and exclusive remedy against the Company and its Affiliates, and their respective shareholders and Representatives, relating to or arising out of this Agreement, any agreement entered into in connection herewith or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or thereby

 

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Section 7.4 Amendment or Supplement . This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented by the parties by action taken or authorized by their respective Boards of Directors (or equivalent governing body) at any time prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval has been obtained; provided , however , that after the Company Stockholder Approval has been obtained, no amendment may be made that pursuant to applicable Law requires further approval or adoption by the stockholders of the Company without such further approval or adoption. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing specifically designated as an amendment hereto, signed on behalf of each of the parties in interest at the time of the amendment.

Section 7.5 Extension of Time; Waiver ; Any Determinations, Decisions, Etc . At any time prior to the Company Merger Effective Time, the parties may, by action taken or authorized by their respective Boards of Directors, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or acts of the other party, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other parties set forth in this Agreement or any document delivered pursuant hereto or (c) subject to applicable Law, waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions of the other parties contained herein; provided, however, that after the Company Stockholder Approval has been obtained, no waiver may be made that pursuant to applicable Law requires further approval or adoption by the stockholders of the Company without such further approval or adoption. Any agreement on the part of a party to any such waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer on behalf of such party. No failure or delay of any party in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, or any course of conduct, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. Whenever a determination, decision, approval, notice or consent of the Company is permitted or required pursuant to or otherwise in connection with this Agreement, including, without limitation Section  5.4 , Section  7.4 and Section  7.5 , such determination, decision, approval, notice or consent must be authorized or made by the Conflicts Committee.

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 8.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties . This Article VIII and the agreements of the Company, the Partnership, Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership contained in Article II ( Effect on the Equity Interests of the Constituent Corporations; Exchange of Certificates ), Section  7.3(a) ( Fees and Expenses ) and Section  5.10 ( Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance ) shall survive the consummation of the Mergers. This Article VIII and the agreements of the Company, the Partnership, Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership contained in Section  7.2 ( Effect of Termination ), Section  7.3 ( Fees and Expenses ) shall survive the termination of this Agreement. All other representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement shall not survive the consummation of the Mergers or the termination of this Agreement.

 

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Section 8.2 Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or if by e-mail, upon written confirmation of receipt by e-mail or otherwise, (b) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered utilizing a next-day service by a recognized next-day courier or (c) on the earlier of confirmed receipt or the third Business Day following the date of mailing if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All notices hereunder shall be delivered to the addresses set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:

(i) if to Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Surviving Company or the Surviving Partnership, to:

1616 Woodall Rogers Frwy.

Dallas, TX 75202

Attention: Matthew C. Henry and Michael L. Davitt

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Vinson & Elkins LLP

2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3900

Dallas, TX 75201

Attention: Christopher R. Rowley and Alan J. Bogdanow

(ii)       if to the Company or the Partnership, to:

1900 N. Akard Street

Dallas, TX 75201-2300

Attention: Stacey H. Doré

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2100 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, TX 75201-6912

Attention: Doug Rayburn

and with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: G. Michael O’Leary

 

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Section 8.3 Interpretation . When a reference is made in this Agreement to a Section, Article, Exhibit or Schedule such reference shall be to a Section, Article, Exhibit or Schedule of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement or in any Exhibit or Schedule are for convenience of reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require. Any capitalized terms used in any Exhibit or Schedule but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth herein. The word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement will mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision in this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” References to days mean calendar days unless otherwise specified. Whenever this Agreement (other than in Section  5.4 ) indicates that the Company has “made available” any document or other item to Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership, such statement will mean that such document or other item was (i) provided in hard copy format or via e-mail for review by Parent’s Representatives or uploaded to the Intralinks electronic data room, in each case, prior to the date that is twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date hereof or (ii) provided in any Company SEC Document filed or furnished (and publicly available) prior to the date that is one Business Day prior to the date hereof, or incorporated by reference into any such document. References to any statute, rule or regulation are to the statute, rule or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time (and, in the case of statutes, include any rules and regulations promulgated under said statutes) and to any section of any statute, rule or regulation including any successor to said section; provided, that, for purposes of any representations and warranties contained in this Agreement that are made as of a specific date or dates, references to any statute, rule or regulation shall be deemed to refer to such statute, rule or regulation, as amended (and, in the case of statutes, any rules and regulations promulgated under said statutes), in each case, as of such date.

Section 8.4 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), the Company Disclosure Letter, the Parent Disclosure Letter, and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior written agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings and all prior and contemporaneous oral agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

Section 8.5 Parties in Interest . This Agreement is not intended to, and shall not, confer upon any other Person other than the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns any rights or remedies hereunder, except (a) with respect to Section  5.10 ( Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance ) which shall inure to the benefit of the Persons benefiting therefrom who are intended to be third party beneficiaries thereof, from and after the Company Merger Effective Time and (b) from and after the Company Merger Effective Time or the Partnership Merger Effective Time, as applicable, the rights of holders of Company Shares or Partnership Units, as applicable, to receive the applicable Merger Consideration set forth in Article  II . The rights granted pursuant to this Section  8.5 shall only be enforceable on behalf of the holders of Company Shares and Partnership Units by the Company and the Partnership, respectively, in their sole and absolute discretion, as agent for such holders, it being understood and agreed that any and all interests in such claims shall attach to the Company Shares and Partnership Units, as applicable,

 

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and subsequently transfer therewith and, consequently, any damages, settlements or other amounts recovered or received by the Company or the Partnership with respect to such claims (net of expenses incurred by the Company or the Partnership in connection therewith) may, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Company or the Partnership, as applicable, be (i) distributed, in whole or in part, by the Company or the Partnership, as applicable, to the holders of record Company Shares and Partnership Units as of any date determined by the Company or the Partnership, as applicable, or (ii) retained by the Company or the Partnership, as applicable, for the use and benefit of the Company or the Partnership on behalf of its respective holders in any manner the Company or the Partnership, as applicable, deems fit. The representations and warranties in this Agreement are the product of negotiations among the parties hereto and are for the sole benefit of the parties. In some instances, the representations and warranties in this Agreement may represent an allocation among the parties hereto of risks associated with particular matters regardless of the knowledge of any of the parties hereto. Consequently, Persons other than the parties hereto may not rely upon the representations and warranties in this Agreement as characterizations of actual facts or circumstances as of the date of this Agreement or as of any other date.

Section 8.6 Governing Law . This Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the laws of any other jurisdiction that might be applied because of the conflicts of laws principles of the State of Delaware, except that (a) the provisions of the DLLCA and the MGCL applicable to the authorization, effectiveness and effects of the Company Merger will apply to the Company Merger and the provisions of the DRULPA applicable to the authorization, effectiveness and effects of the Partnership Merger will apply to the Partnership Merger and (b) the applicable Law of the State of Maryland shall apply to the statutory standard of conduct governing acts by the directors of the Company Board in connection with this Agreement.

Section 8.7 Submission to Jurisdiction . Each of the parties irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party or its Affiliates against any other party or its Affiliates shall be brought and determined in any federal or state court located in Dallas County in the State of Texas. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for itself and with respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, with regard to any such action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the parties agrees not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in the courts described above in Texas, other than actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court in Texas as described herein. Each of the parties further agrees that notice as provided herein shall constitute sufficient service of process and the parties further waive any argument that such service is insufficient. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Texas as described herein for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

 

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Section 8.8 Assignment; Successors . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties, and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall be null and void; provided , however , that prior to making the initial PUCT Filing, Parent may designate, by written notice to the Company, another wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary to be a constituent company in the Mergers in lieu of Merger Sub or Merger Partnership, in which event all references herein to Merger Sub or Merger Partnership, as applicable, shall be deemed references to such other subsidiary, except that all representations and warranties made herein with respect to Merger Sub or Merger Partnership, as applicable, as of the date of this Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties made with respect to such other subsidiary as of the date of such designation; provided , further , that any such designation shall not relieve Parent from any of its obligations hereunder or otherwise materially impede or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Parent from transferring all or part of its ownership interests in Merger Sub or Merger Partnership to any controlled Affiliate of Parent. Subject to the preceding sentences, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 8.9 Enforcement . Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that the rights of each party to consummate the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are special, unique and of extraordinary character and the parties agree that if for any reason any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached, immediate and irreparable damage would occur. Accordingly, each of the Company, the Partnership, Parent, Merger Sub and Merger Partnership shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, including an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any federal or state court located in Dallas County in the State of Texas, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party is entitled at law or in equity. Each of the parties hereby further waives (a) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b) any requirement under any law to post security as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, it is explicitly agreed that the right of the Company to seek an injunction, specific performance or other equitable remedies in connection with specifically enforcing the Equity Commitment Letter, or Parent’s obligation to cause the Equity Financing to be funded pursuant to the Equity Commitment Letter, shall be subject to the requirements that (i) all conditions in Section  6.1 and Section  6.2 are satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms cannot be satisfied until the Closing, but which conditions are, at the time the Company or the Partnership seeks specific performance pursuant to this Section 8.9 capable of being satisfied if the Closing were to occur at such time), and (ii) the Company has irrevocably confirmed in a written notice to Parent that if the Equity Financing is funded, then it would take such actions required of it by this Agreement to cause the Closing to occur.

 

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Section 8.10 Currency . All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement refer to United States dollars, which is the currency used for all purposes in this Agreement.

Section 8.11 Severability . Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction.

Section 8.12 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HEREBY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (iv) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS Section  8.12 .

Section 8.13 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party.

Section 8.14 .pdf Signature . This Agreement may be executed by .pdf signature and a .pdf signature shall constitute an original for all purposes.

Section 8.15 No Presumption Against Drafting Party . Each of Parent, Merger Sub, Merger Partnership, the Company and the Partnership acknowledges that each party to this Agreement has been represented by counsel in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and has participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. Accordingly, any rule of law or any legal decision that would require interpretation of any claimed ambiguities in this Agreement against the drafting party has no application and is expressly waived.

 

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Section 8.16 Liability of Financing Source Parties . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein and except as set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter, the Company and the Partnership agree that neither of them nor any other Company Subsidiary shall have any rights or claims against any Person providing the Financing or any of their respective current, former and future direct or indirect equityholders, controlling persons, stockholders, agents, Affiliates, members, managers, general or limited partners, assignees or Representatives (collectively, the “ Financing Source Parties ”) in connection with this Agreement, the Financing or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and no Financing Source Parties shall have any rights or claims against the Company, the Partnership or any other Company Subsidiary in connection with this Agreement, the Financing or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, whether at law or equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise; provided that, following consummation of the Mergers, the foregoing will not limit the rights of the parties. In addition, in no event will any Financing Source Parties be liable for consequential, special, exemplary, punitive or indirect damages (including any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings) or damages of a tortious nature.

[S IGNATURE P AGES F OLLOW ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

 

PARENT:
Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC
a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Don J. Clevenger

  Name:   Don J. Clevenger
  Title:   Senior Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
MERGER SUB:
1912 Merger Sub LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

/s/ Don J. Clevenger

  Name:   Don J. Clevenger
  Title:   Senior Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
MERGER PARTNERSHIP:
Oncor T&D Partners, LP,
a Delaware limited partnership
By:   Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC,
  its general partner
By:  

/s/ Don J. Clevenger

  Name:   Don J. Clevenger
  Title:   Senior Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer

S IGNATURE P AGE TO A GREEMENT AND P LAN OF M ERGER


COMPANY:
InfraREIT, Inc.,
a Maryland corporation
By:  

/s/ Brant Meleski

  Name:   Brant Meleski
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
PARTNERSHIP:
InfraREIT Partners, LP,
a Delaware limited partnership
By:   InfraREIT, Inc.,
  its general partner
By:  

/s/ Brant Meleski

  Name:   Brant Meleski
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

S IGNATURE P AGE TO A GREEMENT AND P LAN OF M ERGER


Annex A

Defined Terms

Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.4(a) .

Acquisition Proposal ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.4(e)(i) .

Action ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.10 .

Adverse Recommendation Change ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.4(f)(i) .

Affiliate ” of any Person means any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person; provided , that for purposes of this Agreement, Hunt and SU are deemed not to be Affiliates of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries.

Affiliate Contribution ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Affiliate Contribution Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.3(b) .

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Alternative Acquisition Agreement ” has the meaning given in Section  5.4(b)(iv) .

APA 2001.144 ” has the meaning set forth in Section  6.1(c) .

APM Private Letter Ruling ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.18(a) .

Asset Exchange Agreement ” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of the date hereof and entered into by and between SU, SDTS and Parent.

Asset Exchange Effective Time ” means the Effective Time as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement.

Assignment Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.1(b) .

Bankruptcy Exceptions ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.3(a) .

Benefit Plan ” means any “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA and any employment, consulting, retention, retirement, severance, termination or change in control agreements, deferred compensation, equity-based, phantom equity, incentive, bonus, retirement, supplemental retirement, profit sharing, insurance, medical, welfare, material fringe or other material benefit plan, program, policy, practice, agreement, contract, arrangement or other obligation.

Book-Entry Interests ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.3(b) .

 

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Burdensome Condition ” means any term or condition, requirement, sanction or Law that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be materially detrimental to the financial condition, business, properties, assets, liabilities or results of operations of (a) Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) Sempra and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case taking into account the effects of the Mergers (it being understood that, for purposes of this clause  (a) and clause  (b) , the financial condition, business, properties, assets, liabilities or results of operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of Sempra and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, should be assumed to be of the same size and magnitude as the financial condition, business, properties, assets, liabilities or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of the date of this Agreement); provided , however , that terms or conditions, requirements, sanctions or Laws that result in changes or developments generally affecting electric transmission or distribution systems in the State of Texas shall not be deemed to be, or contribute to, a Burdensome Condition (except to the extent such changes or developments have a materially disproportionate and adverse effect on the Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, after accounting for the effect of the Mergers, as compared to other entities engaged in the electric transmission and distribution business in the State of Texas); provided, further, that the approval by the PUCT of any of the Regulatory Terms or any comparable condition, requirement or similar item that, in each case, is substantively the same or results in substantially the same effect as any of the Regulatory Terms, shall not be deemed to be a Burdensome Condition, but material adverse variations or changes to any of the Regulatory Terms may contribute to, or be, a Burdensome Condition; provided , further , that the PUCT’s refusal of Item 14 in the Regulatory Terms shall not constitute or contribute to a Burdensome Condition. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Surviving Company and all Company Subsidiaries will become Subsidiaries of Parent upon consummation of the Mergers and will be subject to the conditions and requirements imposed on Subsidiaries of Parent pursuant to the Order in Docket No. 47675 issued by the PUCT on March 8, 2018, in each case, by virtue of the fact that the Company will become a Subsidiary of Parent, and any confirmation or reinstatement of such existing conditions or requirements by any Governmental Entity on Subsidiaries of Parent in connection with any approval sought under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a Burdensome Condition; provided , further , that subject to Section  5.7(e) , a Burdensome Condition shall not be deemed to exist by virtue of any mitigation arrangement with CFIUS under the DPA to obtain CFIUS Approval that would restrict the ability of Parent’s foreign owners from accessing or operating Parent’s business, operations or its assets or from having physical, virtual or electronic access to the assets of Parent, including tangible assets, data and sensitive personal information, and being involved in decision-making regarding the distribution, sale and delivery of electric power (other than board-level decision-making).

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by applicable Law to be closed.

CapEx Forecast ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.1(b)(xi) .

Certificate of Limited Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.1(b) .

Certificates ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.3(b) .

CFIUS ” means the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

 

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CFIUS Approval ” means (a) a written notification issued by CFIUS that it has determined (i) that the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not a “covered transaction” pursuant to the DPA or (ii) there are no unresolved national security concerns with respect to the transactions and CFIUS has concluded all action with respect to its review (or, if applicable, investigation) of the transactions, or (b) if CFIUS has sent a report to the President of the United States requesting the President’s decision with respect to the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, either (i) the period under the DPA during which the President may announce his decision to take action to suspend or prohibit the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement has expired without any action being announced or taken, or (ii) the President has announced a decision not to take any action to suspend or prohibit the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Closing ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.2 .

Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.2 .

Code ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.9 .

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Company Articles of Merger ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.3(a) .

Company Board ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals, and, with respect to any determination or action to be taken by the Company Board after the date of this Agreement, shall also mean the Conflicts Committee or any other committee duly authorized to act on behalf of such board.

Company Bylaws ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.1(b) .

Company Certificate of Merger ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.3(a) .

Company Charter ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.1(b) .

Company Disclosure Letter ” has the meaning set forth in Article  III .

Company Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Company Merger Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(a)(i) .

Company Merger Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.3(a) .

Company-Owned Intellectual Property ” means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned, in whole or in part, by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries.

Company Recommendation ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Company SEC Documents ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.5(a) .

Company Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(a)(i) .

 

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Company Stockholder Approval ” has the meaning set forth in Section  6.1(a) .

Company Stockholders Meeting ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.5(c) .

Company Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company. The Partnership and its Subsidiaries are deemed to be Company Subsidiaries.

Company Tax Protection Agreements ” means any written agreement to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party (i) pursuant to which any liability to holders of interests in a Subsidiary Partnership relating to Taxes may arise, whether or not as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) that was entered into in connection with or related to the deferral of income Taxes of a holder of interests in a Subsidiary Partnership, and that requires the Company or any Company Subsidiary (a) to maintain a minimum level of debt, continue a particular debt, or provide rights to guarantee or otherwise assume economic risk of loss with respect to debt, (b) to retain or not to dispose of assets, or engage in transactions of comparable Tax effect, (c) to make or refrain from making a Tax election, (d) to only dispose of assets in a particular manner, (e) to operate (or refrain from operating) in a particular manner, (f) to use (or refrain from using) a specified method of taking into account book-tax disparities under Section 704(c) of the Code with respect to one or more properties and/or (g) to use (or refrain from using) a particular method for allocating one or more liabilities of such party or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries under Section 752 of the Code or (iii) pursuant to which limited partners of a Subsidiary Partnership have guaranteed, indemnified or assumed debt of the Subsidiary Partnership.

Confidentiality Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.6(b) .

Conflicts Committee ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Consent Determination ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.19(c) .

Consent Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.19(a) .

Contract ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(a) .

control ” (including the terms “controlled,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Debt Financing ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.17(a) .

Delaware Secretary of State ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.3(a) .

Determination Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.4(g)(i) .

DLLCA ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

DPA ” means the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, 50 U.S.C. § 4565, the regulations promulgated thereunder, 31 C.F.R. Part 800 and any executive order issued pursuant to the DPA.

 

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DRULPA ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

DTC ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.3(e) .

DTC Payment ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.3(e) .

Environmental Laws ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.13(c)(i).

Environmental Permits ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.13(c)(ii) .

Equity Commitment Letters ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.7(b) .

Equity Financing ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.17(a) .

ERCOT ” means the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc.

ERCOT Protocols ” means the documents adopted by ERCOT, including any attachments or exhibits referenced therein, as amended from time to time that contain the scheduling, operating, planning, reliability and settlement (including customer registration) policies, rules, guidelines, procedures, standards and criteria of ERCOT including all policies, guidelines, procedures, forms and applications contained within the “Other Binding Documents” adopted by ERCOT.

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

ERISA Affiliate ” means, with respect to any entity, trade or business, any other entity, trade or business that is a member of a group described in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b)(l) of ERISA that includes the first entity, trade or business, or that is a member of the same “controlled group” as the first entity, trade or business pursuant to section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.

ESPP ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(b) .

Exchange Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(b) .

Excluded Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.4(e)(ii) .

Existing Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Person, all (i) indebtedness, notes payable, accrued interest payable or other obligation for borrowed money, whether current, short-term or long-term and whether secured or unsecured, (ii) indebtedness evidenced by a note, bond, debenture, letters of credit, security or similar instrument (including any liability in respect of mandatorily redeemable or purchasable capital stock or securities convertible into capital stock) or similar instrument, (iii) liabilities or obligations with respect to interest rate, currency or commodity swaps, collars, caps, hedging obligations or any similar transaction designated to protect a person against fluctuations in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices, (iv) liabilities in respect of any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or

 

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personal property, or a combination thereof, which liabilities are required to be classified and accounted for under GAAP as capital leases, (v) direct or contingent obligations under letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, bank guarantees, surety bonds and similar instruments, each to the extent drawn upon and paid, (vi) obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of property, services or equipment, and (vii) guarantees in respect of clauses (i) through (vi), including guarantees of another Person’s Existing Indebtedness or any obligation of another Person which is secured by assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

Existing Loan Documents ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.7(a) .

FCC ” means the Federal Communications Commission.

FCC Approval ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(b) .

FCPA ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.21 .

Federal Power Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(b) .

FERC ” means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

FERC Approval ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(b) .

Financing ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.17(a) .

Financing Source Parties ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.16 .

FLSA ” means the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended.

GAAP ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.5(b) .

Good Utility Practice ” means any of the practices, methods and acts engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the electric utility industry during the relevant time period, or any of the practices, methods and acts that, in the exercise of reasonable judgment in light of the facts known at the time the decision was made, could have been expected to accomplish the desired result at a reasonable cost consistent with good business practices, reliability, safety and expedition. Good Utility Practice is not intended to be limited to the optimum practice, method or act, to the exclusion of all others, but rather is intended to include acceptable practices, methods and acts generally accepted in ERCOT.

Go-Shop Period End Time ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.4(a) .

Government Contract ” means any Contract to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party, or by which any of them are bound, the ultimate contracting party of which is a Governmental Entity (including any subcontract with a prime contractor or other subcontractor who is a party to any such Contract).

Government Official ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.21 .

Governmental Entity ” means any governmental or regulatory (including stock exchange) authority, agency, court, commission, arbitrator, regional reliability authority or other governmental body.

 

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HCI ” means Hunt Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

HEIIC ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.14(f) .

HSR Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(b) .

HSR Act Approval ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(b) .

HTS ” means Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.

Hunt ” means HCI and its Affiliates (including, for the avoidance of doubt, HTS, Electricity Participant Partnership, L.L.C. and Hunt Manager, but excluding the Company and the Company Subsidiaries).

Hunt Manager ” means Hunt Utility Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.10(a) .

Initial Termination Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.1(b)(i) .

Insurance Policy ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.16 .

Intellectual Property ” means: (i) trademarks, trademark applications, service marks and trade names; (ii) copyrights; (iii) licenses; (iv) domain names; (v) patents and patent applications; and (vi) trade secrets.

Interested Party Communication ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.7(b)(vii) .

Intervening Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.4(g) .

IRS ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.14(f) .

IRS Submissions ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.18(a) .

knowledge of Parent ” means the actual knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of Matthew C. Henry, Michael L. Davitt or John Stewart.

knowledge of the Company ” means the actual knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of the individuals listed on Section  1.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter.

Law ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(a) .

Liens ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.2(b) .

LTIP Units ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

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Management Agreement ” means the Management Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2015, among the Company, the Partnership and Hunt Utility Services, LLC, as amended.

Material Adverse Effect ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.1(a) .

Material Contract ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.15(a) .

Materials of Environmental Concern ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.13(c)(iii) .

Merger Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(b)(i) .

Merger Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Merger Sub ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Mergers ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

MGCL ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

North Texas Utility ” means Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C. after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Asset Exchange Agreement.

Noteholder Consents ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.19(a) .

Noteholders ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.19(a) .

Notice Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.4(g)(i) .

NYSE ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.1(a) .

Objection Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.19(c) .

Objection Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.19(c) .

Omnibus Termination Agreement ” means that certain Omnibus Termination Agreement dated as of the date hereof and entered into by and among the Company, the Partnership, HCI, HTS, Hunt Manager, SU, SDTS and Electricity Participant Partnership, L.L.C..

Order ” has the meaning set forth in Section  6.1(b) .

Other Interested Party ” means the Texas Office of Public Utility Counsel and any other Person (other than a Subject Governmental Entity) that is intervening in, or may reasonably be expected to intervene in, an Action with respect to any Regulatory Approval.

Parent ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Parent Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Parent Disclosure Letter ” has the meaning set forth in Article  IV .

 

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Parent Material Adverse Effect ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.1 (a) .

Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Partnership Agreement ” means the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of March 10, 2015, among the Company, Hunt-InfraREIT, L.L.C. and the other persons whose names are set forth on the partner registry as limited partners.

Partnership Certificate of Merger ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.3(c) .

Partnership Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Partnership Merger Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(b)(i) .

Partnership Merger Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.3(c) .

Partnership Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(b)(i) .

Paying Agent ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.3(a) .

Payment Fund ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.3(a) .

Per Partnership Unit Merger Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(b)(i) .

Per Share Merger Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(a)(i) .

Permits ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.11(b) .

Permitted Liens ” means (i) statutory liens for current Taxes not yet due and delinquent (or which may be paid without interest or penalties) or the validity or amount of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP, (ii) mechanics’, carriers’, workers’, repairers’ and other similar liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business relating to obligations as to which there is no default on the part of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, or the validity or amount of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made in accordance with GAAP, or pledges, deposits or other liens securing the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases or statutory obligations (including workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security legislation), (iii) zoning, entitlement, conservation restriction and other land use and environmental regulations promulgated by Governmental Entities, (iv) liens granted to any lender (or any agent thereof) at the Closing in connection with any financing by the Parent, Surviving Company or Surviving Partnership of the transactions contemplated hereby, (v) any right, interest, title or other Lien of a lessor or sublessor of real property leased or subleased by Company or Company Subsidiaries as provided in any lease, sublease or other similar agreement made available to Parent, Merger Sub or Merger Partnership and (vi) all recorded exceptions, restrictions, easements, imperfections of title, charges, rights-of-way and other Liens that do not materially and adversely interfere with the present use of the assets of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

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Person ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including any Governmental Entity.

PII ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.6(c) .

Preferred Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.2(a) .

Private Letter Ruling ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.14(f) .

Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.13(a) .

Proxy Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.8 .

PUCT ” means the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

PUCT Approval ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(b) .

PUCT Filing ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.7(b)(ii) .

PURA ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(b) .

Qualified REIT Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.14(c) .

Rate Case Material ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.20(b) .

Regulatory Approvals ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.4(b) .

Regulatory Terms ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.7(b)(ii) .

REIT ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.14(c) .

Release ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.13(c)(iv) .

Representative ” of a Person means any officer, trustee, director, employee, investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant, consultant, broker, finder or other agent or representative of such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) Hunt Manager (except for individual employees of Hunt Manager listed on Section  1 . 1(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter) is deemed to be a Representative of the Company and the Partnership and (ii) any Person who acts in accordance with written instructions from the Company in accordance with Section 2 of the Non-Interference Agreement is deemed to be a Representative of the Company and the Partnership for purposes of Section  5.4 .

Retained Assets ” means the “SDTS Retained Assets” as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement.

Ruling Request ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.18(a) .

Sarbanes-Oxley Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.5(a) .

 

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SDAT ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.3(a) .

SDTS ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

SEC ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.5(a) .

Securities Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.5(a) .

Sempra ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Share Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.3(b) .

Solvent ” means, when used with respect to any Person, that, as of any date of determination, (i) the “present fair saleable value” of such Person’s total assets exceeds the value of such Person’s total “liabilities, including a reasonable estimate of the amount of all contingent and other liabilities,” as such quoted terms are generally determined in accordance with applicable Laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (ii) such Person will not have an unreasonably small amount of capital for the operation of the businesses in which it is engaged or intends to engage and (iii) such Person will be able to pay all of its liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they mature. For purposes of this definition, “not have an unreasonably small amount of capital for the operation of the businesses in which it is engaged” and “able to pay all of its liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they mature” mean that such Person will be able to generate enough cash from operations, asset dispositions, existing financing or refinancing, or a combination thereof, to meet its obligations as they become due.

South Texas Utility ” means Sharyland Utilities, L.P. after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Asset Exchange Agreement.

Stock Plan ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(a) .

SU ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

SU Purchase Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Asset Exchange Agreement.

Subject Governmental Entity ” means the PUCT, the PUCT staff, the FERC, the FERC staff, ERCOT, the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission (including its staff) or offices of elected officials (including the elected officials and their staff members).

Subject Notes ” means, collectively, (i) the senior secured notes issued by Transmission and Distribution Company, L.L.C. to The Prudential Insurance Company of America and affiliates in an aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000 that bear interest at 8.50% per annum and mature on December 30, 2020, (ii) the senior secured notes issued by SDTS to The Prudential Insurance Company of America in an aggregate principal amount of $110,000,000 that bear interest at 6.47% per annum and mature on September 30, 2030 and (iii) the senior secured notes issued by SDTS to The Prudential Insurance Company of America and affiliates in an aggregate principal amount of $53,500,000 that bear interest at 7.25% per annum and mature on December 30, 2029, together with the note purchase agreements referred to on Schedule A-1 hereto governing such notes.

 

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Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which stock or other equity interests having ordinary voting power to elect more than 50% of the board of directors or other governing body are owned, directly or indirectly, by such first Person. For the avoidance of doubt, SDTS and its Subsidiaries (prior to giving effect to the Asset Exchange Agreement) are each deemed to be a Subsidiary of the Company and the Partnership.

Subsidiary Partnership ” means any Company Subsidiary that is a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Superior Proposal ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.4(e)(iii) .

Surviving Company ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.1(a) .

Surviving Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.1(c) .

Takeover Laws ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.20 .

Tax Returns ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.14 (w)(ii) .

Taxable REIT Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.14(c) .

Taxes ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.14(w)(i) .

Tax Opinion ” has the meaning set forth in Section  6.3(g) .

Termination Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.1(b)(i) .

Termination Fee ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.3(b) .

Transaction Litigation ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.9(a) .

TRE ” means the Texas Reliability Entity, Inc.

TTI Members ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Willful and Material Breach ” means a material breach that is a consequence of an act undertaken by the breaching party with the intent that the taking of such act would, or would be reasonably expected to, cause a material breach of this Agreement (it being agreed that the failure of the Company and the Partnership, on the one hand, and Parent, Merger Sub, and Merger Partnership, on the other hand, to consummate the Mergers when required under the terms of this Agreement will constitute a Willful and Material Breach).

 

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Exhibit A

Non-Interference Agreement

This NON-INTERFERENCE AGREEMENT, dated as of October 18, 2018 (this “ Agreement ”), is made and entered into by and among Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Parent ”), 1912 Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Sub ”), Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ HTS ”), Electricity Participant Partnership, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EPP ”), Hunt Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Hunt Consolidated ”), and Sharyland Utilities, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“ Sharyland ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, HTS is the owner of 6,334 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”), of InfraREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and 15,170,442 common units (“ Common Units ”, and together with the Common Stock, the “ Subject Securities ”) representing limited partnership interests in InfraREIT Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”);

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, EPP is the owner of 454,102 Common Units (the “ EPP Units ”);

WHEREAS, each of HTS and EPP are subsidiaries of Hunt Consolidated;

WHEREAS, the Company is the general partner of the Partnership, which is governed and administered in accordance with the terms of the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of March 10, 2015 (as amended, the “ Partnership Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof, Parent, Merger Sub, Oncor T&D Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Partnership ”), the Company and the Partnership are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Merger Agreement ”) that provides, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, for certain transactions, including (i) the merger of the Company with and into Merger Sub and (ii) the merger of Merger Partnership with and into the Partnership (collectively, the “ Mergers ”);

WHEREAS, HTS, EPP, Hunt Consolidated and Sharyland (collectively, the “ Hunt Parties ”) are not parties to the Merger Agreement and are not bound by the terms thereof;

WHEREAS, Hunt Consolidated and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including Sharyland, are willing to take certain actions in order to facilitate the acquisition of the Company and the Partnership by Parent pursuant to the Merger Agreement;

 


WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery hereof, Sharyland, Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C, a Texas limited liability company and a subsidiary of the Partnership (“ SDTS ”), and Parent are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the “ Asset Exchange Agreement ”), that provides, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, for certain transactions, including an exchange of certain assets held by Sharyland and its subsidiaries for certain assets held by SDTS;

WHEREAS, Parent and Merger Sub have requested that, as a condition to Parent and Merger Sub entering into the Merger Agreement, each of the Hunt Parties enter into this Agreement in order to confirm that that they will not take certain actions that could be expected to interfere with the approval, implementation and consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used herein without definition have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Merger Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the terms and provisions set forth herein and the mutual benefits to be gained from the performance thereof and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Covenant Not to Redeem; Transfer Restrictions .

(a) Each of the Hunt Parties agrees that, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the earliest of (i) the date upon which the Asset Exchange Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms, (ii) the date upon which the Merger Agreement is validly terminated in accordance with its terms and (iii) the date upon which the Mergers are consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement (the “ Restricted Period ”), each of the Hunt Parties who owns any Common Units shall not exercise any right it has or may have to require the Partnership to redeem any Common Units held by such Hunt Party in accordance with Section 8.6 of the Partnership Agreement.

(b) Each of the Hunt Parties agrees that, during the Restricted Period, each of the Hunt Parties who owns any Subject Securities shall not Transfer any such Subject Securities or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any Person granting options, rights of first offer or refusal, or any voting rights with respect to such Subject Securities, or grant any power of attorney with respect thereto; provided, however, that each Hunt Party shall be entitled to Transfer Subject Securities to (i) any other Hunt Party or (ii) any Affiliate who executes a joinder to this Agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to Parent. As used in this Agreement, the term “ Transfer ” shall mean any direct or indirect offer, sale, assignment, encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation, disposition, loan or other transfer (whether by merger of the applicable Hunt Party, by tendering into any tender or exchange offer, by testamentary disposition, by operation of law or otherwise), either voluntary or involuntary, or entry into any Contract, option or other understanding providing for any offer, sale, assignment, encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation, disposition, loan or other transfer (whether by merger of the applicable Hunt Party, by tendering into any tender or exchange offer, by testamentary disposition, by operation of law or otherwise), of any Subject Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the

 

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restrictions set forth in this Section 1(b) shall not apply to (x) pledges of equity interests or assets in the ordinary course of business by Hunt Consolidated or any Affiliate of Hunt Consolidated so long as the principal assets of such Affiliate do not consist of the Subject Securities or (y) the administration, in the ordinary course of business, of any outstanding awards of Participant Interests (as defined in EPP’s organizational documents).

2. Covenants Regarding Acquisition Proposals . Each of Parent and Merger Sub acknowledges and agrees that the Hunt Parties and their Subsidiaries (as defined below) and Affiliates (as defined below) and the respective Representatives (as defined below) of the Hunt Parties and their Subsidiaries and Affiliates shall, solely at the request of or in cooperation with the Company, have the right to take any action that the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives are entitled to take under Section 5.4 of the Merger Agreement, including any action relating to soliciting, initiating, facilitating or encouraging the making of any Acquisition Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) that the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives are entitled to take prior to or after the Go-Shop Period End Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement). In addition, each of the Hunt Parties severally agrees that, during the Restricted Period, such Hunt Party shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives not to, take any action that the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives are prohibited from taking under Section 5.4 of the Merger Agreement, including any action of the type described in Section 5.4(b)(i)-(v) of the Merger Agreement (if and to the extent the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives are prohibited from taking any such action). Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 2, each Hunt Party, its Subsidiaries, Affiliates and Representatives shall be permitted to refer any inbound inquiry regarding an Acquisition Proposal to the Company or its Representatives so long as such inquiry was not the result of a violation by a Hunt Party of its obligations under this Section 2. The parties hereto agree that, in connection with determining for purposes of this Section 2 whether the Company is prohibited from taking any action under Section 5.4 of the Merger Agreement, the Hunt Parties shall be entitled to rely conclusively, and without any investigation or any inquiry of or notice to any party to this Agreement, on any written instructions delivered by an officer of the Company (which may be in the form of an email message) stating that the Company is not prohibited from taking such action. As used herein, (i) the term “ Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement, except that the Company, the Partnership and their Subsidiaries and HUS (as defined below) shall not be deemed Affiliates of any of the Hunt Parties, (ii) the term “ HUS ” shall mean Hunt Utility Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (iii) the term “ Representatives ” means, with respect to a person or entity, the officers, trustees, directors, employees, investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, consultants, brokers, finders and other agents or representatives of such person or entity; provided, however , that any directors, officers (including the Chief Executive Officer), employees or other agents of the Company, the Partnership or any of their Subsidiaries, including SDTS, and of HUS, in each case, solely acting in their respective capacity as such, shall not be considered Representatives of the Hunt Parties (but this proviso shall not be construed to relieve the Company or the Partnership or any of their Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives from any obligations it, he or she may have under the terms of Section 5.4 of the Merger Agreement) and (iv) the term “ Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement, except that HUS shall not be deemed a Subsidiary of any of the Hunt Parties.

 

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3. Representations and Warranties of the Hunt Parties . Each Hunt Party (severally as to itself and not jointly) hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:

(a) Such Hunt Party is duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing (in the case of jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation.

(b) Such Hunt Party has all necessary corporate, limited liability company or partnership power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.

(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Hunt Party has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company or partnership action on the part of such Hunt Party, and no other corporate, limited liability company or partnership proceedings on the part of such Hunt Party are necessary to authorize this Agreement.

(d) This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Hunt Party and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Hunt Party, enforceable against such Hunt Party in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions).

(e) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Hunt Party does not, and the performance by such Hunt Party of its obligations under this Agreement will not, (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the organizational documents of such Hunt Party, (ii) violate any Law applicable to such Hunt Party or (iii) result in any breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, any material Contract to which such Hunt Party is a party or by which it is otherwise bound.

(f) Except for any required filings by such Hunt Party with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Hunt Party does not, and the performance by such Hunt Party of its obligations under this Agreement will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, action by, filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity.

(g) As of the date hereof, such Hunt Party is the record holder or beneficial owner of the Common Stock and Common Units as indicated the Recitals, except that the EPP Units are held for the benefit of current and former employees and services providers to Hunt Consolidated. As of the date hereof,, such Hunt Party does not own, of record or beneficially, any capital stock or other securities of the Company or the Partnership other than the Common Stock and Common Units set forth in the Recitals. As of the date hereof, other than certain forfeiture rights related to unvested (x) EPP Units and (y) certain restricted equity awards held by current and former employees and service providers to Hunt Consolidated, such Hunt Party does not own, of record or beneficially, any rights to purchase or acquire any shares of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or the Partnership except as set forth in the Recitals. None of the Subject Securities are subject to any Contract to which such Hunt Party is a party providing for the Transfer by such Hunt Party of any of the Subject Securities, other than as required by EPP’s organizational documents with respect to the EPP Units.

 

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(h) As of the date hereof, there is no Action or Order pending or, to the knowledge of such Hunt Party, threatened against, such Hunt Party or any of its Affiliates, that could reasonably be expected to impair or adversely affect the ability of such Hunt Party to perform such Hunt Party’s obligations hereunder.

4. Representations and Warranties of Parent and Merger Sub . Parent and Merger Sub hereby represent and warrant to each Hunt Party as follows:

(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing (in the case of jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation.

(b) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has all necessary limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.

(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each of Parent and Merger Sub has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action on the part of each of Parent and Merger Sub, and no other limited liability company proceedings on the part of either Parent or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize this Agreement.

(d) This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by each of Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by each Hunt Party, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against each of Parent and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions).

(e) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of Parent and Merger Sub does not, and the performance by each of Parent and Merger Sub of its obligations under this Agreement will not, (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the organizational documents of either Parent or Merger Sub, (ii) violate any Law applicable to Parent or Merger Sub or (iii) result in any breach or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default), under, any material Contract to which either Parent or Merger is a party or by which either of them is otherwise bound.

(f) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of Parent and Merger Sub does not, and the performance by each of Parent and Merger Sub of its obligations under this Agreement will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, action by, filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity.

5. Termination . This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect immediately upon the expiration of the Restricted Period. Upon termination of this Agreement, no party shall have any further obligations or liabilities hereunder; provided, however , that (a) nothing set forth in this Section  5 shall relieve any party from liability for any breach of this Agreement occurring prior to the termination hereof; and (b) the provisions of this Section  5 and Section  7 (other than Section  7(e) ) shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

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6. Regulatory Matters.

i. In the case of any Joint Authorizations (as defined below) required to be obtained in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the Asset Exchange Agreement (collectively, the “Transactions”), each Hunt Party shall prepare and file, or cause its Subsidiaries to prepare and file, in cooperation with the Parent, Merger Sub and the Company (and any other parties to such agreements), any notice, report or other filing with any Governmental Entity to the extent such notice, report or other filing is reasonably required to be filed with such Governmental Entity in order to obtain such Joint Authorizations. As used herein, the term “ Joint Authorization ” means any authorization from a Governmental Entity required under applicable Law to consummate or make effective the Transactions, including any authorizations contemplated to be obtained under the terms of the Merger Agreement or the Asset Exchange Agreement, if and to the extent that any notice, report or other filing is required to be made by a Hunt Party or its Subsidiaries in connection therewith.

ii. Subject to Laws relating to the exchange of information, the Hunt Parties shall, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates to, use their respective reasonable best efforts to provide the Company and Parent a reasonable opportunity to review in advance and, to the extent practicable, consult with Company and Parent on and consider in good faith the views of the Company and Parent in connection with, all material information that appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any Governmental Entity in connection with obtaining a Joint Authorization.

7. Miscellaneous.

(a) Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any party without the prior written consent of the other parties, and any such assignment without the prior written consent of the other parties shall be null and void; provided , however , that (x) if, prior to making the initial PUCT Filing, Parent exercises its rights under the Merger Agreement to designate another wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiary to be a constituent company in the Mergers in lieu of Merger Sub, (A) Parent shall provide notice of such designation to the Hunt Parties and (B) all references herein to Merger Sub shall be deemed references to such other subsidiary, except that all representations and warranties made herein with respect to Merger Sub as of the date hereof shall be deemed representations and warranties made with respect to such other subsidiary as of the date of such designation; provided , that any such designation shall not relieve Parent from any of its obligations hereunder and (y) nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit Parent from transferring all or part of its ownership interests in Merger Sub to any controlled Affiliate of Parent. The Company shall be a third party beneficiary of the obligations of the Hunt Parties under Section 6, subject to the written agreement on the part of the Company to observe and comply with the same obligations as are imposed on the Parent and Merger Sub under Section 6(b). Subject to the first sentence of this Section 7(a), this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective successors and assigns and, solely with respect to Section 6, the Company, and no other person shall have any right, obligation or benefit hereunder.

 

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(b) Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted as giving rise to the creation or formation of a “group” by any of the parties hereto for purposes of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other similar provision of applicable Law.

(c) Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction.

(d) This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing specifically designated as an amendment hereto, signed on behalf of each of the parties in interest at the time of the amendment.

(e) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (i) on the date of delivery if delivered personally, or if by e-mail, upon written confirmation of receipt by e-mail or otherwise, (ii) on the first Business Day following the date of dispatch if delivered utilizing a next-day service by a recognized next-day courier or (iii) on the earlier of confirmed receipt or the third Business Day following the date of mailing if delivered by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. All notices hereunder shall be delivered to the addresses set forth below, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice:

if to Parent or Merger Sub:

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC

1616 Woodall Rogers Freeway

Dallas, Texas 75202

Attention: Matthew C. Henry and Michael L. Davitt

with a copy, which shall not constitute effective notice, to:

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3900

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Christopher R. Rowley and Alan J. Bogdanow

 

A-7


if to any of the Hunt Parties:

c/o Hunt Consolidated, Inc.

1900 North Akard Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Legal Department

with a copy, which shall not constitute effective notice, to:

Baker Botts L.L.P.

2001 Ross Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Geoffrey L. Newton and M. Preston Bernhisel

(f) This Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the Laws of any other jurisdiction that might be applied because of the conflicts of Laws principles of the State of Delaware.

(g) With respect to any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party or its Affiliates against any other party or its Affiliates:

(i) Each of the parties irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any party or its Affiliates against any other party or its Affiliates shall be brought and determined in any federal or state court located in Dallas County in the State of Texas. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for itself and with respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, with regard to any such action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the parties agrees not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in the courts described above in Texas, other than actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court in Texas as described herein. Each of the parties further agrees that notice as provided herein shall constitute sufficient service of process and the parties further waive any argument that such service is insufficient.

(ii) Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, (A) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Texas as described herein for any reason, (B) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in

 

A-8


such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (C) that (I) the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (II) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (III) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

(h) EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HEREBY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (iv) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 7(h).

(i) All fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the performance by the parties of their obligations hereunder shall be paid and borne by the party or parties incurring such fees or expenses.

(j) This Agreement and any written amendments to the foregoing satisfying the requirements of Section 7(d) constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all prior written agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings and all prior and contemporaneous oral agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

(k) When a reference is made in this Agreement to a Section, such reference shall be to a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require. The word “including” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement will mean “including, without limitation,” unless otherwise specified. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision in this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” References to days mean calendar days unless otherwise specified. References to any statute, rule or regulation are to the statute, rule or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time (and, in the case of

 

A-9


statutes, include any rules and regulations promulgated under said statutes) and to any section of any statute, rule or regulation including any successor to said section; provided , that, for purposes of any representations and warranties contained in this Agreement that are made as of a specific date or dates, references to any statute, rule or regulation shall be deemed to refer to such statute, rule or regulation, as amended (and, in the case of statutes, any rules and regulations promulgated under said statutes), in each case, as of such date.

(l) No Hunt Party (nor any designee or Representative of any Hunt Party) who has been, is or becomes during the term of this Agreement a director, trustee, officer or fiduciary of the Company or the Partnership shall be deemed to make any agreement or understanding in this Agreement in its, his or her capacity as a director, trustee, officer or fiduciary of the Company or the Partnership. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is entered into by each Hunt Party solely in its capacity as the record holder or beneficial owner of Subject Securities and nothing in this Agreement shall restrict, limit or affect (or require such Hunt Party to attempt to restrict, limit or affect) in any respect any actions taken by such Hunt Party or its designees or Representatives who is a director, trustee, officer or fiduciary of the Company or the Partnership in his, her or its capacity as a director, trustee, officer or fiduciary of the Company or the Partnership, and, for the avoidance of doubt, except as otherwise set forth in the Merger Agreement, any breach by the Hunt Parties of any of their obligations under this Agreement shall not be deemed a breach by the Company or its Subsidiaries (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or their respective Representatives (as defined in the Merger Agreement) under Section 5.4 of the Merger Agreement. No Hunt Party nor any of its designees or Representatives shall have any liability under this Agreement as a result of any action or inaction by such Hunt Party or its designees or Representatives acting in his, her or its capacity as an officer, trustee, director or fiduciary of the Company or the Partnership, it being understood that any action taken (or failure to take action) by such Hunt Party or its designees or Representative in such capacity shall have no effect on the obligations of such Hunt Party under this Agreement as the record holder or beneficial owner of Subject Securities if this Agreement has not been terminated in accordance with its terms. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 7(l) shall in any way modify, alter or amend any of the terms of the Merger Agreement.

(m) Each Hunt Party consents to and authorizes the publication and disclosure by the Company, the Partnership, Parent and Parent’s Affiliates of an accurate summary of the nature of its commitments, arrangements and understandings under this Agreement in any proxy statement or other disclosure document required in connection with the Mergers or any other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement. The Company and the Parent shall give the Hunt Parties a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any references in any such document to this Agreement prior to the time such document is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or used by the Company or the Parent for any other purpose.

(n) This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party.

(o) In the event of conflict between this Agreement, on the one hand, and the Merger Agreement, the Asset Exchange Agreement or the SU Purchase Agreement (as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement), on the other hand, the parties acknowledge and agree that the terms of this Agreement shall control with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

A-10


(p) Until the expiration of the Restricted Period, each Hunt Party shall notify Parent promptly of any acquisition of Common Stock or Common Units, which Common Stock or Common Units shall become subject to this Agreement upon such acquisition. Each Hunt Party agrees that in connection with any Transfers (to the extent permitted) of Subject Securities by such Hunt Party, such Hunt Party will, as promptly as practicable following the completion thereof, notify Parent in writing of such Transfer.

(q) The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with the terms hereof or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity to specific relief hereunder, including an injunction or injunctions, specific performance and other equitable relief to prevent and enjoin breaches (or threatened breaches) of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court identified in Section 7(g) of this Agreement. Each of the parties hereby further waives (i) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (ii) any requirement for the posting of any bond or security as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

A-11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date and year first above written.

 

PARENT:

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY, LLC

By:  

                                  

Name:

 

Title:

 

MERGER SUB:

1912 MERGER SUB LLC

By:  

                                          

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

A-12


HUNT PARTIES:
HUNT TRANSMISSION SERVICES, L.L.C.
By:  

                              

Name:  
Title:  
ELECTRICITY PARTICIPANT PARTNERSHIP, LLC
By:  

                          

Name:  
Title:  
HUNT CONSOLIDATED, INC.
By:  

                              

Name:  
Title:  
SHARYLAND UTILITIES, L.P.
By:  

                              

Name:  
Title:  

 

A-13


Exhibit B

Regulatory Terms

Requested Regulatory Findings:

The parties will, at a minimum, request approval in the PUCT Filing of the following:

 

1)

The transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Asset Exchange Agreement (the “ North Texas Transactions ”) under PURA §§ 14.101, 39.262(l)-(m), and 39.915, including findings that the North Texas Transactions are in the public interest.

 

2)

The transactions contemplated by the SU Purchase Agreement (the “ South Texas Transactions ” and combined with the North Texas Transactions, the “ Transactions ”) under PURA §§ 14.101, 39.262(l)-(m), and 39.915, including findings that the South Texas Transactions are in the public interest.

 

3)

Necessary amendments to the certificates of convenience and necessity of SU, SDTS and Parent under PURA § 37.154 to authorize North Texas Utility and South Texas Utility, and their respective subsidiaries, to own, operate, and maintain their respective post-swap assets.

 

4)

The post-Closing transactions in which GS Project Entity, L.L.C. will be merged into SDTS and CV Project Entity, L.L.C. will be merged into SU under PURA §§ 14.101, 39.262(l)-(m), and 39.915, including findings that the transactions are in the public interest.

 

5)

Establishment of separate wholesale transmission rates (including transformation rates) and tariffs for North Texas Utility’s assets and South Texas Utility’s assets on terms that do not vary materially from those proposed by SU, SDTS and Parent. Taken together, the wholesale transmission rates of North Texas Utility and South Texas Utility after the Company Merger Effective Time shall be equal to SU’s wholesale transmission rate in effect as of the Company Merger Effective Time.

 

6)

A finding that Parent may consolidate North Texas Utility with Parent for ratemaking purposes and make a combined rate filing in Parent’s next base rate case, to be filed no later than October 2021.

 

7)

A finding that Parent may consolidate North Texas Utility with Parent for calculation and reporting of its Earnings Monitor Report and for purposes of compliance with the final Order in Docket No. 47675 (Finding of Fact No. 56).

 

8)

A finding that the cash equity contributions invested by Parent’s owners used to directly finance the North Texas Transaction will be included in the calculations reported in Parent’s Earnings Monitor Report solely for purposes of determining compliance with Parent’s debt to equity ratio requirement as set by the final Order in Docket No. 47675 (Finding of Fact No. 56).

 

B-1


9)

South Texas Utility’s filing of a base rate case no later than December 31, 2020 based on a test year ending one year after the Closing.

 

10)

A finding that Parent can provide operation and maintenance services to the North Texas Utility under 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.272 and a finding that the provision of those services does not require a tariff and does not require that those services be made available to third parties.

 

11)

A finding that Parent can provide operation and maintenance services to assets in which Parent holds a joint undivided interest with the South Texas Utility under 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.272 and a finding that the provision of those services does not require a tariff and does not require that those services be made available to third parties.

 

12)

A finding that Parent can provide operation and maintenance services to the South Texas Utility under 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.272 and a finding that the provision of those services does not require a tariff and does not require that those services be made available to third parties.

 

13)

The cancellation of SU’s interest in SDTS including all of SU’s Equity Interests (as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement) and related economic and management interests in SDTS.

 

14)

A finding that Parent can create a regulatory asset to track any make whole payments or other expenses that may be required to extinguish, transfer to Parent, or restructure the debt of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and seek rate recovery of this asset in a future rate case.

Commitments

The PUCT Filing will, at a minimum, contain the following proposed commitments by Parent, Sempra and SU:

 

  A)

Parent and Sempra will commit that North Texas Utility will be governed and managed within the existing ring-fencing structure that governs Parent today.

 

  B)

Parent and SU will amend their respective existing codes of conduct to include North Texas Utility, South Texas Utility or any new Affiliates resulting from the Transactions.

 

  C)

Parent and SU each will commit to provide to their respective ratepayers in the form of bill credits 90% of interest savings that it realizes, as a result of improved credit quality of the North Texas Utility and South Texas Utility, if any, and debt issuance savings that it realizes, if any.

 

B-2

Exhibit 2.2

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

by and among

SHARYLAND UTILITIES, L.P. ,

SHARYLAND DISTRIBUTION & TRANSMISSION SERVICES, L.L.C.,

and

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC

Dated as of October 18, 2018

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

         Page(s)  

ARTICLE I The Merger

     3  

Section 1.01.

 

The Merger

     3  

Section 1.02.

 

Effective Time

     3  

Section 1.03.

 

Allocation of Assets

     3  

Section 1.04.

 

Allocation of Liabilities

     4  

Section 1.05.

 

Allocation of All Assets and Liabilities

     4  

Section 1.06.

 

Effect on Organizational Documents

     4  

Section 1.07.

 

Effect on Equity Interests

     5  

Section 1.08.

 

Merger Consideration

     5  

Section 1.09.

 

Post-Closing Adjustments

     7  

Section 1.10.

 

Withholding

     9  

ARTICLE II Closing

     9  

Section 2.01.

 

Closing

     9  

Section 2.02.

 

Closing Payments and Deliveries

     10  

ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties of SDTS and Oncor

     12  

Section 3.01.

 

Organization and Qualification

     12  

Section 3.02.

 

Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability

     13  

Section 3.03.

 

No Conflicts or Violations; No Consents or Approvals Required

     13  

Section 3.04.

 

Subsidiaries

     14  

Section 3.05.

 

Absence of Changes or Events

     14  

Section 3.06.

 

Real Property

     14  

Section 3.07.

 

Ownership of Assets

     15  

Section 3.08.

 

Legal Proceedings

     15  

Section 3.09.

 

Tax Matters

     16  

Section 3.10.

 

Sophisticated Industry Participant; Access to Information

     16  

Section 3.11.

 

Brokers and Finders

     17  

Section 3.12.

 

Energy Regulatory Matters

     17  

Section 3.13.

 

Organization (Oncor)

     17  

Section 3.14.

 

Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability (Oncor)

     17  

Section 3.15.

 

No Conflicts or Violations; No Consents or Approvals Required (Oncor)

     18  

Section 3.16.

 

Certain Legal Proceedings (Oncor)

     18  

Section 3.17.

 

Brokers and Finders (Oncor)

     18  

ARTICLE IV Representations and Warranties of SU

     19  

Section 4.01.

 

Organization and Qualification

     19  

Section 4.02.

 

Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability

     19  

Section 4.03.

 

No Conflicts or Violations; No Consents or Approvals Required

     20  

Section 4.04.

 

Capitalization and Indebtedness of GS LLC

     20  

Section 4.05.

 

Subsidiaries

     21  

 

i


Section 4.06.

 

Absence of Changes

     21  

Section 4.07.

 

Material Contracts

     21  

Section 4.08.

 

Real Property

     23  

Section 4.09.

 

Ownership; Maintenance of Assets

     24  

Section 4.10.

 

Legal Proceedings

     25  

Section 4.11.

 

Environmental Matters

     25  

Section 4.12.

 

Tax Matters

     26  

Section 4.13.

 

Compliance with Applicable Law; Permits

     27  

Section 4.14.

 

Insurance

     27  

Section 4.15.

 

Employee Benefit Matters

     27  

Section 4.16.

 

Labor Matters

     28  

Section 4.17.

 

Sophisticated Industry Participant; Access to Information

     29  

Section 4.18.

 

Brokers and Finders

     29  

Section 4.19.

 

Energy Regulatory Matters

     29  

Section 4.20.

 

Intellectual Property

     30  

Section 4.21.

 

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

     31  

Section 4.22.

 

Certain Business Practices

     31  

Section 4.23.

 

Affiliate Transactions

     31  

ARTICLE V Certain Covenants

     32  

Section 5.01.

 

SDTS Conduct of Business

     32  

Section 5.02.

 

SU Conduct of Business

     34  

Section 5.03.

 

Access to Information

     36  

Section 5.04.

 

Confidentiality

     37  

Section 5.05.

 

Efforts; Consents and Approvals; Regulatory Filings

     37  

Section 5.06.

 

Supplemental Disclosure

     41  

Section 5.07.

 

Notification of Certain Matters

     42  

Section 5.08.

 

Cooperation as to Financing

     42  

Section 5.09.

 

Preparation for Operational Transition

     43  

Section 5.10.

 

Licensed Intellectual Property

     44  

Section 5.11.

 

Rate Case Cooperation

     45  

Section 5.12.

 

Certain Employee Matters

     46  

ARTICLE VI Conditions to Closing

     46  

Section 6.01.

 

Conditions Precedent to Each Party’s Obligations

     46  

Section 6.02.

 

Conditions Precedent to SU’s Obligations

     46  

Section 6.03.

 

Conditions Precedent to SDTS and Oncor’s Obligations

     48  

ARTICLE VII Termination

     49  

Section 7.01.

 

Automatic Termination

     49  

Section 7.02.

 

Other Termination Events

     49  

Section 7.03.

 

Effect of Termination

     50  

 

ii


ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION

     50  

Section 8.01.

 

Indemnification by SDTS

     50  

Section 8.02.

 

Indemnification by SU

     51  

Section 8.03.

 

Indemnification by Oncor

     52  

Section 8.04.

 

Indemnification Procedures

     52  

Section 8.05.

 

Limitations on Indemnification

     54  

Section 8.06.

 

Exclusive Remedy

     57  

Section 8.07.

 

Insurance and Other Sources of Recovery; Mitigation

     57  

Section 8.08.

 

Cooperation; Access to Documents and Information

     58  

Section 8.09.

 

Tax Treatment of Indemnification

     58  

ARTICLE IX TAX MATTERS

     59  

Section 9.01.

 

Liability for Taxes

     59  

Section 9.02.

 

Tax Returns

     60  

Section 9.03.

 

Transfer Taxes

     61  

Section 9.04.

 

Tax Contests; Refunds; Cooperation; Tax Treatment

     62  

Section 9.05.

 

Other Provisions

     63  

Section 9.06.

 

1031 Allocation

     63  

ARTICLE X ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

     64  

Section 10.01.

 

Publicity

     64  

Section 10.02.

 

Limited Representations

     64  

Section 10.03.

 

Post-Closing Information

     64  

Section 10.04.

 

Personally Identifiable Information

     65  

Section 10.05.

 

Nontransferable Rights

     66  

Section 10.06.

 

Further Assurances

     67  

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

     68  

Section 11.01.

 

Assignment; Parties in Interest

     68  

Section 11.02.

 

No Third Party Beneficiaries

     68  

Section 11.03.

 

Expenses

     68  

Section 11.04.

 

Notices

     68  

Section 11.05.

 

Headings; Disclosure Schedules; Definitions; Interpretation

     70  

Section 11.06.

 

Integrated Contract; Exhibits and Schedules

     71  

Section 11.07.

 

Severability; Enforcement

     71  

Section 11.08.

 

Governing Law

     71  

Section 11.09.

 

Choice of Forum

     72  

Section 11.10.

 

Transaction Privilege

     72  

Section 11.11.

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

     73  

Section 11.12.

 

Amendments; Waivers

     73  

Section 11.13.

 

Specific Enforcement

     74  

Section 11.14.

 

Counterparts

     74  

 

iii


SCHEDULES:

 

Schedule 1   Definitions
Schedule 1.08(b)(ii)   NTX Regulatory Assets

 

Schedule 1.08(c)(i)

 

Applicable Asset Identification Information

Schedule A

 

NTX Assets

Schedule B

 

NTX Liabilities

Schedule C

 

STX Assets

Schedule D

 

STX Liabilities

Schedule E

 

SU Retained Assets

Schedule F

 

SU Retained Liabilities

Schedule G

 

SDTS Retained Assets

Schedule H

 

SDTS Retained Liabilities

Schedule I

 

SU/SDTS Leases

Schedule J

 

NTX CapEx Forecast

EXHIBITS:

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Future Development Agreement

Exhibit B

 

Form of Oncor Release

Exhibit C

 

Form of O&M Agreement

Exhibit D

 

Regulatory Terms

Exhibit E

 

Tax Side Letter

 

iv


AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of October 18, 2018, by and among Sharyland Utilities, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“ SU ”), Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (“ SDTS ”), and Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Oncor ”). Capitalized and other terms used herein without definition have the respective meanings set forth in Schedule 1 hereto.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, SU (i) is engaged in the electric transmission and distribution business in Central, North and West Texas (the “ NTX Business ”), including through its ownership of all of the outstanding Equity Interests (the “ GS Equity Interests ”) of GS Project Entity, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (“ GS LLC ” and, together with SU, the “ SU Entities ”), and (ii) is also engaged in the electric transmission and distribution business in the vicinity of the Texas-Mexico border (the “ STX Business ”);

WHEREAS, SU owns, either directly or indirectly through GS LLC, certain real property and other assets that are used primarily in the NTX Business, which are more particularly described on Schedule A hereto (including the GS Equity Interests and assets owned by GS LLC, but excluding the SU Retained Assets, the “ NTX Assets ”), and has incurred or is subject to certain Liabilities arising primarily in connection with the NTX Business, which are more particularly described on Schedule B hereto (excluding the SU Retained Liabilities, the “ NTX Liabilities ”);

WHEREAS, SDTS owns certain real property and other assets that it leases to SU pursuant to the existing SU/SDTS Leases and that are used by SU primarily in connection with the conduct of the STX Business (excluding the SDTS Retained Assets, the “ STX Assets ”), which are more particularly described on Schedule C hereto, and has incurred or is subject to certain Liabilities arising primarily in connection with the STX Assets, which are more particularly described on Schedule D hereto (excluding the SDTS Retained Liabilities, the “ STX Liabilities ”);

WHEREAS, SU desires to allocate to and vest in SDTS, and SDTS desires to accept and assume, through the joint survivor merger of SU and SDTS provided for in this Agreement (the “ Merger ”), the NTX Assets, which do not include the properties and assets described on Schedule E hereto (the “ SU Retained Assets ”), and the NTX Liabilities, which do not include the Liabilities described on Schedule F hereto (the “ SU Retained Liabilities ”) (the NTX Assets and the NTX Liabilities to be allocated to and vested in SDTS being collectively referred to as the “ NTX Package ”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, SDTS desires to allocate to and vest in SU, and SU desires to accept and assume, through the Merger, the STX Assets, which do not include the properties and assets described on Schedule G hereto (the “ SDTS Retained Assets ”), and the STX Liabilities, which do not include the Liabilities described on Schedule H hereto (the “ SDTS Retained Liabilities ”) (the STX Assets and the STX Liabilities to be allocated to and vested in SU being collectively referred to as the “ STX Package ”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, SU holds Equity Interests in, and is the managing member of, SDTS;

 

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WHEREAS, (i) immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, all of SU’s interests in SDTS will be cancelled, including all of its Equity Interests and related economic interests in SDTS, causing SDTS to become a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of InfraREIT Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), and (ii) upon the consummation of the Merger, the limited liability company agreement of SDTS will be amended and restated at the Closing to reflect the cancellation of SU’s interests in SDTS and the changes contemplated hereby;

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, InfraREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“ HIFR ”), Oncor, 1912 Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Merger Sub ”), Oncor T&D Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Merger Partnership ”), and the Operating Partnership are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as in effect on the date hereof, the “ HIFR Merger Agreement ”), pursuant to which (i) immediately following the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, HIFR will be merged with and into Merger Sub (the “ InfraREIT Merger ”), with the result that, among other things, (A) the separate existence of HIFR will cease and (B) Merger Sub will survive and continue to exist as a Delaware limited liability company; (ii) immediately following the consummation of the InfraREIT Merger, Merger Sub will contribute a portion of the outstanding limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership to 1912 Holding Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and Affiliate of Oncor (“ Oncor Affiliate ”) (the “ OP Contribution ”); and (iii) immediately following the consummation of the OP Contribution, Merger Partnership will be merged with and into the Operating Partnership (the “ OP Merger ” and, together with the InfraREIT Merger and the OP Contribution, the “ HIFR Transactions ”), with the result that, among other things, (A) the separate existence of Merger Partnership will cease, (B) the Operating Partnership will survive and continue to exist as a Delaware limited partnership and (C) Merger Sub and Oncor Affiliate will own, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding limited partnership interests in the Operating Partnership;

WHEREAS, immediately following the consummation of the HIFR Transactions, but prior to the consummation of the SU Investment (as defined below), SU will convert into a Delaware limited partnership under applicable Law (the “ SU Conversion ”) pursuant to the SU Purchase Agreement (as defined below);

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, SU Investment Partners, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“ SUIP ”), Sempra Texas Utilities Holdings I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and Affiliate of Sempra Energy (the “ Sempra Partner ”), and Sempra Energy are entering into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “ SU Purchase Agreement ”), pursuant to which, following the consummation of the HIFR Transactions, the SU Conversion will occur and the Sempra Partner will acquire from SUIP 50% of the outstanding limited partner interests in SU (the “ SU Investment ”); and

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, HIFR, the Operating Partnership, Hunt, Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, HUS, SU and SDTS are entering into an Omnibus Termination and Release Agreement (the “ Omnibus Termination Agreement ”), which agreement will effect, subject to the consummation of the Merger and effective as of the Effective Time, the termination of, and releases by the applicable parties of all obligations and liabilities arising under, certain agreements between certain of such parties;

 

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WHEREAS, each of (i) the general partner and the limited partner of SU, (ii) the members of SDTS and (iii) the board of directors of Oncor have unanimously approved this Agreement and the Merger; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance thereof and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree, intending to be legally bound, as follows:

ARTICLE I

The Merger

Section 1.01. The Merger . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time, the Merger shall occur in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the TBOC. Each party shall survive the Merger and shall maintain its separate existence and continue to be governed by the Laws of the State of Texas from and after the Effective Time.

Section 1.02. Effective Time . The Merger shall be effected through the filing of a certificate of merger (the “ Certificate of Merger ”) with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Texas in accordance with the requirements set forth in Sections 10.151 and 10.153 of the TBOC and shall be effective at the time specified in the Certificate of Merger (which time shall be prior to the effective time of the InfraREIT Merger, the OP Contribution and the OP Merger) on the Closing Date (the “ Effective Time ”).

Section 1.03. Allocation of Assets . At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any party:

(a) all rights, title and interest in and to the NTX Assets shall be allocated to and vested in SDTS, without reversion or impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or assignment having occurred, but subject to any existing Liens thereon; provided , that the term “NTX Assets” shall not include the assets held by GS LLC for purposes of this Section 1.03(a) (but will include the Equity Interests of GS LLC);

(b) all rights, title and interest in and to the STX Assets shall be allocated to and vested in SU, without reversion or impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or assignment having occurred, but subject to any existing Liens thereon; provided, however , that in the event the PUCT Approval is not an Unconditioned O&M PUCT Approval, (x) the Amarillo TOC and related assets shall be included as a STX Asset (and the parties shall in good faith agree on appropriate amendments to Schedule C to reflect such inclusion), and (y)  the STX Package Schedule and the Final STX Schedule shall include the Amarillo TOC and the adjustments contemplated by Section 1.08 and Section 1.09 shall account for the Amarillo TOC;

(c) all rights, title and interest in and to the SU Retained Assets shall be retained by and continue to be vested in SU; provided, that the term “SU Retained Assets” shall not include the assets held by CV Project Entity, LLC for purposes of this Section 1.03(c) (but will include the Equity Interests of CV Project Entity, LLC); and

(d) all rights, title and interest in and to the SDTS Retained Assets shall be retained by and continue to be vested in SDTS.

 

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Section 1.04. Allocation of Liabilities . At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any party:

(a) all of the NTX Liabilities shall be allocated to SDTS (and SDTS agrees that (by virtue of the merger) it shall assume and shall be subject to the NTX Liabilities as of the Effective Time), and from and after the Effective Time, as between SU and SDTS, SDTS and its successors shall be solely responsible for the NTX Liabilities;

(b) all of the STX Liabilities shall be allocated to SU (and SU agrees that (by virtue of the merger) it shall assume and shall be subject to the STX Liabilities as of the Effective Time), and from and after the Effective Time, as between SU and SDTS, SU and its successors shall be solely responsible for the STX Liabilities;

(c) all of the SU Retained Liabilities shall be retained by SU (and SU agrees that (by virtue of the merger) it shall retain and shall be subject to the SU Retained Liabilities as of the Effective Time), and from and after the Effective Time, as between SU and SDTS, SU and its successors shall be solely responsible for the SU Retained Liabilities; and

(d) all of the SDTS Retained Liabilities shall be retained by SDTS (and SDTS agrees that (by virtue of the merger) it shall retain and shall be subject to the SDTS Retained Liabilities as of the Effective Time), and from and after the Effective Time, as between SDTS and SU, SDTS and its successors shall be solely responsible for the SDTS Retained Liabilities.

Section 1.05. Allocation of All Assets and Liabilities . It is the intention of the parties that all of their respective properties, assets, rights and interests and all of their respective Liabilities shall be allocated to and vested in the parties pursuant to the express provisions of Section 1.03 and Section 1.04 . Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 10.05 , if such provisions do not provide for the allocation and vesting of any properties, assets, rights and interests of any party or the allocation of any Liabilities of any party, such properties, assets, rights and interests or such Liabilities shall be retained by the party by which they were held or in which they were vested immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Section 1.06. Effect on Organizational Documents . At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any party:

(a) the organizational documents of SU as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be the organizational documents of SU, until thereafter amended in accordance with the applicable provisions thereof and the TBOC; and

(b) the limited liability company agreement of SDTS shall be amended and restated in a form reasonably acceptable to Oncor, SDTS and SU (the “ Fourth Amended and Restated SDTS Company Agreement ”).

 

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Section 1.07. Effect on Equity Interests .

(a) Immediately prior to the Effective Time, SDTS and SU agree that all of the outstanding Equity Interests in SDTS held by SU shall be automatically cancelled and retired and cease to exist, with no payment in consideration therefor.

(b) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any party:

(i) the authorized, issued and outstanding Equity Interests in SU shall remain unaffected and unimpaired by the Merger and shall not be converted into any other membership interests, obligations, evidences of ownership, rights to purchase securities or other securities of any other entity, cash or other property, or any combination of the foregoing; and

(ii) the authorized, issued and outstanding Equity Interests in SDTS outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become the membership interests in SDTS shown as owned by Transmission and Distribution Company, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company, in the Fourth Amended and Restated SDTS Company Agreement (which will constitute all outstanding Equity Interests in SDTS as of the Effective Time).

Section 1.08. Merger Consideration .

(a) STX Package . As a result of the Merger, SU shall receive from SDTS (x) the STX Package as described above and (y) any amounts payable in respect of the STX Package as a result of the adjustments provided in Section 1.08(f) and Section 1.09(g) . For purposes of this Agreement, the final value of the STX Package will be determined pursuant to this Section 1.08 and Section 1.09 based on the Net Book Value as of the Effective Time of the land, easements, rights of way, other real property interests, property, plant and equipment and other assets included in the STX Package (such value, the “ Final STX Package Amount ”).

(b) NTX Package . As a result of the Merger, SDTS shall receive from SU (x) the NTX Package as described above, and (y) any amounts payable in respect of the NTX Package as a result of the adjustments provided in Section 1.08(f) and Section 1.09(g) . For purposes of this Agreement, the final value of the NTX Package will be determined pursuant to this Section 1.08 and Section 1.09 based on the Net Book Value as of the Effective Time of (i) the land, easements, rights of way, other real property interests, property, plant and equipment and other assets and (ii) the regulatory assets described in Schedule 1.08(b)(ii) included in the NTX Package (such value, the “ Final NTX Package Amount ”).

(c) STX Estimated Closing Statement . No later than five business days prior to the Closing Date, SDTS shall deliver to SU and Oncor a statement (the “ STX Estimated Closing Statement ”), which statement will (i) attach a schedule reflecting SDTS’s good faith estimate of assets and liabilities included in the STX Package as of the Effective Time (the “ STX Package Schedule ”), which schedule shall include the applicable account and identifying information set forth in Schedule 1.08(c)(i) hereto (the “ Applicable Asset Identification Information ”), (ii) set forth SDTS’s good faith estimate of the Net Book Value of the STX Package, excluding the STX Working

 

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Capital Package, as of the Effective Time (the “ STX Net Book Value Estimate ”), which will be prepared on the basis of the STX Package Schedule and in accordance with and in a manner consistent with the historical accounting principles, practices, and methodologies of SDTS reflected in its most recent audited financial statements prepared prior to the date hereof (collectively, the “ SDTS Accounting Principles ”), and (iii) set forth SDTS’s good faith estimate of the Net Book Value of the STX Working Capital Package as of the Effective Time (the “ STX Net Working Capital Estimate ”), which will be prepared on the basis of the STX Package Schedule and in accordance with the SDTS Accounting Principles.

(d) NTX Estimated Closing Statement . No later than five business days prior to the Closing Date, SU shall deliver to SDTS and Oncor a statement (the “ NTX Estimated Closing Statement ” and, together with the STX Estimated Closing Statement , the “Estimated Closing Statements”), which statement will (i) attach a schedule reflecting SU’s good faith estimate of assets and liabilities included in the NTX Package as of the Effective Time (the “ NTX Package Schedule ”), which schedule shall include the Applicable Asset Identification Information, (ii) set forth SU’s good faith estimate of the Net Book Value of the NTX Package, excluding the NTX Working Capital Package, as of the Effective Time (the “ NTX Net Book Value Estimate ”), which will be prepared on the basis of the NTX Package Schedule and in accordance with and in a manner consistent with the historical accounting principles, practices, and methodologies of SU reflected in its most recent audited financial statements prepared prior to the date hereof (collectively, the “ SU Accounting Principles ”) and (iii) set forth SU’s good faith estimate of the Net Book Value of the NTX Working Capital Package as of the Effective Time (the “ NTX Net Working Capital Estimate ”), which will be prepared on the basis of the NTX Package Schedule and in accordance with the SU Accounting Principles.

(e) Access . At all times after the delivery by either SDTS or SU (for purposes of this Section 1.08 , the “ Delivering Party ”) of the applicable Estimated Closing Statement to the other party or parties, as applicable (for purposes of this Section 1.08 , the “ Receiving Party ”) and prior to the Closing, the Delivering Party shall give the Receiving Party and Oncor such access, during normal business hours, to the books and records (including relevant Contracts, regulatory documents and filings) and the accounting and other appropriate personnel of the Delivering Party, as the Receiving Party or Oncor may reasonably request in order to enable the Receiving Party or Oncor to evaluate and verify the amounts set forth in the applicable Estimated Closing Statement. If either the Receiving Party or Oncor disagrees with any amounts set forth in the applicable Estimated Closing Statement, Oncor, SDTS and SU shall work together in good faith to resolve any such disputes, and any changes to the amounts set forth in such Estimated Closing Statement that are agreed upon in writing by Oncor, SDTS and SU prior to or at the Closing shall be substituted for the amounts set forth in such Estimated Closing Statement. If any dispute with respect to amounts set forth in an Estimated Closing Statement is not resolved prior to the Closing, then the amounts set forth in such Estimated Closing Statement shall be binding on Oncor, SDTS and SU solely for purposes of the Closing (but shall be subject to adjustment after the Closing in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.09 ).

(f) Closing Adjustments . At the Closing, SDTS or SU, as applicable, shall make the following adjusting payment in cash:

 

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(i) if the sum of (A) the STX Net Book Value Estimate and (B) the STX Net Working Capital Estimate (collectively, the “ STX Closing Estimated Amount ”) is greater than the sum of (A) the NTX Net Book Value Estimate and (B) the NTX Net Working Capital Estimate (collectively, the “ NTX Closing Estimated Amount ”), SU shall pay SDTS an amount equal to (x) the STX Closing Estimated Amount, minus (y) the NTX Closing Estimated Amount; or

(ii) if the STX Closing Estimated Amount is less than the NTX Closing Estimated Amount, SDTS shall pay SU an amount equal to (x) the NTX Closing Estimated Amount, minus (y) the STX Closing Estimated Amount.

Section 1.09. Post-Closing Adjustments .

(a) Final STX Statement . No later than 60 days after the Closing Date, SU shall deliver to SDTS and Oncor a statement (the “ Final STX Statement ”), which statement will (i) attach a schedule of assets and liabilities included in the STX Package as of the Effective Time (the “ Final STX Schedule ”), which will include the Applicable Asset Identification Information and be prepared in accordance with the SDTS Accounting Principles, and (ii) set forth a proposed calculation of the Net Book Value of the STX Package, excluding the STX Working Capital Package, as of the Effective Time, which will be prepared on the basis of the Final STX Schedule and in accordance with the SDTS Accounting Principles, and (iii) set forth a proposed calculation of the Net Book Value of the STX Working Capital Package as of the Effective Time, which will be prepared on the basis of the Final STX Schedule and in accordance with the SDTS Accounting Principles.

(b) Final NTX Statement . No later than 60 days after the Closing Date, SDTS shall deliver to SU a statement (the “ Final NTX Statement ” and, together with the Final STX Statement, the “Final Statements”), which statement will (i) attach a schedule of assets and liabilities included in the NTX Package as of the Effective Time (the “ Final NTX Schedule ”), which will include the Applicable Asset Identification Information and be prepared on a basis consistent with the SU Accounting Principles, (ii) set forth a proposed calculation of the Net Book Value of the NTX Package, excluding the NTX Working Capital Package, as of the Effective Time, which will be prepared on the basis of the Final NTX Schedule and in accordance with the SU Accounting Principles, and (iii) set forth a proposed calculation of the Net Book Value of the NTX Working Capital Package as of the Effective Time, which will be prepared on the basis of the Final NTX Schedule and in accordance with the SU Accounting Principles.

(c) Access . From the date of delivery of each Final Statement until the determination of the final adjustments provided for in this Section 1.09 , the party delivering such Final Statement (for purposes of this Section 1.09 , the “ Delivering Party ”) shall give the party or parties, as applicable, receiving such Final Statement (for purposes of this Section 1.09 , the “ Receiving Party ”) such access during normal business hours, to the books and records (including relevant Contracts, regulatory documents and filings) and the accounting and other appropriate personnel of the Delivering Party as the Receiving Party may reasonably request in order to enable the Receiving Party to evaluate and verify the amounts set forth in the applicable Final Statement.

(d) Disputes . Each Receiving Party shall be entitled to dispute any amounts set forth in the Final Statement received by it if such Receiving Party delivers a written notice (an “ Objection Notice ”) to the Delivering Party no later than the end of the period of 45 days (the “ Objection Period ”) commencing on the date upon which the last of the Final Statements is

 

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delivered pursuant to Section 1.09(a) or (b) in which the Receiving Party objects to one or more such amounts. The Objection Notice shall identify the amounts to which the Receiving Party is objecting (each, a “ Disputed Amount ”) and include a brief statement as to the basis for the objections of the Receiving Party thereto. If a Receiving Party does not deliver an Objection Notice to the Delivering Party during the Objection Period or if a Receiving Party provides written notice accepting the Final Statement delivered to it, such Final Statement shall become final and binding and the Receiving Party shall not be entitled to dispute any amounts set forth therein. In addition, the items in a Final Statement that are not the subject of a timely Objection Notice shall be deemed accepted and be final and binding after the end of the Objection Period.

(e) Negotiation Period . If a Receiving Party delivers an Objection Notice with respect to the Final Statement received by it to the Delivering Party in a timely manner in accordance with Section 1.09(d) , SDTS and Oncor, on the one hand, and SU, on the other hand, shall attempt in good faith to agree upon each Disputed Amount during the period ending 30 days after the end of the Objection Period (the “ Negotiation Period ”). If SDTS, Oncor and SU agree in writing prior to the expiration of the Negotiation Period on any Disputed Amount, the payment provided for in Section 1.09(g) shall be based upon the agreed amount.

(f) Dispute Resolution . If SDTS, Oncor and SU do not agree in writing prior to the end of the Negotiation Period on any Disputed Amounts, each of SDTS and Oncor, on the one hand, and SU, on the other hand, shall submit to the other party or parties, by 5:00 p.m., Central time, on the fifth business day after the expiration of the Negotiation Period, a statement setting forth its or their calculation of each remaining Disputed Amount (each, an “ Arbiter Objection Statement ”), it being understood that if either such party or parties fails to deliver an Arbiter Objection Statement by such time and date, such party or parties shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed to the Arbiter Objection Statement submitted by the other party or parties (with the same effect as if the amounts set forth in such statement had been agreed upon by the parties pursuant to paragraph (e) above). All Disputed Amounts set forth in any Arbiter Objection Statement shall be submitted to the Final Arbiter, which firm shall act as an arbitrator and make a final and binding determination as to all Disputed Amounts as promptly as practicable after its appointment. In determining the proper calculation of any Disputed Amounts, the Final Arbiter shall be bound by the terms of this Section 1.09 and may not increase the amount of any item in dispute above the highest amount set forth in the Arbiter Objection Statements nor decrease such amount below the lowest amount set forth in the Arbiter Objection Statements. The Final Arbiter shall send its written determination of all Disputed Amounts to SDTS and SU, and such determination shall be final and binding on each such party, absent fraud or manifest error. The fees and expenses of the Final Arbiter under this Section 1.09(f) shall be borne equally by SDTS and SU, with one-half being paid by each of them. The Final Arbiter may not award damages, interest or penalties to any party with respect to any matter.

(g) Adjustment Payments . No later than five days after (x) each Final Statement shall have become final and binding in accordance with Section 1.09(d) or (y) an agreement among SDTS, Oncor and SU with respect to or a final and binding determination of all Disputed Amounts shall have been reached or made pursuant to Section 1.09(e) or (f) , as applicable, SDTS and SU shall make the following adjusting payments in cash:

 

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(i) With respect to the STX Package:

(A) if the sum of (1) the Net Book Value of the STX Package, excluding the STX Working Capital Package, as finally determined pursuant to this Section 1.09 , and (2) the Net Book Value of the STX Working Capital Package, as finally determined pursuant to this Section 1.09 (the “ Final STX Amount ”), is greater than the STX Closing Estimated Amount, SU shall pay to SDTS an amount equal to (x) the Final STX Amount, minus (y) the STX Closing Estimated Amount; or

(B) if the Final STX Amount is less than the STX Closing Estimated Amount, SDTS shall pay to SU an amount equal to (x) the STX Closing Estimated Amount, minus (y) the Final STX Amount.

(ii) With respect to the NTX Package:

(A) if the sum of (1) the Net Book Value of the NTX Package, excluding the NTX Working Capital Package, as finally determined pursuant to this Section 1.09 , and (2) the Net Book Value of the NTX Working Capital Package, as finally determined pursuant to this Section 1.09 (the “ Final NTX Amount ”) is greater than the NTX Closing Estimated Amount, SDTS shall pay to SU an amount equal to (x) the Final NTX Amount, minus (y) the NTX Closing Estimated Amount; or

(B) if the Final NTX Amount is less than the NTX Closing Estimated Amount, SU shall pay to SDTS an amount equal to (x) the NTX Closing Estimated Amount, minus (y) the Final NTX Amount.

The parties agree that the foregoing payments described in subparagraphs (i)  and (ii) above shall be aggregated and, if applicable, shall be netted against each other so that only one payment is made by either SDTS or SU pursuant to this Section 1.09(g) .

Section 1.10. Withholding . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Person making any payment pursuant to this Agreement shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration payable or deliverable to any Person pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as such payor is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under applicable Tax Laws. To the extent such amounts are so deducted or withheld and paid to the appropriate Governmental Entity, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

ARTICLE II

Closing

Section 2.01. Closing . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the closing of the Transactions (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at the offices of Baker Botts L.L.P., 2001 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75201 on such date (the “ Closing Date ”) and at such time as shall be agreed to by the parties hereto; provided, however , that the Closing shall take place on the same date as, but prior to, the closing of the HIFR Transactions, the SU Investment and the other transactions contemplated by the HIFR Merger Agreement and the SU Purchase Agreement.

 

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Section 2.02. Closing Payments and Deliveries .

(a) At the Closing, SDTS shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to SU each of the following:

(i) any cash payment to which SU is entitled pursuant to Section 1.08(f) , by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as SU shall have specified to SDTS at least 24 hours prior to Closing;

(ii) release letters or other evidence satisfactory to SU evidencing the release of Liens (excluding Permitted Liens other than those Permitted Liens described in clause (h) of the definition of Permitted Liens) on the STX Assets;

(iii) a counterpart of the STX Memorandum of Merger, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by SDTS;

(iv) a duly executed FIRPTA certification which complies with Section 1445 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(b)(2)(iv)(B) certifying as to SDTS’s (or SDTS’s regarded owner for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, if SDTS is a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) non-foreign status;

(v) a certificate of appropriate officers of SDTS, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions in Section 6.02(b) and Section 6.02(d) have been satisfied;

(vi) a certificate of appropriate officers of SDTS, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that (A) the consent adopted by the members of SDTS authorizing this Agreement and the Transactions was duly adopted and is in full force and effect on the Closing Date and (B) the authorized Representatives of SDTS executing this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements that are being delivered pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) are duly authorized to execute the same on behalf of SDTS; and

(vii) a certificate from the Secretary of State of the State of Texas, dated within two business days prior to the Closing Date, with respect to the existence of SDTS.

(b) At the Closing, SU shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to SDTS each of the following:

(i) any payment to which SDTS is entitled pursuant to Section 1.08(f) , by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such accounts as SDTS shall have specified to SU at least 24 hours prior to Closing;

(ii) release letters or other evidence satisfactory to SDTS evidencing the release of Liens (excluding Permitted Liens other than those Permitted Liens described in clause (h) of the definition of Permitted Liens) on the NTX Assets;

(iii) a duly executed FIRPTA certification which complies with Section 1445 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(b)(2)(iv)(B) certifying as to SU’s (or SU’s regarded owner for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, if SU is a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income Tax purposes) non-foreign status;

 

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(iv) a certificate of appropriate officers of SU, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions in Section 6.03(b) and Section 6.03(c) have been satisfied;

(v) a certificate of appropriate officers of SU, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that (A) the consent adopted by the general partner and limited partner of SU authorizing this Agreement and the Transactions was duly adopted and is in full force and effect on the Closing Date and (B) the authorized Representatives of SU executing this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements are duly authorized to execute the same on behalf of SU;

(vi) a certificate from the Secretary of State of the State of Texas, dated within two business days prior to the Closing Date, with respect to the existence of the SU Entities; and

(vii) a counterpart of the NTX Memorandum of Merger, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by SU.

(c) At the Closing, Oncor shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to SU and SDTS a certificate of appropriate officers of Oncor, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions in Section 6.02(c) and Section 6.02(e) have been satisfied.

(d) At the Closing, Oncor shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to SU each of the following:

(i) a counterpart of the Future Development Agreement, in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “ Future Development Agreement ”), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Oncor;

(ii) a counterpart of the Oncor Termination and Release, in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto (the “ Oncor Release ”), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Oncor;

(iii) a counterpart of the Operation & Maintenance Agreement, in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto (the “ O&M Agreement ”), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Oncor; provided, however , that the O&M Agreement shall not be entered into or delivered by Oncor unless the PUCT Approval includes an Unconditioned O&M PUCT Approval; and

(iv) a counterpart of the Tax Side Letter Agreement, in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto (the “ Tax Side Letter ”), dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by each of Oncor and Oncor Affiliate.

(e) At the Closing, SU shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Oncor each of the following:

(i) a counterpart of the Future Development Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by SU;

 

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(ii) a counterpart of the Oncor Release, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by SU;

(iii) a counterpart of the O&M Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by SU; provided, however , that the O&M Agreement shall not be entered into or delivered by SU unless the PUCT Approval includes an Unconditioned O&M PUCT Approval;

(iv) a certificate of appropriate officers of SU, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions in Section 6.03(b) and Section 6.03(c) have been satisfied; and

(v) a counterpart of the Tax Side Letter, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.

(f) At the Closing, SDTS shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Oncor a certificate of appropriate officers of SDTS, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions in Section 6.02(b) and Section 6.02(d) have been satisfied.

(g) Promptly following the closing of the HIFR Transactions, Oncor shall cause SDTS to deliver to SU each of the following:

(i) a counterpart of the Future Development Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by SDTS;

(ii) a counterpart of the Oncor Release, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by SDTS; and

(iii) a counterpart of the Tax Side Letter, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed by the Operating Partnership.

Upon the delivery of the agreements, certificates and other documents referred to in paragraphs (a)  through (f) above, the appropriate officers of the parties shall cause the Certificate of Merger to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas, which filing shall be made and become effective prior to the effectiveness of the HIFR Transactions.

ARTICLE III

Representations and Warranties of SDTS and Oncor

Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules related to Section 3.01 through Section 3.12 (collectively, the “ SDTS Disclosure Schedule ”) delivered by SDTS to SU concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and the documents attached to or incorporated by reference therein, SDTS represents and warrants to SU as follows with respect to Section 3.01 through Section 3.12 :

Section 3.01. Organization and Qualification . SDTS is a limited liability company that is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is recognized under applicable Law) under the Laws of the State of Texas. SDTS has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to enable it to own, lease or otherwise hold the STX Assets and to conduct the Subject STX Operations. SDTS is duly qualified or registered as a foreign limited liability company in each jurisdiction (other than the State of Texas) in which the character or

 

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location of the STX Assets or the nature of the Subject STX Operations makes such qualification or registration necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or registered would not have a STX Material Adverse Effect. SDTS is not in violation of any provision of its organizational documents, except for any violation that would not have a STX Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.02. Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability .

(a) SDTS has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements and to consummate the Transactions. SDTS has taken all requisite limited liability company action required by its organizational documents or the TBOC or other applicable Law to duly and validly authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements and to authorize the consummation of the Transactions. Except for any action on the part of a member of SDTS that has been taken prior to the date hereof and remains in full force and effect, no action is required to be taken by any member of SDTS to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreements or to authorize the consummation of the Transactions.

(b) SDTS has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and, at the Closing (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the applicable conditions to the obligations of SDTS), will have duly executed and delivered each applicable Ancillary Agreement, and this Agreement constitutes, and each applicable Ancillary Agreement, from and after the Closing, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of SDTS, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

Section 3.03. No Conflicts or Violations; No Consents or Approvals Required .

(a) The execution and delivery by SDTS of this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements does not and will not, and the consummation of the Transactions will not, result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (or, in the case of clause (ii) below, give any party to any Contract referred to in such clause, other than SDTS, the right to cancel or terminate or modify in any material respect the rights or obligations of the parties under) (i) the organizational documents of SDTS, (ii) any Contract to which SDTS is a party or is bound or (iii) any Order to which SDTS is subject or any Law applicable to SDTS, except for, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, any such breach, violation or default that would not reasonably be expected to have a STX Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Other than the filings, reports and notices and the consents, registrations, approvals, Permits, Orders and authorizations required to be made or obtained (i) to or from the Secretary of State of the State of Texas in connection with the filing of the Certificate of Merger, (ii) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “ HSR Act ”), including the expiration or earlier termination of applicable waiting periods thereunder (the “ HSR Period Expiration/Termination ”), (iii) such filings, reports or notices to, and consents, registrations, approvals, permits, orders and authorizations to or from the PUCT pursuant to authority asserted by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (the “ PUCT ”) pursuant to the Texas Public Utility Regulatory Act, Tex. Util. Code Ann. §§ 11.001-66.016, as amended (“ PURA ”), the PUCT’s regulations thereunder and the approval of the PUCT thereunder (the “ PUCT Approval ”), (iv) to or from the FERC pursuant to the Federal Power Act, including the approval of the FERC thereunder

 

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(the “ FERC Approval ” and collectively with the HSR Period Expiration/Termination, the PUCT Approval and the CFIUS Approval, the “ Regulatory Approvals ”), (v) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “ Exchange Act ”), (vi) to or from ERCOT, (vii) as may be required as a result of SU’s identity, (viii) the submission of a joint voluntary notice of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the HIFR Merger Agreement to CFIUS pursuant to the DPA and receipt of the CFIUS Approval, or (ix) in connection with the HIFR Transactions as contemplated by the HIFR Merger Agreement, no filings, reports or notices are required to be made by SDTS with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, Permits, Orders or authorizations required to be obtained by SDTS from, any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by SDTS of this Agreement or any of the applicable Ancillary Agreements or the consummation of the Transactions, except for any of the foregoing which, if not made or obtained, would not have a STX Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.04. Subsidiaries . SDTS does not have any Subsidiaries that hold any STX Assets or participate in the Subject STX Operations.

Section 3.05. Absence of Changes or Events . During the period from January 1, 2018 through the date hereof, except as set forth on Section 3.05 of the SDTS Disclosure Schedule, there has not been:

(a) to the Knowledge of SDTS, a STX Material Adverse Effect;

(b) any amendment or modification of the organizational documents of SDTS;

(c) the creation of any Lien on any material properties or assets included in the STX Assets, other than a Permitted Lien;

(d) to the Knowledge of SDTS, the sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of any material properties or assets included in the STX Assets, except in the ordinary course of business; or

(e) any commitment or agreement by SDTS to do any of the foregoing.

Section 3.06. Real Property .

(a) Section 3.06(a) of the SDTS Disclosure Schedule sets forth, to the Knowledge of SDTS, a list as of the date hereof of (i) all real property owned by SDTS included in the STX Assets (“ STX Owned Property ”), (ii) all real property currently leased or subleased to SDTS included in the STX Assets (“ STX Leasehold Property ” and, together with the STX Owned Property, the “ STX Property ”), including the lease and any amendments thereto (each, an “ STX Lease ”) under which such STX Leasehold Property is held and (iii) all easements, license agreements (including railroad, pipeline and similar crossing rights), rights of way and leases for rights of way, or other rights with respect to the use of real property (collectively, “ STX Easements ” and, together with the STX Leases, the “ STX Real Property Agreements ”) included in the STX Assets.

 

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(b) SDTS has good and indefeasible fee title to all STX Owned Property, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. To the Knowledge of SDTS, SDTS has not granted to any third party the right to use or access the STX Owned Property in any manner that interferes in any material respect with the STX Owned Property or the Subject STX Operations or otherwise granted to any third party any ownership rights in any material STX Owned Property.

(c) To the Knowledge of SDTS, SDTS has valid and enforceable leasehold interests with respect to the STX Leasehold Property, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens, except that the validity and enforceability of the STX Leases under which such STX Leasehold Property is held are subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

(d) To the Knowledge of SDTS, no consent from any counterparty to any STX Real Property Agreement is required in connection with the consummation of the Merger. To the Knowledge of SDTS, SDTS is not in breach in any material respect or in material default under any STX Real Property Agreement to which it is a party. To the Knowledge of SDTS, no counterparty to any of the STX Real Property Agreements is in material default of any of its obligations under the applicable STX Real Property Agreement.

(e) To the Knowledge of SDTS, there are no pending or threatened Legal Proceedings affecting the STX Owned Property or any of the STX Real Property Agreements which might materially detract from the value, materially interfere with any present or intended use or materially and adversely affect the fee title of the STX Owned Property or any of the STX Real Property Agreements.

(f) To the Knowledge of SDTS, SDTS has not received written notice from any Person within three years prior to the date of this Agreement asserting that SDTS does not have the right, as a result of title defects or title failures, to use or occupy any portion of the STX Property, other than those notices that would not individually, or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a STX Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.07. Ownership of Assets . SDTS has good and marketable title to, or, in the case of property held under a lease, Contract or other arrangement, a valid leasehold interest in or right to use, all of the personal property, assets and rights included in the STX Assets (excluding any STX Property, which is addressed exclusively in Section 3.06 ), whether tangible or intangible, in each case free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

Section 3.08. Legal Proceedings . Section 3.08 of the SDTS Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of (x) each Legal Proceeding that is pending against SDTS as of the date hereof (as to which a complaint has been served on SDTS or of which SDTS has received written notice) that relates to the STX Assets or the Subject STX Operations or (y) to the Knowledge of SDTS, each material Legal Proceeding that has been threatened against SDTS since June 1, 2014 that relates to the STX Assets or the Subject STX Operations and that has not been resolved as of the date hereof. To the Knowledge of SDTS, as of the date hereof, there are no Legal Proceedings pending against SDTS and no Legal Proceedings have been threatened against SDTS since June 1, 2016, that (i) question the validity of this Agreement or any action taken or to be taken by SDTS in connection with this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the Transactions or (ii) would reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any material respect the ability of SDTS to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or consummate the Transactions. To the Knowledge of SDTS, SDTS is not subject to any outstanding Order (other than Orders of general applicability to participants in the relevant industry or sector) that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a STX Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 3.09. Tax Matters .

(a) For the avoidance of doubt, the representations and warranties made in this Section 3.09 (the “ SDTS Tax Representations ”) are the sole and exclusive representations and warranties made by SDTS with respect to matters related to Taxes.

(b) All material Tax Returns required to have been filed with respect to the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets, in each case, have been timely filed (taking into account any extension of time within which to file); all such Tax Returns are complete and accurate in all material respects; and all material Taxes required to be paid with respect to the Subject STX Operations and the STX Assets, in each case, whether or not shown as due on such Tax Returns, have been paid.

(c) All material Taxes required to be withheld or collected and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to or from any employee, independent contractor or any other third party by SDTS in connection with the Subject STX Operations have been withheld or collected and duly paid to the proper Governmental Entity or properly set aside in accounts for such purpose.

(d) There currently are no pending or, to the Knowledge of SDTS, threatened audits, examinations, investigations or other proceedings in respect of Taxes relating to the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets.

(e) All deficiencies asserted or assessments made by any Governmental Entity in respect of Taxes relating to the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets have been fully paid.

(f) There are no Liens for Taxes on any of the STX Assets, other than Permitted Liens.

(g) No written agreement or other document extending or waiving, or having the effect of extending or waiving, the period of assessment or collection of any Taxes relating to the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets is in effect.

Section 3.10. Sophisticated Industry Participant; Access to Information .

(a) SDTS is an informed and sophisticated entity engaged in the electric transmission and distribution business with sufficient knowledge and experience in investment and financial matters and in such business to be capable of evaluating the risks and merits of the disposition of the STX Package and the acquisition of the NTX Package. SDTS has been furnished with such documents, materials and other information relating to the NTX Package, and has been afforded the opportunity to obtain such additional information and to ask such questions, as it deemed necessary in connection with the acquisition of the NTX Package.

(b) SDTS acknowledges that the Tax consequences of its disposition of the STX Package and acquisition of the NTX Package will depend on SDTS’s particular circumstances, and none of SU or any of its Affiliates, direct or indirect owners, officers or agents, or any other Person, will be responsible or liable for the Tax consequences to SDTS arising from its disposition of the STX Package or acquisition of the NTX Package (except to the extent that there occurs a breach by SU of the SU Tax Representations or their covenants contained in Article IX ).

 

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Section 3.11. Brokers and Finders . SDTS has not engaged any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any investment banking fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finders’ or financial advisor’s fees or similar compensation in connection with this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the Transactions for which SU could have any liability or responsibility whatsoever.

Section 3.12. Energy Regulatory Matters . SDTS is not a “holding company” under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 (including the regulations of the FERC thereunder). SDTS is subject to regulation under Texas Law as a “public utility,” an “electric utility” and a “transmission and distribution utility” (as such terms are defined in PURA) and as a “transmission service provider” (as such term is defined in 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.5). SDTS is not a “distribution service provider” (as such term is defined in 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.5).

In addition, except as set forth in the disclosure schedules related to Section 3.13 through Section 3.17 (collectively, the “ Oncor Disclosure Schedule ”) delivered by Oncor to SU concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and the documents attached to or incorporated by reference therein, Oncor represents and warrants to SU with respect to Sections 3.13 through 3.17 as follows:

Section 3.13. Organization (Oncor) . Oncor is a limited liability company that is duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Oncor has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to enable it to own, lease, operate or otherwise hold its properties and assets and to conduct its businesses and operations as conducted as of the date hereof. Oncor is not in violation of any provision of its organizational documents, except for any violation which would not reasonably be expected to prevent, impede or otherwise adversely affect Oncor’s ability to consummate the Transactions.

Section 3.14. Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability (Oncor) .

(a) Oncor has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements and to consummate the Transactions. Oncor has taken all requisite limited liability company action required by its organizational documents or the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act or other applicable Law to duly and validly authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements and to authorize the consummation of the Transactions. Except for any action on the part of a member of Oncor or its board of directors that has been taken prior to the date hereof and remains in full force and effect, no action is required to be taken by any member of Oncor to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreements or to authorize the consummation of the Transactions.

(b) Oncor has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and, at the Closing (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the applicable conditions to the obligations of Oncor), will have duly executed and delivered each applicable Ancillary Agreement, and this Agreement constitutes, and each applicable Ancillary Agreement, from and after the Closing, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of Oncor, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

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Section 3.15. No Conflicts or Violations; No Consents or Approvals Required (Oncor) .

(a) The execution and delivery by Oncor of this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements does not and will not, and the consummation of the Transactions will not, result in any breach or violation of, conflict with or constitute a default under (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) (and, in the case of clause (ii) below, do not and will not result in the loss of a benefit under, or terminate or give rise to any right of termination, vesting, cancellation, amendment, purchase or sale (including any purchase option to sell, right of first refusal, right of first offer, right of first negotiation or similar option or right) under, or acceleration of any obligations under, or the creation of any Lien on any of the STX Assets pursuant to any Contract referred to in such clause) (i) the organizational documents of Oncor, (ii) any Contract to which Oncor is a party or by which any of its properties is bound or (iii) any Order to which Oncor is subject or any Law applicable to Oncor, except for, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, any such breach, conflict, violation or default that would not reasonably be expected to prevent or materially interfere with the performance by Oncor of its obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions.

(b) Other than the filings, reports and notices and the consents, registrations, approvals, Permits, Orders and authorizations required to be made or obtained (i) in connection with the Regulatory Approvals (to the extent applicable to or required to be made or obtained by Oncor), (ii) under the Exchange Act, (iii) to or from ERCOT or (iv) as may be required as a result of SU’s or SDTS’s identity, no filings, reports or notices are required to be made by Oncor with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, Permits or authorizations required to be obtained by Oncor from, any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by Oncor of this Agreement or any of the applicable Ancillary Agreements or the consummation of the Transactions, except for any of the foregoing which, if not made or obtained, would not reasonably be expected to prevent, impede or otherwise adversely affect Oncor’s ability to consummate the Transactions.

Section 3.16. Certain Legal Proceedings (Oncor) . As of the date hereof, there are no Legal Proceedings pending against Oncor and, to the Knowledge of Oncor, no Legal Proceedings have been threatened against Oncor or any of its assets, properties or Affiliates, that (i) question the validity of this Agreement or any action taken or to be taken by Oncor in connection with this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the Transactions or (ii) would reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any material respect the ability of Oncor to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or consummate the Transactions.

Section 3.17. Brokers and Finders (Oncor) . Oncor has not engaged any broker or finder, other than Barclays, or incurred any liability for any investment banking fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finders’ or financial advisor’s fees or similar compensation in connection with this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the Transactions for which SU could have any liability or responsibility whatsoever.

 

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ARTICLE IV

Representations and Warranties of SU

Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules related to this Article IV (collectively, the “ SU Disclosure Schedule ”) delivered by SU to SDTS concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and the documents attached to or incorporated by reference therein, SU represents and warrants to SDTS and Oncor as follows:

Section 4.01. Organization and Qualification .

(a) Each SU Entity is a limited partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, that is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is recognized under applicable Law) under the Laws of the State of Texas.

(b) Each SU Entity has all requisite limited partnership or limited liability company power and authority, as applicable, to enable it to own, lease, operate or otherwise hold the NTX Assets and to conduct the Subject NTX Operations as now being conducted. Each SU Entity is duly qualified or registered as a foreign limited partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, and in good standing in each jurisdiction (other than the State of Texas) in which the character or location or the ownership, leasing or operation of the NTX Assets or the nature of the Subject NTX Operations makes such qualification or registration necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or registered would not have a NTX Material Adverse Effect. Neither SU Entity is in violation of any provision of its organizational documents, except for any violation which would not have a NTX Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.02. Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability .

(a) SU has all requisite limited partnership power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements and to consummate the Transactions. SU has taken all requisite limited partnership action required by its organizational documents or the TBOC or other applicable Law to duly and validly authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements and to authorize the consummation of the Transactions. Except for any action on the part of a partner of SU that has been taken prior to the date hereof and remains in full force and effect, no action is required to be taken by any partner of SU to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the applicable Ancillary Agreements or to authorize the consummation of the Transactions.

(b) SU has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and, at the Closing (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the applicable conditions to the obligations of SU), will have duly executed and delivered each applicable Ancillary Agreement, and this Agreement constitutes, and each applicable Ancillary Agreement, from and after the Closing, will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of SU, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

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Section 4.03. No Conflicts or Violations; No Consents or Approvals Required .

(a) The execution, delivery and performance by SU of this Agreement and the applicable Ancillary Agreements do not and will not, and the consummation of the Transactions will not, result in any breach or violation of, conflict with or constitute a default under (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) (and, in the case of clause (ii) below, do not and will not result in the loss of a benefit under, or terminate or give rise to any right of termination, vesting, cancellation, amendment, purchase or sale (including any purchase option to sell, right of first refusal, right of first offer, right of first negotiation or similar option or right) under, or acceleration of any obligations under, or the creation of any Lien on any of the NTX Assets pursuant to any Contract referred to in such clause) (i) the organizational documents of any SU Entity, (ii) any Contract to which an SU Entity is a party or by which any NTX Asset is bound or (iii) any Order to which any SU Entity is subject or any Law applicable to any SU Entity, except for, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, any such breach, violation, conflict or default that would not reasonably be expected to have a NTX Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Other than the filings, reports and notices and the consents, registrations, approvals, Permits, Orders and authorizations required to be made or obtained (i) to or from the Secretary of State of the State of Texas in connection with the filing of the Certificate of Merger, (ii) in connection with the Regulatory Approvals, (iii) under the Exchange Act, (iv) to or from ERCOT, (v) the submission of a joint voluntary notice of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the HIFR Merger Agreement to CFIUS pursuant to the DPA and receipt of the CFIUS Approval or (vi) as may be required as a result of SDTS’s or Oncor’s identity, no filings, reports or notices are required to be made by an SU Entity with, nor are any consents, registrations, approvals, Permits or authorizations required to be obtained by an SU Entity from, any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such SU Entity of this Agreement or any of the applicable Ancillary Agreements or the consummation of the Transactions, except for any of the foregoing which, if not made or obtained, would not have a NTX Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.04. Capitalization and Indebtedness of GS LLC .

(a) SU owns all of the outstanding limited liability company interests in GS LLC, which constitute all of the authorized or outstanding Equity Interests in such entity. The outstanding Equity Interests of GS LLC have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company action on the part of GS LLC, have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to any future capital calls. None of the outstanding Equity Interests of GS LLC were issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights.

(b) Except for the obligations of SU pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Equity Interests in GS LLC, there are no outstanding options, warrants, calls, subscription rights (including preemptive rights), purchase rights, puts, convertible securities or other rights of conversion, or other rights, agreements or commitments of any character pursuant to which SU or GS LLC is or will be obligated to issue, transfer, repurchase, deliver or sell any issued or unissued Equity Interests in GS LLC, and there are no Equity Interests in GS LLC reserved for issuance for any purpose.

(c) At the Closing, GS LLC will not have any Indebtedness.

 

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Section 4.05. Subsidiaries . SU does not have any Subsidiaries that hold any NTX Assets or participate in the Subject NTX Operations (other than GS LLC). GS LLC has conducted no other material activities other than (i) the development, financing, construction and operation of the Golden Spread transmission project and related activities and (ii) the lease of such Golden Spread transmission project to SU.

Section 4.06. Absence of Changes or Events . During the period from December 31, 2017 through the date hereof, except as set forth on Section 4.06 of the SU Disclosure Schedule, (a) each SU Entity has conducted its business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business, (b) there has not been any event, change, circumstance, occurrence, condition, development or effect that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a NTX Material Adverse Effect and (c) neither SU Entity has taken any action that, if taken after the date of this Agreement without the Oncor’s prior written consent, would constitute a breach of clauses (i) through (v), (xiv), (xvi), or (xx) of Section 5.02(b) or Section 5.02(b)(xxiii) (with respect to clauses (i) through (v), (xiv), (xvi) and (xx) of Section 5.02(b)) .

Section 4.07. Material Contracts .

(a) Section 4.07 of the SU Disclosure Schedule lists all of the following Contracts (other than the NTX Real Property Agreements or any Employee Benefit Plans) to which any SU Entity is a party or by which its assets are bound that are included in the NTX Package and are in effect as of the date hereof:

(i) each partnership, joint venture, co-investment, limited liability company, strategic alliance or similar agreement;

(ii) each Contract that contains any non-compete or exclusivity provision or otherwise limits or purports to limit either the type of business in which an SU Entity may engage, the terms or conditions an SU Entity (or, after giving effect to the Merger, SDTS) can offer to any other Person, or the geographic area in which any of them may so engage;

(iii) each Contract that involves any pending or future acquisition or disposition of real property or personal property for consideration of more than $500,000;

(iv) each Contract that involves any pending or contemplated merger, consolidation or similar business combination transaction;

(v) each Contract pursuant to which any SU Entity is obligated to make expenditures (other than principal and/or interest payments or the deposit of other reserves with respect to debt obligations) or entitled to payments (A) in excess of $500,000, in any 12-month period, (B) in excess of $2,000,000, in the aggregate over the term of such Contract, and is not, in either case, terminable upon 90 or fewer days’ prior written notice without material penalty to such SU Entity or (C) in excess of $5,000,000 in aggregate over the term of such Contract;

(vi) each Contract that evidences any guaranty, suretyship agreement, keepwell agreement or similar obligation in respect of any Person which is not, directly or indirectly, wholly-owned by SU;

 

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(vii) each Contract that provides for the settlement or proposed settlement of any dispute or action in which the amount to be paid in settlement involves (A) the issuance of any Equity Interests in GS LLC or (B) the payment of any cash or other consideration having a value, in each case, of more than $1,000,000;

(viii) contains a standstill or similar Contract pursuant to which an SU Entity has agreed not to acquire assets or securities of any other Person;

(ix) (A) each Contract that involves the lease by any SU Entity (as lessees) of any assets (other than real property) and pursuant to which SU has future payment obligations in amount equal to at least $100,000 for any given fiscal year (excluding the SU/SDTS Leases) and (B) each Contract that involves the lease by an SU Entity (as lessors) of any NTX Assets pursuant to which SU is entitled to receive payments of more than $100,000 for any given fiscal year;

(x) each Contract that was entered into with any SU Entity which relates to the rights of any SU Entity with respect to voting, rights of first offer, rights of first refusal or other similar rights regarding Equity Interests in GS LLC;

(xi) each Contract entered into with a Governmental Entity;

(xii) each Contract that contains restrictions on the ability of the owners of the NTX Assets to pay dividends or make other distributions;

(xiii) each Contract that contains any “most-favored-nations” or similar provisions requiring the owners of the NTX Assets to offer a Person any terms or conditions that are at least as favorable as those offered to any other Person;

(xiv) each Contract that contains a put, call or similar right pursuant to which any SU Entity could be required to purchase or sell, as applicable, any Equity Interests of any Person or assets that have a fair market value or purchase price of more than $100,000, or constitutes an interest rate cap, interest rate collar, interest rate swap or other Contract relating to a hedging transaction;

(xv) each Contract that purports to bind Affiliates of the owner of the NTX Assets, excluding any Contracts where such Affiliates are also parties to such Contract;

(xvi) each Contract that is between any SU Entity, on the one hand, and any director or officer of SU or any Person beneficially owning five percent or more of the outstanding Equity Interests of SU;

(xvii) each Contract that is between any SU Entity, on the one hand, and any Affiliates of SU, on the other hand (other than GS LLC); and

(xviii) (A) each Contract pursuant to which any SU Entity grants a license or rights under material SU-Owned Intellectual Property to any Person (other than non-exclusive or implied licenses to customers and end users in the ordinary course of business), and (B) each Contract pursuant to which any SU Entity receives a license, sublicense or other rights with respect to the Intellectual Property of a Person (including Hunt) or any material IT Assets (other than licenses of uncustomized commercially available shrinkwrap or click-through IT Assets).

 

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Each such Contract described in clauses (i)  through (xvii)  above is referred to herein as a “ Material Contract ”.

(b) Each Material Contract is valid and binding on any SU Entity party thereto and, to the Knowledge of SU, any other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. There is no material default or material breach under any Material Contract by any SU Entity party thereto or, to the Knowledge of SU, by any other party thereto, and no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a material default or material breach thereunder by any SU Entity party thereto or, to the Knowledge of SU, by any other party thereto. Since July 1, 2017, neither SU Entity has given or received notice of any material violation or default under any Material Contract.

(c) SU has made available to SDTS and Oncor prior to the date of this Agreement, accurate and complete copies of all written Material Contracts, including all amendments thereto.

(d) Other than as set forth in Section 4.07(a)(xi) , there are no Government Contracts included in the NTX Assets. Neither SU Entity is a party or subject to, or within the previous six years has been awarded, been a party to or performed any services pursuant to, any Government Contract that is subject to the requirements set forth in Executive Order 11246, as amended, or its implementing regulations.

Section 4.08. Real Property .

(a) The SU Entities have good and indefeasible fee title to all real property owned by them included in the NTX Assets (collectively, the “ NTX Owned Property ”), free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. The SU Entities have valid and enforceable leasehold interests with respect to all real property currently leased or subleased to them included in the NTX Assets (collectively, the “ NTX Leasehold Property ” and, together with the NTX Owned Property, the “ NTX Property ”), free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens, except that the validity and enforceability of the leases under which such NTX Leasehold Property is held (such leases together with any amendments thereto and guarantees thereof, the “ NTX Leases ”) are subject to the Enforceability Exceptions. The SU Entities are not in breach in any material respect or in material default under any NTX Lease or easement, license agreement (including railroad, pipeline and similar crossing rights), right of way or lease for rights of way, or other right with respect to the use of real property included in the NTX Assets to which it is a party (collectively, the “ NTX Easements ” and, together with the NTX Leases, the “ NTX Real Property Agreements ”). To the Knowledge of SU, no counterparty to any of the NTX Real Property Agreements is in material default of any of its obligations under the applicable NTX Real Property Agreement. No consent from any counterparty to any NTX Real Property Agreement is required in connection with the consummation of the Merger.

 

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(b) Section 4.08(b) of the SU Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all (i) NTX Owned Property, including the street address, fee owner and legal description, (ii) NTX Leasehold Property and NTX Leases, including the street address of such property and the parties to such NTX Lease and (iii) NTX Easements, including the parties to such NTX Easement. SU has made available to SDTS and Oncor true, complete and correct copies of all material NTX Real Property Agreements and, to the Knowledge of SU, SU has made available to SDTS and Oncor true, complete and correct copies of all NTX Real Property Agreements. Except as set forth on Section 4.08(b) of the SU Disclosure Schedule, the SU Entities do not lease, sublease, license or sublicense any NTX Owned Property, any NTX Leasehold Property, or any real property interest subject to any NTX Real Property Agreements, to any third party.

(c) There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of SU, threatened Legal Proceedings affecting any of the NTX Owned Property, any of the NTX Leasehold Property or any of the NTX Real Property Agreements, which would reasonably be expected to materially interfere with any present use or materially and adversely affect the fee title of any of the NTX Owned Property, the leasehold title of any of the NTX Leasehold Property or the real property interests of any of the NTX Real Property Agreements.

(d) The SU Entities have not received written notice from any Person within three years prior to the date of this Agreement asserting that any SU Entity does not have the right, as a result of title defects or title failures, to use or occupy any portion of the NTX Property or any real property interest subject to any NTX Real Property Agreements, other than those notices that would not individually, or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially detract from the value, materially interfere with any present or intended use or materially adversely affect the marketability of any such NTX Property.

(e) To the Knowledge of SU, SU has not granted to any third party the right to use or access the NTX Owned Property or the NTX Leasehold Property in any manner that interferes in any material respect with the NTX Owned Property, the NTX Leasehold Property or the Subject NTX Operations or otherwise granted to any third party any ownership rights in any material NTX Owned Property or the NTX Leasehold Property.

Section 4.09. Ownership; Maintenance of Assets .

(a) An SU Entity has good and marketable title to, or, in the case of property held under a lease, Contract or other arrangement, a valid leasehold interest in or right to use, all of the material personal property, assets and rights included in the NTX Assets (excluding any NTX Property, which is addressed exclusively in Section 4.08 ), whether tangible or intangible, in each case free and clear of all Liens, purchase options, lease options, options to lease, rights of first refusal, rights of first offer or any similar options to purchase or lease, other than Permitted Liens.

(b) The NTX Assets have been maintained consistent with Good Utility Practice in all material respects.

(c) (i) None of the NTX Assets constructed since December 31, 2010 were in violation of the standards of the then-applicable version of the National Electrical Safety Code (the “ NESC ”) when constructed, and (ii) none of the NTX Assets are in a condition or circumstance that would require action to bring such NTX Assets into compliance with the NESC (after taking into account any “grandfathered” status applicable to the NTX Assets exempting such assets from compliance with certain provisions of the NESC).

 

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Section 4.10. Legal Proceedings . Section 4.10 of the SU Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of (x) each material Legal Proceeding that is pending against any SU Entity or any Affiliate of any SU Entity (as to which a complaint has been served on any SU Entity or any Affiliate of any SU Entity or of which any SU Entity or any Affiliate of any SU Entity has received written notice) which relates to the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations or (y) to the Knowledge of SU, each material Legal Proceeding that has been threatened against any SU Entity since June 1, 2014 in respect of the NTX Package or the Subject NTX Operations. As of the date hereof, there are no Legal Proceedings pending against any SU Entity and, to the Knowledge of SU, no Legal Proceedings have been threatened against any SU Entity that (i) question the validity of, challenge or seek to prevent or enjoin or otherwise delay the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any action taken or to be taken by an SU Entity in connection with the consummation of this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the Transactions or (ii) would reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any material respect the ability of any SU Entity to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or consummate the Transactions. No SU Entity is subject to any outstanding Order (other than Orders of general applicability to participants in the relevant industry or sector) that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a NTX Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.11. Environmental Matters .

(a) The Subject NTX Operations have been conducted since June 1, 2014, and are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits, except where the failure to so conduct the Subject NTX Operations would not reasonably be expected to have a NTX Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The SU Entities hold all material Environmental Permits necessary to conduct the Subject NTX Operations as they are currently conducted, except where the failure to hold such Permits would not reasonably be expected to have a NTX Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Except as do not affect the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations in any material respect and for which SDTS would not be subject to any material liability from acquiring the NTX Package as a result of the Merger, since June 1, 2014, no written notification, demand, request for information, citation, complaint, Legal Proceeding or Order has been issued to or filed against any SU Entity relating to any alleged failure to comply with or any Liability arising under any Environmental Law or the suspension, revocation or non-renewal of any Environmental Permit, except for such notifications, demands, requests, citations, complaints, Legal Proceedings or Orders that have been fully and finally resolved without further material Liability on the part of any SU Entity.

(d) Since June 1, 2014, no SU Entity has generated, treated, stored or disposed of (or arranged for the generation, treatment, storage, or disposal of), and no SU Entity or SU Related Person has Released any Hazardous Materials in a manner that would reasonably be expected to result in material environmental Liability on the part of SDTS following the Closing.

(e) Since June 1, 2014, except as does not affect the NTX Assets, there has been no Release by any SU Entity or SU Related Person in violation of or that could result in material liability under any Environmental Law or that requires reporting, monitoring, investigation, or remediation pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

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(f) To the Knowledge of SU, SU has made available, or caused to be made available, to SDTS and Oncor copies of all material environmental reports or assessments prepared since June 1, 2014 that are in the possession or control of any SU Entity with respect to compliance by any SU Entity with Environmental Laws, the environmental condition of any NTX Assets, or any environmental Liability of any SU Entity related to the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations.

(g) Since July 13, 2010, no SU Entity has assumed any material environmental liabilities of another Person that are included in the NTX Liabilities.

(h) The representations and warranties set forth in this Section 4.11 are the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of SU with respect to matters relating to Environmental Laws or Hazardous Materials.

Section 4.12. Tax Matters .

(a) For the avoidance of doubt, the representations and warranties made in this Section 4.12 (and Section 4.15 (insofar as such representations and warranties relate to Tax matters)) (the “ SU Tax Representations ”) are the sole and exclusive representations and warranties made by SU with respect to matters related to Taxes.

(b) All material Tax Returns required to have been filed by or with respect to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations or the NTX Assets, in each case, have been timely filed (taking into account any extension of time within which to file); all such Tax Returns are complete and accurate in all material respects; and all material Taxes required to be paid by or with respect to GS LLC or with respect to the Subject NTX Operations and the NTX Assets, in each case, whether or not shown as due on such Tax Returns, have been paid.

(c) All material Taxes required to be withheld or collected and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to or from any employee, independent contractor or any other third party by GS LLC or SU in connection with the Subject NTX Operations have been withheld or collected and duly paid to the proper Governmental Entity or properly set aside in accounts for such purpose.

(d) There have not been within the past three (3) years any, and there currently are no, pending or, to the Knowledge of SU, threatened, audits, examinations, investigations or other proceedings in respect of Taxes of or relating to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations or the NTX Assets.

(e) All deficiencies asserted or assessments made by any Governmental Entity in respect of Taxes relating to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations or the NTX Assets, in each case, have been fully paid.

(f) There are no Liens for Taxes on any of the NTX Assets, other than Permitted Liens.

(g) No written agreement or other document extending or waiving, or having the effect of extending or waiving, the period of assessment or collection of any (i) Taxes of or relating to GS LLC or (ii) Taxes relating to the Subject NTX Operations or the NTX Assets, in each case, is in effect.

 

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(h) At all times since its formation, GS LLC has been properly classified as an entity that is disregarded as an entity separate from SU for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Section 4.13. Compliance with Applicable Law; Permits . In connection with the ownership or lease of the NTX Assets and the conduct of the Subject NTX Operations, the SU Entities are not, and the NTX Assets and the Subject NTX Operations are not otherwise, in material violation of, or material default under, any applicable Law or any Permit. To the Knowledge of SU, no material investigation, review or proceeding by any Governmental Entity with respect to any SU Entity, the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations is pending or threatened. All material Permits required for the applicable SU Entity to own or lease the NTX Assets and conduct the Subject NTX Operations as now conducted have been obtained and are valid and in full force and effect. The foregoing representations and warranties do not address any liability or obligation relating to environmental matters, which are addressed exclusively in Section 4.11 ; Tax matters, which are addressed exclusively in Section 4.12 ; ERISA, which is addressed exclusively in Section 4.15 ; labor matters, which are addressed exclusively in Section 4.16 ; or intellectual property matters, which are addressed exclusively in Section 4.20 .

Section 4.14. Insurance . Section 4.14 of the SU Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of the policies of insurance in force covering the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations (the “Insurance Policies”). SU has made available to SDTS and Oncor copies of all Insurance Policies . The Insurance Policies are all in full force and effect, all premiums due and payable thereon covering all periods up to and including the Closing Date have been paid, and no written notice of cancellation, modification or termination has been received by SU with respect to any Insurance Policy, no SU Entity is in material breach of or default under any Insurance Policy, and no SU Entity has taken any action or failed to take any action which, with notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a material breach or default, or permit the termination or material modification of any Insurance Policy.

Section 4.15. Employee Benefit Matters .

(a) Section 4.15(a) of the SU Disclosure Schedule sets forth an accurate and complete list of each material Employee Benefit Plan.

(b) With respect to each material Employee Benefit Plan, SU has made available to Oncor and SDTS, to the extent applicable, true, correct and complete copies of (i) all documents currently embodying such Employee Benefit Plan, including all amendments thereto (ii) written descriptions of any such Employee Benefit Plans that are not set forth in a written document, (iii) the most recent summary plan description together with the summary or summaries of material modifications thereto and (iv) the most recent annual reports (Form 5500 or 990 series and all schedules and financial statements attached thereto).

(c) Each Employee Benefit Plan has been established, operated and administered in compliance in all material respects with its terms and applicable Laws, including, without limitation, ERISA and the Code.

(d) Each Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is subject to a favorable determination letter, opinion letter or advisory letter issued by the IRS that is currently in effect and, to the Knowledge of SU, there are no existing circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in the IRS’s revocation of the qualified status of any such Employee Benefit Plan.

 

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(e) No material suit, administrative proceeding or action has been brought within the previous three years, or, to the Knowledge of SU, has been overtly threatened in any written communication with any SU Entity, against or with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan, including any audit or inquiry by the IRS or the DOL (other than routine claims for benefits arising under such plans).

(f) Except as otherwise required by applicable Law, no Employee Benefit Plan provides retiree or post-employment medical, disability, life insurance or other welfare benefits with respect to any Available Employee and no SU Entity has any obligation to provide such benefits. Neither SU nor any of its ERISA Affiliates contribute to or have any obligation to contribute to, or have at any time within the previous six years contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to, any pension plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or any “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

(g) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, shareholder or other approval of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Transactions could, either alone or in combination with another event, (i) entitle any Available Employee to any material increase in severance pay, (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting of any material compensation, or materially increase the amount of compensation due to any such Available Employee, or (iii) result in the payment of any amount that could, individually or in combination with any other such payment constitute an “excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code.

(h) The representations and warranties set forth in this Section 4.15 are the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of SU with respect to matters relating to employee benefits.

Section 4.16. Labor Matters .

(a) Section 4.16(a) of the SU Disclosure Schedule sets forth the name or employee identification number of each Available Employee, as of the date hereof, and, with respect to each such individual, his or her: (i) employing entity; (ii) job title and principal location of employment; (iii) base salary or hourly rate of pay; (iv) status as exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA; (v)  accrued and unused vacation and other paid time off; (vi) status as being employed in a position subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act or Department of Transportation Requirements; (vii) hire date; and (viii) adjusted hire date, if any, used by SU to calculate years of service in accordance with, and for purposes of, Employee Benefit Plans sponsored by SU.

(b) No Available Employee is represented by a labor union or other representative of employees with respect to his or her employment with SU or any of its Affiliates and no SU Entity is a party to, subject to, bound by, negotiating, or required to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement or any other Contract with a labor union or representative of employees. Since June 1, 2014, there have not been any, strikes, lockouts or work stoppages existing or, to the Knowledge of SU, threatened, with respect to any Available Employees or an SU Entity. No union organizing campaign or similar effort has occurred, is pending or, to the Knowledge of SU, is threatened with respect to any Available Employee or an SU Entity.

 

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(c) Neither SU Entity is a party to or otherwise engaged in any material legal, administrative or other claim, charge, labor dispute, grievance or arbitration proceeding relating to the employment of an Available Employee and, to the Knowledge of SU, no such legal, administrative or other claim, charge, labor dispute, grievance or arbitration proceeding has been threatened against an SU Entity (or any Affiliate of SU). Since June 1, 2014, each SU Entity has complied in all material respects with all Laws with respect to its employment of each Available Employee (including the FLSA and all such Laws regarding wages and hours, classification of employees and contractors, anti-discrimination, anti-retaliation, recordkeeping, employee leave, Tax withholding and reporting, affirmative action, equal employment opportunity, immigration and safety).

(d) The representations and warranties set forth in this Section 4.16 are the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of SU with respect to labor and employment.

Section 4.17. Sophisticated Industry Participant; Access to Information .

(a) SU is an informed and sophisticated entity engaged in the electric transmission and distribution business with sufficient knowledge and experience in investment and financial matters and in such business to be capable of evaluating the risks and merits of the disposition of the NTX Package and the acquisition of the STX Package. SU has been furnished with such documents, materials and other information relating to the STX Package, and has been afforded the opportunity to obtain such additional information and to ask such questions, as it deemed necessary in connection with the acquisition of the STX Package.

(b) SU acknowledges that the Tax consequences of its disposition of the NTX Package and acquisition of the STX Package will depend on SU’s particular circumstances, and none of SDTS or any of its Affiliates, direct or indirect owners, officers or agents, or any other Person, will be responsible or liable for the Tax consequences to SU arising from its disposition of the NTX Package or acquisition of the STX Package (except to the extent that there occurs a breach by SDTS of the SDTS Tax Representations or its covenants contained in Article IX ).

Section 4.18. Brokers and Finders . Neither SU Entity has engaged any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any investment banking fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finders’ or financial advisor’s fees or similar compensation in connection with this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or the Transactions for which SDTS could have any liability or responsibility whatsoever.

Section 4.19. Energy Regulatory Matters .

(a) SU is an “associate company” in a “holding company system” as those terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005 and FERC’s regulations thereunder which has a currently effective waiver of the accounting, record-retention and reporting requirements thereunder pursuant to 18 C.F.R. § 366.3(c). SU is subject to regulation (i) under Texas Law as a “public utility,” an “electric utility” and a “transmission and distribution utility” (as such terms are defined in PURA), as a “transmission service provider” (as such term is defined in 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.5), and under the ERCOT Protocols as a “Transmission and/or Distribution Service Provider” (as such term is defined in the ERCOT Protocols) and (ii) by FERC, NERC and the TRE as a “user, owner and operator of the bulk-power system” under Section 215 of the Federal Power Act. SU is not a “distribution service provider” (as such term is defined in 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.5).

 

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(b) Since January 1, 2016, the SU Entities have filed or caused to be filed with each of the PUCT, ERCOT, FERC, NERC, TRE and any other Governmental Entity exercising jurisdiction over any SU Entity, all material forms, statements, reports, agreements, and documents (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) required by applicable Law or Order to be filed by such SU Entity in connection with the conduct or operation of the Subject NTX Operations.

Section 4.20. Intellectual Property .

(a) Section 4.20(a) of the SU Disclosure Schedule contains a correct and complete list of all SU-Owned Intellectual Property included in the NTX Package that is (i) the subject of any application or registration issued by or filed with any Governmental Entity or domain registrar, all of which is valid, enforceable, and subsisting; or (ii) material unregistered proprietary Software.

(b) The SU Entities solely own all right, title, and interest in and to all SU-Owned Intellectual Property included in the NTX Package, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and have valid licenses to use all other SU Intellectual Property included in the NTX Package, and none of the foregoing will be adversely impacted by the execution of this Agreement or the consummation of the Transaction. Except as set forth in Section 4.20(b) of the SU Disclosure Schedule, no Intellectual Property that is material to the Subject NTX Operations is owned or licensed by an Affiliate of SU.

(c) To the Knowledge of SU, the SU Entities, through the Subject NTX Operations have not since January 1, 2014, infringed, misappropriated, or otherwise violated the Intellectual Property rights of any third Person in any material respect. Since January 1, 2014, neither SU Entity nor any of their Affiliates has received any written notice alleging any material infringement, misappropriation or violation of the Intellectual Property of any Person relating to the Subject NTX Operations. To the Knowledge of SU, no Person is infringing, misappropriating, or otherwise violating any SU-Owned Intellectual Property included in the NTX Package in any material respect.

(d) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a NTX Material Adverse Effect, (i) each of the SU Entities have taken commercially reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of all material Trade Secrets of the SU Entities, and (ii) to the Knowledge of SU, such material Trade Secrets have not been used by or disclosed to any Person not subject to confidentiality or non-disclosure obligations.

(e) Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a NTX Material Adverse Effect, all employees and independent contractors of the SU Entities and their Affiliates who developed, authored, or invented any material SU-Owned Intellectual Property included in the NTX Package have fully and presently assigned and transferred such Intellectual Property solely to an SU Entity (or all such rights have vested in one of the SU Entities as a matter of law).

 

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(f) Since January 1, 2014, to the Knowledge of SU, there has been no failure or other material substandard performance of any IT Assets that has caused any material disruption to the Subject NTX Operations that was not fully resolved in a commercially reasonable manner.

Section 4.21. Cybersecurity and Data Privacy . Each of the SU Entities has implemented commercially reasonable measures to protect (i) the confidentiality, integrity and security of Personal Data; and (ii) the integrity, security and availability of the IT Assets. Each of the SU Entities have been, and the ownership and operation of the IT Assets has been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Data and Operational Security Requirements. Each of the SU Entities have entered into customary contractual arrangements with third Persons maintaining or processing Personal Data on their behalf with respect to compliance with applicable Data and Operational Security Requirements. To the Knowledge of SU, since January 1, 2014, there has been no material loss, damage, or unauthorized use, modification, or disclosure of any Confidential Information or Personal Data in the possession, custody or control of any of the SU Entities, nor any material unauthorized access to, or any material breach of security of, any IT Assets. The SU Entities have not received notice of or been required to provide notice of, and the NTX Assets and the Subject NTX Operations have not been subject to, any Legal Proceeding or, to the Knowledge of SU, threatened Legal Proceeding regarding, (i) Personal Data, or (ii) the actual or alleged violation of any applicable Data and Operational Security Requirements.

Section 4.22. Certain Business Practices . The SU Entities and, to the Knowledge of SU, their respective directors, officers, employees, consultants and agents in each case acting on behalf of any SU Entities in connection with the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations have complied in all material respects at all times since January 1, 2015, and are in compliance in all material respects with (a) the provisions of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (15 U.S.C. § 78dd1, et seq.) (“ FCPA ”), and (b) the provisions of all anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering Laws of each jurisdiction in which the SU Entities operate and in which any agent thereof is conducting or has conducted business. Neither of the SU Entities and/or, to the Knowledge of SU, any of the SU Entities’ respective directors, officers, employees, consultants and agents, in each case acting on behalf of any SU Entity in connection with the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations, have paid, offered or promised to pay, or authorized or ratified the payment, directly or indirectly, of any monies or anything of value to any national, provincial, municipal or other Government Official or any political party or candidate for political office for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of such official or of any Governmental Entity to obtain or retain business, or direct business to any person or to secure any other improper benefit or advantage in each case in violation in any material respect of the FCPA and any Laws described in clause (b)  of the immediately preceding sentence. As used in this Agreement, the term “ Government Official ” means any official, officer, employee, or representative of, or any Person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of, any Governmental Entity, and includes any official or employee of any entity directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any Governmental Entity, and any officer or employee of a public international organization, as well as any Person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any such Governmental Entity, or for or on behalf of any such public international organization in respect of the NTX Package or the Subject NTX Operations.

Section 4.23. Affiliate Transactions . Except as set forth in Section 4.23 of the SU Disclosure Schedule, no officer or director or Affiliate of any SU Entity is a party to any Contract that is included in the NTX Assets or has any material interest in any material property included in the NTX Assets.

 

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ARTICLE V

Certain Covenants

Section 5.01. SDTS Conduct of Business .

(a) Except for matters (i) set forth in Section 5.01 (a) of the SDTS Disclosure Schedule, (ii) approved or consented to by SU (including actions taken by SU under the SU/SDTS Leases), (iii) required to comply with applicable Law or (iv) permitted or required by this Agreement or the HIFR Merger Agreement, during the period (the “ Pre-Closing Period ”) commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the earlier of the Closing Date and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article VII , SDTS shall (x) conduct the Subject STX Operations in all material respects in the ordinary course of business and in material compliance with all applicable Laws and (y) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact its business organization, goodwill, ongoing business and present relationships with Governmental Entities, tenants, customers, suppliers, creditors and other Persons with which it has material business relations relating to the STX Assets or the Subject STX Operations and the services of its present officers and employees; provided , however , that no action by SDTS with respect to matters specifically addressed by any provision of Section 5.01(b) shall be deemed a breach of this Section 5.01(a) unless such action constitutes a breach of such provision of Section 5.01(b) .

(b) In addition, except for matters (w) set forth in Section 5.01(b) of the SDTS Disclosure Schedule, (x) approved or consented to by SU (including actions taken by SU under the SU/SDTS Leases) (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (y) required to comply with applicable Law or (z) required or expressly permitted by this Agreement or the HIFR Merger Agreement, during the Pre-Closing Period, SDTS shall not take any action to:

(i) sell, license, sublicense, covenant not to assert, abandon, allow to lapse, transfer or dispose of any properties or assets included in the STX Assets other than in the ordinary course of business;

(ii) mortgage or pledge any of the STX Assets, or create or suffer to exist any Liens thereupon, other than Permitted Liens;

(iii) disclose any material Trade Secrets included in the STX Assets, other than pursuant to confidentiality or non-disclosure obligations restricting the use and disclosure thereof;

(iv) enter into or assume any Contract that would be included in the STX Assets or amend, modify, supplement, terminate or waive any rights under any Contract included in the STX Assets, other than in the ordinary course of business;

(v) make any capital expenditures with respect to the STX Assets or the Subject STX Operations that are not contemplated by the CapEx Forecast (as defined in and attached to the HIFR Merger Agreement), except to the extent that any such capital expenditure inconsistent with the CapEx Forecast is (A) reasonably necessary in response to natural disasters, acts of God, fires, terrorist attacks or changes in applicable Law, (B) reasonably necessary to satisfy obligations to service customers under regulatory requirements or applicable Law or to maintain the safety or reliability of the STX Assets or (C) required to maintain compliance with Good Utility Practice;

 

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(vi) settle or compromise any material Tax claim or liability for Taxes, surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, change any Tax election or Tax method of accounting or make any new Tax election that is inconsistent with past practices or adopt any new Tax method of accounting, waive or extend any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or file any amended Tax Return, in each case relating to the Subject STX Operations or STX Assets;

(vii) enter into, amend, modify, supplement, terminate or waive any rights under any STX Real Property Agreement, other than in the ordinary course of business or associated with any capital expenditures permitted pursuant to clause (v) above;

(viii) fail to pay or satisfy when due any liability that would be a STX Liability if not paid or discharged prior to the Effective Time;

(ix) settle, compromise or agree to settle any Legal Proceeding (including any Legal Proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Transactions), or consent to the same, which relates to the STX Assets or the Subject STX Operations, except as would not result in any STX Liability;

(x) amend in any material respect, breach in any material respect, terminate or allow to lapse or become subject to default in any material respect any Permit relating to the STX Assets or the Subject STX Operations, other than as required by applicable Law or, with respect to amendments or terminations only, as reasonably necessary in connection with the Subject STX Operations in the ordinary course of business and in compliance with applicable Law;

(xi) fail to maintain, terminate or cancel any material insurance policy maintained by SDTS with respect to any material assets without replacing such coverage with a comparable amount of insurance coverage to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms;

(xii) enter into any Contract or transaction with or for the benefit of any Affiliate of SDTS that would be included in the STX Assets;

(xiii) make any change to the SDTS Accounting Principles, other than such principles that would not impact the calculation of the Net Book Value of the STX Package or the STX Working Capital Package hereunder, except as required by GAAP or applicable Law; or

(xiv) commit or agree (whether by entering into a Contract or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, during the Pre-Closing Period, SDTS hereby waives compliance by SU with any provision of an SU/SDTS Lease solely to the extent that such compliance would require SU to take any action that would cause SDTS to violate any of the provisions of this Section 5.01 . SU will notify Oncor and SDTS as promptly as reasonably practicable if it determines that the foregoing sentence applies to any such requirement.

 

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Section 5.02. SU Conduct of Business .

(a) Except for matters (i) set forth in Section 5.02(a) of the SU Disclosure Schedule, (ii) approved or consented to by Oncor, (iii) required to comply with applicable Law, (iv) reasonably required to comply with SU’s obligations under the LP&L Participation Agreement or (v) permitted or required by this Agreement or the HIFR Merger Agreement, during the Pre-Closing Period, SU shall, and shall cause GS LLC to, (x) conduct the Subject NTX Operations in all material respects in the ordinary course of business, in material compliance with all applicable Laws and (y) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact its business organization, goodwill, ongoing business and present relationships with Governmental Entities, tenants, customers, suppliers, creditors and other Persons with which it has material business relations relating to the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations and the services of its present officers and employees; provided , however , that no action by SU or GS LLC with respect to matters specifically addressed by any provision of Section 5.02(b) shall be deemed a breach of this Section 5.02(a) unless such action constitutes a breach of such provision of Section 5.02(b) .

(b) In addition, except for matters (v) set forth in Section 5.02(b) of the SU Disclosure Schedule, (w) approved or consented to in writing by Oncor (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), (x) required to comply with applicable Law, (y) reasonably required to comply with SU’s obligations under the LP&L Participation Agreement or (z) required or expressly permitted by this Agreement, during the Pre-Closing Period, SU shall not (and shall cause GS LLC not to) take any action to:

(i) amend or otherwise change or propose to amend or otherwise change the organizational documents of GS LLC;

(ii) issue, or authorize for issuance, sell, deliver or agree or commit to issue, sell or deliver (whether through the issuance or granting of options, warrants, commitments, subscriptions, right to purchase or otherwise) any Equity Interests in, or other equity or voting interest in, GS LLC, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any Equity Interests of, or other equity or voting interest in, GS LLC;

(iii) with respect to GS LLC, and except for the extension of the maturity of Indebtedness of GS LLC outstanding on the date of this Agreement, (A) create, incur, assume, guarantee, endorse or refinance any Indebtedness, issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt security, except for intercompany Indebtedness among SU and GS LLC, or (B) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any Person, or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of another entity;

(iv) with respect to GS LLC, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any Person or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of another entity;

 

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(v) adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of GS LLC;

(vi) consummate any merger or consolidation of GS LLC with any other Person;

(vii) sell, license, sublicense, covenant not to assert, abandon, allow to lapse, transfer or dispose of any NTX Property, NTX Easements, or material properties or assets included in the NTX Assets, other than non-exclusive licenses of SU Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business;

(viii) mortgage or pledge any of the NTX Assets, or create or suffer to exist any Liens thereupon, other than Permitted Liens;

(ix) disclose any material Trade Secrets included in the NTX Assets, other than pursuant to confidentiality or non-disclosure obligations restricting the use and disclosure thereof;

(x) enter into or assume any Material Contract which would be included in the NTX Assets or amend, modify, supplement, terminate or waive any rights under any Material Contract included in the NTX Assets, other than in the ordinary course of business;

(xi) make any capital expenditures with respect to the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations that exceed the aggregate amount of expenditures contemplated by the NTX CapEx Forecast, except to the extent that any such capital expenditure is (A) reasonably necessary in response to natural disasters, acts of God, fires, terrorist attacks or changes in applicable Law, (B) reasonably necessary to satisfy obligations to service customers under regulatory requirements or applicable Law to maintain the safety or reliability of the NTX Assets, or (C) required to maintain compliance with Good Utility Practice;

(xii) settle or compromise any material Tax claim or liability for Taxes, surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, change any Tax election or Tax method of accounting or make any new Tax election that is inconsistent with past practices or adopt any new Tax method of accounting, waive or extend any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or file any amended Tax Return, in each case relating to the Subject NTX Operations, NTX Assets or GS LLC;

(xiii) settle, compromise or agree to settle any Legal Proceeding (including any Legal Proceeding relating to this Agreement or the Transactions), or consent to the same, which relates to the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations, except as would not result in any NTX Liability greater than $100,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate;

(xiv) in respect of GS LLC, enter into any new line of business;

(xv) amend in any material respect, breach in any material respect, terminate or allow to lapse or become subject to default in any material respect any Permit relating to the NTX Assets or the Subject NTX Operations, other than as required by applicable Law or, with respect to amendments or terminations only, as reasonably necessary in connection with the Subject NTX Operations in the ordinary course of business and in compliance with applicable Law;

 

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(xvi) make any change to the SU Accounting Principles, other than such principles that would not impact the calculation of the Net Book Value of the NTX Package or the NTX Working Capital Package hereunder, except as required by GAAP or applicable Law;

(xvii) fail to maintain, terminate or cancel any material insurance policy maintained by SU with respect to any material assets without replacing such coverage with a comparable amount of insurance coverage to the extent available on commercially reasonable terms;

(xviii) enter into any Contract with respect to the voting of any of the Equity Interests of GS LLC;

(xix) enter into any agreement or amendment that would reasonably be expected to limit or otherwise restrict GS LLC or any successor thereto from engaging or competing in any line of business or conducting its business in any geographic area;

(xx) adjust, split, combine, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of GS LLC, or reclassify, combine, split, subdivide or otherwise amend the terms of any Equity Interests of GS LLC;

(xxi) except as pursuant to the terms of any previously disclosed Employee Benefit Plan, (A) other than in the ordinary course of business, materially increase the compensation, bonus or pension, welfare, severance or other benefits of, pay any material bonus to, or make any new equity awards to any Available Employee, (B) enter into, adopt, become bound by or, except for immaterial amendments that do not materially increase the cost of any such Employee Benefit Plan, amend any Employee Benefit Plan (or any plan that would be an Employee Benefit Plan if adopted) or any collective bargaining agreement or other agreement with a labor union, works council or similar organization, (C) forgive any material loans to any Available Employee, (D) hire any employee or engage any independent contractor (who is a natural person) other than in the ordinary course of business, or (E) terminate the employment of any Available Employee other than for cause;

(xxii) enter into any Contract or transaction with or for the benefit of any Affiliate of any SU Entity that would be included in the NTX Assets; or

(xxiii) commit or agree (whether by entering into a Contract or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing.

Section 5.03. Access to Information . During the Pre-Closing Period, and subject to Section 5.05(b)(vii) , (a) SDTS shall afford SU and its Representatives and (b) SU shall, and shall cause GS LLC to, afford SDTS, Oncor and their respective Representatives reasonable access, upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours, to (i) the STX Assets or the NTX Assets, as applicable, (ii) the senior management personnel engaged in the Subject STX Operations or the Subject NTX Operations, as applicable (in accordance with such reasonable procedures as shall be determined by the party providing such access), (iii) properties, books, Contracts, commitments and records relating to the Subject STX Operations or the Subject NTX Operations, as applicable, including for purposes of conducting non-intrusive environmental assessments and (iv) all other financial, operating and data and information as the party requesting such access shall reasonably request in writing relating to the STX Assets or NTX Assets, as applicable; provided, however , that in each case such access shall not interfere unreasonably with the business and operations of the

 

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party providing such access and shall not include any invasive environmental sampling or testing, including but not limited to testing or sampling of facility surface and subsurface soils and water, air or building materials (unless the party who owns the relevant property and is providing such access shall consent in writing to such sampling or testing). Nothing contained in this Section 5.03 shall obligate any parties or their respective Affiliates or representatives to violate any applicable Law or breach any duty of confidentiality owed to any Person, whether such duty arises contractually, statutorily or otherwise. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 5.03 , no party or any of its Affiliates shall be obligated to provide to any other party (x) any work papers or similar materials prepared by the independent public accountants of such party or its Affiliates, except to the extent that such accountants agree to provide access to such work papers or similar materials upon such terms and conditions as shall be determined by such accountants in their sole discretion ( provided that each party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to seek such access), or (y) access to or to disclose information where such access or disclosure would (i) breach any agreement with a third party, (ii) constitute a waiver of or jeopardize the attorney-client or other privilege held by such party or (iii) otherwise violate any applicable Law ( provided that each party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to allow for such access or disclosure in a manner that does not result in such a loss, breach or violation of such privilege). If requested by Oncor prior to the Closing, but not more than once per calendar month, SU will provide Oncor a written summary in reasonable detail of the actions taken by SU under the LP&L Participation Agreement and all budgets, projections and cost estimates prepared in connection with the projects contemplated thereby.

Section 5.04. Confidentiality . Each party acknowledges that the documents and information that have been or will be provided to it pursuant to Section 5.03 or otherwise in connection with the preparation, structuring or negotiation of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or planning for, implementation or consummation of the Transactions are subject to the terms of (i) the Amended and Restated Confidentiality Agreement, dated June 18, 2018, by and between HIFR and Oncor (the “ HIFR-Oncor Confidentiality Agreement ”), (ii) the Confidentiality Agreement, dated April 9, 2018, by and between Hunt and Oncor and (iii) the Confidentiality Agreement, dated April 7, 2017, among HIFR, Hunt and SU (the agreements in clauses (ii) and (iii), the “ Other Confidentiality Agreements ”).

Section 5.05. Efforts; Consents and Approvals; Regulatory Filings .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.05 , for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Transactions, including in connection with obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, each party shall have exclusive final approval, acting reasonably, over any testimony that will be made to any Governmental Entity by any of its Representatives, any written responses to discovery requests directed to that specific party, and any oral presentation of evidence made on behalf of that specific party. For the avoidance of doubt, this exclusive right of final approval shall not apply to joint pleadings filed in connection with the PUCT Filing.

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, SDTS, Oncor and SU shall cooperate with each other and use, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to use, their respective reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done, and assist and cooperate with the other parties to consummate and make effective the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing, as promptly as reasonably practicable, including negotiating, preparing and filing as promptly as reasonably practicable all

 

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documentation to effect all necessary notices, reports and other filings and to obtain as promptly as reasonably practicable all consents, registrations, approvals, Permits and authorizations necessary or advisable to be obtained from any third party and/or any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing and the following:

(i) SDTS, Oncor and SU shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, make all filings required of them or their “ultimate parent entities” under the HSR Act in connection with the Transactions, which shall be filed as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in any event no later than 45 days from the date of this Agreement. Each party shall bear its own costs of complying with this Section 5.05(b)(i) and SDTS and SU shall each pay 50% of the applicable filing fees required under the HSR Act with respect to the Transactions.

(ii) SDTS, Oncor and SU shall submit to the PUCT a single, integrated filing (jointly on behalf of the parties, including, to the extent applicable, the other parties to the transactions referred to below) that requests prior approval by the PUCT of the Merger, the HIFR Transactions and the SU Investment (the “ PUCT Filing ”) as promptly as reasonably practicable after the 30th day following the date hereof, but in no event later than 45 days after the date hereof. SDTS, Oncor and SU further agree that the PUCT Filing shall contain, at a minimum, all of the terms and undertakings set forth in Exhibit D hereto (the “ Regulatory Terms ”).

(iii) SDTS, Oncor and SU shall jointly file with the FERC an application for the FERC Approval as promptly as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than 45 days after the date hereof.

(iv) The parties shall jointly submit a draft and a final notice to CFIUS pursuant to the DPA with respect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing as promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, within one day after the date hereof, the parties shall jointly contact the Staff Chair of CFIUS to inform CFIUS of the transaction, the identity of counsel to the parties and that a notice will be filed pursuant to the DPA. The parties shall use reasonable best efforts to submit a draft notice to CFIUS within 14 calendar days after the date hereof and to submit a final notice to CFIUS as soon as reasonably practicable following the date that CFIUS provides comments to the draft notice. Oncor shall pay any applicable filing fee imposed by CFIUS under the DPA applicable to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing.

(v) Subject to Laws relating to the exchange of information, SDTS, Oncor and SU shall, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates to, use their respective reasonable best efforts to provide the other parties a reasonable opportunity to review in advance and, to the extent practicable, each will consult with the other on and consider in good faith the views of the other parties in connection with, all material information that appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, or oral presentations or testimony made to any Governmental Entity in connection with obtaining the Regulatory Approvals. In particular, unless prohibited by Law or a Governmental Entity, no party shall make any filing, notification, submission of written materials or presentations to a Governmental Entity in connection with the Regulatory Approvals without first providing the

 

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other parties with a copy of such notification in draft form and giving such other parties a reasonable opportunity to comment on its content before it is filed with the relevant Governmental Entities, and such first party shall consider all reasonable comments timely made by the other parties in this respect. In exercising the foregoing rights and obligations, each of SDTS, Oncor and SU shall act reasonably and as promptly as reasonably practicable.

(vi) SDTS, Oncor and SU shall not schedule, participate in or initiate any meetings or communications with any Subject Governmental Entity in connection with the Regulatory Approvals without giving the other parties or their respective Representatives a reasonable opportunity to participate in such meeting or communication unless prohibited by the applicable Subject Governmental Entity. Without limiting the foregoing, the parties hereto shall keep each other reasonably apprised of all substantive communications with Governmental Entities or Other Interested Parties in which they participate or of which they are aware regarding the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing; provided, however , that nothing in this Section 5.05(a) shall prevent, limit or restrict any party or its Affiliates from (x) interacting, communicating or making filings or applications with, or resolving any investigation or other inquiry of, any PUCT staff in connection with proceedings before the PUCT, other than proceedings with respect to the PUCT Filing, and (y) responding to unsolicited inquiries from any Governmental Entity related to the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing; provided , further , that in the case of clause (y), such party will notify the other parties to this Agreement of any such unsolicited inquiries and such party’s response to the inquiries as promptly as reasonably practicable.

(vii) The parties acknowledge and agree that SDTS, Oncor and SU shall be permitted to schedule, participate in or initiate any meetings or communications with any Other Interested Party without giving the other parties or their respective Representatives the opportunity to participate in any such meeting or communication (an “ Interested Party Communication ”); provided, however , that promptly following any Interested Party Communication, each party participating in such Interested Party Communication shall provide a reasonable summary of such communication to each party that did not participate therein.

(viii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) commercially and/or competitively sensitive information and materials of a party will be provided to the other parties on an outside counsel-only basis while, to the extent feasible, making a version from which the commercial and/or competitively sensitive information has been redacted available to the other party and (B) no party will be required to provide the other party any personal identifying information that is submitted to CFIUS pursuant to the DPA.

(c) SDTS, Oncor and SU shall, upon request by the other party or parties, furnish such other party or parties with all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, directors, officers and equityholders and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with any statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of SDTS, Oncor, SU, HIFR, the Operating Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries to or with any Governmental Entity in connection with the Regulatory Approvals.

 

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(d) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, without limiting the generality of the other undertakings pursuant to this Section 5.05 , each of SDTS, Oncor and SU shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, the following actions:

(i) the prompt provision to each and every federal, state, local or foreign court or Governmental Entity (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the FERC and the PUCT) with jurisdiction over any Regulatory Approvals of information and documents reasonably requested by any such court or Governmental Entity or that are necessary, proper or advisable to permit consummation of the Transactions;

(ii) obtaining the Regulatory Approvals as expeditiously as possible, provided that obtaining any such approval does not constitute (A) with respect to SU, a STX Burdensome Condition and (B) with respect to SDTS, a NTX Burdensome Condition; and

(iii) the avoidance of the entry or enactment of any permanent, preliminary or temporary injunction or other order, decree, decision, determination, judgment or Law that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to prevent, enjoin or otherwise prohibit, or materially impair, restrain or restrict, the transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing, provided that such avoidance would not (A) with respect to SU, constitute a STX Burdensome Condition, and (B) with respect to SDTS, constitute a NTX Burdensome Condition.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the “reasonable best efforts” standard set forth in this Section 5.05 shall not in any event be construed to require Oncor, SDTS or SU or any of their respective Affiliates or direct or indirect equityholders, to (i) sell or agree to sell, hold or agree to hold separate (except as contemplated by this Agreement (excluding this Section 5.05 ) or the HIFR Merger Agreement (excluding Section 5.7 thereof)), or otherwise dispose or agree to dispose of any asset, (ii) conduct or agree to conduct its business in any particular manner (except as contemplated by this Agreement or the HIFR Merger Agreement), (iii) agree to any order, action or regulatory condition of any regulatory body, whether in an approval proceeding or another regulatory proceeding, that, would constitute a STX Burdensome Condition, in the case of SU, or a NTX Burdensome Condition, in the case of Oncor or SDTS or (iv) in the case of Oncor (or any member of Oncor), in connection with the CFIUS Approval, offer or agree to mitigation provisions that limit the right of any member of Oncor to retain or exercise its governance rights, including any amendments, modifications, waivers or other changes to the governing agreements of Oncor.

(f) Nothing in this Agreement shall require Oncor, SDTS or SU to make any filing in state or federal court to vacate, modify, reverse, remove, file exceptions to, file a motion for rehearing of, or appeal any permanent, preliminary or temporary injunction, decision, order, judgment, determination, decree or Law entered, issued or enacted by any Governmental Entity that would make consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement unlawful, that would prevent, enjoin or otherwise prohibit, or in any manner impair, restrain or restrict, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that in any manner prohibits, modifies or alters this Agreement (or seeks to do the same), even if such decision order, judgment, determination, decree or Law imposes or seeks to impose obligations that do not constitute a STX Burdensome Condition, in the case of SU, or a NTX Burdensome Condition, in the case of Oncor or SDTS; provided , that no party shall be required to make any filing whatsoever to challenge any decision, order, judgement,

 

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determination or decree of the PUCT or FERC; provided, further , however, that if any of Oncor, SDTS or SU files exceptions to or a motion for rehearing or appeal of any permanent, preliminary or temporary injunction, decision, order, judgment, or determination, decree or Law entered, issued or enacted by any Governmental Entity, then no other party shall oppose or contest such filing.

(g) The parties acknowledge and agree that none of the fees and expenses incurred by the parties in connection with the transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing, including the costs of transitioning the ownership of the STX Assets or NTX Assets to SU or SDTS, as applicable, at the Closing, shall be recoverable under any party’s tariffs. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, SU agrees not to seek to recover any of the fees, expenses and costs described in the preceding sentence in any rate case or other Legal Proceeding before the PUCT. Expenses or costs incurred by the parties within the meaning of this subsection (g) do not include Oncor, SU or SDTS employee time.

(h) SEC Filings . SU agrees to provide such reasonable assistance to SDTS and Oncor with respect to the preparation of any applicable pro forma financial information required to be filed by Affiliates of SDTS and/or Oncor with the Securities and Exchange Commission and furnish or cause to be furnished reasonable access to personnel of SU and its outside accountants and such other assistance and cooperation, in each case as SDTS and/or Oncor reasonably requests in connection with the reporting obligations of Affiliates of SDTS or Oncor under the Exchange Act in connection with the Transactions and for any other reasonable purpose, including accounting and financial reporting matters.

Section 5.06. Supplemental Disclosure .

(a) SDTS and SU shall have the right from time to time during the Pre-Closing Period to supplement or amend the information contained in the applicable Property Schedule or Schedule A , Schedule C , Schedule E or Schedule G , as applicable, in accordance with this Section 5.06(a) . Any supplement to or amendment of (i) the (A) listing of Contracts, properties or assets included in the STX Assets or NTX Assets set forth on Schedule A , Schedule C , Schedule E or Schedule G , as applicable, or (B) the list of Owned Property, Leasehold Property or Real Property Agreements set forth in the applicable Property Schedule, in each case, to reflect changes in such Contracts, properties, assets or Real Property Agreements after the date of this Agreement solely to the extent that such change results from actions permitted pursuant to the covenants of the parties set forth in Section 5.01 or Section 5.02 , as applicable, or (ii) the list of Owned Property, Leasehold Property or Real Property Agreements set forth in the applicable Property Schedule to (A) include additional Owned Property, Leasehold Property or Real Property Agreements primarily related to the Subject STX Operations or Subject NTX Operations, as applicable, or (B) remove Owned Property, Leasehold Property or Real Property Agreements that are not primarily related to the Subject STX Operations or Subject NTX Operations, as applicable, shall be permitted without the consent of any other party and shall be given effect for all purposes of this Agreement as if such supplement or amendment had been reflected in the applicable Schedule as of the date of this Agreement.

(b) SU shall have the right from time to time during the Pre-Closing Period to supplement or amend the information contained in (i) the listing of Material Contracts on Section 4.07 of the SU Disclosure Schedule to reflect changes in such Contracts solely to the extent that such change results from actions permitted pursuant to Section 10.05(c) or (ii) the listing of Legal Proceedings on Section 4.10 of the SU Disclosure Schedule solely to the extent that such change

 

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results from a Legal Proceeding arising after the date hereof. For purposes of determining whether the conditions to the obligations of SU in Section 6.02 have been fulfilled, any such supplemented Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to include only that information contained therein on the date of this Agreement and shall be deemed to exclude any information contained in any supplement thereof (it being understood and agreed that the second sentence of Section 4.10(a) , which addresses Legal Proceedings related to the Transactions, is being made as of the date hereof).

(c) Except as provided in this Section 5.06 or Section 11.12 , the parties may not amend or supplement any Schedule or Disclosure Schedule.

Section 5.07. Notification of Certain Matters . Each of the parties hereto shall promptly notify the others of (i) any notice or other communication received by such party from any Governmental Entity in connection with the Transactions alleging that the consent of such Governmental Entity is or may be required in connection with the Transactions, (ii) any Legal Proceeding commenced or, to such party’s knowledge, threatened in writing against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting such party or GS LLC which relate to the Transactions, (iii) the discovery of any fact or circumstance that, or the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which would reasonably be expected to result in any of the conditions to the Transactions set forth in Article VI not being satisfied or satisfaction of those conditions being materially delayed; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 5.07 shall not (x) cure any breach of, or non-compliance with, any other provision of this Agreement or (y) limit the remedies available to the party receiving such notice; provided further , that failure to give prompt notice pursuant to clause (iii) shall not constitute a failure of a condition to the Transactions set forth in Article VI except to the extent that the underlying fact or circumstance not so notified would standing alone constitute such a failure.

Section 5.08. Cooperation as to Financing .

(a) From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement pursuant to the terms of Article VII hereof, SU agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide, and to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Representatives to provide, such reasonable cooperation as may be requested by Oncor in connection with the arrangement of (x) equity financing by Oncor or any of its Affiliates (the “ Equity Financing ”), (y) debt financing by Oncor or any of its Affiliates, including as contemplated by Section 5.17 of the HIFR Merger Agreement (the “ Debt Financing ”) or (z) the consent solicitations provided for in Section 5.19 of the HIFR Merger Agreement (the “ HIFR Debt Refinancing ” and with the Equity Financing and Debt Financing , each referred to hereafter as a “Financing”) required for the HIFR Transactions, including commercially reasonable efforts to provide (i) assistance with and/or furnish (or, at SU’s election, cause a third party service provider to furnish), as applicable, any disclosure regarding SU’s business, financial statements, pro forma financials, projections, management discussion and analysis and other customary financial data and information required in connection with any Financing, all for use in connection therewith, (ii) direct their respective independent accountants to provide customary and reasonable assistance in connection with any Financing, including providing comfort letters and consents reasonably requested by third parties providing Financing (taking into account customary practices regarding descriptions of assets of comparable size in connection with a financing comparable to the Financing), and (iii) obtain customary payoff letters, releases of liens and other instruments of termination or discharge reasonably requested by Oncor or any of its Affiliates in connection with the

 

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repayment of indebtedness of any SU Entity as necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Oncor shall reimburse SU for all reasonable, out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred by SU and its Subsidiaries in connection with cooperation provided for in this Section 5.08(a) to the extent the information requested was not otherwise prepared or available without additional cost in the ordinary course of business. Any lender, underwriter, arranger, manager, placement agent or similar entity in connection with any Financing by Oncor or any of its Affiliates shall be deemed to be a “Representative” for purposes of the HIFR-Oncor Confidentiality Agreement and the Other Confidentiality Agreements. Any lender, underwriter, arranger, manager, placement agent or similar entity in connection with any Financing by Sempra Energy or its Affiliates shall be deemed to be a “Representative” of Sempra Energy for the purposes of (A) the Amended and Restated Confidentiality Agreement, dated June 18, 2018, by and between Sempra Energy and HIFR, and (B) the Confidentiality Agreement, dated April 9, 2018, by and between Sempra Energy and Hunt.

(b) From and after the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement pursuant to the terms of Article VII hereof, it is understood that Oncor or any of its Affiliates may seek to market and consummate all or a portion of any Financing. In this regard, and for the avoidance of doubt, SU acknowledges that its cooperation obligations set forth in Section 5.08(a) include the obligation to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with any such efforts; provided such cooperation obligations are limited to those set forth in Section 5.08(a) .

(c) None of SU, its Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives shall be required to take any action that would subject such Person to actual or potential liability, to bear any cost or expense or to pay any commitment or other similar fee or make any other payment or incur any other liability or provide or agree to provide any indemnity in connection with any Financing or their performance of their respective obligations under this Section 5.08 or any information utilized in connection therewith. Oncor shall indemnify and hold harmless SU, its Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives from and against any and all Losses suffered or incurred by them in connection with the arrangement of any Financing and the performance of their respective obligations under this Section 5.08 and any information utilized in connection therewith (other than to the extent arising from information provided by SU or any of its Subsidiaries that contains material misstatements or omissions). SU hereby consents to the use of the logos of any SU Entity in connection with any Financing; provided , that such logos are used solely in a manner that is not reasonably likely to harm or disparage SU or any of its Subsidiaries or the reputation or goodwill of any SU Entity.

Section 5.09. Preparation for Operational Transition .

(a) As promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, except to the extent prohibited by applicable Law, Representatives of Oncor and SU, in cooperation and coordination with SDTS, shall jointly prepare a written plan, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Oncor, SDTS and SU, that details the processes, procedures and timeline to make all changes deemed reasonably necessary by Oncor to allow communication and control by Oncor’s transmission grid operation center of the NTX Assets, and STX Assets to the extent applicable, such that, at the Closing, Oncor will be capable of monitoring, operating, and controlling all of SDTS’s transmission facilities including the NTX Assets, and SU Retained Assets to the extent applicable, in accordance with the applicable requirements of ERCOT and the NERC (such capability, the “ Interface Transition ”, and such plan, the “ Interface Transition Plan ”). Beginning the 70th day after the date of this Agreement, except to the extent prohibited by applicable Law, Oncor, SDTS and SU shall cooperate and use their reasonable best efforts to implement the Interface Transition Plan.

 

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(b) For the purposes of this Section 5.09 , “reasonable best efforts” shall require, at a minimum, (i) SU to modify the SCADA RTUs, communication systems, and DC Tie remote controls in order to accomplish the Interface Transition and permit access and control by Oncor’s transmission grid operations center at Closing or (ii) SU and SDTS to provide Oncor, with sufficient advanced notice, step-in rights and all reasonably necessary rights, privileges, and access for Oncor to accomplish the Interface Transition on the timeline provided in the Interface Transition Plan.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Interface Transition Plan will be completed at Oncor’s sole cost and expense to the extent that SDTS or SU would otherwise be required to incur any out-of-pocket cost or expense. In the event the transaction does not close, all costs of removal or reversal of the Interface Transition Plan activities, to the extent reasonably necessary, will be at Oncor’s sole cost and expense. For the avoidance of doubt, neither SU nor SDTS shall be required to take or consent to any action that would irreparably harm their ability to operate the NTX Assets, the STX Assets the SDTS Retained Assets and/or the SU Retained assets in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Article VII .

(d) At or prior to the submission of the PUCT Filing, SU shall deliver to Oncor all transmission plans for any potential or future project to upgrade, modify, extend, or expand any transmission assets included in the NTX Assets, including SU’s annual and five (5) year transmission plans.

Section 5.10. Licensed Intellectual Property .

(a) From and after the Effective Time, subject to the terms of this Section 5.10, SDTS, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates (including GS LLC), hereby grants to SU and its Affiliates a non-exclusive, fully-paid, royalty-free, as-is license to use, reproduce, or modify all Intellectual Property related to the design of electric transmission towers that is owned by SDTS or GS LLC immediately following the Effective Time embodied in or used in an Applicable Transmission System (“ Licensed Intellectual Property ”) in connection with the design, development, manufacture, operation, maintenance, restoration, procurement of bids for equipment or services, sale or other use (“ Licensed Activities ”) of any transmission system owned or controlled by SU, its Affiliates and their successors and assigns (the “ Licensed Parties ”), whether currently or in the future (“ Licensed Transmission Systems ”). With respect to a Licensed Transmission System, SDTS agrees that the Licensed Parties may disclose the Licensed Intellectual Property, on a confidential basis, to any employee, contractor, operator or supplier of the Licensed Parties, to the extent necessary to perform the Licensed Activities in connection with the Licensed Transmission Systems on behalf of the Licensed Parties; provided, however, the Licensed Parties shall be responsible and liable for the acts or omission of any such entity or person with respect to the Licensed Intellectual Property disclosed. SDTS acknowledges and agrees that, following the Closing, the Licensed Parties may retain copies of all documents, designs, Contracts, plans and other records comprising the Licensed Intellectual Property; provided, however , that the Licensed Parties shall comply with the confidentiality and use restrictions set forth in the applicable Contract relating to such documents, designs, Contracts, plans and other records, including such restrictions that require payment of a fee to the applicable counterparty prior to disclosure or use. For purposes of this Section, all Intellectual Property arising out of the Tower Design License Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2017, among Oncor, SDTS and (pursuant to an undertaking) SU, shall not in any way be deemed Licensed Intellectual Property and is expressly excluded from the license granted herein.

 

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(b) The license granted pursuant to this Section 5.10 may be assigned (i) in part to any purchaser of a portion of a Licensed Transmission System or (ii) in whole to any purchaser of all of the Licensed Transmission Systems, in each case upon 5 business days’ notice to SDTS. Except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, this license granted pursuant to this Section 5.10 shall not be assignable or transferable.

(c) THE LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND THE LICENSE GRANTED HEREIN ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” “WHERE IS” BASIS.  ONCOR , SDTS, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES AND SUBSIDIARIES MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY REGARDING THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS OR FREEDOM FROM DEFECTS OF THE LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND FURTHER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS, EXPRESS, IMPLIED AND STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WORKMANSHIP, TITLE, LICENSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. FURTHER, ONCOR, SDTS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES AND SUBSIDIARIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON OR ENTITY , UNDER ANY CAUSE OF ACTION RELATED TO THE LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OR THE LICENSED GRANTED HEREIN, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER CAUSE OF ACTION, OR FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, WITH REGARD TO AND IN CONNECTION WITH THE LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND THE LICENSE GRANTED HEREIN.  THE DISCLAIMERS AND EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION ARE A MATERIAL PART OF SDTS’ AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE THE LICENSED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND THE LICENSE GRANTED HEREIN .

Section 5.11. Rate Case Cooperation .

(a) From and after 11:59 p.m. (Dallas time) on the 30th day following the date hereof until the earliest of (i) the Closing, (ii) the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article VII or (iii) the date when the PUCT Approval is received, SU shall cooperate with Oncor in preparing Rate Case Material. In furtherance of the foregoing, SU shall, and shall cause GS LLC to, afford Oncor and its Representatives reasonable access to all of their respective properties, facilities, personnel, Contracts, books and records and financial, operating and other data and information in accordance with Section 5.03 .

(b) For purposes of this Section 5.11 , “ Rate Case Material ” means any documentation, studies or other material reasonably necessary to support Oncor in prosecuting a ratemaking proceeding for the North Texas Utility.

 

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Section 5.12. Certain Employee Matters . Oncor acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with the Transactions and the Employee Matters Letter Agreement, certain confidential information (“ Employee Information ”) relating to employees of SU and Hunt Utility Services, LLC has been delivered to Oncor. Oncor agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to afford all Employee Information similar protections afforded to information relating to Oncor’s employees, including with respect to disclosure and use of such information.

ARTICLE VI

Conditions to Closing

Section 6.01. Conditions Precedent to Each Party s Obligations . The obligations of each party to consummate the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver in writing by each party) of the following conditions:

(a) Consummation of the HIFR Merger Agreement . The substantially concurrent consummation of the HIFR Transactions in the order described in the recitals to this Agreement.

(b) Consummation of the SU Purchase Agreement . The substantially concurrent consummation of the SU Investment in the order described in the recitals to this Agreement.

(c) No Legal Injunctions or Restraints . No court or other Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law or Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits or makes illegal the consummation of the Transactions.

(d) The Regulatory Approvals shall have been obtained and have become final (provided, that, with respect to the PUCT Approval, “final” shall be as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act, Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 2001.144 (“APA 2001.144”)) and each of the Regulatory Approvals shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6.02. Conditions Precedent to SU s Obligations . The obligation of SU to consummate the Transactions is subject to the satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver by SU) of the following conditions:

(a) SU Regulatory Conditions; Absence of STX Burdensome Condition . (i) No Law or any Regulatory Approval, individually or in the aggregate, shall contain, include, impose or require any undertakings, terms, conditions, liabilities, obligations, commitments or sanctions, or any structural or remedial actions, that constitute a STX Burdensome Condition and (ii) Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 13 of the Regulatory Terms shall have been approved by an order issued by the PUCT (“ SU Regulatory Conditions ”).

(b) Accuracy of SDTS Representations and Warranties . (i) The SDTS Fundamental Representations in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly state that they relate to or are made as of a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date) and (ii) all other representations and warranties of SDTS in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any limitation as to “material”, “materially”, “materiality”, “material adverse effect”, “STX Material Adverse Effect” or other similar qualification set forth therein) as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as though made on the Closing

 

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Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly state that they relate to or are made as of a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except for any failures of such representations or warranties to be true and correct as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a STX Material Adverse Effect; provided, however , that SU shall not be permitted to invoke the failure of the condition set forth in this Section 6.02(b)(ii) to the extent (x) the failure of the applicable representations and warranties to be true and correct (1) constitutes an Excluded Breach of Representations or (2) results from Disqualifying Operator Conduct.

(c) Accuracy of Oncor Representations and Warranties . (i) The Oncor Fundamental Representations in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly state that they relate to or are made as of a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date) and (ii) all other representations and warranties of Oncor in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any limitation as to “material”, “materially”, “materiality”, “material adverse effect” or other similar qualification set forth therein) as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly state that they relate to or are made as of a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except for any failures of such representations or warranties to be true and correct as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent, impede or otherwise adversely affect in any material respect the Transactions.

(d) Performance of SDTS s Obligations . SDTS shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all obligations and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing, except to the extent resulting from any Disqualifying Operator Conduct.

(e) Performance of Oncor s Obligations . Oncor shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all obligations and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing.

(f) SDTS Closing Deliveries . SDTS shall have made, or caused to be made, each of the payments and delivered, or caused to be delivered, to SU each of the agreements, certificates and other documents required to be made or delivered by it to SU at the Closing pursuant to Section 2.02(a) .

(g) Oncor Closing Deliveries . Oncor shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to SU each of the agreements, certificates and other documents required to be delivered by it to SU at the Closing pursuant to Section 2.02(c) , Section 2.02(d) and Section 2.02(g) , which, in the case of Section 2.02(g) shall be deemed to be made immediately following the Closing.

(h) No Material Adverse Effect . Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have been a STX Material Adverse Effect.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, SU may not rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Section 6.02 to be satisfied if such failure (i) resulted from an action or inaction on the part of SDTS or its Affiliates that was requested or consented to in writing by SU or (ii) was primarily caused by the failure of SU to comply in any material respect with its obligations under this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.03. Conditions Precedent to SDTS and Oncor s Obligations . The obligation of SDTS and Oncor to consummate the Transactions is subject to the satisfaction (or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, waiver by Oncor) of the following conditions:

(a) SDTS Regulatory Conditions; Absence of NTX Burdensome Condition . (i) No Law or any Regulatory Approval, individually or in the aggregate, shall contain, include, impose or require any undertakings, terms, conditions, liabilities, obligations, commitments or sanctions, or any structural or remedial actions, that constitute a NTX Burdensome Condition and (ii) Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, and 13 of the Regulatory Terms shall have been approved by an order issued by the PUCT (“ SDTS Regulatory Conditions ”).

(b) Accuracy of SU Representations and Warranties . (i) The SU Fundamental Representations in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly state that they relate to or are made as of a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date) and (ii) all other representations and warranties of SU in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any limitation as to “material”, “materially”, “materiality”, “material adverse effect”, “NTX Material Adverse Effect” or other similar qualification set forth therein) as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as though made on the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly state that they relate to or are made as of a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except for any failures of such representations or warranties to be true and correct as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a NTX Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Performance of Obligations . SU shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all obligations and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing.

(d) Closing Deliveries . SU shall have made, or caused to be made, each of the payments and delivered, or caused to be delivered, to SDTS or Oncor each of the agreements, certificates and other documents required to be made or delivered by it to SDTS or Oncor at the Closing pursuant to Section 2.02(b) or Section 2.02(e) .

(e) No Material Adverse Effect . Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have been a NTX Material Adverse Effect.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, SDTS may not rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Section 6.03 to be satisfied if such failure (i) resulted from an action or inaction on the part of SU or its Affiliates that was requested or consented to in writing by SDTS or (ii) was primarily caused by the failure of SDTS or Oncor to comply in any material respect with their obligations under this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE VII

Termination

Section 7.01. Automatic Termination . This Agreement shall terminate and the Transactions shall be abandoned automatically, without action on the part of any party, if the HIFR Merger Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 7.01 thereof prior to the Closing without the transactions contemplated thereby having been consummated.

Section 7.02. Other Termination Events .

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated and the Transactions may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing:

(i) by mutual written consent of SDTS, SU and Oncor;

(ii) by SDTS and Oncor (acting jointly), if there has been a breach by SU of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement and such breach (A) if it occurred or was continuing as of the Closing Date, would give rise to the failure of a condition to the obligations of SDTS and Oncor under Section 6.03 and (B) is not cured within the earlier of (x) 30 days after receipt by SU of written notice thereof from Oncor (which notice shall specify in reasonable detail the nature of such breach), and (y) the Outside Date; provided, however , that SDTS and Oncor shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subparagraph (ii) if either such party is in breach in any material respect of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement;

(iii) by SU, if there has been a breach by SDTS or Oncor of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement and such breach (A) if it occurred or was continuing as of the Closing Date, would give rise to the failure of a condition to the obligations of SU under Section 6.02 and (B) is not cured within the earlier of (x) 30 days after receipt by the breaching party (Oncor or SDTS, as applicable), of written notice thereof from SU (which notice shall specify in reasonable detail the nature of such breach), and (y) the Outside Date; provided, however , that SU shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subparagraph (iii) if (x) the applicable breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement (1) constitutes an Excluded Breach of Representations or (2) results from any Disqualifying Operator Conduct or (y) if SU is in breach in any material respect of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement;

(iv) by Oncor or SU, if the PUCT issues an Order that (A) imposes (in the case of a termination by Oncor) a NTX Burdensome Condition or (in the case of termination by SU) a STX Burdensome Condition (each of which has not been accepted by the party adversely impacted by such NTX Burdensome Condition or STX Burdensome Condition, as applicable) or (B) (x) in the case of a termination by Oncor, denies any SDTS Regulatory Condition or imposes any condition that would cause the failure of an SDTS Regulatory Condition or (y) in the case of termination by SU, denies any SU Regulatory Condition or imposes any condition that would cause the failure of an SU Regulatory Condition, and within 30 days following the date that such Order becomes final pursuant to APA 2001.144, such Order has not been vacated, or materially modified such that there is no NTX Burdensome Condition or STX Burdensome Condition (as applicable) or failure of an SDTS Regulatory Condition or SU Regulatory Condition (as applicable);

 

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(v) by Oncor or SU, if the Closing does not occur prior to or on the date that is 270 days after the date of this Agreement (the “ Initial Outside Date ”); provided, however , that the Initial Outside Date shall automatically and without any action required by any party be extended for the same period of time (up to a maximum of 180 days beyond the Initial Outside Date) that the Initial Termination Date (as defined in the HIFR Merger Agreement) is extended (x) pursuant to Section 7.1(b)(i) of the HIFR Merger Agreement or (y) by the applicable parties to the HIFR Merger Agreement (the Initial Outside Date or the date to which it is extended from time to time in accordance with and subject to the limitations contained in this Section 7.02(a)(v) is referred to herein as the “ Outside Date ”); or

(vi) by SDTS and Oncor (acting jointly) or SU, if any court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Entity shall have issued an Order restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting any of the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such Order shall have become final and non-appealable; provided , that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.02(a)(vi) shall not be available to any party if the issuance of such judgment, order, injunction, rule or decree was primarily attributable to the failure of such party to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

(b) In the event of a termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.02 , written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to each other party and the Transactions shall thereupon be abandoned, without further action by any party.

Section 7.03. Effect of Termination . If this Agreement is terminated and the Transactions are abandoned as provided in this Article VII , this Agreement shall be of no further force and effect, except for the provisions of Section 5.04 , this Article VII and Article XI (which shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms). Nothing in this Article VII shall be deemed to release any party from any liability or damages arising out of actual and intentional fraud or any Willful and Material Breach by such party of any term, condition, covenant or other provision contained in this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

Indemnification

Section 8.01. Indemnification by SDTS . Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article VIII , from and after the Closing, SDTS shall indemnify and hold harmless SU and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives (collectively, the “ SU Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all Claims, losses, judgments, awards, damages, Liabilities, obligations, costs and expenses, including reasonable third party legal fees and expenses, interest, penalties and reasonable expenses of investigation, response action, removal action or remedial action conducted in accordance with industry standards and in a reasonably cost effective manner (collectively, “ Losses ”), suffered or incurred by any SU Indemnitee (without duplication in the case of any Loss for which indemnification may be provided under more than one provision of this Section 8.01 ) to the extent arising or resulting from any of the following:

 

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(a) a breach of any covenant or agreement of SDTS contained in this Agreement to be performed after the Closing (excluding those set forth in Article IX, the remedy for which is intended to be addressed solely by Section 9.01 );

(b) (i) the presence or release of any Hazardous Material or hazardous or potentially hazardous condition in, under or about the Leased Assets that was present in, under or about the Leased Assets as of the applicable Original Operations Date (except to the extent such hazardous or potentially hazardous condition was exacerbated by SU or SU’s Related Persons), (ii) the presence or release of Hazardous Materials in, under or about the Leased Assets which were brought or permitted to be brought onto the Leased Assets by SDTS or SDTS’s Related Persons during construction of any improvement or addition to the Leased Assets or (iii) the violation or alleged violation by SDTS or SDTS’s Related Persons of any Environmental Law or Permit relating to the Leased Assets; or

(c) the assertion against, imposition upon or incurrence by any SU Indemnitee of any NTX Liability or SDTS Retained Liability.

Section 8.02. Indemnification by SU . Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article VIII , from and after the Closing, SU shall indemnify and hold harmless SDTS, Oncor and their respective Affiliates and their respective Representatives (collectively, the “ SDTS Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all Losses suffered or incurred by any SDTS Indemnitee (without duplication in the case of any Loss for which indemnification may be provided under more than one provision of this Section 8.02 ) to the extent arising or resulting from any of the following:

(a) the failure of any representation or warranty of SU contained in this Agreement (excluding the SU Tax Representations, the remedy for which is intended to be addressed solely by Section 9.01 ) to be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any “material”, “materially”, “materiality”, “NTX Material Adverse Effect”, “material adverse effect” or similar qualification contained in any such representation or warranty) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date as if made on such date (other than those made on a specified date which shall be true and correct in all respects as of such specified date);

(b) a breach of any covenant or agreement of SU contained in this Agreement (excluding those set forth in Article IX , the remedy for which is intended to be addressed solely by Section 9.01 );

(c) (i) the presence or release of Hazardous Materials in, under or about the Leased Assets which are or were brought or permitted to be brought onto (other than by SDTS or SDTS’s Related Persons) the Leased Assets by SU or SU’s Related Persons, (ii) the creation by SU or SU’s Related Persons of any hazardous or potentially hazardous environmental conditions or exacerbation by SU or SU’s Related Persons of a pre-existing environmental condition relating to the Leased Assets or (iii) the violation or alleged violation by SU or SU’s Related Persons of any Environmental Law or Permit relating to the Leased Assets, solely to the extent occurring, in the case of clauses (i) through (iii), from and after the applicable Original Operations Date and prior to the Closing;

(d) the assertion against, imposition upon or incurrence by any SDTS Indemnitee of any STX Liability or SU Retained Liability; or

(e) any Indebtedness of GS LLC.

 

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Section 8.03. Indemnification by Oncor . Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article VIII , from and after the Closing, Oncor shall indemnify and hold harmless the SU Indemnitees from and against any and all Losses suffered or incurred by any SU Indemnitee (without duplication in the case of any Loss for which indemnification may be provided under more than one provision of this Section 8.03 ) to the extent arising or resulting from any of the following:

(a) the failure of any representation or warranty of Oncor contained in this Agreement to be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any “material”, “materially”, “materiality”, “material adverse effect” or similar qualification contained in any such representation or warranty) on and as of the date of this Agreement and on and as of the Closing Date as if made on such date (other than those made on a specified date which shall be true and correct in all respects as of such specified date); or

(b) a breach of any covenant or agreement of Oncor contained in this Agreement.

Section 8.04. Indemnification Procedures .

(a) Procedures Relating to Third Party Claims . If any party or other Person entitled to indemnification under this Article VIII (an “ Indemnified Party ”) receives written notice of the commencement of any Legal Proceeding or the assertion of any Claim by a third party or the imposition of any penalty or assessment by a Governmental Entity or other Person for which indemnity may be sought under Section 8.01 , Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 (a “ Third Party Claim ”), the Indemnified Party shall promptly provide the party who is obligated to indemnify it (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) with written notice of such Third Party Claim, stating in reasonable detail the nature, basis and the amount thereof, to the extent known, which notice shall be accompanied by copies of the relevant notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnified Party that evidence or relate to such Third Party Claim; provided , however , that the failure of the Indemnified Party to give prompt notice to the Indemnifying Party shall not affect the right of the Indemnified Party to be indemnified in respect of such Third Party Claim or related Losses, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is actually and materially prejudiced as a result of the failure to give prompt notice. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim at its sole expense with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party by written notice of assumption delivered to the Indemnified Party within 20 days following the receipt of the written notice of the Third Party Claim referred to above; provided, however , that if, (i) such Third Party Claim relates to or arises in connection with any criminal proceeding, action, indictment, allegation or investigation; (ii) such Third Party Claim seeks an injunction or equitable relief against the Indemnified Party; (iii) in the reasonable judgment of the Indemnified Party, there exists a material conflict of interest between the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party with respect to such Third Party Claim; or (iv) upon petition by the Indemnified Party, a court of competent jurisdiction issues a final, non-appealable Order that the Indemnifying Party failed or is failing to prosecute or defend such Third Party Claim with reasonable diligence given the circumstances, (A) the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, (B) the defense thereof shall be conducted by the Indemnified Party with qualified counsel selected by the Indemnified Party and reasonably acceptable to the Indemnifying Party and (C) without limiting the Indemnifying Party’s other indemnification obligations under this Article VIII , the Indemnifying Party shall be liable to the Indemnified Party for the reasonable and actual legal expenses incurred by

 

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the Indemnified Party in the conduct of the defense thereof (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8.05 ). If the Indemnifying Party has assumed the defense of a Third Party Claim, (i) the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection therewith except as otherwise set forth herein, (ii) the Indemnified Party may retain separate counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnifying Party at its sole cost and expense and participate in the defense of the Third Party Claim (but the Indemnifying Party shall control such defense); provided , that the Indemnifying Party shall be responsible for the reasonable and actual legal expenses of separate counsel engaged by the Indemnified Party if (A) the employment of such counsel has been specifically authorized in writing by the Indemnifying Party or (B) the named parties to any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised in writing by such counsel that there exists a material conflict of interest between the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party with respect to the applicable Third Party Claim or (C) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed, or is not entitled, to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim in accordance with this Section 8.04(a) , (iii) the Indemnifying Party will not (A) admit to any wrongdoing or (B) consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to the Third Party Claim on the part of the Indemnified Party, in each case, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party (such written consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and (iv) the Indemnified Party shall reasonably cooperate in the defense or prosecution of the Third Party Claim, including through the retention and (upon the Indemnifying Party’s request) the provision to the Indemnifying Party of records and information that are reasonably relevant to the Third Party Claim, and making employees reasonably available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. If the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall not, except with the written consent of the Indemnified Party (such written consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), enter into any settlement, compromise or discharge of a Third Party Claim unless such settlement, compromise or discharge (I) includes as an unconditional term thereof a complete release of the Indemnified Party and its Affiliates from all liability with respect to such Third Party Claim, (II) does not require the Indemnified Party or its Affiliates to admit to any wrongdoing and (III) does not impose any equitable or injunctive relief on the Indemnified Party or its Affiliates. Whether or not the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party will not admit any liability with respect to, or consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to or otherwise compromise or discharge, the Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party. For the avoidance of doubt, whether or not the Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party will not be obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Party hereunder for any settlement entered into or any judgment that was consented to without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party.

(b) Procedures for Non-Third Party Claims . The Indemnified Party will promptly provide the Indemnifying Party with written notice (a “ Claim Certificate ”) of its discovery of any matter that does not involve a Third Party Claim against the Indemnified Party, but that the Indemnified Party has determined is reasonably like to give rise to a claim of indemnity hereunder, which Claim Certificate shall state in reasonable detail the nature, basis and the amount thereof, to the extent known, and be accompanied by copies of the relevant notices and documents received by the Indemnified Party that evidence or relate to such matter; provided, however , that the failure of the Indemnified Party to give prompt notice to the Indemnifying Party shall not affect the Indemnified Party’s right to indemnification hereunder except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is actually

 

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and materially prejudiced as a result of the failure to give prompt notice. The Indemnifying Party shall, within 30 days from receipt of any such Claim Certificate, provide a responsive notice to the Indemnified Party acknowledging or disputing the claim or claims set forth in the Claim Certificate. In the event that the Indemnifying Party objects to the indemnification of an Indemnified Party in respect of any claim or claims specified in any Claim Certificate, the Indemnifying Party shall, within 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Party of such Claim Certificate, deliver to the Indemnified Party a notice to such effect, specifying in reasonable detail the basis for such objection, and the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall, within the 60 day period beginning on the date of receipt by the Indemnified Party of such objection and prior to submitting such dispute to the courts set forth in Section 11.08 , attempt in good faith to agree upon the rights of the respective parties with respect to each of such claims to which the Indemnifying Party shall have so objected. If the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall succeed in reaching agreement on their respective rights with respect to any of such claims, the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall promptly prepare and sign a memorandum of agreement setting forth such agreement. Should the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party be unable to agree as to any particular item or items or amount or amounts within such time period, then the Indemnified Party shall be permitted to submit such dispute to the courts set forth in Section 11.08 . Claims for Losses (i) the validity and amount of which are payable pursuant to the terms of a memorandum of agreement signed by the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party, (ii) that have been the subject of final judicial determination in accordance with Section 11.08 hereof or (iii) that are settled as described in Section 8.04(a) are hereinafter referred to as “ Agreed Claims ”. Within 10 business days of the determination of the amount of any Agreed Claim (or at such other time as the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall agree in a memorandum of agreement or otherwise), the Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party an amount equal to the Agreed Claim by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the bank account or accounts designated by the Indemnified Party in a notice to the Indemnifying Party not less than 2 business days prior to such payment.

Section 8.05. Limitations on Indemnification . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article VIII and Article IX , the rights of the parties to indemnification under this Article VIII (solely to the extent provided in Section 8.05(a) ) shall be subject to the following limitations:

(a) No Indemnified Party shall be entitled to be indemnified against any Losses of the type described in Section 8.01 , Section 8.02 or Section 9.01 , as applicable, unless a Claim therefor is asserted in writing by such Indemnified Party pursuant to a Claim Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 8.04(b) within the applicable survival period specified in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii), as applicable, of this paragraph (a), failing which, such claim for indemnification shall be deemed to have been irrevocably waived and extinguished for all purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any claims for which notice is provided by the Indemnified Party under this Agreement (including under Section 8.04(a) or Section 8.04(b) ) prior to the expiration date of the applicable survival period shall not thereafter be barred by the expiration of the relevant representation or warranty and such claims shall survive until finally resolved.

(i) The representations, warranties of SDTS and the covenants and agreements of SDTS to be performed prior to or at the Closing contained in this Agreement (other than the SDTS Tax Representations and any covenants and agreements of SDTS in Article IX ) shall not survive the Closing. The covenants and agreements of SDTS contained in this Agreement (including the indemnification agreements provided for under Section 8.01(a) , (b)

 

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and (c) , but excluding any covenants and agreements of SDTS in this Agreement to be performed prior to or at the Closing or in Article IX ) shall survive indefinitely until they are fully performed in accordance with the terms thereof. The SDTS Tax Representations and the covenants and agreements of SDTS set forth in Article IX shall survive until the 60th day following the expiration of the statute of limitations applicable to the subject matter thereof.

(ii) The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of SU contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing solely for purposes of this Article VIII and Article IX (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8.06 ) as follows: (A) the representations and warranties of SU in this Agreement (other than the SU Fundamental Representations, the SU Environmental Representations and SU Tax Representations) shall survive until the date that is eighteen months after the Closing Date; (B) the SU Tax Representations and the covenants and agreements of SU set forth in Article IX shall survive until the 60th day following the expiration of the statute of limitations applicable to the subject matter thereof; (C) the representations and warranties of SU in Section 4.11 (the “ SU Environmental Representations ”) shall survive until the date that is twenty four months after the Closing Date; (D) the representations and warranties of SU in Section 4.01 (“Organization and Qualification”), Section 4.02 (“Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability”), Section 4.03(a)(i) (“No Conflicts or Violations” – Organizational Documents), Section 4.04 (“Capitalization and Indebtedness of GS LLC”), Section 4.17 (“Sophisticated Industry Participant; Access to Information”) and Section 4.18 (“Brokers and Finders”) (the “ SU Fundamental Representations ”) shall survive indefinitely and without limitation (subject to any non-waivable limitations imposed under applicable Law); (E) the covenants and agreements of SU contained in this Agreement to be performed prior to or at the Closing (other than any covenants and agreements of SU in Article IX ) shall survive until the date that is twelve months after the Closing; and (F) the covenants and agreements of SU contained in this Agreement (including the indemnification agreements for provided for under Section 8.02(b) , (c) , (d) and (e) , but excluding any covenants and agreements of SU in this Agreement to be performed prior to or at the Closing or in Article IX ) shall survive indefinitely until they are fully performed in accordance with the terms thereof.

(iii) The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of Oncor contained in this Agreement shall survive the Closing solely for purposes of this Article VIII (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8.06 ) as follows: (A) the representations and warranties of Oncor in this Agreement (other than the Oncor Fundamental Representations) shall survive until the date that is eighteen months after the Closing Date; (B) the representations and warranties of Oncor in Section 3.13 (“Organization (Oncor)”), Section 3.14 (“Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability (Oncor)”), Section 3.15(a)(i) (“No Conflicts or Violations” – Organizational Documents) and Section 3.17 (“Brokers and Finders (Oncor)”) (the “ Oncor Fundamental Representations ”) shall survive indefinitely and without limitation (subject to any non-waivable limitations imposed under applicable Law); (C) the covenants and agreements of Oncor contained in the Agreement to be performed prior to or at the Closing shall survive until the date that is twelve months after the Closing; and (D) the covenants and agreements of Oncor contained in this Agreement (including the indemnification agreements provided for under Section 8.03(b) , but excluding any covenants and agreements of Oncor in this Agreement to be performed prior to or at the Closing) shall survive indefinitely until they are fully performed in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

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Except as expressly provided in this paragraph (a), the representations, warranties and covenants of the parties made in this Agreement (for the avoidance of doubt, including in any Schedule, Exhibit or certificate attached hereto or delivered pursuant to this Agreement) shall not survive the Closing for any purpose.

(b) The SDTS Indemnitees shall not be entitled to indemnification from or by SU for any of the following Losses:

(i) Losses of the type described in Section 8.02(a) , other than Losses arising from a breach by SU of any SU Fundamental Representation (“ SDTS Subject Losses ”), unless the amount of all SDTS Subject Losses incurred or suffered by the SDTS Indemnitees exceeds, on a cumulative basis, 2% of the Final NTX Package Amount, and then only to the extent of any such excess; or

(ii) SDTS Subject Losses attributable to any individual items or series of items arising from substantially related facts, events or circumstances in an amount less than $75,000.

(c) The SU Indemnitees shall not be entitled to indemnification from or by Oncor for any of the following Losses:

(i) Losses of the type described in Section 8.03(a) , other than Losses arising from a breach by Oncor of any Oncor Fundamental Representation (“ SU-Oncor Subject Losses ”), unless the amount of all SU-Oncor Subject Losses incurred or suffered by the SU Indemnitees exceeds, on a cumulative basis, 2% of the Final STX Package Amount, and then only to the extent of any such excess; or

(ii) SU-Oncor Subject Losses attributable to any individual items or series of items arising from substantially related facts, events or circumstances in an amount less than $75,000.

(d) The SDTS Indemnitees shall not be entitled to indemnification from or by SU for SDTS Subject Losses in an amount that exceeds, on a cumulative basis, 10% of the Final NTX Package Amount.

(e) The SU Indemnitees shall not be entitled to indemnification from or by Oncor for SU-Oncor Subject Losses in an amount that exceeds, on a cumulative basis, 10% of the Final STX Package Amount.

(f) No party hereto shall be liable under or in connection with this Agreement (including under this Article VIII ) for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages claimed by any other party resulting from or relating to this Agreement or the Transactions; provided , however , that this Section 8.05(f) shall not apply to damages of the type described above that are (i) payable in respect of Third Party Claims asserted against or imposed on an Indemnified Party or (ii) incidental or consequential damages that are the reasonable foreseeable consequence of the applicable breach or other matter giving rise to a right of indemnification and are otherwise recoverable under applicable Law.

 

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(g) In no event shall the SDTS Indemnitees be entitled to indemnification with respect to any liability or obligation to the extent such liability or obligation was taken into account in the calculation of the Final NTX Package Amount in accordance with Article I of this Agreement.

(h) In no event shall the SU Indemnitees be entitled to indemnification with respect to any liability or obligation to the extent such liability or obligation was taken into account in the calculation of the Final STX Package Amount in accordance with Article I of this Agreement.

(i) For purposes of this Article VIII , if there occurs a breach of any representation or warranty for which an Indemnifying Party has agreed to provide indemnification, whether or not a breach of any such representation or warranty has occurred and the amount of Losses incurred as a result of any such breach shall be determined without regard to any materiality, material adverse effect or other similar qualification contained in or otherwise applicable to such representation or warranty.

(j) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, none of the limitations set forth in this Section 8.05 shall apply to any Losses resulting from the actual and intentional fraud of the Indemnifying Party.

Section 8.06. Exclusive Remedy . Except with respect to a claim for actual and intentional fraud, the parties hereby agree that, from and after the Closing, the remedies of the parties specifically provided for in this Article VIII and in Article IX shall be the sole and exclusive remedies available to any of the parties for all matters covered or contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however , that nothing herein shall limit the right of (i) SDTS and SU to receive the payments provided for in Section 1.08 or Section 1.09 ,(ii) Oncor, SDTS and SU to seek or obtain specific performance or injunctive relief pursuant to Section 11.13 or (iii) any party to seek relief under the express provisions of any Ancillary Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing (including without limiting any claim for actual and intentional fraud), the parties hereby expressly agree that, outside of the remedies specifically provided for in this Article VIII and Article IX , (i) SDTS and Oncor shall not have any liability to the SU Indemnitees arising out of or related to any breach by SDTS or Oncor of any of the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and (ii) SU shall not have any liability to the SDTS Indemnitees arising out of or related to any breach by SU of any of the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement.

Section 8.07. Insurance and Other Sources of Recovery; Mitigation .

(a) In the case of any Claims for which it is commercially reasonable for an Indemnified Party to seek recovery against or from one or more third parties or other sources (including rights of recovery under insurance policies or indemnification arrangements with third parties), such Indemnified Party shall (i) seek recovery from such other sources for so long as pursuit of such recovery is commercially reasonable and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to subrogate the Indemnifying Party with respect to such Claims if the Indemnified Party’s related claim for indemnification has been fully and finally resolved in accordance with this Article VIII . To the extent that a party obtains recovery in respect of claims for indemnity from any such sources (including from insurance proceeds or other cash receipts or sources of reimbursement received as an offset against such Loss or pursuant to any indemnification by or indemnification agreement with any third party), such party shall use the funds actually received (net of any actual Taxes, costs, expenses or premiums incurred in connection with securing or obtaining such proceeds) from such

 

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recovery (in lieu of funds provided by any other party pursuant to the indemnification provisions of this Article VIII ) to pay or otherwise satisfy such Claims, and any related Losses for which indemnification is available under this Article VIII shall be reduced by the amount of such funds paid to the Indemnified Party (net of any actual costs, expenses or premiums incurred in connection with securing or obtaining such proceeds). If, after an Indemnified Party receives any indemnification payment in respect of Losses under this Article VIII , the amount of the Losses as to which the Indemnified Party received an indemnification payment is reduced by recovery, settlement or other payment by or from any other Person or source such that the Indemnified Party’s indemnification payment was in excess of the amount of the Loss, the amount of such reduction will promptly be repaid by the Indemnified Party to the Indemnifying Party.

(b) Each party hereto shall take reasonable steps to mitigate its Losses upon and after becoming aware of any event which could reasonably be expected to give rise to any Losses for which it is or may be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

Section 8.08. Cooperation; Access to Documents and Information . The parties shall reasonably cooperate with each other in connection with resolving any indemnification claims (including Third Party Claims) as to which indemnification is or may be required to be provided in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Indemnified Party who elects to seek indemnification pursuant to this Agreement shall (i)  provide to the Indemnifying Party, as promptly as reasonably practicable, all documents and information relating to any such claim which are in the possession of the Indemnified Party or its Affiliates or can be obtained by the Indemnified Party without undue cost or expense and (ii)  give the Indemnifying Party reasonable access to the accounting and other appropriate personnel and the independent accountants of the Indemnified Party and its Affiliates in order to permit the Indemnifying Party to obtain information reasonably required to evaluate any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 8.08 , no party or any of its Affiliates shall be obligated to provide to any other party (x) any work papers or similar materials prepared by the independent public accountants of such party or its Affiliates, except to the extent that such accountants agree to provide access to such work papers or similar materials upon such terms and conditions as shall be determined by such accountants in their sole discretion, (y) any documents or information that are protected by the attorney-client privilege or work product doctrines if the applicable party determines in its reasonable discretion that providing copies or access to such documents or information could give rise to a possible waiver of such privilege or doctrine, or (z)  any documents or information that, if disclosed pursuant to this Section 8.08 would violate the terms of any confidentiality agreement to which such party is party (other than any such agreements with an Affiliate of such party).

Section 8.09. Tax Treatment of Indemnification . For all Tax purposes, SU and SDTS agree to treat (and shall cause each of their respective Affiliates to treat) any indemnity payment made pursuant to Section 8.01 , Section 8.02 or Section 9.01 as an adjustment to the Final STX Package Amount or the Final NTX Package Amount, in each case unless a final determination within the meaning of Section  1313 of the Code by the IRS (which determination shall include the execution of an IRS Form 870-AD or successor form) or the applicable Taxing Authority provides otherwise.

 

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ARTICLE IX

Tax Matters

Section 9.01. Liability for Taxes .

(a) SU shall be responsible for, and, from and after the Closing shall indemnify and hold the SDTS Indemnitees harmless from and against, all Losses suffered or incurred by any SDTS Indemnitee to the extent arising or resulting from any of the following: (i) Taxes of or relating to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations or the NTX Assets which are attributable to any Pre-Closing Tax Period and the portion of any Straddle Period ending on and including the Closing Date; (ii)  Taxes relating to the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets which are attributable to any Post-Closing Tax Period and the portion of any Straddle Period beginning on the day immediately after the Closing Date; (iii) those Transfer Taxes borne by SU pursuant to Section 9.03; or (iv) (without duplication) any Taxes attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period or the portion of a Straddle Period ending on and including the Closing Date and resulting from a breach by SU of any SU Tax Representation or any of their covenants contained in this Article IX . Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.01 or otherwise in this Agreement to the contrary, SU shall have no liability to SDTS for (w) Taxes to the extent such Taxes were included as a liability in calculating the NTX Working Capital Package, as finally determined pursuant to Section 1.09 , (x) any Taxes to extent such Taxes were taken into account in determining the payments made from one party to the other in respect of Taxes pursuant to Section 9.01(d) , (y) Taxes arising from actions taken by or at the direction of SDTS on the Closing Date after the Closing outside the ordinary course of business and (z) Taxes resulting from a breach by SDTS of the covenants in Section 9.02(d) .

(b) SDTS shall be responsible for, and, from and after the Closing shall indemnify and hold the SU Indemnitees harmless from and against all Losses suffered or incurred by any SDTS Indemnitee to the extent arising or resulting from any of the following: (i) Taxes relating to the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets which are attributable to any Pre-Closing Tax Period and the portion of any Straddle Period ending on and including the Closing Date; (ii) Taxes of or relating to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations and the NTX Assets which are attributable to any Post-Closing Tax Period and the portion of any Straddle Period beginning on the day immediately after the Closing Date; (iii) those Transfer Taxes borne by SDTS pursuant to Section 9.03; or (iv) (without duplication) any Taxes attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period or the portion of a Straddle Period ending on and including the Closing Date and resulting from a breach by SDTS of any SDTS Tax Representation or any of its covenants contained in this Article IX . Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.01 or otherwise in this Agreement to the contrary, SDTS shall have no liability to SU for (w)  Taxes to the extent that such Taxes were included as a liability in calculating the STX Working Capital Package, as finally determined pursuant to Section 1.09 , (x) any Taxes to extent such Taxes were taken into account in determining the payments made from one party to the other in respect of Taxes pursuant to Section  9.01(d), (y) Taxes arising from actions taken by or at the direction of SU on the Closing Date after the Closing outside the ordinary course of business and (z)  Taxes resulting from a breach by SU of the covenants in Section 9.02(d) .

(c) Taxes attributable to the portion of a Straddle Period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, and to the portion of the Straddle Period beginning after the Closing Date shall be determined as follows: (i) in the case of property and other ad valorem Taxes, such Tax shall be prorated based on the number of days in the Straddle Period up to and including the Closing Date, and the number of days in the Straddle Period occurring after the Closing Date, and (ii) to the extent

 

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such Tax is measured by income or receipts or otherwise not described in clause (i) above, such Tax shall be allocated based on a closing of the books as of the end of the Closing Date; provided that exemptions, allowances or deductions that are calculated on an annual basis (including depreciation and amortization deductions) shall be allocated between the period ending on and including the Closing Date and the period beginning after the Closing Date in proportion to the number of days in each period.

(d) To the extent the actual amount of a Tax is not known at the time the STX Working Capital Package is finally determined pursuant to Section 1.09 or the NTX Working Capital Package is finally determined pursuant to Section 1.09 , SU and SDTS shall utilize the most recent information available in estimating the amount of such Tax for purposes of such determination. To the extent the actual amount of a Tax is ultimately determined to be different than the amount (if any) that was taken into account in the STX Working Capital Package or the NTX Working Capital Package, in each case, as finally determined pursuant to Section 1.09 , timely payments will be made from one party to the other to the extent necessary to cause each party to bear the amount of such Tax that is allocable to such party under this Section 9.01 .

Section 9.02. Tax Returns .

(a) SU shall prepare or cause to be prepared all Tax Returns which are required to be filed under applicable Law (i) on or prior to the Closing Date and relate to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations or the NTX Assets, (ii)  after the Closing Date and relate to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations or the NTX Assets for any Pre-Closing Tax Period, and (iii)  after the Closing Date and relate to the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets for any Straddle Period. In the case of any Tax Return described in clause (i), such Tax Return shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with past practices employed by SU except to the extent a change is required by Law. In the case of any Tax Return described in clause (ii), (x) such Tax Return shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with past practices employed by SU except to the extent a change is required by Law, (y)  SU shall provide a copy of such Tax Return to SDTS for review and comment not less than 20 days prior to the due date for such Tax Return (taking into account any applicable extensions) and shall reflect on such Tax Return any reasonable comments provided by SDTS within 10 days following SDTS’s receipt of such Tax Return from SU, and (z)  SU shall pay to the applicable Taxing Authority an amount equal to any Taxes shown as due on such Tax Return for which SU is responsible under Section 9.01(a) (or reimburse SDTS if SDTS made such payment, which reimbursement to SDTS shall be made within 10 days after the filing of such Tax Return). In the case of any Tax Return described in clause (iii), (x) such Tax Return shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with past practices employed by SDTS except to the extent a change is required by Law, (y)  SU shall provide a copy of such Tax Return to SDTS for review and comment not less than 20 days prior to the due date for such Tax Return (taking into account any applicable extensions) and shall reflect on such Tax Return any reasonable comments provided by SDTS within 10 days following SDTS’s receipt of such Tax Return from SU, and (z)  SU shall pay to the applicable Taxing Authority the amount of Taxes reflected on such Tax Return and SDTS shall reimburse SU for an amount equal to any Taxes shown as due on such Tax Return for which SDTS is responsible under Section 9.01(b) , which reimbursement to SU shall be made within 10 days after the filing of such Tax Return.

 

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(b) SDTS shall prepare or cause to be prepared all Tax Returns which are required to be filed under applicable Law (i) on or prior to the Closing Date and relate to the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets, (ii)  after the Closing Date and relate to the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets for any Pre-Closing Tax Period, and (iii)  after the Closing Date and relate to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations or the NTX Assets for any Straddle Period. In the case of any Tax Return described in clause (i), such Tax Return shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with past practices employed by SDTS except to the extent a change is required by Law. In the case of any Tax Return described in clause (ii), (x) such Tax Return shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with past practices employed by SDTS except to the extent a change is required by Law, (y)  SDTS shall provide a copy of such Tax Return to SU for review and comment not less than 20 days prior to the due date for such Tax Return (taking into account any applicable extensions) and shall reflect on such Tax Return any reasonable comments provided by SU within 10 days following SU’s receipt of such Tax Return from SDTS, and (z)  SDTS shall pay to the applicable Taxing Authority an amount equal to any Taxes shown as due on such Tax Return for which SDTS is responsible under Section 9.01(a) (or reimburse SU if SU made such payment, which reimbursement to SU shall be made within 10 days after the filing of such Tax Return). In the case of any Tax Return described in clause (iii), (x) such Tax Return shall be prepared in a manner that is consistent with past practices employed by SU except to the extent a change is required by Law, (y)  SDTS shall provide a copy of such Tax Return to SU for review and comment not less than 20 days prior to the due date for such Tax Return (taking into account any applicable extensions) and shall reflect on such Tax Return any reasonable comments provided by SU within 10 days following SU’s receipt of such Tax Return from SDTS, and (z)  SDTS shall pay to the applicable Taxing Authority the amount of Taxes reflected on such Tax Return and SU shall reimburse SDTS for an amount equal to any Taxes shown as due on such Tax Return for which SU is responsible under Section 9.01(a) , which reimbursement to SDTS shall be made within 10 days after the filing of such Tax Return.

(c) The party required by Law will file all Tax Returns prepared pursuant to this Section 9.02 and each other party will cooperate with such filing party to the extent reasonably requested in connection with such filing.

(d) Except as otherwise required by applicable Tax Law, SU shall not amend, modify or otherwise change any Tax Returns which are attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period or a Straddle Period and relate to the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets without SDTS’s prior written consent. Except as otherwise required by applicable Tax Law, SDTS shall not amend, modify or otherwise change any Tax Returns which are attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period or a Straddle Period and relate to GS LLC or to the Subject NTX Operations or the NTX Assets without SU’s prior written consent.

Section 9.03. Transfer Taxes . All Transfer Taxes resulting from the Transactions described shall be borne one-half by SU and one-half by SDTS. Each of the parties shall use, and the parties shall cause each of their Affiliates to use, reasonable efforts to avail itself of any available exemptions from or refunds of any such Transfer Taxes, and to cooperate with the other parties in providing any information and documentation that may be necessary to obtain such exemption or refund.

 

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Section  9.04. Tax Contests; Refunds; Cooperation; Tax Treatment .

(a) Within a reasonable time (but not more than ten days) after a party or any of their respective Affiliates receives written notice of any Tax contest, audit or other proceeding relating to Taxes which are attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period and relate to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations, the NTX Assets, the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets (each, a “ Pre-Closing Tax Contest ”), the party receiving such written notice shall notify the other party in writing of such Pre-Closing Tax Contest.

(b) The party that is responsible or liable under Section 9.01 for any Taxes resulting from such Pre-Closing Tax Contest (the “ Responsible Party ”) shall have the sole right, at such party’s expense, to control the defense of any such Pre-Closing Tax Contest. The other party (the “ Other Party ”), shall have the right to participate, at its own expense, in any such Pre-Closing Tax Contest which is reasonably anticipated to have the effect of directly increasing the Tax liability of the Other Party or its Affiliates for any Post-Closing Tax Period. The Responsible Party shall not settle or compromise any Pre-Closing Tax Contest in which the Other Party has a right to participate without the Other Party’s prior written consent if such settlement or compromise would directly and materially increase the Tax liability of the other party or its Affiliates for any Post-Closing Tax Period. Such consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, however, that the Other Party shall consent to any settlement or compromise if the Responsible Party agrees to fully indemnify the Other Party for any increase in the Tax liability of the Other Party and its Affiliates which both is attributable to any Post-Closing Tax Period and directly results from such settlement or compromise.

(c) SDTS and SU shall jointly control the defense of any Tax contest, audit or other proceeding relating to Taxes which are attributable to a Straddle Period and relate to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations, the NTX Assets, the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets (each, a “ Straddle Tax Contest ”). Within a reasonable time (but not more than ten days) after a party or any of their respective Affiliates receives written notice of any Straddle Tax Contest, the party receiving such written notice shall notify the other party in writing of such Straddle Tax Contest. Neither party shall settle or compromise any such Straddle Tax Contest without the other party’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

(d) The Responsible Party shall be entitled to any refund or overpayment of Taxes relating to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations, the NTX Assets, the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets which are attributable to any Pre-Closing Tax Period. The amount of any refund or overpayment of Taxes for any Straddle Period shall be equitably apportioned between the applicable parties in accordance with the principles set forth in Section 9.01(c) . Any such refunds received by the Other Party or any of its Affiliates shall promptly be paid (together with any interest received thereon, but net of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in seeking such refund or overpayment) over to the Responsible Party. The Other Party agrees to notify the Responsible Party promptly of both the discovery of a right to claim any such refund or overpayment and the receipt of any such refund or utilization of any such overpayment. To the extent a refund or utilization of any overpayment that gave rise to a payment under this Section 9.04(d) is subsequently disallowed or otherwise reduced, the Responsible Party shall pay to the Other Party the amount of such disallowed or reduced refund or utilization of any overpayment.

(e) Each party shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other party, in connection with the filing of Tax Returns pursuant to Section 9.02 , any Pre-Closing Tax Contest, Straddle Tax Contest or Tax refund or overpayment claim pursuant to this Section 9.04 . Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the other party’s reasonable request) the provision of records and information (including making such records and information

 

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available for copying) which are reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation or other proceeding, the timely provision to the other party of powers of attorney or similar authorizations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Article IX , and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. The parties agree to retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to GS LLC, the Subject NTX Operations, the NTX Assets, the Subject STX Operations or the STX Assets relating to any Pre-Closing Tax Period or Straddle Period until the expiration of the statute of limitations (and, to the extent notified by the other party or its Affiliates, any extensions thereof) of the respective taxable periods, and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any Taxing Authority.

(f) Unless otherwise required pursuant to a determination by an applicable Taxing Authority, for U.S. federal income Tax purposes (and state and local Tax purposes where applicable), the parties intend for the Merger to be treated as a simultaneous exchange between SU and SDTS of the NTX Assets for the STX Assets which exchange, (a) to the extent such properties constitute real property, will qualify for Tax deferred treatment under Section  1031 of the Code to SU and SDTS and (b) to the extent not real property will be treated as boot received in connection with asset transfers that occur pursuant to the Merger. The parties will cooperate to structure the Merger in a manner consistent with such intended Tax treatment, including if requested by SU or SDTS, utilizing an “exchange accommodation titleholder” or a “qualified intermediary” as appropriate for the portion of such asset transfers that qualify as a like-kind exchange. Each party hereto shall prepare and file all Tax Returns in a manner that is consistent with the intended treatment described above, and none of the parties hereto, nor any of their respective Affiliates, shall take any position (whether in Tax Returns, Tax audits or otherwise) that is inconsistent with the intended Tax treatment described in the preceding sentence unless required to do so by a final determination within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Code.

Section 9.05. Other Provisions . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of Article VIII (other than Section 8.05(a) , to the extent relating to the survival of the SU Tax Representations or SDTS Tax Representations or the covenants set forth in this Article IX ) shall not apply to indemnification with respect to Taxes or Tax Liabilities, indemnification with respect to breaches of SU Tax Representations or SDTS Tax Representations, Pre-Closing Tax Contests or any other Tax matter covered under this Article IX .

Section 9.06. 1031 Allocation . SDTS and SU shall use commercially reasonable efforts to agree, within 30 days after the date that the Final Statements are finally determined pursuant to Section 1.09 , to the classification of each NTX Asset and STX Asset for purposes of determining which of the NTX Assets and the STX Assets are real property for purposes of Section  1031 of the Code (the “ 1031 Allocation ”). If SDTS and SU reach an agreement with respect to the 1031 Allocation, (i)  SDTS and SU shall, and shall cause their Affiliates to, report consistently with the 1031 Allocation in all Tax Returns, and neither SDTS nor SU shall take any position in any Tax Return that is inconsistent with the 1031 Allocation, in each case, unless required to do so by a final determination within the meaning of Section  1313 of the Code, and (ii)  each of SDTS and SU agree to promptly advise each other regarding the existence of any Tax audit, controversy or litigation related to the 1031 Allocation.

 

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ARTICLE X

Additional Agreements

Section  10.01. Publicity . Except with respect to (a)  any press release or public statement in connection with the HIFR Merger Agreement that relates to an Adverse Recommendation Change, a Superior Proposal or any matter relating to the foregoing (to the extent that it is reasonably necessary in connection with the disclosure of such matters to refer to the Transactions) or (b)  a press release or other public statement that is consistent in all material respects with previous press releases, public disclosures or public statements made by SDTS, SU or Oncor (or their Affiliates) in accordance with this Agreement, including in investor conference calls, SEC filings, Q&As or other publicly disclosed documents (so long as such disclosure is still accurate in all material respects (and not misleading)), each party shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, consult with the other parties before issuing, and give the other parties a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon, any press release or other public statements with respect to this Agreement and the Transactions and shall not issue any such press release or make any public announcement without the prior consent of the other parties, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, except that such consent requirement shall not apply to any disclosures required by applicable Law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange.

Section  10.02. Limited Representations . The parties expressly acknowledge and agree that (a)  SDTS and Oncor have not made and shall not be deemed to have made to SU any representations or warranties relating to the STX Assets, the Subject STX Operations or any other matter, except for the representations and warranties expressly made by SDTS in Article III of this Agreement and (b) SU has not made and shall not be deemed to have made to SDTS any representations or warranties relating to the NTX Assets, the Subject NTX Operations or any other matter, except for the representations and warranties expressly made by SU in Article IV of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the parties further acknowledge and agree that none of SDTS, Oncor, SU or their respective Affiliates or Representatives has made or is making any (i)  express or implied warranties as to any financial projections or other forward-looking information with respect to the Subject STX Operations or the Subject NTX Operations, as applicable, (ii)  implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the STX Assets or the NTX Assets, as applicable, or (iii)  express or implied warranties as to any other matter which, under applicable Law, would be deemed to give rise to any express or implied warranty unless such warranties were expressly disclaimed, and SDTS, Oncor and SU hereby disclaim any other representations or warranties that would otherwise be deemed to be made by SDTS, Oncor or SU or their respective Affiliates or Representatives in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions. Each party further agrees not to assert any Claims or take any position in any Legal Proceeding that is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 10.02 .

Section 10.03. Post-Closing Information.

(a) For a period of seven years after the Closing Date, upon reasonable written notice, each of SDTS and SU shall afford or cause to be afforded to the other party and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives reasonable access to the personnel, properties, books, Contracts, commitments and records, in each case if and to the extent relating to the STX Package or the NTX Package, as applicable, for any reasonable business purpose, including in respect of the preparation of financial statements, disclosure documents and reports or filings (including Tax Returns) with any Governmental Entity, of such other party and its Affiliates; provided , however , that such access does

 

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not unreasonably disrupt the normal operations of such other party or any of its Affiliates. Nothing contained in this Section 10.03 shall oblige SDTS or SU or any of their respective Affiliates to breach any duty of confidentiality owed to any person, whether such duty arises contractually, statutorily or otherwise. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 10.03 , no party or any of its Affiliates shall be obligated to provide to any other party (x)  any work papers or similar materials prepared by the independent public accountants of such party or its Affiliates, except to the extent that such accountants agree to provide access to such work papers or similar materials upon such terms and conditions as shall be determined by such accountants in their sole discretion, or (y)  any documents or information that are protected by the attorney-client privilege or work product doctrines if the applicable party determines in its reasonable discretion that providing copies or access to such documents or information could give rise to a possible waiver of such privilege or doctrine.

(b) SU will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify, collect and deliver all NTX Books and Records to Oncor within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date (subject to clauses (x)  and (y) in the final sentence of Section 10.03(a) ); provided , however , that (A)  where compliance with the foregoing would be unduly burdensome with respect to immaterial NTX Books and Records, or where additional time is reasonably required to determine to which assets books and records relate, SU, Oncor and SDTS will cooperate to determine a reasonable plan for the delivery of such NTX Books and Records and (B)  where NTX Books and Records are not reasonably separable from the SU Retained Books and Records, SU will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to SDTS a copy or other reasonable substitute for such records.

(c) SDTS will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify, collect and deliver all STX Books and Records to SU within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date (subject to clauses (x)  and (y) in the final sentence of Section 10.03(a) ); provided , however , that (A)  where compliance with the foregoing would be unduly burdensome with respect to immaterial STX Books and Records, or where additional time is reasonably required to determine to which assets books and records relate, SU, Oncor and SDTS will cooperate to determine a reasonable plan for the delivery of such STX Books and Records and (B)  where STX Books and Records are not reasonably separable from the SDTS Retained Books and Records, SDTS will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to SU a copy or other reasonable substitute for such records.

Section 10.04. Personally Identifiable Information . Each of the parties shall (a)  comply with its obligations under all applicable data protection Laws relating to personally identifiable information provided or made available to such party by another party in connection with the Transactions (“ PII ”) and shall hold all PII in confidence, comply with the providing party’s reasonable instructions regarding the handling of PII and take security measures to safeguard PII against unauthorized, unlawful or accidental access, loss, destruction, damage, disclosure, transfer or other improper use and (b) treat Proprietary Customer Information provided by the other party as highly sensitive trade secrets and confidential commercially sensitive information consistent with applicable PURA provisions, PUCT rules, guidelines, and practices and ERCOT Protocols and practices.

 

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Section 10.05. Nontransferable Rights .

(a) SU shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, at the earliest reasonably practicable date prior to the Closing Date, the consent and approvals required in order to allocate to SDTS all rights and interests of SU or its Affiliates under (a) the NTX Contributed Warranties, and (b) the Contracts and Permits included in the NTX Assets (collectively, the “ SU Required Authorizations ”). In the event that any SU Required Authorization shall not be obtained by SU prior to the Closing Date, SU agrees that it will provide to SDTS on the Closing Date a list of each such NTX Contributed Warranty, Contract and Permit (each, together with any NTX Contributed Warranty identified to SU by SDTS following Closing as requiring a Consent or Approval, whether due to a dispute by SDTS with any manufacturer, seller, supplier or other Person regarding the effectiveness of the allocation of any NTX Contributed Warranty pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, an “ SU Nontransferable Right ”) that cannot be allocated at the Closing without obtaining such SU Required Authorizations and will continue to use commercially reasonable efforts to (X)  obtain Consents or Approvals or (Y)  with respect to the NTX Contributed Warranties and if requested by SDTS or the applicable counterparty, enter into a written assignment of such NTX Contributed Warranties to SDTS, in each case as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, with respect to such SU Nontransferable Rights; provided , that, from and after the Closing Date, until such time as each such SU Required Authorization is obtained, SU shall continue to hold such SU Nontransferable Rights and provide SDTS to the greatest extent possible with the benefits under or in respect of all SU Nontransferable Rights, subject, in the case of any Contract or Permit, to the assumption by SDTS of SU’s obligations thereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if and so long as any SU Required Authorization for the transfer and assignment of any SU Nontransferable Right has not been obtained, SU shall, at SDTS’s expense, (i)  hold any such SU Nontransferable Rights in trust for the use and benefit of SDTS, (ii)  provide SDTS with such benefits under or in respect of such SU Nontransferable Rights as will not result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a default under, the terms thereof, including enforcement for the account of SDTS of any and all rights of SU in respect of Claims that SU may now or hereafter have against any other party thereto, whether arising from the breach or cancellation thereof or otherwise, (iii)  to the extent that such action will not result in a breach or violation of, or default under, the terms of such SU Nontransferable Rights, transfer to SDTS all assets and rights, including all monies, received in respect of such SU Nontransferable Rights and (iv)  to the extent that the provisions of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)  above are not sufficient to transfer all of the benefits of such SU Nontransferable Rights (other than legal title), take such actions as are reasonably required to transfer all of the benefits of such SU Nontransferable Rights (other than legal title) to SDTS.

(b) SDTS shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, at the earliest reasonably practicable date prior to the Closing Date, the consent and approvals required in order to allocate to SU all rights and interests of SDTS or its Affiliates under (a) the STX Contributed Warranties, and (b)  the Contracts and Permits included in the STX Assets (collectively, the “ SDTS Required Authorizations ”). In the event that any SDTS Required Authorization shall not be obtained by SDTS prior to the Closing Date, SDTS agrees that it will provide to SU on the Closing Date a list of each such STX Contributed Warranty, Contract and Permit (each, together with any STX Contributed Warranty identified to SDTS by SU following Closing as requiring a Consent or Approval, whether due to a dispute by SU with any manufacturer, seller, supplier or other Person regarding the effectiveness of the allocation of any STX Contributed Warranty pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, an “ SDTS Nontransferable Right ”) that cannot be allocated at the Closing without obtaining such SDTS Required Authorizations and will continue to use commercially reasonable efforts to (X)  obtain Consents or Approvals or (Y)  with respect to the STX Contributed Warranties and if requested by SU or the applicable counterparty, enter into a written assignment of such STX Contributed Warranties to SU, in each case as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, with respect to such SDTS Nontransferable Rights; provided , that, from and after the

 

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Closing Date, until such time as each such SDTS Required Authorization is obtained, SDTS shall continue to hold such SDTS Nontransferable Rights and provide SU to the greatest extent possible with the benefits under or in respect of all SDTS Nontransferable Rights, subject, in the case of any Contract or Permit, to the assumption by SU of SDTS’s obligations thereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if and so long as any SDTS Required Authorization for the transfer and assignment of any SDTS Nontransferable Right has not been obtained, SDTS shall, at SU’s expense, (i)  hold any such SDTS Nontransferable Rights in trust for the use and benefit of SU, (ii) provide SU with such benefits under or in respect of such SDTS Nontransferable Rights as will not result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a default under, the terms thereof, including enforcement for the account of SU of any and all rights of SDTS in respect of Claims that SDTS may now or hereafter have against any other party thereto, whether arising from the breach or cancellation thereof or otherwise, (iii)  to the extent that such action will not result in a breach or violation of, or default under, the terms of such SDTS Nontransferable Rights, transfer to SU all assets and rights, including all monies, received in respect of such SDTS Nontransferable Rights and (iv)  to the extent that the provisions of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)  above are not sufficient to transfer all of the benefits of such SDTS Nontransferable Rights (other than legal title), take such actions as are reasonably required to transfer all of the benefits of such SDTS Nontransferable Rights (other than legal title) to SU.

(c) Prior to the Closing Date, Oncor, SU and SDTS shall reasonably cooperate with each other in good faith to determine the Master Governing Contracts to be included in the NTX Assets (the “ Transferred Master Governing Contracts ”) and allocated to SDTS pursuant to the Merger. Each of SDTS and SU acknowledge and agree that in connection with such determination, SDTS or SU may be required to enter into substitute Master Governing Contracts for the benefit of SDTS or SU, as applicable, following the Closing, and each will reasonably cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that each party’s future operations are conducted under separate contracts unless the parties jointly determine to do otherwise.

Section  10.06. Further Assurances . From time to time after the Closing, as and when requested by either party hereto, the other party shall, at the expense of the requesting party (but subject to Section 10.05 ), execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments and take, or cause to be taken, all such further or other actions as such requesting party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to evidence and effectuate the Transactions. In addition, SDTS and SU shall (i)  provide prompt notice to the other party upon discovery that any Contract, Owned Property or Real Property Agreements reasonably believed to be primarily related to the Subject STX Operations or Subject NTX Operations, as applicable, was not allocated or conveyed to the proper party upon the consummation of the Transactions and (ii)  assign or otherwise convey, at the expense of the assigning or conveying party, such Contract, Owned Property or Real Property Agreement to the proper party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, upon the assignment or conveyance of any Contract, Owned Property or Real Property Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.06 , Schedule A , Schedule C or the applicable Property Schedule shall be deemed supplemented or amended without the need for consent from SDTS, SU or Oncor to include such Contract, Owned Property or Real Property Agreements and shall be given effect for all purposes of this Agreement as if such supplement or amendment had been reflected in Schedule A , Schedule C or the applicable Property Schedule, as applicable, as of the date of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE XI

Miscellaneous

Section 11.01. Assignment; Parties in Interest . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests and obligations of the parties hereunder may be assigned, delegated or transferred, in whole or in part, by any of the parties hereto (including by operation of law in connection with a merger or consolidation or otherwise) without the prior written consent of each of the parties hereto. Notwithstanding any assignment or transfer of this Agreement or the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, each of the parties shall remain responsible for all of its liabilities and obligations under this Agreement. Subject to the first sentence of this Section 11.01 , this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, the Indemnified Parties (with respect to the provisions of Article VIII ), and no other Person shall have any right, obligation or benefit hereunder. Any attempted assignment or transfer in violation of this Section 11.01 shall be null and void.

Section  11.02. No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and the other Persons identified in Section 11.01 , and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any other Person any legal or equitable rights, obligations or benefits hereunder.

Section  11.03. Expenses . Whether or not the Transactions are consummated, except as otherwise expressly provided herein (including Section 5.05 and Section 5.08 ), each of the parties hereto shall be responsible for the payment of its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, the performance of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the planning for, implementation and consummation of the Transactions, including the fees and disbursements of any attorneys, accountants, brokers or advisors employed or retained by or on behalf of such party.

Section  11.04. Notices . All notices, requests, permissions, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given (a)  if sent by registered or certified mail, on the earlier of confirmed receipt or the third business day after they have been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (b)  if sent by electronic mail, upon written confirmation of receipt by e-mail or otherwise, (c)  if delivered personally to the intended recipient, when delivered and (d)  if sent by overnight delivery via recognized international courier service, on the first business day after they have been sent, in each case, addressed to a party at the following address for such party:

 

  (i)

if to SDTS (prior to Closing):

Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C.

c/o InfraREIT, Inc.

1900 North Akard Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Stacey H. Doré

 

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with a copy, which shall not constitute effective notice, to:

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2100 McKinney Avenue

Dallas, TX 75201-6912

Attention: Doug Rayburn and

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: G. Michael O’Leary

 

  (ii)

if to SU:

Sharyland Utilities, L.P.

1900 North Akard Street

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Legal Department

with a copy, which shall not constitute effective notice, to:

Baker Botts L.L.P.

2001 Ross Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Geoffrey L. Newton and M. Preston Bernhisel

 

  (iii)

if (A) to Oncor or (B) SDTS (following Closing):

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC

1616 Woodall Rogers Freeway

Dallas, Texas 75202

Attention: Matthew C. Henry and Michael L. Davitt

 

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with a copy, which shall not constitute effective notice, to:

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3900

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Chris Rowley

or to such other addresses as shall be furnished in writing by any such party to the other party or parties hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Section  11.04 .

Section 11.05. Headings; Disclosure Schedules; Definitions; Interpretation .

(a) The descriptive headings of the several Articles and Sections of this Agreement and the Exhibits, Schedules and Table of Contents to this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule or Exhibit but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement.

(b) For purposes of the representations and warranties of each party contained in this Agreement, disclosure in any section of a Disclosure Schedule delivered by such party of any facts or circumstances shall be deemed to be adequate disclosure of such facts or circumstances with respect to all other representations or warranties made by such party, whether or not such disclosure specifically identifies or purports to respond to one or more of such other representations and warranties, to the extent reasonably apparent on the face of such Disclosure Schedule that such disclosure pertains to the subject matter of such other representations and warranties. Any information provided in a Disclosure Schedule is solely for informational purposes, and the inclusion of such information shall not be deemed to enlarge or enhance any of the representations or warranties of the party providing such Disclosure Schedule pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise alter in any way the terms of this Agreement. The inclusion of any information in any section of the Disclosure Schedule or other document delivered by the parties pursuant to this Agreement shall not be deemed to be an admission or evidence of the materiality of such item, nor shall it establish a standard of materiality for any purpose whatsoever.

(c) For all purposes hereof, the terms “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed followed by the words “without limitation”. The words “hereof”, “hereto”, “hereby”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The term “or” is not exclusive. The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends or applies, and such phrase does not mean simply “if”. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms. Any agreement, instrument or Law defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or Law as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented. References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns.

 

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(d) For all purposes of this Agreement, the defined terms in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Schedule 1 hereto.

Section 11.06. Integrated Contract; Exhibits and Schedules . This Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, any certificates delivered pursuant hereto, any written amendments to the foregoing satisfying the requirements of Section 11.12 , the HIFR-Oncor Confidentiality Agreement, the Other Confidentiality Agreements and the Ancillary Agreements, including the schedules, exhibits and annexes thereto, constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and cancel, merge and supersede all prior and contemporaneous oral or written agreements, representations and warranties, arrangements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. The parties expressly represent that in entering into this Agreement: (a) they are not relying upon any statements, understandings, representations, expectations, or agreements other than those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements; (b) they have been represented and advised by counsel in connection with this Agreement, which they have entered into voluntarily and of their own choice, and not under coercion or duress; (c) they are relying upon their own knowledge and the advice of counsel; and (d) they knowingly waive any right to rescind or avoid this Agreement based upon presently existing facts, known or unknown. All Exhibits and Schedules hereto are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Schedule or Exhibit but not otherwise defined therein shall be defined as set forth in this Agreement. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement (including the Disclosure Schedules and Exhibits hereto), on the one hand, and the provisions of the HIFR-Oncor Confidentiality Agreement, the Other Confidentiality Agreements or the Ancillary Agreements (including the schedules and exhibits thereto), on the other hand, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. Subject in all respects to the termination of the SU/SDTS Leases pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Termination Agreement, nothing in this Section 11.06 is deemed to modify or amend any of SU’s or SDTS’s, as applicable, rights or obligations under the SU/SDTS Leases.

Section 11.07. Severability; Enforcement . The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement or portion hereof shall not affect the validity, force or effect of the remaining provisions or portions hereof. If it is ever held under applicable Law that any restriction hereunder is too broad to permit enforcement of such restriction to its fullest extent, each party agrees that a court of competent jurisdiction may enforce such restriction to the maximum extent permitted by Law, and each party hereby agrees to negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties hereto as closely as possible in a reasonably acceptable manner in order that the Transactions may be consummated as originally intended to the fullest extent possible.

Section 11.08. Governing Law . This Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the Laws of any other jurisdiction that might be applied because of the conflicts of Laws principles of the State of Delaware, except that Article I (including the effectiveness of the Merger and the effects thereof and the treatment of the Merger under applicable Law) shall be governed by the internal Laws of the State of Texas.

 

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Section 11.09. Choice of Forum .

(a) Each of the parties irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements brought by any party or its Affiliates against any other party or its Affiliates shall be brought and determined in any federal or state court located in Dallas County in the State of Texas. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for itself and with respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, with regard to any such action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Each of the parties agrees not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in the courts described above in Texas, other than actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court in Texas as described herein. Each of the parties further agrees that notice as provided herein shall constitute sufficient service of process and the parties further waive any argument that such service is insufficient.

(b) Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Texas as described herein for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (iii) this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, or the subject matter hereof or thereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

Section 11.10. Transaction Privilege .

(a) With respect to Baker Botts L.L.P., Vinson & Elkins LLP and any other counsel that represents SU in connection with the Transactions (collectively, “ SU Counsel ”):

(i) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the Closing, any attorney-client privilege arising from communications prior to the Closing between any one or more representatives of SU, on the one hand, and SU Counsel, on the other hand, related to this Agreement or the Transactions shall be excluded from the property, rights, privileges, powers, franchises and other interests that are possessed by or vested in SDTS as of the Effective Time pursuant to the TBOC. All communications involving attorney-client confidences between SU, on the one hand, and SU Counsel, on the other hand, relating to the negotiation, documentation and consummation of the Transactions shall be deemed to be attorney-client confidences that belong solely to SU, as applicable (and not SDTS).

(ii) This Section 11.10(a) is for the benefit of SU. This Section 11.10(a) shall be irrevocable, and no term of this Section 11.10(a) may be amended, waived or modified, without the prior written consent of SU.

 

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(b) With respect to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP and any other counsel that represents SDTS in connection with the Transactions (“ SDTS Counsel ”):

(i) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the Closing, any attorney-client privilege arising from communications prior to the Closing between any one or more representatives of SDTS, on the one hand, and SDTS Counsel, on the other hand, related to this Agreement or the Transactions shall be excluded from the property, rights, privileges, powers, franchises and other interests that are possessed by or vested in SU as of the Effective Time pursuant to the TBOC. All communications involving attorney-client confidences between SDTS, on the one hand, and SDTS Counsel, on the other hand, relating to the negotiation, documentation and consummation of the Transactions shall be deemed to be attorney-client confidences that belong solely to SDTS, as applicable (and not SU).

(ii) This Section 11.10(b) is for the benefit of SDTS. This Section 11.10(b) shall be irrevocable, and no term of this Section 11.10(b) may be amended, waived or modified, without the prior written consent of SDTS.

Section 11.11. Waiver of Jury Trial(a) . EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HEREBY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (a) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (b) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (c) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (d) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS Section 11.11 .

Section 11.12. Amendments; Waivers . This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded or canceled and any of the terms, covenants, representations, warranties or conditions hereof may be altered only by an instrument in writing signed by each of the parties hereto. The observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) by the party or parties entitled to the benefits of such term, but such waiver shall be effective only if it is in a writing signed by the party or parties entitled to the benefits of such term and against which such waiver is to be asserted. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no delay or omission on the part of any party in exercising any right or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right or privilege under this Agreement operate as a waiver of any other right or privilege under this Agreement nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or privilege

 

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preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or privilege under this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, unless specifically provided that SDTS (as opposed to Oncor) may waive a particular term of this Agreement, no waiver of any term of this Agreement may be made by SDTS without the prior written consent of Oncor.

Section 11.13. Specific Enforcement . The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur and that the parties would not have any adequate remedy at law in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

Section 11.14. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered, in person or by facsimile, or by electronic image scan to the other parties hereto.

[Remainder of the page intentionally left blank]

 

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

 

SDTS:
SHARYLAND DISTRIBUTION & TRANSMISSION SERVICES, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Brant Meleski

Name: Brant Meleski
Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Asset Exchange Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 


SU:
SHARYLAND UTILITIES, L.P.,
A TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By:  

Sharyland Holdings, L.L.C.,

its General Partner

By:  

/s/ Hunter L. Hunt

Name: Hunter L. Hunt
Title:   Chairman

[Signature Page to Asset Exchange Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 


ONCOR:
ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC
By:  

/s/ Don J. Clevenger

Name: Don J. Clevenger
Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Asset Exchange Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 


Schedule 1

Definitions

For all purposes of this Agreement, the terms set forth below have the following respective meanings:

1031 Allocation ” has the meaning set forth in Section  9.06 .

Adverse Recommendation Change ” has the meaning set forth in the HIFR Merger Agreement.

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any Subsidiary of such Person or (b) any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; provided , notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Hunt and SU are deemed not to be Affiliates of SDTS. For the purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by Contract or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, Sempra Energy shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Oncor for purposes of Section  5.05(h) and Section  5.08 .

Agreed Claims ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.04(b) .

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Amarillo TOC ” means the transmissions operations center located near Amarillo, Texas and described in Part II of Schedule C .

Ancillary Agreements ” means all agreements and instruments (a) executed and delivered on or after the date of this Agreement in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Omnibus Termination Agreement and any applicable letter agreement to which SDTS or SU is a party) or (b) to be executed and delivered at the Closing in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or in order to consummate the Transactions. The term “ applicable Ancillary Agreements ” means, with respect to a party, all Ancillary Agreements to which such party is, or is proposed (under the terms of this Agreement) to be, a party.

APA 2001.144 ” means the Administrative Procedure Act, Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 2001.144.

Applicable Asset Identification Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(c) .

Applicable Lease ” means any lease between SDTS and SU, regardless of whether such lease (a) was in effect immediately prior to the Closing or (b) terminated or expired at any time prior to the Closing.

Applicable Transmission System ” means any transmission system owned by SDTS or GS LLC immediately following the Effective Time, other than (i) any transmission system that was owned by Oncor prior to the consummation the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 21, 2017, by and among SDTS, SDTS AssetCo L.L.C., SU, SU AssetCo L.L.C, Oncor and Oncor AssetCo LLC or (ii) any transmission system that embodies the Intellectual Property in the Oncor tower design licensed pursuant to the Tower Design License Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2017, among Oncor, SDTS and (pursuant to an undertaking) SU.

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 1


Arbiter Objection Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(f) .

Available Employee ” means any Business Employee who is identified as a “Listed Employee” by SU pursuant to the Employee Matters Letter Agreement; provided, however , that for purposes of the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, such term shall not include any such Listed Employee to whom Oncor does not actually make an offer of employment and ultimately hire pursuant to the Employee Matters Letter Agreement.

business day ” means any day except for a Saturday or Sunday, or any other day on which commercial banks are not required or authorized to close in Dallas, Texas.

Business Employee ” means any employee of SU or any of its Affiliates whose primary work duties involve providing services as an employee with respect to the Subject NTX Operations.

Certificate of Merger ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.02 .

CFIUS ” means the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

CFIUS Approval ” means (a) a written notification issued by CFIUS that it has determined (i) that the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing are not a “covered transaction” pursuant to the DPA or (ii) there are no unresolved national security concerns with respect to the transactions and CFIUS has concluded all action with respect to its review (or, if applicable, investigation) of the transactions, or (b) if CFIUS has sent a report to the President of the United States requesting the President’s decision with respect to the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing, either (i) the period under the DPA during which the President may announce his decision to take action to suspend or prohibit the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing has expired without any action being announced or taken, or (ii) the President has announced a decision not to take any action to suspend or prohibit the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing.

Claim ” means any demand, claim, lawsuit, investigation, proceeding, cause of action or chose in action, right of recovery or right of set-off of any kind of character.

Claim Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.04(b) .

Closing ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.01 .

Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.01 .

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Confidential Information ” shall mean all written information regarding the NTX Package, including sensitive business, operational, and proprietary information (such as Proprietary Customer Information), that is confidential or proprietary to the SU Entities or is not otherwise generally available to the public.

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 2


Consents or Approvals ” means, with respect to a Person, any (a) consent, approval, license, Permit, order or authorization of any other Person, (b) obligation of such Person under any Law, Order or Contract to provide notice, (c) waiver that such Person is required to obtain under any Law, Order, Contract or Permit, including the waiver of a breach, default or event of default of such Person or the right of any other Person to terminate any rights or accelerate any obligations of such Person, and, for the avoidance of doubt, waiver of any event of default or right of termination triggered by the Transactions or (d) release that such Person is required to obtain of any Lien, in each case of the foregoing without regard to any cure periods, the requirement of any other Person to provide notice, the requirement that time elapse, or any combination of the foregoing.

Contract ” means any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, arrangement, commitment, deed of trust, contract, agreement, lease (whether for real or personal property), easement, license, right of way, permit or other instrument or obligation.

Data and Operational Security Requirements ” means collectively, all of the following to the extent relating to privacy, personal data rights, data protection or data security of data and information (including Personal Data or Intellectual Property) or to the integrity and availability of the IT Assets, in each case solely with respect to the NTX Assets and the Subject NTX Operations: all (a) applicable Laws and (b) each of the SU Entities’ own rules, policies and procedures.

Debt Financing ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.08(a) .

Delivering Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(e) or Section  1.09(c) , as applicable.

Disclosure Schedules ” means the SDTS Disclosure Schedule, the SU Disclosure Schedule and the Oncor Disclosure Schedule.

Disputed Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(d) .

Disqualifying Operator Conduct ” means (a) any action or inaction on the part of SU that constitutes a breach of its obligations under an SU/SDTS Lease or (b) any action taken by SU in its capacity as operator under an SU/SDTS Lease which, if taken by SDTS, would constitute a violation of Section 5.01 of this Agreement, other than, any action (x) in the case of clause (b), required under the terms of the applicable SU/SDTS Lease or (y) in the case of clauses (a) and (b), taken at the express written direction of, or with the written consent of, SDTS.

DPA ” means the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, 50 U.S.C. § 4565, the regulations promulgated thereunder, 31 C.F.R. Part 800 and any executive order issued pursuant to the DPA.

DOL ” means the U.S. Department of Labor.

Effective Time ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.02 .

Employee Benefit Plan ” means any “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, regardless of whether such plan is subject to ERISA), and any other personnel policy (oral or written), equity option, restricted equity, equity purchase plan, other equity or equity-based compensation award, plan or arrangement, phantom equity or appreciation rights award, plan or

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 3


arrangement, collective bargaining agreement, bonus plan or arrangement, incentive award, plan or arrangement, vacation or holiday pay policy, retention or severance pay plan, policy or agreement, deferred compensation plan, agreement or arrangement, change in control plan, agreement or arrangement, hospitalization or other welfare, medical, dental, vision, accident, disability, life or other insurance, executive compensation or supplemental income arrangement, consulting agreement, employment, severance or retention agreement, and any other plan, agreement, arrangement, program, practice, or understanding providing any compensation or benefits, in each case established or maintained by any SU Entity or to which any SU Entity contributes or is obligated to contribute, for the benefit of any Available Employee.

Employee Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.12 .

Employee Matters Letter Agreement ” means that certain letter agreement, dated as of the date hereof, entered into by and among Oncor, SU and HUS regarding certain employee matters.

Enforceability Exceptions ” means, with reference to the enforcement of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or any other Contract, that the enforcement thereof is or may be subject to the effect of (a) applicable bankruptcy, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of the rights and remedies of creditors or parties to executory Contracts generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and the exercise of equitable powers by a court of competent jurisdiction and (c) applicable Law or public policy limiting the enforcement of provisions providing for the indemnification of any person.

Environmental Laws ” means any Laws in effect as of the date hereof relating to protection of the environment, including the protection of flora and fauna and the quality of the ambient air, soil, surface water or groundwater, and relating to health and safety matters or any actual or potential Release of any Hazardous Materials.

Environmental Permits ” means all Permits required under applicable Environmental Laws.

Equity Financing ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.08(a) .

Equity Interests ” means (a) with respect to any corporation, all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents of capital stock of such corporation, however designated, (b) with respect to any partnership, all partnership interests or units, participations or equivalents of partnership interests of such partnership, however designated or (c) with respect to any limited liability company, all limited liability company or membership interests or units, participations or equivalents of limited liability company or membership interests of such limited liability company, however designated.

ERCOT ” means the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc.

ERCOT Protocols ” means the documents adopted by ERCOT, including any attachments or exhibits referenced therein, as amended from time to time that contain the scheduling, operating, planning, reliability, and settlement (including customer registration) policies, rules, guidelines, procedures, standards, and criteria of ERCOT including all polices, guidelines, procedures, forms, and applications contained within the “Other Binding Documents” adopted by ERCOT.

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 4


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

ERISA Affiliate ” means, with respect to any entity, trade or business, any other entity, trade or business that is a member of a group described in Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or Section 4001(b)(l) of ERISA that includes the first entity, trade or business, or that is a member of the same “controlled group” as the first entity, trade or business pursuant to section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.

Estimated Closing Statements ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(d) .

Exchange Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.03(b) .

Excluded Breach of Representations ” means a breach of a SDTS Representation (a) of which SU had actual knowledge as of the date of this Agreement and (b) of which SDTS did not have actual knowledge as of the date of this Agreement. As used in this definition, (x) “actual knowledge” of SU shall mean the actual knowledge of Greg Boggs, Mark Spencer or Greg Wilks of the underlying facts and circumstances and (y) “actual knowledge” of SDTS shall mean the actual knowledge of Brian Bell or Brant Meleski of the underlying facts and circumstances.

FCPA ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.22 .

FERC ” means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

FERC Approval ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.03(b) .

Final Arbiter ” means KPMG or, if such firm declines to serve, any nationally-recognized accounting firm reasonably agreed by Oncor and SU.

Final NTX Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(g)(ii)(A) .

Final NTX Package Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(b) .

Final NTX Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(b) .

Final NTX Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(b) .

Final Statements ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(b) .

Final STX Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(g)(i)(A) .

Final STX Package Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(a) .

Final STX Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(a) .

Final STX Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(a) .

Financing ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.08(a) .

FLSA ” means the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended.

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 5


Fourth Amended and Restated SDTS Company Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.06(b) .

Future Development Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.02(d)(i) .

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect in the United States at the time of the application thereof.

Good Utility Practice ” means any of the practices, methods, and acts engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the electric utility industry during the relevant time period, or any of the practices, methods, and acts that, in the exercise of reasonable judgment in light of the facts known at the time the decision was made, could have been expected to accomplish the desired result at a reasonable cost consistent with good business practices, reliability, safety, and expedition. Good Utility Practice is not intended to be limited to the optimum practice, method, or act, to the exclusion of all others, but rather is intended to include acceptable practices, methods, and acts generally accepted in the region.

Government Contract ” means any Contract in respect of the NTX Package or Subject NTX Operations to which any SU Entity is a party, or by which any of them are bound, and the ultimate contracting party of which is a Governmental Entity (including any subcontract with a prime contractor who is a party to any such Contract).

Government Official ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.22 .

Governmental Entity ” means any federal, state, local or foreign court of competent jurisdiction, governmental agency, authority, corporation, instrumentality or regulatory body.

GS Equity Interests ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

GS LLC ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Hazardous Materials ” means any substance, material, waste or chemical that is listed, regulated or defined as hazardous, toxic or radioactive by any Environmental Law, or any other substance that is declared or defined to be hazardous or toxic under or pursuant to any Environmental Law.

HIFR ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

HIFR Debt Refinancing ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.08(a) .

HIFR Merger Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

HIFR-Oncor Confidentiality Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.04 .

HIFR Transactions ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

HSR Act ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.03(b) .

HSR Period Expiration/Termination ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.03(b) .

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 6


Hunt ” means Hunt Consolidated, Inc.

HUS ” means Hunt Utility Services, LLC.

Indebtedness ” of any Person shall mean and include (a) indebtedness for borrowed money or indebtedness issued or incurred in substitution or exchange for indebtedness for borrowed money, (b) indebtedness evidenced by any note, bond, debenture, mortgage or other debt instrument, debt security or other similar instrument, (c) indebtedness secured by a Lien on assets or properties of such Person, (d) any liability of such Person in respect of banker’s acceptances or letters of credit (to the extent drawn), (e) obligations under any interest rate, currency or other hedging agreement, (f) direct or indirect guarantees of any indebtedness, obligation, claim or liability of any other Person of a type described in clauses (a) through (e) above or (g) with respect to any indebtedness, obligation, claim or liability of a type described in clauses (a) through (e) above, all accrued and unpaid interest, premiums, penalties, breakage costs, unwind costs, fees, termination costs, redemption costs, expenses and other charges with respect thereto. Indebtedness shall not, however, include (x) accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business or (y) endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.04(a) .

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.04(a) .

InfraREIT Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Initial Outside Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.02(a)(v) .

Insurance Policies ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.14 .

Intellectual Property ” means any and all (a) trademarks, service marks, Internet domain names, logos, symbols, trade dress, trade names, and other indicia of origin, all applications and registrations for the foregoing, and all goodwill associated therewith and symbolized thereby, including all renewals of the same, (b) inventions and discoveries and all patents, registrations, invention disclosures and applications therefor, including divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part and renewal applications, and including renewals, extensions and reissues regarding the foregoing, (c) confidential information, trade secrets and know-how that derive value, monetary or otherwise, from being maintained in confidence and not known to SU’s competitors (collectively, “ Trade Secrets ”), (d) works or authorship, copyrights and registrations and applications therefor, and all renewals, extensions, restorations and reversions thereof, unregistered copyrights, as well as all moral, economic, or similar rights, (e) domain names, (f) rights in Software, (g) rights of publicity and rights in social media usernames and accounts and (h) all other intellectual property and proprietary rights, title, and interests in any jurisdiction.

Interested Party Communication ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.05(b)(v) .

Interface Transition ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.09 .

Interface Transition Plan ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.09 .

IRS ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 7


IT Assets ” means any and all computer systems, software (whether in object or source code form), databases, hardware, servers, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, circuits, data communications lines, websites, applications, databases, automated networks and control systems, and all other information and operational technology equipment and assets, including outsourced or cloud computing arrangements, in each case, used or held for use in the Subject NTX Operations as presently conducted.

Knowledge of Oncor ” means all matters actually (and not constructively or by imputation) known to Matthew C. Henry, Michael L. Davitt or John Stewart after reasonable inquiry by such Persons of personnel having managerial responsibility relating to such matter (and SU agrees that the inclusion of those individuals in this definition does not result in any of them having any personal liability to SU or any of its Affiliates under this Agreement or otherwise).

Knowledge of SDTS ” means all matters actually (and not constructively or by imputation) known to Brian Bell or Brant Meleski, after reasonable inquiry by such Persons of personnel having managerial responsibility relating to such matter (and SU agrees that the inclusion of those individuals in this definition does not result in any of them having any personal liability to SU or any of its Affiliates under this Agreement or otherwise).

Knowledge of SU ” means all matters actually (and not constructively or by imputation) known to Greg Boggs, Mark Spencer or Greg Wilks, after reasonable inquiry by such Persons of personnel having managerial responsibility relating to such matter (and SDTS and Oncor agree that the inclusion of those individuals in this definition does not result in any of them having any personal liability to SDTS, Oncor or any of their respective Affiliates under this Agreement or otherwise).

Laws ” means any federal, state, territorial, provincial, municipal, regional, tribal, foreign or local law, statute, rule, ordinance, code, common law or Order.

Leased Assets ” means any electrical transmission or distribution facilities owned by SDTS and leased to SU at any time under an Applicable Lease or the systems or other property necessary to operate such transmission or distribution facilities.

Leasehold Property ” means, collectively, the STX Leasehold Property and the NTX Leasehold Property.

Legal Proceeding ” means any judicial, administrative or arbitral action, suit, Claim, investigation or proceeding, enforcement action, mediation or investigation by or before any court or other Governmental Entity, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

Liabilities ” of any Person means, as of any given time, any and all debts, liabilities, commitments, Taxes and obligations of any kind of such Person, whether fixed, contingent or absolute, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or not accrued, asserted or not asserted, known or unknown, determined, determinable or otherwise, whenever or however arising (including whether arising out of any Contract or tort based on negligence or strict liability) and whether or not the same would be required by GAAP to be reflected in financial statements or disclosed in the notes thereto.

Licensed Activities ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.10(a) .

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 8


Licensed Intellectual Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.10(a) .

Licensed Parties ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.10(a) .

Licensed Transmission System ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.10(a) .

Liens ” means any lien, pledge, mortgage, deed of trust, license, option, right of first refusal, right of first offer, preemptive right, easement, restrictive covenant, security interest, attachment, levy or other similar encumbrance or adverse claim affecting title.

Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.01 , but such term is subject in all respects to the provisions of Section  8.05(f) .

LP&L Participation Agreement ” means the Participation Agreement, dated as of August 21, 2018, as amended from time to time, by and between SU and the City of Lubbock, a Texas home rule municipal corporation, acting by and through its City Council and its Electric Utility Board.

Master Governing Contract ” has the meaning set forth in Schedule A .

Material Contract ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.07 .

Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Merger Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Merger Sub ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Negotiation Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(e) .

NERC ” means the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

NESC ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.09(c) .

Net Book Value ” means, with respect to specific assets and liabilities, the net book value thereof as calculated (i) in the case of the STX Package, in accordance with the SDTS Accounting Principles and (ii) in the case of the NTX Package, in accordance with the SU Accounting Principles.

North Texas Utility ” means SDTS after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

NTX Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

NTX Books and Records ” means all books and records (or portion thereof) of SU and GS LLC relating primarily, exclusively or otherwise reasonably relating to the SDTS Retained Assets, the SDTS Retained Liabilities, the NTX Assets or the NTX Liabilities.

NTX Burdensome Condition ” means any term or condition, requirement, sanction or Law that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be materially detrimental to the financial condition, business, properties, assets, liabilities or results of operations of (a) Oncor and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) Sempra Energy and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 9


each case, taking into account the effects of the Transactions, the HIFR Transactions and the SU Investment (it being understood that the financial condition, business, properties, assets, liabilities or results of operations of (i) Oncor and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) Sempra Energy and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, should be assumed to be of the same size and magnitude as the financial condition, business, properties, assets, liabilities or results of operations of HIFR and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of the date of this Agreement); provided , however , that terms or conditions, requirements, sanctions or Laws that result in changes or developments generally affecting electric transmission or distribution systems in the State of Texas shall not be deemed to be, or contribute to, a NTX Burdensome Condition (except to the extent that such changes or developments have a materially disproportionate and adverse effect on SDTS as compared to other entities engaged in the electric transmission and distribution business in the State of Texas); provided , further , that the approval by the PUCT of any of the Regulatory Terms, or any comparable condition, requirement or similar item that, in each case, is substantively the same or results in substantially the same effect as any of the Regulatory Terms, shall not be deemed to be a NTX Burdensome Condition, but material adverse variations or changes to any of the Regulatory Terms that are included in the SDTS Regulatory Conditions may contribute to, or be, a NTX Burdensome Condition; provided , further , that the PUCT’s refusal of Item 14 in the Regulatory Terms shall not constitute or contribute to an NTX Burdensome Condition. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that SDTS will become a Subsidiary of Oncor upon consummation of the HIFR Transactions and will be subject to the conditions and requirements imposed on Subsidiaries of Oncor pursuant to the Order in Docket No. 47675 issued by the PUCT on March 8, 2018, in each case, by virtue of the fact that SDTS will become a Subsidiary of Oncor, and any confirmation or reinstatement of such existing conditions or requirements by any Governmental Entity on Subsidiaries of Oncor in connection with any approval sought under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a NTX Burdensome Condition; provided , further , that subject to Section  5.05(e) , a NTX Burdensome Condition shall not be deemed to exist by virtue of any mitigation arrangement with CFIUS under the DPA to obtain CFIUS Approval that would restrict the ability of Oncor’s foreign owners from accessing or operating Oncor’s business, operations or its assets or from having physical, virtual or electronic access to the assets of Oncor, including tangible assets, data and sensitive personal information, and being involved in decision-making regarding the distribution, sale and delivery of electric power (other than board-level decision-making).

NTX Business ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

NTX CapEx Forecast ” means the capital expenditures forecast attached as Schedule J .

NTX Closing Estimated Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(f)(i) .

NTX Contributed Warranty ” has the meaning set forth in Schedule A .

NTX Easements ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.08(a) .

NTX Estimated Closing Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(d) .

NTX Leasehold Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.08(a) .

NTX Leases ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.08(a) .

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 10


NTX Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

NTX Material Adverse Effect ” means any change, development, effect, event or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, (a) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the NTX Package or the Subject NTX Operations, taken as a whole, or (b) prevents, materially delays or impedes the performance by SU of its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions, but, in the case of clause (a) above, excludes any change, development, effect, event or occurrence to the extent it arises from (i) any changes in Law or GAAP or applicable accounting regulations or principles or interpretations thereof, in each case, arising after the date hereof, (ii) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or war or any act of terrorism (other than acts of war or terrorism that cause physical damage that renders operationally unusable any NTX Assets), (iii) any changes in the U.S. or non-U.S. economic conditions, securities markets or financial markets or geopolitical conditions in general, (iv) any general legal, regulatory, economic or business condition changes or developments after the date hereof in the electric transmission or electric distribution industries in Texas, other than changes or developments that render operationally unusable any facility or property included in the NTX Assets, (v) any adoption, implementation, promulgation, repeal, modification, interpretation or proposal of any rule, regulation, ordinance, order, protocol or any other Law of or by any Governmental Entity or by ERCOT, (vi) the failure of SU to meet any internal projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions ( provided , that the facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such failure that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of “NTX Material Adverse Effect” may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a NTX Material Adverse Effect), (vii) the execution or announcement of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements and the announcement of the Transactions, the HIFR Transactions or the SU Investment or (viii) any action or omission on the part of SU taken in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or with the prior consent of Oncor; provided , that (x) facts, events, changes, effects, developments, circumstances or occurrences set forth in clauses (i) through (v) may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a NTX Material Adverse Effect to the extent such matters, changes, effects or developments have a materially disproportionate and adverse effect on the SU Entities, taken as a whole, as compared to other entities engaged in the relevant business in the State of Texas and (y) any condition or requirement of or arising from the Regulatory Approvals shall not constitute or be deemed to constitute, a NTX Material Adverse Effect.

NTX Memorandum of Merger ” means the memorandum of merger and allocation of interests, in such form as reasonably agreed by the parties, which will evidence the allocation to and vesting in SDTS of the NTX Owned Property and the NTX Easements.

NTX Net Book Value Estimate ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(d) .

NTX Net Working Capital Estimate ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(d) .

NTX Owned Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.08(a) .

NTX Package ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

NTX Package Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(d) .

NTX Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.08(a) .

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 11


NTX Real Property Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.08(a) .

NTX Working Capital Package ” means current assets included in the NTX Package over the current liabilities included in the NTX Package, in each case determined in accordance with the NTX File (as defined and used in Schedule A and Schedule B).

O&M Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.02(d)(iii).

Objection Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(d) .

Objection Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.09(d) .

Omnibus Termination Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Oncor ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Oncor Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Oncor Disclosure Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Article III .

Oncor Fundamental Representations ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.05(a)(iii) .

Oncor Release ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.02(d)(ii) .

OP Contribution ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

OP Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Operating Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Order ” means any order, judgment, injunction, writ, ruling, decision, decree or arbitration award of any court, other Governmental Entity or arbitrator.

ordinary course of business ” means, (a) with respect to SDTS, the ordinary course of business contemplated by the current operating plans of SDTS with respect to the STX Assets and the Subject STX Operations or consistent in all material respects with the past custom and practice of SDTS with respect thereto, including taking any actions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the Transactions and (b) with respect to SU, the ordinary course of business contemplated by the current operating plans of SU with respect to the NTX Assets and the Subject NTX Operations or consistent in all material respects with the past custom and practice of SU with respect thereto, including taking any actions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the Transactions.

organizational documents ” means (a) in the case of any Person organized as a corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation of such corporation (or, if applicable, the memorandum and articles of association of such corporation), (b) in the case of any Person organized as a limited liability company, the certificate of formation or organization and the limited liability company agreement, operating agreement or regulations of such limited liability company, (c) in the case of any Person organized as a limited partnership, the certificate of limited partnership and partnership agreement of such limited partnership and (d) in the case of any other Person, all constitutive or organizational documents of such Person which address all matters relating to the business and affairs of such Person similar to the matters addressed by the documents referred to in clauses (a) through (c) above.

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 12


Original Operations Date ” means, with respect to any Leased Assets, the date that SU assumed operational control over such Leased Assets pursuant to an Applicable Lease.

Other Confidentiality Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.04 .

Other Interested Party ” means the Texas Office of Public Utility Counsel or any other Person (other than a Subject Governmental Entity) that is intervening in, or may reasonably be expected to seek to intervene in, any Legal Proceeding with respect to any Regulatory Approval.

Other Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  9.04(b) .

Outside Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7.02(a)(v) .

Owned Property ” means STX Owned Property or NTX Owned Property, as applicable.

Permits ” means any approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses, permits, certifications, exemptions, registrations, franchises, variances, orders and certificates issued or granted by a Governmental Entity.

Permitted Liens ” means (a) statutory liens for current Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet delinquent or the amount or validity of which is being contested in good faith for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP; (b) mechanics’, warehousemen’s, carriers’, workers’, repairers’, landlords’ and similar Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business that are not yet delinquent; (c) rights of landlords in respect of any Leasehold Property provided for under the NTX Leases and STX Leases provided or made available to SDTS, SU and Oncor prior to the date hereof; (d) zoning, building codes, entitlement regulations enacted by any Governmental Entity which do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely impact the current use and operation of the affected property; (e) with respect to any owned real property, Leasehold Property or easements, any other recorded easements, rights of way, licenses (including railroad, pipeline and similar crossing rights), covenants, restrictions, conditions, defects, exceptions and encumbrances or other matters of record that do not materially and adversely impact the current use and operation of the affected property; (f) any encumbrances set forth in a franchise or governing ordinance under which any portion of the Subject STX Operations or Subject NTX Operations, as applicable, are conducted and which do not, individually or in the aggregate, have a STX Material Adverse Effect or NTX Material Adverse Effect, as applicable; (g) solely with respect to the STX Assets or the STX Property, any Lien resulting primarily from (i) any action of SU in its capacity as operator of the STX Assets under any Applicable Lease or (ii) any material failure of SU to comply with its obligations under any Applicable Lease; and (h) Liens securing indebtedness for borrowed money, whether existing on the date hereof or coming into existence in connection with any refinancing consummated in connection with the Transactions.

Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association or other entity or organization, including a Governmental Entity.

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 13


Personal Data ” means information used or collected in the conduct of the Subject NTX Operations relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.

PII ” has the meaning set forth in Section  10.04 .

Post-Closing Tax Period ” means any taxable period beginning after the Closing Date.

Pre-Closing Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.01(a) .

Pre-Closing Tax Contest ” has the meaning set forth in Section  9.04(a) .

Pre-Closing Tax Period ” means any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date.

Property Schedule ” means Section  3.06(a) of the SDTS Disclosure Schedule or Section  4.08(a) of the SU Disclosure Schedule.

Proprietary Customer Information ” means any information compiled by SU relating to a customer in the normal course of providing electric service that makes possible the identification of any individual customer by matching such information with the customer’s name, address, account number, type or classification of service, historical electricity usage, expected patterns of use, types of facilities used in providing service, individual contract terms and conditions, price, current charges, billing records, or any other information that the customer has expressly requested not be disclosed; provided, however , that information that is redacted or organized in such a way as to make it impossible to identify the customer to whom the information relates does not constitute Proprietary Customer Information.

PUCT ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.03(b) .

PUCT Approval ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.03(b) .

PUCT Filings ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.05(b)(ii) .

PURA ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.03(b) .

Rate Case Material ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.11(b) .

Real Property Agreements ” means the STX Real Property Agreement or the NTX Real Property Agreement, as applicable.

Receiving Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(e) or Section  1.09(c) , as applicable.

Regulatory Approvals ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.03(b) .

Regulatory Terms ” has the meaning set forth in Section  5.05(b)(ii) .

Related Person ” means, with respect to SDTS or SU, any Affiliate of such party, contractor engaged by such party or any lessee or sublessee of such party (other than under an Applicable Lease) and each such Person’s principals, officers, employees, servants, agents, representatives, subcontractors, licensees, invitees, guests and successors and/or assigns; provided that (a) in no event shall SDTS or SU be deemed a “Related Person” with respect to the other party, and (b) each subsidiary of Hunt (including HUS) shall be deemed a “Related Person” of SU (and not SDTS).

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 14


Release ” means any emission, spill, leak, discharge, disposal, pumping, pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, dispersal, dumping, leaching, migration or release of any Hazardous Materials from any source into or upon the indoor or outdoor environment.

Representatives ” means, with respect to any Person, its officers, directors, employees, general partners, limited partners, members, attorneys, advisors, accountants, agents and other representatives, including those of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Person.

Responsible Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  9.04(b) .

SDTS ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

SDTS Accounting Principles ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(c) .

SDTS Counsel ” has the meaning set forth in Section  11.10(b) .

SDTS Disclosure Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Article III .

SDTS Fundamental Representations ” means the representations and warranties of SDTS in Section  3.01 (“Organization and Qualification”), Section  3.02 (“Authority; Execution and Delivery; Enforceability”), Section  3.03(a)(i) (“No Conflicts or Violations” – Organizational Documents), Section  3.10 (“Sophisticated Industry Participant; Access to Information”) and Section  3.11 (“Brokers and Finders”).

SDTS Indemnitees ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.02 .

SDTS Nontransferable Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section  10.05(b) .

SDTS Regulatory Conditions ” has the meaning set forth in Section  6.03(a) .

SDTS Representations ” means the representations and warranties of SDTS in Section  3.01 through Section  3.12 .

SDTS Required Authorizations ” has the meaning set forth in Section  10.05(b) .

SDTS Retained Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

SDTS Retained Books and Records ” means all books and records (or portions thereof) of SDTS relating primarily or exclusively to the SDTS Retained Assets or SDTS Retained Liabilities.

SDTS Retained Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

SDTS Subject Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.05(b)(i) .

SDTS Tax Representations ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.09(a) .

Sempra Energy ” means Sempra Energy, a California corporation.

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 15


Sempra Partner ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

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

South Texas Utility ” means SU after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Straddle Period ” means any taxable period beginning on or prior to and ending after the Closing Date.

Straddle Tax Contest ” has the meaning set forth in Section  9.04(c) .

STX Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

STX Books and Records ” means all books and records (or portions thereof) of SDTS relating primarily, exclusively or otherwise reasonably relating to the STX Assets or STX Liabilities.

STX Burdensome Condition ” means any term or condition, requirement, sanction or Law that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be materially detrimental to (i) the financial condition, business, properties, assets, liabilities or results of operations of SU and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, after accounting for the effects of the Transactions, the HIFR Transactions and the SU Investment or (ii) the governance structure and arrangements for the management and control of the business of SU contemplated by this Agreement or the ability of the owners of SU after giving effect to the Transactions to manage and conduct the business of SU and its subsidiaries; provided , however , that terms or conditions, requirements, sanctions or Laws that result in changes or developments generally affecting electric transmission or distribution systems in the State of Texas shall not be deemed to be, or contribute to, an STX Burdensome Condition (except to the extent that such changes or developments have a materially disproportionate and adverse effect on SU and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, after accounting for the effect of the transactions contemplated by the PUCT Filing, as compared to other entities engaged in the electric transmission and distribution business in the State of Texas); provided , further , that the approval by the PUCT of any of the Regulatory Terms, or any comparable condition, requirement or similar item that, in each case, is substantively the same or results in substantially the same effect as any of the Regulatory Terms shall not be deemed to be an STX Burdensome Condition, but material adverse variations or changes to any of the SU Regulatory Conditions may contribute to, or be, an STX Burdensome Condition.

STX Business ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

STX Closing Estimated Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(f)(i) .

STX Contributed Warranty ” has the meaning set forth in Schedule C .

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 16


STX Easements ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.06(a) .

STX Estimated Closing Statement ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(c) .

STX Leases ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.06(a) .

STX Leasehold Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.06(a) .

STX Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

STX Material Adverse Effect ” means any change, development, effect, event or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, (a) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the STX Package or the Subject STX Operations, taken as a whole or (b) prevents, materially delays or impedes the performance by SDTS of its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions, but, in the case of clause (a) above, excludes any change, development, effect, event or occurrence to the extent it arises from (i) any changes in Law or GAAP or applicable accounting regulations or principles or interpretations thereof, in each case, arising after the date hereof, (ii) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or war or any act of terrorism (other than acts of war or terrorism that cause physical damage that renders operationally unusable any STX Assets), (iii) any changes in the U.S. or non-U.S. economic conditions, securities markets or financial markets or geopolitical conditions in general, (iv) any general legal, regulatory, economic or business condition changes or developments after the date hereof in the electric transmission or electric distribution industries in Texas, other than changes or developments that render operationally unusable any facility or property included in the STX Assets, (v) any adoption, implementation, promulgation, repeal, modification, interpretation or proposal of any rule, regulation, ordinance, order, protocol or any other Law of or by any Governmental Entity or by ERCOT, (vi )  the failure of SDTS to meet any internal projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions ( provided , that the facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such failure that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of “STX Material Adverse Effect” may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a STX Material Adverse Effect), (vii) the execution, or announcement of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements and the announcement of the Transactions, the HIFR Transactions or the SU Investment or (viii) any action or omission on the part of SDTS taken in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or with the prior consent of SU; provided , that (x) facts, events, changes, effects, developments, circumstances or occurrences set forth in clauses (i) through (v) may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a STX Material Adverse Effect to the extent such matters, changes, effects or developments have a materially disproportionate and adverse effect on SDTS as compared to other entities engaged in the relevant business in the State of Texas (y) any condition or requirement of or arising from the Regulatory Approvals shall not constitute, or be deemed to contribute to, a STX Material Adverse Effect.

STX Memorandum of Merger ” means the memorandum of merger and allocation of interests, in such form as reasonably agreed by the parties, which will evidence the allocation to and vesting in SU of the STX Owned Property and the STX Easements.

STX Net Book Value Estimate ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(c) .

STX Net Working Capital Estimate ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(c) .

STX Owned Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.06(a) .

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 17


STX Package ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

STX Package Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(c) .

STX Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.06(a) .

STX Real Property Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in Section  3.06(a) .

STX Working Capital Package ” means current assets included in the STX Package over the current liabilities included in the STX Package, in each determined in accordance with the STX File (as defined and used in Schedule C and Schedule D).

SU ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

SU Accounting Principles ” has the meaning set forth in Section  1.08(d) .

SU Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

SU Counsel ” has the meaning set forth in Section  11.10(a) .

SU Disclosure Schedule ” has the meaning set forth in Article IV .

SU Entities ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

SU Environmental Representations ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.05(a)(ii) .

SU Fundamental Representations ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.05(a)(ii) .

SU Indemnitees ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.01 .

SU Intellectual Property ” means all SU-Owned Intellectual Property and all other Intellectual Property licensed to or used (or held for use) by the SU Entities in the Subject NTX Operations.

SU Investment ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

SU Nontransferable Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section  10.05(a) .

SU-Oncor Subject Losses ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.05(c)(i) .

SU-Owned Intellectual Property ” means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned, in whole or in part, by any SU Entity and used (or held for use) in the Subject NTX Operations.

SU Purchase Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

SU Regulatory Conditions ” has the meaning set forth in Section  6.02(a) .

SU Required Authorizations ” has the meaning set forth in Section  10.05(a) .

SU Retained Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 18


SU Retained Books and Records ” means all books and records (or portions thereof) of SU relating primarily or exclusively to the STX Assets, STX Liabilities, SU Retained Assets or SU Retained Liabilities.

SU Retained Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

SU Tax Representations ” has the meaning set forth in Section  4.12(a) .

Subject Governmental Entity ” means the PUCT, the PUCT staff, the FERC, the FERC staff, ERCOT, the United States Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission (including its staff) or offices of elected officials (including the elected officials and their staff members).

SUIP ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Subject NTX Operations ” means the operations conducted by SU, GS LLC and any third-party engaged by SU relating to or utilizing the NTX Assets.

Subject STX Operations ” means the operations conducted by SDTS, SU and any third-party engaged by either SDTS or SU (or any Affiliates of SDTS or SU) relating to or utilizing the STX Assets.

Subsidiary ” of any Person means another Person with respect to which the first Person (or any subsidiary of such first Person) owns directly or indirectly, an amount of the voting Equity Interests or other securities of which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its board of directors or other governing body is (or, if there are no such voting interests, 50% or more of the Equity Interests in which are) owned directly or indirectly by such first Person or by another subsidiary of such first Person.

Superior Proposal ” has the meaning set forth in the HIFR Merger Agreement.

SU/SDTS Leases ” means the leases set forth on Schedule I .

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means (a) United States federal, state, local taxes, assessments, levies or other governmental charges of any kind whatsoever including income, franchise, profits, gross receipts, license, ad valorem, net worth, value added, sales, use, real or personal property, payroll, withholding, employment, social security (or similar), excise, customs duties, stamp, registration, estimated, alternative and add-on minimum tax, escheat and unclaimed property obligations and any other taxes, assessments, levies or similar charges payable to any Taxing Authority or other Governmental Entity (whether disputed or not), (b) all interest, penalties, additional taxes and additions to tax imposed with respect thereto, and (c) any liability in respect of any items described in clauses (a) or (b) payable by reason of transferee or successor liability, as a result of the application of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1502-6(a) or any analogous or similar provision of Law (or any predecessor or successor thereof) or as a result of the application of any contractual provision.

Tax Return ” means all domestic or foreign (whether national, federal, state, provincial, local or otherwise) returns, declarations, statements, reports, schedules, forms and information returns relating to Taxes, including any attachments thereto and any amendments thereto.

Tax Side Letter ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.02(d)(iv) .

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 19


Taxing Authority ” means any U.S. federal, state, provincial, local or foreign government, any subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof or any quasi-governmental body exercising Tax regulatory authority.

TBOC ” means the Texas Business Organizations Code.

Third Party Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section  8.04(a) .

Trade Secret ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Intellectual Property” in this Schedule 1.

Transactions ” means the Merger and any other transaction contemplated by the Ancillary Agreements, in each case to the extent the applicable party is a party to such transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Transactions” shall not include the HIFR Transactions or the SU Investment.

Transfer Taxes ” means all sales (including bulk sales), use, value-added, transfer, recording, ad valorem, privilege, documentary, gross receipts, registration, conveyance, excise, license, stamp or similar Taxes arising out of, in connection with or attributable to the Transactions.

Transferred Master Governing Contracts ” has the meaning set forth in Section  10.05(c) .

TRE ” means the Texas Reliability Entity, Inc.

Treasury Regulations ” means the regulations promulgated under the Code as such regulations may be amended from time to time.

Unconditioned O&M PUCT Approval ” means PUCT Approval that is not conditioned on (a) the treatment of the O&M Agreement as a tariff or (b) the treatment of the services provided under the O&M Agreement as tariffed services.

Willful and Material Breach ” means a material breach that is a consequence of an act undertaken by the breaching party with the actual knowledge that the taking of such act would, or would be reasonably expected to, cause a material breach of this Agreement.

 

 

Schedule 1 — Definitions   Page 20


Exhibit A

Form of Future Development Agreement

See attached.


FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT

This FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”), dated as of [•] (the “ Effective Date ”), is by and between Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Oncor ”), Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (“ SDTS ”), and Sharyland Utilities, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“ SU ”). Oncor, SDTS and SU will each hereinafter sometimes be referred to individually as a “ Party ” or will hereinafter sometimes be referred to collectively as the “ Parties .”

RECITALS

WHEREAS , on October 18, 2018, the Parties entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Asset Exchange Agreement ”) pursuant to which, among other things, at the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (i) Sharyland’s equity interests in SDTS will be cancelled and (ii) SDTS and Sharyland will exchange certain transmission and distribution assets;

WHEREAS , on October 18, 2018, Oncor entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”) with InfraREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“ HIFR ”), InfraREIT Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), 1912 Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oncor (“M erger Sub ”), and Oncor T&D Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Oncor (“ Merger Partnership ”), pursuant to which, among other things, at the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (i) HIFR will be merged with and into Merger Sub and (ii) Merger Partnership will be merged with and into the Operating Partnership, with the result that both Merger Sub and the Operating Partnership will survive as indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Oncor; and

WHEREAS , on the date hereof, the parties to the Asset Exchange Agreement and the Merger Agreement are consummating the transactions contemplated thereby, and the Asset Exchange Agreement contemplates the execution of this Agreement and the transactions and arrangements contemplated hereby.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants, terms and conditions set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Project Submittal Process

Section 1.01 Pre-Submittal Process

(a) By closing SU shall have submitted its last five (5) year transmission plan to Oncor for review.

 


(b) Oncor will then have a nine (9) month period, from the Effective Date to continue reviewing the SU plan from Section  1.01(a,) and develop its own transmission plans for SDTS (the “ Plan Development Period ”).

(c) During the Plan Development Period, SU may not submit any project to Oncor or SDTS under the provisions of this agreement and Section  1.06 remains in effect.

Section 1.02 Submittal Process for Proposed Projects .

(a) If SU desires to develop any Proposed Project, each Proposed Project shall be submitted by SU to Oncor by delivering such proposal, together with all required information, data and analysis, to the Oncor Director of Transmission Services or such other person as designated by written notice from Oncor to SU.

(b) Any Proposed Project submitted by SU to Oncor shall not be considered properly submitted unless and until such proposal meets the requirements for an ERCOT RPG submittal, including, without limitation, all material necessary to prove need for the project ( i.e. modeling, study, economic analysis and alternative analysis).

(c) Upon receipt of a Proposed Project from SU, Oncor shall have thirty (30) days to provide SU with written notice if it determines any additional information, data or analysis is required for a Proposed Project to be considered properly submitted in accordance with Section  1.02 (each a “ Notification of Incompleteness ”), which Notification of Incompleteness shall request such additional information, data or analysis as reasonably requested by Oncor to determine the adequacy of such submission. Any Notification of Incompleteness shall be provided to SU in accordance with Section  7.01 . Such Proposed Project shall be deemed properly submitted to Oncor for the purposes of this Agreement upon the earlier to occur (such date, the “ Submission Date ”) of (i) the expiration of such thirty (30) day period after the submission of such Proposed Project to Oncor in accordance with Section  1.02(a) , if Oncor has not delivered to SU a Notification of Incompleteness within such thirty (30) day period, (ii) the date of delivery of written notice from Oncor to SU that the submission of such Proposed Project is adequate, including with respect to provision of any requested additional information, data or analysis pursuant to a Notification of Incompleteness, and (iii) 30 days following SU’s provision of any requested additional information, data or analysis pursuant to the most recently delivered Notification of Incompleteness. Any request made for additional information, data or analysis pursuant to a Notification of Incompleteness or otherwise will not be deemed exclusive and will not preclude Oncor from making additional reasonable requests prior to a Proposed Project being deemed properly submitted in accordance with this Section  1.02 .

Section 1.03 Evaluation Process for Proposed Projects .

(a) Oncor shall have sixty (60) days from the Submission Date to determine if Oncor desires to submit the Proposed Project to ERCOT (such period, an “ Evaluation Period ”). An Evaluation Period may be extended only by written agreement of SU and Oncor. If Oncor elects, within such Evaluation Period, to submit the Proposed Project to ERCOT (such Proposed Project, an “ Accepted Project ”), then Oncor shall (i) provide written notice to SU of its election

 

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and (ii) submit such Accepted Project to ERCOT within thirty (30) days. In the event that either (A) Oncor provides written notice to SU that Oncor is declining to submit the Proposed Project to ERCOT or (B) Oncor fails to provide notice to SU prior to the expiration of such Evaluation Period that such Proposed Project is an Approved Project (such Proposed Project, a “ Declined Project ”), then SU may submit the Declined Project, to ERCOT within thirty (30) days (a “ SU Submitted Project ”) from the effective date that the Proposed Project is deemed a Declined Project.

(b) If (i) SU has not submitted a Declined Project to ERCOT within such time set forth in Section 1.03(a) or (ii) an SU Submitted Project is not endorsed or recommended for construction by ERCOT within eighteen (18) months of the date the SU Submitted Project is submitted to ERCOT (“ ERCOT Approval Period ”) then (A) SU shall have no rights to build such Declined Project or SU Submitted Project under this Agreement and (B) SU shall not be permitted to resubmit such Declined Project, SU Submitted Project or any substantially similar project to Oncor to be considered a Proposed Project and Oncor, SDTS and their affiliates shall have no obligations under this Agreement with respect to any such Declined Project or SU Submitted Project; provided , however , that if a SU Submitted Project remains under review by ERCOT twelve (12) months after submission to ERCOT, SU may make a one-time election, by delivering written notice to Oncor prior to the date that is eighteen (18) months following submission to ERCOT, to extend such ERCOT Approval Period for such SU Submitted Project for an additional six (6) months (for a total ERCOT Approval Period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of submission to ERCOT).

Section 1.04 Submittal Process for Integration Projects .

(a) If SU desires to develop any Integration Project, each Integration Project shall be submitted by SU to Oncor by delivering a description of such project, along with modeling, appropriate studies and analysis to justify the project to the Oncor Director of Transmission Services or such other person as designated by written notice from Oncor to SU.

(b) Upon receipt of an Integration Project from SU, Oncor shall have thirty (30) days to provide SU with a Notification of Incompleteness, which Notification of Incompleteness shall request such additional information, data or analysis as reasonably requested by Oncor to evaluate the project. Any Notification of Incompleteness shall be provided to SU in accordance with Section  7.01 . Such Integration Project shall be deemed properly submitted to Oncor for the purposes of this Agreement upon the earlier to occur (such date, the “ Integration Project Submission Date ”) of (i) the expiration of such thirty (30) day period after the submission of such Integration Project to Oncor in accordance with Section  1.04(a) , if Oncor has not delivered to SU a Notification of Incompleteness within such thirty (30) day period, (ii) the date of delivery of written notice from Oncor to SU that the submission of such Proposed Project is adequate, including with respect to provision of any requested additional information, data or analysis pursuant to a Notification of Incompleteness, and (iii) 30 days following SU’s provision of any requested additional information, data or analysis pursuant to the most recently delivered Notification of Incompleteness. Any request made for additional information, data or analysis pursuant to a Notification of Incompleteness or otherwise will not be deemed exclusive and will not preclude Oncor from making additional reasonable requests prior to a Proposed Project being deemed properly submitted in accordance with this Section  1.04 .

 

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Section 1.05 Evaluation Process for Integration Projects.

(a) Oncor shall have sixty (60) days from the Integration Project Submission Date to determine if Oncor desires to develop the Integration Project (such period, an “ Integration Project Evaluation Period ”). An Integration Project Evaluation Period may be extended only by written agreement of SU and Oncor. If Oncor elects, within such Integration Project Evaluation Period, to develop the Integration Project (such Integration Project, an “ Accepted Integration Project ”), then Oncor shall (i) provide written notice to SU of its election and (ii) work cooperatively with SU to take all actions needed to develop such project. In the event that either (A) Oncor provides written notice to SU that Oncor is declining to pursue the Integration Project or (B) Oncor fails to provide notice to SU prior to the expiration of such Integration Project Evaluation Period that such Integration Project is an Approved Project (such Integration Project, a “ Declined Integration Project ”), then SU may proceed to take all necessary actions to develop the project on its own or with other partners (such project, an “ SU Submitted Integration Project ”).

(b) In the event of a Declined Integration Project, Oncor is under no duty to support and is free to oppose the Declined Integration Project. Any SU Submitted Integration Project that is not opposed by Oncor or SDTS is an “ Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project .”

Section 1.06 Notification Process for SU Generation Interconnection Projects .

(a) Any resource entity may select SU to develop a Generation Interconnection to a point of interconnection with the Existing System.

(b) SU, in coordination with the resource entity, will notify Oncor of the resource entity’s selection of SU for the Generation Interconnection.

(i) At any time prior to signing an Interconnection Agreement, a generation resource entity may reverse its selection of SU for the Generation Interconnection. If such a reversal occurs, the provisions of the Building Plan will not apply to the Generation Interconnection.

(c) SU, in coordination with the resource and Oncor will provide Oncor with the necessary data to perform a Full Interconnection Study required by ERCOT. Oncor in good faith, after consultation with the resource, will have sole authority to determine the interconnection solution for the resource. As soon as practicable following completion of the Full Interconnection Study, Oncor will negotiate an Interconnection Agreement with the resource entity. Such Interconnection Agreement shall be negotiated in accordance with ERCOT protocols and consistent with Good Utility Practice.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, SU may not represent to or offer to any potential generation resource, its agents, representatives, or consultants the following:

 

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(i) That the generation resource cannot contact or work directly with Oncor, SDTS, or ERCOT independent of SU,

(ii) That SU provides any cost advantage, efficiency, or expedited timeline in the generation interconnection process,

(iii) That any requirement exists for the generation resource to work with SU to connect to the Existing System, and

(iv) Any gift, trip, meal, or entertainment.

(e) If SU makes any representation or offer prohibited by Section 1.04(d), such representation or offer is a material default under Section  5.02.

Section 1.07 Building Plan Compliance .

(a) For the avoidance of doubt, if necessary regulatory approvals to construct are received for an Accepted Project, SU Submitted Project, or substantially similar project, such Connecting Transmission Project will be constructed according to the provisions of the Building Plan. In addition, any SU Generation Interconnection with an executed Interconnection Agreement or an Accepted Integration Project or Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project will be constructed according to the provisions of the Building Plan.

(b) If SU submits a Connecting Transmission Project to ERCOT or the PUCT in breach of this Agreement, the obligations of the Building Plan shall not apply to the project, neither Oncor nor its affiliates will have any obligations with respect to such project, and such submittal will be a material default incapable of cure under Section  5.02.

(c) In order to be considered substantially similar to an Accepted Project or SU Submitted Project the project must 1) be substantially similar and 2) meet the definition of a Connecting Transmission Project.

Section 1.08 SU Projects . Except as otherwise permitted by this ARTICLE I, SU shall not, and shall cause each of its partners, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, advisors, representatives and agents (in each case other than with respect to Oncor, SDTS and their affiliates) to not, submit any Connecting Transmission Project or Integration Project to ERCOT.

Section 1.09 Oncor and SDTS Projects . None of Oncor, SDTS or their respective affiliates will be subject to any prohibition or restriction on submitting project proposals or otherwise exercising its rights under applicable Law; provided , however , that for the avoidance of doubt, both Oncor and SDTS will be subject to the provisions of a Building Plan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

Building Plan

Section 2.01 Building Plan . Any Accepted Project, SU Submitted Project, Accepted Integration Project, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project, or SU Generation Interconnection to which this Agreement applies will be built and owned in accordance with the following (the “ Building Plan ”):

 

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(a) Certification . All Accepted Projects, SU Submitted Projects, Accepted Integration Projects, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Projects, or SU Generation Interconnections shall be certificated, as necessary, in accordance with the rules of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (“ PUCT ”) by Oncor. Oncor will be solely responsible for and have the sole authority to prepare, process, and litigate any CCN application or other required regulatory approval. SU shall cooperate with Oncor as reasonably requested by Oncor to support its efforts to obtain the required regulatory approvals.

(b) Construction . All Accepted Projects, SU Submitted Projects, Accepted Integration Projects, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Projects, or SU Generation Interconnections connecting into the Existing System will be developed, planned, designed, procured, fabricated, engineered, commissioned, operated, maintained, and retired in the sole discretion and authority of Oncor, by Oncor, and according to Oncor’s standard practices and procedures.

(c) Ownership :

(i) If the Accepted Project or SU Submitted Project has one Oncor Endpoint and one Existing System endpoint, one half (1/2) of the greenfield transmission line portion of the project will be funded and owned as a 100% undivided interest to be held by Oncor. The other half of the greenfield transmission line portion of the project will be owned as a joint undivided interest to be held 75% by SU and 25% by SDTS or Oncor (election to be made by Oncor), subject to the Majority Owner Transfer Right;

(ii) if the Accepted Project or SU Submitted Project has one Existing System endpoint and one third-party endpoint, one half (1/2) of the greenfield transmission line portion of the project (or any lesser amount elected by such third-party) will be funded and owned by such third-party. The other half of the greenfield transmission line portion of the project (or any greater amount not owned by such third-party) will be owned as a joint undivided interest to be held 75% by SU and 25% by SDTS or Oncor (election to be made by Oncor), subject to the Majority Owner Transfer Right;

(iii) if the Accepted Project or SU Submitted Project has two Existing System endpoints, the greenfield transmission line portion of the project will be funded and owned as a joint undivided interest to be held 75% by SU and 25% by SDTS or Oncor (election to be made by Oncor), subject to the Majority Owner Transfer Right;

(iv) any greenfield transmission line portion of an SU Generation Interconnection will be funded and owned as a joint undivided interest to be held 75% by SU and 25% by SDTS or Oncor (election to be made by Oncor), subject to the Majority Owner Transfer Right; and

 

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(v) for any Accepted Integration Project or Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project involving a third party to be integrated and other third parties within ERCOT, Oncor, SDTS and SU will negotiate with any third parties involved in the project to determine the greenfield transmission line portion of the project that will be owned by such third parties. In addition, the greenfield transmission line portion of the Accepted Integration Project or Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project that has an Oncor Endpoint and an ERCOT third party endpoint, will not be subject to any SU ownership. The greenfield transmission line portion of the Accepted Integration Project or Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project remaining after removing the parts that will be owned by third parties and the parts that involve only an Oncor Endpoint and an ERCOT third party endpoint (“ Remaining Integration Project ”) will be funded and owned as joint undivided interests, with the percentages to be held by SU and by Oncor as follows:

(A) for an element of the Remaining Integration Project that has one Oncor Endpoint and one Existing System endpoint, one half (1/2) of such element will be funded and owned as a 100% undivided interest to be held by Oncor. The other half of such element will be owned as a joint undivided interest to be held 25% by SU and 75% by Oncor or SDTS (election to be made by Oncor), subject to the Majority Owner Transfer Right;

(B) for an element of the Remaining Integration Project that has one Existing System endpoint and one third-party endpoint, such element will be funded and owned as a joint undivided interest to be held 25% by SU and 75% by Oncor or SDTS (election to be made by Oncor), subject to the Majority Owner Transfer Right;

(d) Waiver of Right to Own . SDTS or Oncor (as applicable) shall have, in its sole discretion and authority, the ability to waive any right to own and build (“ Waiver of Right to Own ”) an SU Submitted Project, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project, Accepted Integration Project, or an SU Generation Interconnection (a “ Waived Project ”) and delegate the responsibility for the construction of the project to SU as provided for by the ERCOT Protocols. This Waiver of Right to Own must be provided in writing by Oncor or SDTS (as applicable) to SU within thirty (30) days prior to filing for any PUCT approvals. In the event SDTS or Oncor (as applicable) exercises its Waiver of Right to Own, the Building Plan will no longer apply to such Waived Project, and SU will be free to build and own such Waived Project or partner with others to do so.

Section 2.02 Majority Owner Transfer Right . Other than any project for which Oncor or SDTS, as applicable, has exercised its Waiver of Right to Own, the Majority Owner, shall have the right to assign up to the Majority Owner Percentage Interest of the SU funding and ownership share hereunder of any Accepted Project, SU Submitted Project, Accepted Integration Project, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project, or SU Generation Interconnection to either Oncor, SDTS, or another affiliate of Oncor (in each case as Oncor may decide) and thereby modify the funding and ownership shares described in Section  2.01(c) for such project (such right, the “ Majority Owner Transfer Right ”). In order to exercise the Majority Owner Transfer Right, the Majority Owner must deliver written notice (an “ Exercise Notice ”) to the Parties no later than 30 days prior to (i) the date that the request for PUCT certification is submitted to the PUCT for any Accepted Project or SU Submitted Project, Accepted Integration Project, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project, or (ii) the date of execution by SDTS of the Interconnection Agreement in respect of an SU Generation Interconnection. Any such Exercise Notice shall specify (A) the applicable Accepted Project, SU Submitted Project, Accepted Integration Project, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project, or SU Generation Interconnection, (B) the entity to

 

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whom the Majority Owner is assigning its funding share (with such election to be made by Oncor), and (C) the funding and ownership share of SU that the Majority Owner is assigning, which percentage shall in no event exceed the product of the funding and ownership share of SU described in Section 2.01(c) multiplied by the Majority Owner Percentage Interest. Upon delivery of an Exercise Notice, the funding and ownership shares described in Section  2.01(c) shall be modified for all purposes for the applicable Accepted Project, SU Submitted Project, Accepted Integration Project, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project, or SU Generation Interconnection. For example, assuming the Majority Owner elects to assign 100% of its funding share of a particular Accepted Project under Section  2.01(c)(iii) to Oncor and its Majority Owner Percentage Interest is 50%, then the funding and ownership interest in that Accepted Project will be modified so that, notwithstanding Section 2.01(c)(iii), the greenfield transmission line portion of such Accepted Project will be funded and owned as a joint undivided interest to be held 37.5% by Oncor (75% x 100% x 50% = 37.5%), 37.5% by SU (75% – 37.5% = 37.5%), and 25% by SDTS or Oncor at Oncor’s election.

Section 2.03 Exemptions . For the avoidance of doubt, SU shall have no right under this Agreement to own or build 1) any portion of a transmission project between or only involving Oncor or SDTS facilities that are not part of the Existing System, 2) any endpoint or station facilities, and 3) any rebuild or upgrade of the Existing System.

Section 2.04 O&M Exclusion . Upon Oncor’s reasonable good faith determination that Oncor’s provision of operation and maintenance (“O&M”) services for any applicable assets built in accordance with the Building Plan must be offered pursuant to Oncor’s tariff, then the ownership of the applicable assets will be divided and held as separate and distinct interests between Oncor (or its designee) and SU. Oncor will be the owner of and define the demarcation point, consistent with the Building Plan in good faith, for separate ownership. In the event the assets are so divided, the O&M services required for SU’s portion of the applicable assets will be provided by Oncor in a supplemental agreement generally consistent with the O&M Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) the O&M Agreement was either not entered into because an Unconditioned O&M PUCT Approval was not received or (ii) the O&M Agreement terminated in accordance with its terms, then Oncor will not provide any O&M Services with respect to the applicable SU assets under the Building Plan and SU shall be solely responsible for any such services.

ARTICLE III

Cost Reimbursement

Section 3.01 Approved Project Costs . If an Accepted Project, SU Submitted Project, Accepted Integration Project, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project, or SU Generation Interconnection is approved by the PUCT, as applicable, and proceeds with construction, Oncor shall submit an invoice to SU on a monthly basis for SU’s portion of costs pursuant to Section  2.01 of the project incurred, including all out-of-pocket costs incurred to plan, certificate, procure, and construct such Accepted Project, SU Submitted Project, Accepted Integration Project, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project, or SU Generation Interconnection (“ Construction Cost Reimbursement ”). Any reasonable and prudent rate recoverable third-party costs incurred by SU in studying, developing, and analyzing such Accepted Project, SU Submitted Project, Accepted Integration Project, or Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project prior to submittal

 

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to Oncor will be included in the total costs of the project and treated as an offset to the Construction Cost Reimbursement. This cost offset treatment will only be provided if SU provides an estimate of its reasonably incurred costs to Oncor at the time of project submittal. SU will submit reasonable supporting documentation of such reasonable and prudent rate recoverable third-party costs at the time of submitting its estimated costs to Oncor. If Oncor disputes the reasonableness of SU’s third party incurred costs, Oncor must notify SU within 60 days of receipt of SU’s estimate and supporting documentation. Payment of the Construction Cost Reimbursement will be due to Oncor no later than twenty (20) days after such invoice is submitted to SU.

Section 3.02 Non-Approved Project Costs . If an Accepted Project, SU Submitted Project, Accepted Integration Project, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project, or SU Generation Interconnection that requires PUCT approval, is not approved by the PUCT, Oncor (or its Affiliate) shall submit an invoice to SU for SU’s portion of the costs pursuant to Section  2.01 incurred to prepare and litigate the CCN application (“ Preparation Cost Reimbursement ”), to the extent not already invoiced through the monthly invoices described in Section  3.01 . SU and Oncor (or its Affiliate) shall be responsible for such costs pro rata in accordance with the ownership percentages provided in the Building Plan. Payment of the Preparation Cost Reimbursement will be due to Oncor no later than twenty (20) days after such invoice is submitted to SU.

Section 3.03 Failure to Pay . Failure to pay any undisputed invoice in accordance with Section  3.01 or 3.02 will be considered a material default under this agreement. In order to dispute an invoice, a notice of dispute must be provided in writing to Oncor ten (10) days before payment is due and provide a full description for the basis of the dispute.

ARTICLE IV

Post Construction Regulatory Matters

Section 4.01 Post-Construction Regulatory Matters . Unless already effectuated in the CCN or the Interconnection Agreement, within thirty (30) days of SU’s final Construction Cost Reimbursement to Oncor, Oncor, SDTS and SU will make all applicable regulatory filings (transfer of CCN rights), if any, to effectuate the ownership structure. The Parties agree to cooperate and provide supporting documentation and testimony, as may reasonably be requested, in connection with CCN transfer proceedings related to any Accepted Project, SU Submitted Project, Accepted Integration Project, Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project, or SU Generation Interconnection. Within thirty (30) days SU’s final Construction Costs Reimbursement to Oncor, Oncor shall provide documentation and accounting information reasonably necessary for SU to record the assets as plant in service on its books and records and to file an interim update of transmission rates.

ARTICLE V

Termination

Section 5.01 Term. The term of this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and shall remain in effect for ten (10) years or until termination in accordance with Section  5.02.

 

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(a) The term in Section  5.01 may be extended for an additional five (5) year period by mutual agreement.

(b) This five (5) year extension can be entered a maximum of two times for a total additional term of ten (10) years.

Section 5.02 Termination of this Agreement . This Agreement may be terminated at any time in accordance with the following:

(a) by mutual consent of the Parties;

(b) if Sempra is not a Consent LP at Sharyland Holdings, L.P., as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Sharyland Holdings, L.P., or

(c) by any Party in the event that another Party materially defaults in the performance of any of its obligations contained in this Agreement and such default is not remedied within thirty (30) days (or longer if mutually agreed to by both parties) after written notice by the non-defaulting Party to the defaulting Party of such default.

Section 5.03 Remedies . In the event of a material default by a Party, the non-defaulting Party shall have all rights and remedies as may be permitted by applicable Law, including the right to obtain specific performance or other injunctive relief and any monetary relief.

Section 5.04 Effect of Termination . ARTICLE  III , ARTICLE  VI and ARTICLE  VII shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

Definitions

Section 6.01 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth below shall have the following respective meanings:

Claim ” means any demand, claim, cause of action or chose in action, right of recovery or right of set-off of any kind of character.

Connecting Transmission Project ” means any greenfield transmission line that would interconnect into the Existing System, other than (A) projects already contemplated in, or substantially similar to, a project in an Oncor, ERCOT, or SDTS Transmission Plan then existing at the relevant point in time, or (B) a facility built to directly connect a new (i) retail point of delivery in Oncor’s or SDTS’s service territory or (ii) load serving substation in Oncor’s or SDTS’s service territory.

ERCOT ” means the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

Existing System ” means the SDTS electric transmission system existing on the Effective Date (including Golden Spread, LP&L and any other assets that are either under construction or filed in the PUCT CCN process on the Effective Date).

 

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Full Interconnection Study ” means the study required by ERCOT as part of the resource integration process.

Generation Interconnection ” means transmission facilities that would provide the initial interconnection of a new proposed resource (as defined by ERCOT) of 10 MW or greater into the Existing System, other than station facilities that provide the point of interconnection. For the avoidance of doubt, Generation Interconnection does not include any interconnection where SU is designated as the Transmission Distribution Service Provider (“TDSP”) for a generation project on the ERCOT Generation Interconnection Project List, published monthly by ERCOT Transmission Interconnection Studies, to connect to the Existing System as of the date of close.

Good Utility Practice ” has the meaning provided in 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.5(56)

Governmental Entity ” means any federal, state, local or foreign court of competent jurisdiction, governmental agency, authority, corporation, instrumentality or regulatory body.

Integration Project ” means any Connecting Transmission Project that involves the integration into ERCOT of load from a non-ERCOT system. For the avoidance of doubt, an Integration Project must interconnect into the Existing System for this agreement to apply and does not include interconnection of HVDC Ties or generation resources.

“Interconnection Agreement” has the meaning provided for in rules of the PUCT.

Law ” means any law, statute, rule, ordinance, code, order, ruling, injunction or regulation of any Governmental Entity.

Legal Proceeding ” means any judicial, administrative or arbitral action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or other Governmental Entity, whether civil, criminal or investigative.

Majority Owner ” means Sempra Texas Utilities Holdings I, LLC or an affiliate or Sempra Texas Utilities Holdings I, LLC.

Majority Owner Percentage Interest ” shall mean the “Percentage Interest” of the Majority Owner as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Sharyland Holdings, L.P.

Majority Owner Transfer Right ” means the right of the Majority Owner pursuant to Section  2.02 .

O&M Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Asset Exchange Agreement.

Oncor Endpoint ” means any transmission line or station owned by Oncor other than as part of the Existing System.

 

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Proposed Project ” means a Connecting Transmission Project requiring an ERCOT RPG submittal, or a substantially similar project which itself must be a Connecting Transmission Project.

RPG ” means the Regional Planning Group.

SU Generation Interconnection ” means a Generation Interconnection that any resource owner requests SU to fund, develop, and/or own (consistent with the Build Plan).

Transmission Plan ” means any Oncor, ERCOT, or SDTS plan to build, construct, expand, or improve the Existing System or add new facilities thereto including but not limited to RPG transmission plan, annual transmission plan, five-year transmission plan, long term transmission plan, or any other transmission plan developed in the ordinary course by Oncor or SDTS.

Unconditioned O&M PUCT Approval ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Asset Exchange Agreement.

Unopposed SU Submitted Integration Project ” means any SU Submitted Integration Project that is not opposed by Oncor or SDTS.

ARTICLE VII

Miscellaneous

Section 7.01 Notices . All notices, requests, permissions, waivers, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) three business days after they have been sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (b) when sent, if sent e-mail transmission (provided that no rejection message is received), (c) when delivered, if delivered personally to the intended recipient, and (d) two business days after they have been sent by overnight delivery via recognized international courier service, in each case, addressed to a Party at the following address for such Party:

If to Oncor :

[                ]

[                ]

[                ]

Attn:             Director of Transmission Services

Tel: [                ]

E-mail: [                ]

 

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If to SDTS :

[                ]

[                ]

[                ]

Attn: [                ]

Tel: [                ]

E-mail: [                ]

If to SU :

[                ]

[                ]

[                ]

Attn: [                ]

Tel: [                ]

E-mail: [                ]

Section 7.02 Governing Law . This Agreement and any disputes arising under or related hereto (whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise) shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without reference to its conflicts of law principles.

Section 7.03 Choice of Forum .

(a) Each of the parties hereto (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in Dallas, Texas in any Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (ii) agrees that all Claims in respect of any such Legal Proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court and (iii) agrees not to bring any Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement (whether on the basis of a Claim sounding in contract, equity, tort or otherwise) in any other court. Each of the Parties agrees that a final judgment (subject to any appeals therefrom) in any such Legal Proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.

(b) Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in any Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court specified in accordance with the provisions of Section  7.03(a) . Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum or forum nonconveniens to the maintenance of such Legal Proceeding in any such court. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to service of process by in the manner provided for notices in Section  7.01 . Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any Party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.

Section 7.04 Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any persons or circumstances is, to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is invalid or unenforceable will not be affected thereby, and each provision of this Agreement will be valid and enforceable to the extent permitted by Law.

 

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Section 7.05 Third Party Beneficiaries . Except for the rights of the Majority Owners under Section  2.02 , nothing in this Agreement may be relied upon or is intended to benefit any individual, person, or association other than the Parties.

Section 7.06 Complete Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the full, final and complete statement of the agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any previous or contemporaneous agreements, understandings or communications, whether written or oral, relating to such subject matter.

Section 7.07 Agreement Modification; Conflicts . This Agreement may be modified only by a written amendment signed by authorized representatives of the Parties. Oral modifications or authorizations shall not be given nor relied upon by any Party, except in case of an emergency creating an imminent danger to people or property. This Agreement may not be changed or modified through a course of dealing.

Section 7.08 Rights and Remedies Cumulative . The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are cumulative, and the use of any one right or remedy by either Party shall not preclude or waive its right to use any or all other remedies. These rights and remedies are given in addition to any other rights the Parties may have by Law, statute, ordinance, or otherwise.

Section 7.09 Waiver of Default . No waiver by either Party of any default or breach of any term, condition, or covenant of this Agreement shall be deemed to be waiver of any other breach of the same or any other term, condition, or covenant of this Agreement.

Section 7.10 Headings . The descriptive headings of the provisions of this Agreement are formulated and used for convenience only and will not be deemed to affect the meaning or construction of any such provision.

Section 7.11 Multiple Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, including PDF or other electronic format, each of which shall be deemed an original but all shall constitute one and the same instrument.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized representatives as of the day and year first written above.

 

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Future Development Agreement


SHARYLAND DISTRIBUTION & TRANSMISSION SERVICES, L.L.C.,
a Texas limited liability company
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Future Development Agreement


SHARYLAND UTILITIES, L.P.,
a [Texas] limited partnership
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

Future Development Agreement

 


Exhibit B

Form of Oncor Release

See attached.

 


TERMINATION, RELEASE AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

This TERMINATION, RELEASE AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of [•], 2018, is entered into by and among Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Oncor ”), Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (“ SDTS ”) and Sharyland Utilities, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“ Sharyland ”). Each of Oncor, SDTS and Sharyland are sometimes referred to in this Agreement individually as a “ Party ” or collectively as the “ Parties .”

Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Asset Exchange Agreement (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS , on October 18, 2018, the Parties entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Asset Exchange Agreement ”) pursuant to which, among other things, at the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby (the “ Closing ”) and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (i) Sharyland’s equity interests in SDTS will be cancelled and (ii) SDTS and Sharyland will exchange certain transmission and distribution assets;

WHEREAS , on October 18, 2018, Oncor entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”) with InfraREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“ HIFR ”), InfraREIT Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), 1912 Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oncor (“ Merger Sub ”), and Oncor T&D Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Oncor (“ Merger Partnership ”), pursuant to which, among other things, at the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (i) HIFR will be merged with and into Merger Sub and (ii) Merger Partnership will be merged with and into the Operating Partnership, with the result that both Merger Sub and the Operating Partnership will survive as indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Oncor; and

WHEREAS , on the date hereof, the parties to the Asset Exchange Agreement and the Merger Agreement are consummating the transactions contemplated thereby, and the Asset Exchange Agreement contemplates the execution of this Agreement and the transactions and arrangements contemplated hereby, including the termination of each of the agreements listed on Exhibit A hereto (the “ Subject Agreements ”).

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreement and covenants set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties do hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

TERMINATION

Section 1.1 Termination of Subject Agreements .

(a) Effective immediately upon the execution of this Agreement, without further action required by any Party (subject to Section 1.1(b) hereof) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Subject Agreement, including any terms thereof that provide for the survival of all or any portion of such Subject Agreement following a termination thereof, but subject to Section 1.1(b) hereof:

 

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(i) each of the Subject Agreements shall automatically be irrevocably terminated and cancelled in its entirety and shall be deemed null and void and of no further force or effect;

(ii) no Party that is party to any such Subject Agreement shall thereafter have any rights, remedies or benefits thereunder or any duties, responsibilities, obligations or liabilities thereunder; and

(iii) all amounts owed by any Party pursuant to any of the Subject Agreements shall be deemed paid and satisfied in full.

(b) Sharyland and Oncor acknowledge and agree that the calculation of the final amounts owed under the Transition Services Agreement will be included as part of the calculation of the STX Working Capital Package and the NTX Working Capital Package (each, as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement) in accordance with Section 1.08 and Section 1.09 of the Asset Exchange Agreement.

(c) Notwithstanding anything contained to the contrary herein, (i) all confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations of the Parties set forth in any Subject Agreement shall survive the termination of such Subject Agreement and continue in full force and effect until the second anniversary of the date hereof and (ii) the Surviving Claims shall survive the termination of the Tower Design License Agreement as set forth below.

Section 1.2 Releases .

(a) Effective immediately upon the execution of this Agreement, Oncor, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives and equityholders and their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Oncor Releasors ”), hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, relinquishes, releases and forever discharges (i) Sharyland and its past, present or future Affiliates and their respective Representatives, equityholders, successors and assigns (collectively, the “ SU Releasees ”) and (ii) SDTS and its past, present or future Affiliates and their respective Representatives, equityholders, successors and assigns (collectively, the “ SDTS Releasees ”), in each case, from and against any and all causes of actions, suits, claims, demands, proceedings, damages, debts, accounts, covenants, contracts, judgments and liabilities of any kind and nature whatsoever, known or unknown, currently existing or arising in the future, at law or in equity, whether foreseen or unforeseen, suspected or unsuspected, existing or inchoate, contingent or accrued, asserted or unasserted, (collectively, “ Claims ”), that such Oncor Releasors ever had, now have or may have against any SDTS Releasee or SU Releasee, in each case, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever arising under, relating to or in connection with any of the Subject Agreements or the transactions and arrangements carried out thereunder or contemplated thereby, but excluding the Surviving Claims which shall survive indefinitely and which shall be enforceable in accordance with the applicable terms of the Tower Design License Agreement and the Undertaking. Oncor covenants and agrees not to, and shall cause each of the other Oncor Releasors not to, assert any such Claim against any of the SDTS Releasees or SU

 

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Releasees. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.2(a), such waiver, relinquishment, release and discharge shall not apply to any Claims arising (i) under the express terms of this Agreement, the Asset Exchange Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement), as applicable, or (ii) as a result of fraud. For purposes of this Agreement, “ Surviving Claims ” means any Claims under the Undertaking, dated [ ], 2017, executed by SU under the Tower Design License Agreement (in the form of Exhibit D thereto) (the “ Undertaking ”), to the extent such Claims relate to the failure of SU to abide by the obligations of SDTS set forth in Section 3 of the Tower Design License Agreement, whether arising before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

(b) Effective immediately upon the execution of this Agreement, SDTS, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives and equityholders and their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “ SDTS Releasors ”), hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, relinquishes, releases and forever discharges (i) Oncor and its past, present or future Affiliates and their respective Representatives, equityholders, successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Oncor Releasees ”) and (ii) the SU Releasees, in each case, from and against any and all Claims that such SDTS Releasors ever had, now have or may have against any Oncor Releasee or SU Releasee, in each case, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever arising under, relating to or in connection with any of the Subject Agreements or the transactions and arrangements carried out thereunder or contemplated thereby. SDTS covenants and agrees not to, and shall cause each of the other SDTS Releasors not to, assert any such Claim against any of the Oncor Releasees or SU Releasees. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.2(b), such waiver, relinquishment, release and discharge shall not apply to any Claims arising (i) under the express terms of this Agreement, the Asset Exchange Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, as applicable, or (ii) as a result of fraud.

(c) Effective immediately, SU, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives and equityholders and their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “ SU Releasors ” and collectively with the Oncor Releasors and the SDTS Releasors, the “ Releasing Parties ”), hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, relinquishes, releases and forever discharges (i) the Oncor Releasees and (ii) the SDTS Releasees, in each case, from and against any and all Claims that such SU Releasors ever had, now have or may have against any Oncor Releasee or SDTS Releasee, in each case, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever arising under, relating to or in connection with any of the Subject Agreements or the transactions and arrangements carried out thereunder or contemplated thereby. SU covenants and agrees not to, and shall cause each of the other SU Releasors not to, assert any such Claim against any of the Oncor Releasees or SDTS Releasees. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.2(c), such waiver, relinquishment, release and discharge shall not apply to any Claims arising (i) under the express terms of this Agreement, the Asset Exchange Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement), as applicable, or (ii) as a result of fraud.

 

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(d) EACH OF THE PARTIES, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF EACH RELEASING PARTY, EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS AFFORDED BY ANY STATUTE OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES, WHICH LIMIT THE EFFECT OF A RELEASE WITH RESPECT TO UNKNOWN CLAIMS. EACH OF THE PARTIES, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF EACH RELEASING PARTY, ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT UNDERSTANDS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS RELEASE OF UNKNOWN CLAIMS AND WAIVER OF ANY STATUTORY PROTECTION AGAINST A RELEASE OF UNKNOWN CLAIMS. EACH OF THE PARTIES, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF EACH RELEASING PARTY, ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS WAIVER IS AN ESSENTIAL AND MATERIAL TERM OF THE ASSET EXCHANGE AGREEMENT AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT.

ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Party hereby severally represents and warrants (as to itself and not any other Party) to the other Parties that as of the date hereof:

Section 2.1 Organization; Good Standing . Such Party is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization.

Section 2.2 Authorization . Such Party has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with its terms. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party and the consummation by such Party of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or similar action on the part of such Party. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Party and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the other Parties hereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof, subject to the Bankruptcy Exceptions.

Section 2.3 No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance by such Party of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any Law applicable to such Party, (ii) conflict with or violate the organizational documents of such Party or (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default or require any consent (other than any consent which was obtained prior to the Closing) under, any material Contract to which such Party is a party or by which it or its properties are bound.

Section 2.4 No Assignment of Claims . Such Party has not assigned or otherwise transferred or subrogated, or purported to assign, transfer or subrogate, to any Person any Claim or portion thereof or interest therein that such Party is releasing or purporting to release pursuant to Section 1.2.

 

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ARTICLE III

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

Section 3.1 Further Assurances . From time to time after the date hereof, as and when requested by any Party hereto, each of the other Parties shall, at the expense of the requesting Party, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments and take, or cause to be taken, all such further actions as such requesting Party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to evidence and effectuate the transactions and arrangements contemplated by this Agreement, including but not limited to, the termination of the Subject Agreements provided for in Section 1.1 and the releases granted pursuant to Section 1.2.

Section 3.2 Destruction of Tower Design License Agreement Proprietary Information . SU acknowledges Oncor’s request to return any Proprietary Information (as defined in the Tower Design License Agreement) in its possession and to have deleted and irretrievably overwritten from the hard drives and other digital storage media in its possession or over which SU has control. SU agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver the certification required by the Undertaking as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in any event, within 90 days after the date hereof.

ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 4.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), together with the Asset Exchange Agreement and the Merger Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior written agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings and all prior and contemporaneous oral agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings among the Parties with respect to such subject matter.

Section 4.2 Governing Law . This Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the Laws of any other jurisdiction that might be applied because of the conflicts of laws principles of the State of Delaware.

Section 4.3 Submission to Jurisdiction . Each of the Parties irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any Party or its Affiliates against any other Party or its Affiliates shall be brought and determined in any federal or state court located in Dallas County in the State of Texas. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for itself and with respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, with regard to any such action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the Parties agrees not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in the courts described above in Texas, other than actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court in Texas as described herein. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions

 

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contemplated hereby, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Texas as described herein for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

Section 4.4 Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HEREBY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (D) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 4.4.

Section 4.5 Amendments; Waivers . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing specifically designated as an amendment hereto, signed on behalf of each of the Parties in interest at the time of the amendment. The rights of any Party under this Agreement may not be waived except by a written instrument executed by such Party.

Section 4.6 No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and the other Persons identified as Oncor Releasees, SDTS Releasees and SU Releasees in Section 1.2, and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any other Person any third-party beneficiary rights, obligations or benefits hereunder.

Section 4.7 Assignment; Successors . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties, and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 4.8 Severability . Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction.

 

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Section 4.9 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties. This Agreement may be executed by .pdf signature and a .pdf signature shall constitute an original for all purposes.

[ Signature pages follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.

 

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

Sharyland Utilities, L.P.
By:  

Shary Holdings, L.L.C.,

its general partner

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[ Signature Page to Termination and Release Agreement ]


Exhibit A

Subject Agreements

 

1.

Transition Services Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2017, between Oncor and Sharyland (the “ Transition Services Agreement ”).

 

2.

Tower Design License Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2017, among Oncor, SDTS and (pursuant to an undertaking) Sharyland (the “ Tower Design License Agreement ”).

 

3.

Fiber Sharing Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2017, among Oncor, SDTS and Sharyland.

 

4.

Commercial Lease Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2017, between Oncor and Sharyland.


Exhibit C

Form of O&M Agreement

See attached.


OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

This OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of [                    ], 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Oncor ”), and Sharyland Utilities, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“ SU ”). Capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings assigned to them in Section  1 .

RECITALS

WHEREAS, on October 18, 2018, InfraREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), Oncor, 1912 Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Merger Sub ”), Oncor T&D Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Merger Partnership ”), and InfraREIT Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ HIFR Merger Agreement ”), pursuant to which, among other things, (i) the Company will merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub being the surviving entity (the “ Company Merger ”), and (ii) immediately following the Company Merger, Merger Partnership will merge with and into the Partnership, with the Partnership being the surviving entity (the “ Partnership Merger ” and, together with the Company Merger, the “ Mergers ”);

WHEREAS, on October 18, 2018, SU and Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (“ SDTS ”) among others, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Asset Exchange Merger Agreement ”), pursuant to which, through the joint survivor merger of SU and SDTS (the “ Asset Exchange ”), (i) SU has agreed to allocate to SDTS, and SDTS has agreed to accept and assume, certain assets and liabilities and (ii) SDTS has agreed to allocate to SU, and SU has agreed to accept and assume, certain assets and liabilities, in each case as more specifically described in the Asset Exchange Merger Agreement;

WHEREAS, on October 18, 2018, SU, SU Investment Partners, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, and Sempra Energy, a California corporation (“ Sempra ”), entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement pursuant to which Sempra has agreed to purchase limited partnership interests in SU representing 50% of the economic interest in SU (the “ SU Purchase ” and collectively with the Mergers and the Asset Exchange, the “ Transactions ”); and

WHEREAS, in connection with the Transactions, Oncor, as a subsidiary of Sempra, and an affiliate of SU as that term is defined pursuant to the Public Utility Regulatory Act (“ PURA ”) and Public Utility Commission of Texas (“ PUCT ”) rules, has agreed as an accommodation to SU to provide certain operations and maintenance services with respect to the STX Assets pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the terms and conditions set forth herein, the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance thereof, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Oncor and SU agree as follows:

SECTION 1. Definitions; Rules of Construction . As used in this Agreement, the terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:


Affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in PURA and PUCT rules.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Ancillary Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in the Asset Exchange Merger Agreement.

Asset Exchange Merger Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Building Plan Assets ” means those facilities built and owned in accordance with the Building Plan set forth in the Future Development Agreement dated as of [                    ], 2018, between Oncor, SDTS, and SU.

Claim ” means any demand, claim, lawsuit, investigation, proceeding, cause of action or chose in action, right of recovery or right of set-off of any kind or character.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Company Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Covered Persons ” has the meaning set forth in Section  9 of this Agreement.

DC Tie ” shall mean the two 150-megawatt high-voltage direct current ties between Texas and Mexico and related inventory and other assets.

Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

ERCOT ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(b) of this Agreement.

Expansion ” means the addition of equipment or components to an SU Asset in order to (a) interconnect new, contiguous transmission facilities or (b) provide for a change of electrical characteristics or properties resulting in an increase of or material change to the original size or design of the SU Asset.

FERC ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(a) of this Agreement.

Good Utility Practice ” has the meaning set forth in the PUCT rules.

HIFR Merger Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Laws ” has the meaning set forth in the Asset Exchange Merger Agreement.

Legal Proceeding ” means any judicial, administrative or arbitral action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or other governmental entity, whether civil, criminal or investigative.

Losses ” means, without duplication, any and all Claims, judgments, awards, losses, damages, costs, liabilities, obligations and expenses, including reasonable Third Party legal fees and expenses, interest, penalties and reasonable expenses of investigation, whether involving a dispute solely between the parties hereto or otherwise.

 

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Maintenance Services ” shall mean all services described in Exhibit B that are to be provided by Oncor to SU pursuant to this Agreement.

Merger Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Merger Sub ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Mergers ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

NERC ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.1(b) of this Agreement.

Oncor ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Operations Services ” shall mean all services described in Exhibit A that are to be provided by Oncor to SU pursuant to this Agreement.

Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Partnership Merger ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Party ” shall mean Oncor or SU, as applicable.

Person ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including any governmental entity.

PUCT ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

PURA ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Reliability Standards ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(a) of this Agreement.

Reliability Standards Compliance Services ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(a) of this Agreement.

Security Regulations ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7 of this Agreement.

Sempra ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

Service Consents ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.3(a) of this Agreement.

Services ” shall mean the Operations Services set forth in Exhibit A , Maintenance Services set forth in Exhibit B , and services described in Section  2 of this Agreement, as applicable, with respect to the SU Assets, in keeping with the obligations and responsibilities of (i) a Transmission Operator as defined under the NERC rules and functional model and the ERCOT Protocols and Operating Guides, and (ii) as determined by the Parties pursuant to Section  2.1(b) .

 

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STX Assets ” has the meaning set forth in the Asset Exchange Merger Agreement.

SU ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

SU Assets ” means the (i) STX Assets, including the DC Tie, (ii) the N. Edinburg to Palmito 345 kV transmission line and associated facilities located in south Texas and known as the Cross Valley project, and (iii) Expansions and Upgrades.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which (i) at least a majority of the securities or ownership interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions, (ii) a general partner interest or (iii) a managing member interest, is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person and/or by one or more of its Subsidiaries.

Systems ” has the meaning set forth in Section  7 of this Agreement.

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” has the meaning set forth in the Asset Exchange Merger Agreement.

Terminating Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section  11.2 of this Agreement.

Third Party ” shall mean any Person that is not a member, partner, employee, Affiliate, or agent of Oncor or SU.

Third-Party Provider ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.5 of this Agreement.

Transactions ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.

TRE ” has the meaning set forth in Section  2.2(a) of this Agreement.

Upgrade ” means the replacement of existing equipment or components to an SU Asset in order to increase electrical capacity or reliability and which has no material increase or material change to the SU Asset size or design.

In addition, certain terms are defined in Exhibit A and Exhibit B hereto, and such terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in such exhibits. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement without definition shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Asset Exchange Merger Agreement.

SECTION 2. Performance of Services.

2.1 General .

(a) Upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Oncor shall provide the Services, as applicable, to SU and its Subsidiaries during the respective periods set forth in Exhibit A or Exhibit B , and in Section  11.4 , as applicable (unless such Services are earlier terminated pursuant to Section  11.3 ). SU and its Subsidiaries shall comply in all material respects with all applicable policies and procedures of Oncor as provided to SU and its Subsidiaries from time to time, including any changes required by applicable Law; provided, however , that Oncor will use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with SU’s policies and procedures if agreed by the Parties

 

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or reasonably necessary to comply with the applicable tariff. SU acknowledges and agrees that, after the expiration or termination of the obligations of Oncor to provide specific Services pursuant to this Agreement and any applicable transition period, SU shall be solely responsible for providing or arranging for the provision of similar or replacement services, and neither Oncor nor any of its Affiliates shall be responsible for any Losses or other consequences arising from the inability or failure on the part of SU or its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates to provide similar or replacement services for itself or to arrange for such services to be provided by Third Parties.

(b) The Parties acknowledge and agree that Oncor and SU will, at least annually or on a more frequent schedule agreed to by the Parties, coordinate in good faith to review and update, as necessary, the respective roles and responsibilities of the Parties consistent with Oncor’s provision of the Operations Services and Maintenance Services as a Transmission Operator and SU’s obligations as the owner of the SU Assets. This assignment of roles between the Parties will be guided by: (i) North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (“ NERC ”) designation of functions as Transmission Operator functions; (ii) NERC’s designation of functions as Transmission Owner functions; (iii) the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ (“ ERCOT ”) designation of functions as Transmission Operator functions; (iv) and ERCOT’s designation of functions as Transmission Service Provider functions. This assignment of roles will include the Parties’ respective responsibilities for regulatory compliance obligations and reporting to NERC, ERCOT, and the PUCT.

(c) SU shall provide all data, books, records, drawings, and other documentation requested by Oncor related to the historical operations and maintenance of the SU Assets. During the term of this Agreement, including any transition period provided for in Section  11.4 , Oncor agrees to maintain all SU-provided data, books, records, drawings, and other documentation related to the historical and ongoing operations and maintenance of SU Assets, including Oncor’s provision of Services, so that upon reasonable notice, such data, books, records, drawings, and other documentation shall be available to SU.

(d) By September 15th of each year during the term of this Agreement or during the transition period provided for in Section  11.4 , Oncor agrees to prepare annual budget forecasts related to the Services, including forecasts for operation and maintenance expenses, and submit those budget forecasts to SU.

(e) To the extent that the responsibility for any services necessary to adequately operate or maintain SU Assets is not clearly addressed or assigned by this Agreement, the Parties agree to act in good faith and cooperate to determine the responsible Party and ensure the safe and reliable operation of the SU Assets consistent with Good Utility Practice, Reliability Standards, and other applicable legal requirements.

(f) For the avoidance of doubt, the Services do not include, and this Agreement does not cover, any operations or maintenance services provided by Oncor to SU for the Building Plan Assets.

(g) All services performed by Oncor under this Agreement shall be performed pursuant to applicable PUCT rules, ERCOT Protocols and Operating Guides, and all other relevant laws and industry standards.

 

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(h) Oncor has the right of ingress and egress across all fee property and easements of SU necessary to gain access to applicable assets in order to provide the Services. Upon reasonable notice to Oncor, SU will have access to SU Assets for inspection or performance of Services not performed by Oncor. Oncor may require SU personnel to be escorted by a designated Oncor representative when entering SU Asset facilities. Third Parties engaged by either Oncor or SU in order to perform obligations and responsibilities to operate and maintain the SU Assets pursuant to this Agreement, will have the access to the SU Assets pursuant to the same terms applicable to the Party that engaged the Third Party.

2.2 Reliability Standards Compliance.

(a) After consummation of the Transactions, Oncor shall provide to SU all Transmission Operator services necessary for compliance with reliability standards approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“ FERC ”) and developed and enforced by NERC or any other successor electric reliability organization designated by FERC, and the Texas Reliability Entity (“ TRE ”) or any other successor regional entity designated by FERC (collectively, “ Reliability Standards ”). Those services shall include, but are not limited to, (i) identification, negotiation, and completion of any necessary new or modified registrations at NERC or TRE as a result of the Transactions or this Agreement; (ii) implementation of the applicable policies and procedures that Oncor deems necessary for compliance with applicable Reliability Standards; (iii) review of newly proposed or amended Reliability Standards for applicability; (iv) evaluation of potential non-compliance circumstances, determination of whether a potential non-compliance circumstance exists, preparation and submission of any necessary report or log of that potential non-compliance circumstance, negotiation with FERC, NERC, or TRE as required concerning that report or log of potential non-compliance, and determination of the appropriate resolution of that report or log; (v) payment of any penalty assessed as a result of a potential non-compliance circumstance; and (vi) preparation for and representation of Oncor, SU, or both during any compliance engagement with FERC, NERC, or TRE and during any subsequent related interactions (the “ Reliability Standards Compliance Services ”). For the avoidance of doubt, Oncor shall fulfill all Transmission Operator obligations for SU. In addition, Oncor will provide similar services for any other FERC, NERC, TRE (or successor entities) functions assigned between the Parties pursuant to Section  2.1(b) of this Agreement.

(b) Oncor will be responsible for evaluating and resolving all potential non-compliance issues that have been identified by SU or its Affiliates and reported to FERC, NERC, or TRE before consummation of the Transactions and all potential non-compliance issues that have been identified by FERC, NERC, or TRE before consummation of the Transactions, including those issues identified in FERC, NERC, or TRE audits. Oncor will also be responsible for evaluating and addressing all potential non-compliance issues that become known after consummation of the Transactions, regardless of when the underlying event occurred. For the avoidance of doubt, Oncor’s responsibilities and potential liability under this Section  2.2(b) are limited to potential non-compliance issues regarding the NERC Transmission Operator functions. Except as provided under Section  9 of this Agreement, Oncor shall not be liable for potential non-compliance issues regarding SU’s obligations as the owner of the SU Assets.

(c) Notwithstanding any Third-Party action that constitutes force majeure under Section  5.3 of this Agreement or anything in any other Ancillary Agreement, SU shall reimburse Oncor for any penalties assessed by FERC, NERC, or TRE for an action taken or a failure to act that constitutes a failure to comply with an applicable Reliability Standard if that action or failure to act

 

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occurred before consummation of the Transactions or is a non-compliance issue regarding SU’s obligations as the owner of the SU Assets. For the avoidance of doubt, SU shall be obligated to reimburse Oncor for all penalties assessed by FERC, NERC, or TRE, or related settlement amounts, stemming from all instances of noncompliance found in SU’s 2018 TRE audit; provided, however , that SU shall not be obligated to reimburse Oncor for any settlement regarding such penalties entered into or otherwise accepted without the prior written consent of SU. Oncor shall pay any penalties assessed by FERC, NERC, or TRE for an action taken or a failure to act after consummation of the Transactions and during the term of this Agreement .

(d) SU agrees to provide to Oncor documentation, where available, and reasonable assistance needed to demonstrate compliance with applicable Reliability Standards and to support the investigation of any potential non-compliance circumstances.

(e) Oncor agrees to provide to SU (i) notice of an initiation of any NERC or TRE audit as soon as practicable; (ii) the results of any NERC or TRE audit within five (5) days of receiving those results; and (iii) upon reasonable request from SU, information about a NERC or TRE audit during the pendency of any such audit.

2.3 Third-Party Consents .

(a) The Parties acknowledge and agree that it may be necessary to obtain from Third Parties certain consents, permits, licenses, and/or sublicenses (the “ Service Consents ”) in order for (i) Oncor to use third-party applications, systems, networks, services and the like in the provision of certain Services and/or (ii) SU and its Subsidiaries to receive certain Services.

(b) The Parties will cooperate to obtain the Service Consents; provided, however , that if the necessary consents cannot reasonably be obtained in a timely manner without commercially unreasonable effort or expense, the Parties hereto will cooperate in good faith to arrange for mutually acceptable alternative methods of delivering any applicable Service.

2.4 No Representations . Except as specifically provided in this Section  2 and the applicable portion of Exhibit A or Exhibit B regarding a particular Service, Oncor is not making any express or implied representation, warranty or guaranty relating to the Services to be performed by Oncor under this Agreement, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

2.5 Third-Party Providers . The Parties acknowledge and agree that certain of the Services hereunder may be provided to or for the benefit of SU or its Subsidiaries by Third Parties (each, a “ Third-Party Provider ”) on behalf or at the request of Oncor. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to limit Oncor’s right to administer, in its sole discretion, its relationships with Third-Party Providers, including, but not limited to, Oncor’s right to amend, modify or terminate existing contracts with Third-Party Providers or enter into new contracts with Third-Party Providers. Any Third-Party Providers used in the course of providing the Services will be engaged on substantially similar terms as Oncor’s business practices for the applicable services, including with respect to minimum insurance requirements, warranties, and other customary terms.

 

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SECTION 3. Pricing; Payment Terms .

3.1 Pricing . Oncor will provide Services at cost, billed in accordance with Section  3.2 , which will (a) be through direct charges or determined under an allocated cost methodology that is intended to allow SU to recover such costs in rates and (b) include all allocations, expenses, costs and any other charges, including those incurred pursuant to Section  2.5 , which may be recovered by SU pursuant to Section  3.1(a) . Any amounts due under this Agreement shall not include a markup or profit nor be higher than the fees and rates charged by (i) the Third-Party Providers to Oncor or, (ii) Oncor for the same item or class of items to Oncor’s other Affiliates or divisions or a non-Affiliated Person within the same market area or having the same market conditions, as applicable and as contemplated by PURA and PUCT rules.

3.2 Payment Terms . Any amounts due under this Agreement shall be billed and paid for in the following manner: (a) Oncor shall invoice SU on a monthly basis for all Services delivered during the preceding month; (b) each such invoice shall include a reasonably detailed breakdown of costs and expenses in accordance with Section  3.1 in connection with such Services, if any; (c) each such invoice shall be payable by SU within 30 days of receipt thereof; and (d) payment of all invoices in respect of the applicable Services provided hereunder shall be made in U.S. Dollars ($) payable by SU by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account or accounts as may be designated from time to time by Oncor. If SU disputes the accuracy of any such invoice, SU shall pay to Oncor the undisputed amount and the Parties shall, without prejudice to Oncor’s rights pursuant to Section  11.2 or Section  17 , promptly work in good faith to resolve any disputed amounts. If SU fails to pay in full any invoice when due (other than any such amount that is being disputed by SU in good faith, except to the extent that it is ultimately determined that such disputed amount is validly due and owed to Oncor), interest shall accrue daily on the unpaid amount from the date when due until such amounts are paid at a rate equal to 1% per annum.

SECTION 4. Taxes . Each Party shall be solely responsible for the reporting, withholding, and payment of (a) any real or personal property Taxes on property it owns or leases, (b) franchise, margin, privilege and similar Taxes on its business, (c) the employment Taxes of its employees and (d) Taxes based on its income or gross receipts; provided , for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section  4 shall change the allocation of liability with respect to Taxes as set forth in the Asset Exchange Merger Agreement.

SECTION 5. Limitations.

5.1 Cooperation . SU shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use all reasonable efforts to cooperate with Oncor and any Third-Party Provider in order to facilitate the provision and receipt of the Services hereunder. In addition, Oncor shall, and cause any Third-Party Providers to, use all reasonable efforts to cooperate with SU and its Subsidiaries in order to ensure the proper provision of the Services. Each Party acknowledges that the provision of the Services by Oncor is dependent upon such reasonable cooperation. If any failure of SU to comply with this Section  5.1 prevents Oncor or any Third-Party Provider from providing any Services, Oncor shall give notice to SU in writing and shall be relieved, for as long as such failure continues, of its obligation to provide the relevant Services to the extent such failure renders such provision of Services unduly burdensome or commercially unreasonable.

5.2 Changes in Laws . Neither Party shall be required to perform any obligation under this Agreement to the extent performance of such obligation is prohibited by, or would require the Party to violate, any applicable Law, including without limitation any rule or regulation promulgated by the PUCT or ERCOT.

 

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5.3 Force Majeure . Oncor shall not be responsible or liable to SU or any of its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, or representatives for any delay or failure to perform under this Agreement due to circumstances beyond its control, including any acts of God, acts of any governmental entity or military authority, fires, explosions, power failures, telecommunications service failures, floods, storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, elements of nature, epidemics, riots or civil disturbances, wars, sabotage, terrorism, rebellions or revolutions or similar events and any delays or failures caused by the nonperformance on the part of SU or its Affiliates (other than Oncor) or the nonperformance on the part of any Third Party engaged by or under the control or responsibility of Oncor. Oncor will promptly notify SU in writing upon learning of the occurrence of such event of force majeure and detailing which Service (or portion of any Service) is directly impacted by such event of force majeure. Oncor will use commercially reasonable efforts and in keeping with NERC and TRE requirements and Good Utility Practice to resume its performance of such impacted Services as promptly as reasonably practicable after the cessation of the force majeure event.

SECTION 6. Confidentiality. Each Party recognizes that, in the course of performing or receiving, as applicable, the Services hereunder, it may acquire proprietary, secret or confidential information concerning the business and operations of the other Party or its Affiliates. Accordingly, each Party covenants to the other Party that it will not, and it will not permit any of its Affiliates to, except in connection with the enforcement of its rights under this Agreement or with the prior written consent of the other Party, disclose to any Third Party any proprietary, secret or confidential information obtained in connection with this Agreement and relating to the other Party or its Affiliates or their respective businesses and operations. The foregoing obligations of each Party receiving proprietary, secret or confidential information shall not apply to any information that (x) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of disclosure by such Party or its Affiliates, (y) was or becomes available on a non-confidential basis to such Party from a source other than the other Party (other than in connection with the provision of Services hereunder) or (z) is required to be disclosed by such Party under applicable Law.

SECTION 7. Systems Access. To the extent that a Party and/or its Affiliates is given access to the computer systems, infrastructure, databases, software, facilities, or networks of the other Party or any Third-Party Provider (“ Systems ”) in connection with the performance or receipt of Services hereunder, such access shall be limited to access in connection with performance or receipt, as applicable, of such Services. Each Party shall cause its personnel and any personnel of its Affiliates with such access to comply with the system security policies, standards, procedures and requirements of the other Party or any Third-Party Provider, as reasonably revised from time to time, with regard to the Systems or in any applicable license agreement or lease agreement in effect with regard to the Systems (the “ Security Regulations ”), and will not tamper with, compromise or circumvent any security or audit measures employed by the other Party or any Third-Party Provider, as applicable; provided , in either case, that such Party has prior notice of the applicable Security Regulations or security or audit measures.

SECTION 8. Relationship of the Parties . In connection with this Agreement, Oncor is acting as an independent contractor and Affiliate provider of services as defined in PURA and PUCT rules. However, Oncor shall not have any authority to bind or commit SU or any of its Subsidiaries. Nothing in this Agreement will be deemed or construed to create a joint venture, partnership or agency relationship between the Parties for any purpose. Oncor will have the sole

 

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right to exercise all authority with respect to, and the sole responsibility for, the employment (including termination of employment), assignment, and compensation of its employees and representatives providing services hereunder. Oncor will have the sole right to control and directly supervise the method, manner, and details of the Services as long as they are consistent with Good Utility Practice, Reliability Standards, and all other applicable Laws and standards.

SECTION 9. Indemnification .

(a) SU shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Oncor and each of its Affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, members, managers, partners, agents, representatives and successors and assigns (such persons or entities being referred to, in relation to Oncor and its Affiliates, as their “ Covered Persons ”), from and against any and all Losses incurred by Oncor or its Affiliates or their respective Covered Persons based upon or arising from any Claim asserted or commenced against or sought to be imposed on any such persons by a Third Party as a result of or in connection with the provision of Services by Oncor or a Third-Party Provider (regardless of whether such Losses arise from the negligence or other fault of Oncor or any of its Affiliates or any of their Covered Persons or Third-Party Providers), except to the extent that such Losses are determined by final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Oncor or any of its Affiliates.

(b) If (A) any (i) Claim asserted against Oncor, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Covered Persons, or SU or any of its Affiliates or (ii) other Losses incurred by Oncor, any of its Affiliates or any their respective Covered Persons, or incurred by SU or any of its Affiliates, in either case, are the result of the action or inaction of a Third-Party Provider, and (B) any Losses resulting from such Claim or such other Losses would be covered by the terms of the applicable agreement between Oncor, or its Affiliate, and such Third-Party Provider, Oncor agrees to enforce (or cause its Affiliate to enforce) all of its applicable rights to recover any Losses available under the applicable Third-Party Provider agreement, and any amounts so recovered shall (x) reduce any amounts payable by SU to Oncor, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Covered Persons under Section  9(a) , if applicable, or (y) in the case of Losses incurred by SU or any of its Affiliates, shall be paid to SU in respect of such Losses.

(c) Oncor will maintain at all times during the term of this Agreement, a liability insurance program for Oncor’s indemnities under this Agreement, which program may be based on any combination of commercial general liability or excess liability policies with coverages typical of like utilities and will include SU as an additional insured.

SECTION 10. Limitation of Liability .

10.1 No Consequential Damages . Except in the event of breaches of confidentiality, neither Party nor its Affiliates nor any of their respective Covered Persons shall be liable to the other Party for punitive, incidental, consequential, special or indirect damages, or loss of future profits, revenue or income, damages based on a multiple of earnings, diminution in value or loss of business reputation or opportunity in connection with this Agreement or relating to the breach or alleged breach of the Agreement, regardless of whether such damages or losses were foreseeable or would be recoverable under the standard set forth in Section  9 .

 

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10.2 Other Liability . Neither Party nor its Affiliates nor any of their respective Covered Persons shall have any liability whatsoever to the other Party and its Affiliates in connection with this Agreement or the performance of Services hereunder (regardless of whether such liability arises from the negligence or other fault of such Party or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Covered Persons), except to the extent such liability is determined by final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Party or its Affiliates; provided, however , that in no event shall the liability of either Party, its Affiliates or their respective Covered Persons for Losses hereunder (notwithstanding the fact that such liability is or may be based on allegations of gross negligence or willful misconduct) exceed $500,000 in the aggregate.

10.3 Exceptions. The limitations set forth in this Section  10 shall not apply to a Party’s payment obligations pursuant to Section  3 .

SECTION 11. Term and Termination .

11.1 Term . The term of this Agreement shall begin on the Effective Date and remain in effect for 10 years or until terminated pursuant to Section  11.2 .

11.2 Termination of this Agreement . This Agreement or any Service hereunder may be terminated at any time by either Party (the “ Terminating Party ”) upon delivery of written notice to the other Party if:

(a) the other Party makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or becomes bankrupt or insolvent, or is the subject of a petition in bankruptcy, or takes advantage of any state, federal or foreign bankruptcy or insolvency act, or if a receiver or receiver/manager is appointed for all or any substantial part of its property and business and such receiver or receiver/manager remains undischarged for a period of 15 days;

(b) if Sempra is not a Consent LP at Sharyland Holdings, L.P., as defined in the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Sharyland Holdings, L.P., or

(c) the other Party materially defaults in the performance of any of its covenants or obligations contained in this Agreement and such default is not remedied to the nondefaulting Party’s reasonable satisfaction within 30 days after notice to the defaulting Party of such default.

11.3 Termination of Services . Without limiting Section  11.2 , Oncor’s obligation to perform, or SU’s obligation to receive, specific Services under this Agreement may be terminated in accordance with the applicable provisions set forth in Exhibit A or Exhibit B ; provided, however , that SU may terminate the provision of any Service by Oncor at any time upon 30 days’ prior written notice. Following termination of any Service pursuant to this Section  11.3 , SU shall remain responsible for all accrued and unpaid payments pursuant to Section  3 with respect to such Service through the date of such termination. At the time of termination, Oncor will provide SU with all data, books, records, drawings and other documentation contemplated in Section  2.1(c) , including any data, books, records, drawings and other documentation that covers a transition period contemplated in Section  11.4 ; provided, however , that Oncor shall not be required to provide SU with data or other documentation that is proprietary to Oncor except to the extent that such data or other documentation is necessary for the operation of SU Assets. All proprietary information will be maintained confidentially pursuant to Section  6 and any other non-disclosure agreement negotiated by the parties.

 

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11.4 Transition of Services After Termination . In the event this Agreement is terminated for any reason, Oncor will continue to provide the Services until such time as SU is able to engage another provider for the Services or provide the Services itself, but in no event will the transition period be longer than twelve (12) months from the date of delivery of written notice of termination, provided that SU will use its reasonable best efforts to complete a transition within nine (9) months. During the transition period, Oncor and its Affiliates will cooperate with SU and provide information and other support as reasonably necessary to effectuate the transition to a new provider of the Services. In the event that additional time is required to transition the Services to another provider, SU will have the right to extend the transition period for Oncor’s provision of control room-related services for an additional six (6) months. Upon termination, the Parties agree to cooperate and prepare an agreed transition plan in order to effectuate the efficient transition of Services to a new service provider so that SU Assets will continue to be safely and reliably operated and maintained during the transition period.

11.5 Effect of Termination . Sections 1 , 2.4 , 3 , 4 , 6 , and 9 through 16 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 12. Integrated Contract; Exhibits . This Agreement, including the Exhibits hereto, together with the Asset Exchange Merger Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and cancels, merges and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous oral or written agreements, representations and warranties, arrangements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. The Parties expressly represent that in entering into this Agreement: (a) they are not relying upon any statements, understandings, representations, expectations, or agreements other than those expressly set forth in this Agreement; (b) they have been represented and advised by counsel in connection with this Agreement, which they have entered into voluntarily and of their own choice, and not under coercion or duress; (c) they are relying upon their own knowledge and the advice of counsel; and (d) they knowingly waive any right to rescind or avoid this Agreement based upon presently existing facts, known or unknown. All Exhibits hereto are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement (including Exhibits hereto), on the one hand, and the provisions of the Asset Exchange Merger Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements (including the schedules and exhibits thereto), on the other hand, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

SECTION 13. Amendment . This Agreement may be amended, modified or superseded, and any of the terms, covenants, representations, warranties or conditions hereof may be altered only by an instrument in writing signed by each of the Parties hereto. The observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) by the Party entitled to the benefits of such term, but such waiver shall be effective only if it is in a writing signed by the Party entitled to the benefits of such term and against which such waiver is to be asserted. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no delay or omission on the part of any Party in exercising any right or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any waiver on the part of any Party of any right or privilege under this Agreement operate as a waiver of any other right or privilege under this Agreement nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or privilege under this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 14. Assignment; Parties in Interest . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations of the Parties hereunder may be assigned without the prior written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Subject to the first sentence of this Section  14 , this Agreement shall be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and the parties indemnified pursuant to Section  9 , and no other Person shall have any right, obligation or benefit hereunder. Any attempted assignment in violation of this Section  14 shall be void.

SECTION 15. Books and Records . Oncor will keep and maintain all financial and tax-related books, all records and other documents including but not limited to drawings of stations and transmission lines, related to the Services provided by Oncor that are required to be kept and maintained under its document retention policy, or a document retention policy provided by SU and reasonably agreed by Oncor, and shall make such books and records available to SU upon reasonable notice for reasonable business purposes and during normal business hours.

SECTION 16. No Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and the other Persons identified in Section  14 , and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give any other Person any legal or equitable rights, obligations or benefits hereunder.

SECTION 17. Notices . All notices, requests, permissions, waivers, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) three business days after they have been sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (b) when sent, if sent e-mail transmission (provided that no rejection message is received), (c) when delivered, if delivered personally to the intended recipient, and (d) two business days after they have been sent by overnight delivery via recognized international courier service, in each case, addressed to a Party at the following address for such Party:

If to Oncor :

[                ]

[                ]

[                ]

Attn: [                ]

Tel: [                ]

E-mail: [                ]

If to SU :

[                ]

[                ]

[                ]

Attn: [                ]

Tel: [                ]

E-mail: [                ]

SECTION 18. Governing Law . This Agreement and any disputes arising under or related hereto (whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise) shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without reference to its conflicts of law principles.

 

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SECTION 19. Choice of Forum .

(a) Each of the parties hereto (i) submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in Dallas, Texas in any Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (ii) agrees that all claims in respect of any such Legal Proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court and (iii) agrees not to bring any Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement (whether on the basis of a claim sounding in contract, equity, tort or otherwise) in any other court. Each of the Parties agrees that a final judgment (subject to any appeals therefrom) in any such Legal Proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

(b) Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in any Legal Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court specified in accordance with the provisions of Section  19(a) . Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum or forum nonconveniens to the maintenance of such Legal Proceeding in any such court. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consents to service of process by in the manner provided for notices in Section  17 . Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any Party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 20. Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any persons or circumstances is, to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is invalid or unenforceable will not be affected thereby, and each provision of this Agreement will be valid and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

[ signature pages follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

SHARYLAND UTILITIES, L.P., a Texas limited partnership
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[Signature page to Operation and Maintenance Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

Operations Services

Description of Service :

Oncor will provide Operations Services to SU for the SU Assets, consistent with the obligations and responsibilities of (i) a Transmission Operator as defined under the NERC rules and functional model and as defined under ERCOT Protocols and Operation Guides, and (ii) as determined by the Parties pursuant to Section  2.1(b) of this Agreement. Such services will consist of:

 

   

Monitoring and controlling of facilities;

 

   

Switching and restoration activities;

 

   

Clearance coordination;

 

   

System model management;

 

   

NERC compliance services;

 

   

Communications facilities;

 

   

Systems, tools, and software;

 

   

Transmission operations center infrastructure;

 

   

Operate and provide meter reads for Wholesale Distribution Substation Service (“WDSS”) meters;

 

   

Operate communications system for and certify ERCOT-polled settlement (“EPS”) meters;

 

   

Training; and

 

   

Any other service or support required to safely and reliably operate the SU Assets as deemed necessary in the sole discretion of Oncor.

Oncor will provide the Operations Services in order to ensure that operational standards (i) comport with all federal, state, and local requirements (including the rules and requirements of the National Electric Safety Code, FERC, NERC, and the PUCT), and (ii) are in accordance with Good Utility Practice and Oncor standards.

Oncor will not be required to provide Operations Services with respect to any asset (i) not contiguous to, or an Expansion or Upgrade of, the SU Assets, (ii) not located within the geographic area under the jurisdiction of ERCOT, or (iii) in which SU has no ownership interest.

Excluded Services :

Except as required to meet its obligations under or as specifically described in this Exhibit A , or Section  2 of the Agreement (or any services that SU and Oncor identify as described in Section  2.1(b) ), and Exhibit B , Oncor will not be responsible for providing any service other than the Operations Services. Services that will be the sole responsibility of SU include, but are not limited to:

 

A-1


   

transmission planning services, including but not limited to planning for the Expansion of SU Assets, receiving and managing generation interconnection requests, ERCOT and utility requests, etc.;

 

   

engineering and construction services for any substation or transmission project;

 

   

billing services; and

 

   

PUCT regulatory affairs, including regulatory reporting, regulatory relations, regulatory filings, and regulatory communications.

Cost of Service :

Oncor will provide the Operations Services, pursuant to Section  3 of the Agreement, at cost, without a mark-up or profit, and will be no higher than the fees Oncor charges to its other Affiliates as defined by PURA and PUCT rules, or the fees Oncor would charge to third parties. Any assigned costs associated with the Operations Services will be assigned to SU on a basis consistent with PUCT rules and precedent. In addition, Oncor will provide support to SU related to SU’s recovery of all costs associated with the Operations Services. Such support shall include, but not be limited to:

 

   

preparing and providing invoices and other cost information detailing the costs of services;

 

   

preparing and providing operational data reasonably necessary for regulatory filings and proceedings; and

 

   

testimony and any related support documentation for any reasonably necessary regulatory filings or proceedings, including but not limited to base-rate case proceedings and interim transmission cost of service filings.

Termination

 

   

Oncor may terminate its obligation to perform all or part of the Operations Services by providing written notice to SU of the occurrence of any of the following:

 

  (a)

a change in Law or other regulatory requirement such that, in order to continue to provide the Operations Services, Oncor, its Affiliates, ERCOT, or ERCOT assets would become subject to jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that did not exist immediately before consummation of the Transactions;

 

  (b)

the sale of Oncor or of all or substantially all of its business to a Third Party or other Oncor change of control;

 

   

Any termination of Operations Services is subject to the terms of Section_11 in the Agreement addressing the transition of services.

 

A-2


Primary Contacts :

Oncor:                     

Ph. #: ________

Email: __________

SU:                     

Ph. #: ________

Email: __________

 

A-3


EXHIBIT B

Maintenance Services

Description of Service :

Oncor will provide Maintenance Services to SU for the SU Assets, consistent with the obligations and responsibilities of (i) a Transmission Operator as defined under the NERC rules and functional model and as defined under ERCOT Protocols and Operation Guides, and (ii) as determined by the Parties pursuant to Section  2.1(b) of this Agreement, including system and equipment maintenance services, including all predictive, preventive and responsive maintenance. The Maintenance Services are divided into Field Operations work, Scheduled Maintenance, and Support Work, as described below:

 

  A.

Field Operations work, which consists of:

 

   

Routine Field Operations - switching of circuits, breakers, etc. for scheduled maintenance work and Expansions and Upgrades;

 

   

Meter Maintenance – perform necessary maintenance work for WDSS and EPS meters;

 

   

Emergency Field Operations - unscheduled switching of circuits, breakers, patrol of lines, alarm checks, etc., relating to system restoration;

 

   

Emergency Maintenance - tasks that must be performed immediately due to an emergency to prevent the potential loss of service or damage to equipment, or to correct a potentially unsafe or environmentally risky situation. These tasks may include minor and major repairs as identified in Schedule B-1 hereto, system restoration, analytical studies, etc.; and

 

   

any other Field Operations services or work required to maintain the SU Assets consistent with the obligations of a NERC Transmission Operator, Good Utility Practice, all applicable Reliability Standards, and any other applicable industry standards or legal requirements.

 

  B.

Scheduled Maintenance, which consists of:

 

   

Preventative Maintenance - includes, but is not limited to, periodic patrols and inspections of the facilities and right-of-way areas; non-emergency work such as calibrations, functional tests, overhauls that do not interrupt service; routine tasks performed on air, hydraulic and gas systems, adjustments of equipment settings, lubrication and routine cleaning of equipment; periodic clearing of rights-of-ways and other vegetation management activities;

 

   

Predictive Maintenance - includes, but is not limited to, diagnostic testing, and condition monitoring consisting of one or more interval-based condition monitoring tasks. These tasks are non-intrusive techniques used to determine the operating condition of the equipment;

 

B-1


   

Corrective Maintenance—minor and major repairs of equipment. These Corrective Maintenance services include, but are not limited to, tasks that can be performed without causing an interruption to service; and

 

   

any other Corrective Maintenance work required to maintain the SU Assets consistent with the obligations of a NERC Transmission Operator, Good Utility Practice, all applicable Reliability Standards, and any other applicable industry standards or legal requirements.

 

  C.

Support Work, which consists of:

 

   

preparation and provision to SU of annual inspection reports and testing results for Maintenance Services, maintenance plans, and any related reports;

 

   

environmental services including, but not limited to, environmental services expected in the normal course of business, including disposal or recycling of electrical equipment, transformer oil, and miscellaneous maintenance debris, and including reporting to environmental agencies;

 

   

remediation including, but not limited to, remediation of spills and other contamination, whether the spills or other contamination occurred before or occur after the Agreement’s Effective Date; provided, however , that SU will assume full liability for Losses associated with Legal Proceedings related to spills or other contamination that occurred before the Agreement’s Effective Date;

 

   

communication and negotiation with landowners regarding necessary access to perform Maintenance Services and to resolve claims for damages of less than $50,000 associated with the provision of Maintenance Services, consistent with customary practice and the manner in which Oncor would resolve similar claims for damages associated with the maintenance Oncor performs on its system; and

 

   

Oncor will seek approval from SU to resolve any landowner claims for damages greater than $50,000.

 

   

any other Support Work services required to maintain the SU Assets consistent with the obligations of a NERC Transmission Operator, Good Utility Practice, all applicable Reliability Standards, and any other applicable industry standards or legal requirements.

Oncor will provide the Maintenance Services in order to ensure that operational standards (i) comport with all federal, state, and local requirements (including rules and requirements of the National Electric Safety Code, FERC, NERC, and the PUCT), and (ii) are in accordance with Good Utility Practice and Oncor standards.

Oncor will not be required to provide Maintenance Services with respect to any asset (i) not contiguous to, or an Expansion or Upgrade of, the SU Assets, (ii) not located within the geographic area under the jurisdiction of ERCOT, or (iii) in which SU has no ownership interest.

 

B-2


Excluded Services :

Except as required to meet its obligations under or as specifically described in this Exhibit B , or Exhibit A and Section  2 of the Agreement (or any services that SU and Oncor identify as described in Section  2.1(b) ), Oncor will not be responsible for providing any service other than the Maintenance Services. Services that will be the sole responsibility of SU include, but are not limited to:

 

   

transmission planning services, including but not limited to planning for Expansion of SU Assets, receiving and managing generation interconnection requests, ERCOT and utility requests, etc.;

 

   

engineering and construction services for any substation and transmission project;

 

   

maintenance of adequate and appropriate inventory levels to facilitate maintenance and emergency restoration activities;

 

   

billing services; and

 

   

PUCT regulatory affairs, including regulatory reporting, regulatory relations, regulatory filings, and regulatory communications.

Cost of Service :

Oncor will provide the Maintenance Services, pursuant to Section  3 of the Agreement, at cost, without a mark-up or profit, and will be no higher than the fees Oncor charges to its other Affiliates as defined by PURA and PUCT rules, or the fees Oncor would charge to third parties. Any assigned costs associated with the Maintenance Services will be assigned to SU based on a basis consistent with PUCT rules and precedent. In addition, Oncor will provide support to SU related to SU’s recovery of all costs associated with Maintenance Services. Such support shall include, but not be limited to:

 

   

preparing and providing invoices and other cost information detailing the costs of services;

 

   

preparing and providing operational data reasonably necessary for regulatory filings and proceedings; and

 

   

testimony and any related support documentation for any reasonably necessary regulatory filings or proceedings, including but not limited to base-rate case proceedings and interim transmission cost of service filings.

Termination

 

   

Oncor may terminate its obligation to perform all or part of the Maintenance Services by providing written notice to SU of the occurrence of any of the following:

 

  (a)

a change in Law or other regulatory requirement such that, in order to continue to provide the Maintenance Services, Oncor, its Affiliates, ERCOT, or ERCOT assets would become subject to jurisdiction of the FERC that did not exist immediately before consummation of the Transactions;

 

B-3


  (b)

the sale of Oncor or of all or substantially all of its business to a Third Party or other Oncor change of control.

 

   

Any termination of Maintenance Services is subject to the terms of Section_11 in the Agreement addressing the transition of services.

Primary Contacts :

Oncor:                     

Ph. #: ________

Email: __________

SU:                     

Ph. #: ________

Email: __________

 

B-4


SCHEDULE B-1

Category

  

Description/Examples

  

SU Role

  

Oncor Role

Emergency Restoration Requiring Facility Replacements -

Handled by Oncor

  

Emergency replacement of facilities such as a relay, breaker, switch, arrester, transformer, transmission line structure, insulator, conductor, etc.

 

Limited to situations where Oncor is able to utilize available SU storeroom material to make a “like-for-like” replacement that does not require supplemental engineering design and the cost is not expected to exceed $50,000.

   SU responsible for maintaining and providing adequate storeroom inventory to facilitate “like-for-like” replacements.    Oncor will utilize available SU storeroom material to replace facilities for emergency restoration purposes in cases when no engineering is required and cost is not expected to exceed $50,000.

Emergency Restoration Requiring Facility Replacements -

Handled by SU

  

Emergency replacement of facilities such as a relay, breaker, switch, arrester, transformer, transmission line structure, insulator, conductor, etc.

 

Situations where Oncor is not able to utilize available SU storeroom material to make a “like-for-like” replacement, supplemental engineering design is required, or the cost is expected to exceed $50,000.

   SU responsible for engineering, procurement, and construction of emergency restoration projects.   

Escort in station;

Perform necessary switching; and

Diagnostic testing or commissioning of equipment and protective relay systems.


SCHEDULE B-1

Category

  

Description/Examples

  

SU Role

  

Oncor Role

Upgrades   

Planned equipment replacements;

Transmission line rebuild;

Full reinsulation of transmission line;

Relay or protection upgrade;

Increase in facility capacity; and

Upgrade/replacement of DC Tie controls

  

Engineering;

Procurement;

Construction;

Land acquisition;

Permitting; and

Submission of work sequence and required NOMCR data to Oncor per Oncor’s requirements.

  

Escort in station;

Perform necessary switching;

Diagnostic testing or commissioning of equipment and protective relay systems;

Final commissioning of SCADA systems; and

Model management.

Expansions   

Contiguous greenfield transmission line or station;

Addition of new facilities within existing stations; and

Addition of circuits to existing contiguous transmission lines.

  

Engineering;

Procurement;

Construction;

Land acquisition;

Permitting; and

Submission of work sequence and required NOMCR data to Oncor per Oncor’s requirements

  

Escort in station;

Perform necessary switching;

Diagnostic testing or commissioning of equipment and protective relay systems;

Final commissioning of SCADA systems; and

Model management.

Key Considerations:

SU maintains inventory according to service restorations desires (if not in stock and not like-for-like, SU to self-perform). Oncor to provide input or recommendation on stock levels.

SU controls and develops relay settings.

SU controls record drawings.

SU responsible for spare equipment and mobile equipment, including the responsibility for determining appropriate numbers and applications, acquisition, etc.


Exhibit D

Regulatory Terms

Requested Regulatory Findings:

The parties will, at a minimum, request approval in the PUCT Filing of the following:

 

1)

The transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the HIFR Merger Agreement (the “ North Texas Transactions ”) under PURA §§ 14.101, 39.262(l)-(m), and 39.915, including findings that the North Texas Transactions are in the public interest.

 

2)

The transactions contemplated by the SU Purchase Agreement (the “ South Texas Transactions ” and combined with the North Texas Transactions, the “ Transactions ”) under PURA §§ 14.101, 39.262(l)-(m), and 39.915, including findings that the South Texas Transactions are in the public interest.

 

3)

Necessary amendments to the certificates of convenience and necessity of SU, SDTS and Oncor under PURA § 37.154 to authorize North Texas Utility and South Texas Utility, and their respective subsidiaries, to own, operate, and maintain their respective post-swap assets.

 

4)

The post-Closing transactions in which GS LLC will be merged into SDTS and CV Project Entity, L.L.C. will be merged into SU under PURA §§ 14.101, 39.262(l)-(m), and 39.915, including findings that the transactions are in the public interest.

 

5)

Establishment of separate wholesale transmission rates (including transformation rates) and tariffs for North Texas Utility’s assets and South Texas Utility’s assets on terms that do not vary materially from those proposed by SU, SDTS and Oncor. Taken together, the wholesale transmission rates of North Texas Utility and South Texas Utility after the Company Merger Effective Time (as defined in the HIFR Merger Agreement) shall be equal to SU’s wholesale transmission rate in effect as of the Company Merger Effective Time.

 

6)

A finding that Oncor may consolidate North Texas Utility with Oncor for ratemaking purposes and make a combined rate filing in Oncor’s next base rate case, to be filed no later than October 2021.

 

7)

A finding that Oncor may consolidate North Texas Utility with Oncor for calculation and reporting of its Earnings Monitor Report and for purposes of compliance with the final Order in Docket No. 47675 (Finding of Fact No. 56).

 

8)

A finding that the cash equity contributions invested by Oncor’s owners used to directly finance the North Texas Transaction will be included in the calculations reported in Oncor’s Earnings Monitor Report solely for purposes of determining compliance with Oncor’s debt to equity ratio requirement as set by the final Order in Docket No. 47675 (Finding of Fact No. 56).

 

9)

South Texas Utility’s filing of a base rate case no later than December 31, 2020 based on a test year ending one year after the Closing.


10)

A finding that Oncor can provide operation and maintenance services to the North Texas Utility under 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.272 and a finding that the provision of those services does not require a tariff and does not require that those services be made available to third parties.

 

11)

A finding that Oncor can provide operation and maintenance services to assets in which Oncor holds a joint undivided interest with the South Texas Utility under 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.272 and a finding that the provision of those services does not require a tariff and does not require that those services be made available to third parties.

 

12)

A finding that Oncor can provide operation and maintenance services to the South Texas Utility under 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.272 and a finding that the provision of those services does not require a tariff and does not require that those services be made available to third parties.

 

13)

The cancellation of SU’s interest in SDTS and related economic and management interests in SDTS.

 

14)

A finding that Oncor can create a regulatory asset to track any make whole payments or other expenses that may be required to extinguish, transfer to Oncor, or restructure the debt of HIFR and its subsidiaries and seek rate recovery of this asset in a future rate case.

Commitments

The PUCT Filing will, at a minimum, contain the following proposed commitments by Oncor, Sempra Energy and SU:

 

  A)

Oncor and Sempra Energy will commit that North Texas Utility will be governed and managed within the existing ring-fencing structure that governs Oncor today.

 

  B)

Oncor and SU will amend their respective existing codes of conduct to include North Texas Utility, South Texas Utility or any new Affiliates resulting from the HIFR Transactions, the SU Investment, and the Merger.

 

  C)

Oncor and SU each will commit to provide to their respective ratepayers in the form of bill credits 90% of interest savings that it realizes, as a result of improved credit quality of the North Texas Utility and South Texas Utility, if any, and debt issuance savings that it realizes, if any.


Exhibit E

Tax Side Letter

Attached.


[Insert Oncor Letterhead]

[                    ]

 

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC    Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C.
1616 Woodall Rogers Frwy.    c/o Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
Dallas, Texas 75202    1900 N. Akard Street
Attn: Matthew C. Henry    Dallas, Texas 75201-2300

 Michael L. Davitt

   Attention: Legal Department

 

1912 Holding Partnership, LP

   InfraREIT Partners, LP
c/o Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC    c/o Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC
1616 Woodall Rogers Frwy.    1616 Woodall Rogers Frwy.
Dallas, Texas 75202    Dallas, Texas 75202
Attn: Matthew C. Henry    Attn: Matthew C. Henry

 Michael L. Davitt

  

 Michael L. Davitt

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made herein to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 18, 2018 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), by and among Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Oncor ”), 1912 Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Oncor T&D Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, InfraREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and InfraREIT Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement.

In order to facilitate the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “ Transactions ”), each of Oncor, Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ Hunt ”), 1912 Holding Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ General Partner ”), and the Partnership (each, a “ Party ” and collectively, the “ Parties ”) hereby agree to the conditions, obligations and covenants as set forth in this letter agreement (the “ Letter Agreement ”), which shall be effective as of the Partnership Merger Effective Time.

1. Tax Matters . The Parties agree that:

(a) Interim Closing of the Books . With respect to the Partnership Units acquired by Oncor pursuant to the Partnership Merger (“ Non-HIFR Partnership Units ”), Oncor shall cause the Partnership to apply the “interim closing method” under Section 706 of the Code and


the Treasury Regulations thereunder so that all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable to the Non-HIFR Partnership Units are allocated, as of the Partnership Merger Effective Time, between Oncor, on the one hand, and Hunt and the other limited partners of the Partnership holding Non-HIFR Partnership Units prior to the Partnership Merger Effective Time, on the other hand. In addition to and in connection with the foregoing, each of the Partnership’s gross rental income and its gross income from both pre-Company Merger Effective Time and post-Company Merger Effective Time operations shall be treated as an extraordinary item pursuant to Treasury Regulations sections 1.706-4(e)(2)(ix) and 1.706-4(f), with a view to maximizing the Code Section 856-859 compliance of any past or present, direct or indirect, partner of the Partnership that seeks to comply with such Code Sections.

(b) Tax Return Preparation . Oncor shall prepare (or cause to be prepared) all U.S. federal income Tax Returns of the Partnership and any other Subsidiary Partnership relating to any Tax period ending on or before the Closing Date (a “ Pre-Closing Period ”) and the Tax period that includes the Closing Date (the “ Straddle Period ”). Subject to Section  1(a) hereof, such Tax Returns shall be prepared on a basis consistent with past practice except to the extent otherwise required by applicable Law; provided, however, Oncor or the General Partner shall be permitted to cause the Partnership and any other Subsidiary Partnership to make any election under the Code (and any correlative elections under applicable state and local laws) in its sole discretion to extent such election is not, in Oncor’s reasonable judgement, expected to materially increase the amount or materially change the character of Pre-Closing Period income or Straddle Period income, in each case, allocated to Hunt. At least thirty (30) days prior to the due date (taking into account any extensions related thereto) for filing any such Tax Return, Oncor shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) a draft of such Tax Return, together with all supporting documentation and workpapers, to Hunt for its review and comment. The Partnership shall consider in good faith any and all reasonable comments of Hunt with respect to such Tax Returns.

(c) Amended Tax Returns . Neither Oncor nor the General Partner shall, and neither Oncor nor the General Partner shall cause the Partnership to, file any amended U.S. federal income Tax Return for any Pre-Closing Period or the Straddle Period without the prior written consent of Hunt (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned).

(d) Cooperation . The Parties shall cooperate fully as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other Party, in connection with (i) the filing of Tax Returns and (ii) any audit, litigation or other proceeding (each, a “ Tax Proceeding ”) with respect to any such Tax Returns or Taxes, in each case, imposed (A) on or with respect to the assets, operations or activities of the Partnership for any Pre-Closing Period or the Straddle Period or (B) on or with respect to the assets, operations, or activities of InfraREIT, Inc. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the other Party’s request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such Tax Return or Tax Proceeding and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. Each Party further agrees, upon request by the other Party, to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Governmental Entity or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed on Hunt, on Oncor, on InfraREIT, Inc., on the General Partner, on the Partnership or on any beneficial owner thereof, in each case, with respect to the Partnership (including, but not limited to, with respect to the Partnership Merger).

 

2


(e)     Tax Proceedings .

(i) The General Partner shall be the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in Section 6231 of the Code) and Partnership Representative (as defined in Section 6223 of the Code, amended by the Bipartisan Budget Act) for all Pre-Closing Periods and the Straddle Period and may take all actions necessary or appropriate in such capacity; provided that the General Partner shall not, without receiving Hunt’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), in connection with any U.S. federal income Tax Proceeding of the Partnership or any other Subsidiary Partnership for a Pre-Closing Period or the Straddle Period: (i) make any available U.S. federal income Tax election (other than a “push-out election” under Section 6226 of the Code or any election permitted under Section 1(b), which elections may be made without Hunt’s prior written consent), (ii) extend the statute of limitations for assessing or computing any U.S. federal income Tax liability of the Partnership or any other Subsidiary Partnership, or (iii) prepare and file protests, administrative adjustment requests, petitions, or pleadings, accept a settlement offer or initiate litigation (each, a “ Prohibited Action ”). The General Partner shall impose reasonable time requirements for Hunt to respond to a request with regard to a Prohibited Action. If Hunt fails to timely respond to such request, Hunt will be deemed to provide consent to such Prohibited Action and the General Partner may take whatever action it deems necessary to serve the best interests of the Partnership. Hunt agrees to execute, acknowledge, deliver, file or record at the appropriate public offices such documents as may be reasonably requested by the Partnership or the General Partner that are necessary or helpful to the General Partner’s appointment as Tax Matters Partner and Partnership Representative, as applicable, and/or the execution of any of the General Partner’s powers or duties in connection therewith.

(ii) Without limiting Section  1(e)(i) hereof, the General Partner shall (A) keep Hunt advised of any U.S. federal income Tax Proceeding the Partnership may have with respect to any Pre-Closing Period and the Straddle Period, (B) consult with Hunt regarding the nature and content of all action and defense to be taken by the Partnership in response to any such Tax Proceedings (including, but not limited to, (i) providing Hunt with copies of all correspondence received from a Governmental Entity; (ii) providing Hunt with copies of all drafts of correspondence from the General Partner to a Governmental Entity (which Hunt shall have a reasonable opportunity to comment on such drafts); and (iii) considering in good faith any suggestions from Hunt regarding such Tax Proceeding), and (C) afford Hunt the opportunity to participate, at its own expense, directly in the negotiation of the Tax Proceeding, to the extent permitted by Law.

(f) Consistent Reporting . Except as otherwise required by applicable Law, each Party that is or was a partner in the Partnership agrees to not treat any Partnership tax item on such Party’s U.S. federal, state or local income Tax Return in a manner that is inconsistent with the presentation of such item on the Partnership’s Tax Return, including, without limitation, the Schedule K-1 provided by the Partnership to such Party or any “push-out” statement furnished by the Partnership to such Party, without the prior written consent of the General Partner.

 

3


2. Severability . If any provision or provisions of this Letter Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Letter Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Letter Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable Law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the Parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Letter Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Letter Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

3. Modification and Waiver . No supplement, modification or amendment to this Letter Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the Parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Letter Agreement shall constitute or be deemed a waiver of any other provision of this Letter Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

4. Notices . All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by facsimile or electronic mail or otherwise delivered by hand, messenger or courier service addressed:

(a) if to Hunt, to:

Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C.

1900 N. Akard Street

Dallas, Texas 75201-2300

Attn: Legal Department

(b) if to Oncor, to:

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC

1616 Woodall Rogers Frwy.

Dallas, Texas 75202

Attn: Matthew C. Henry

Michael L. Davitt

(c) if to the General Partner, to:

1912 Holding Partnership, LP

c/o Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC

1616 Woodall Rogers Frwy.

Dallas, Texas 75202

Attn: Matthew C. Henry

Michael L. Davitt

 

4


(d) if to the Partnership, following the Partnership Merger Effective Time, to:

InfraREIT Partners, LP

c/o Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC

1616 Woodall Rogers Frwy.

Dallas, Texas 75202

Attn: Matthew C. Henry

Michael L. Davitt

5. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction . This Letter Agreement and the legal relations among the Parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. The Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) agree that any proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Letter Agreement shall be brought only in the courts of Dallas County, Texas or any court of the United States sitting in Dallas County, Texas and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Dallas County, Texas for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Letter Agreement, (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the courts of Dallas County, Texas, (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the courts of Dallas County, Texas has been brought in an improper or otherwise inconvenient forum and (e) waive personal service of any and all process upon such party, consent that all such service of process may be made by first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, directed to such party at the address specified pursuant to Section  4 hereof and agree that service so made shall be deemed to be completed upon actual receipt thereof.

6. Counterparts . This Letter Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Letter Agreement.

7. Captions . The headings of the paragraphs of this Letter Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Letter Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

[ Signature page follows. ]

 

5


Best regards,
ONCOR ELECTRIC DELIVERY COMPANY LLC
By:                                                                          
Name: Don J. Clevenger
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
HUNT TRANSMISSION SERVICES, L.L.C.
By:                                                                          
Name: David C. Hernandez
Title: Senior Vice President
1912 HOLDING PARTNERSHIP, LP
By: 1912 Holdco, LLC, its General Partner
By: Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, its Sole Member
By:                                                                          
Name: Don J. Clevenger
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
INFRAREIT PARTNERS, LP
By: 1912 Holding Partnership, LP, its General Partner
By: 1912 Holdco, LLC, its General Partner
By: Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, its Sole Member
By:                                                                          
Name: Don J. Clevenger
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Letter Agreement

Exhibit 10.1

Execution Copy

OMNIBUS TERMINATION AGREEMENT

This OMNIBUS TERMINATION AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of October 18, 2018, is entered into by and among InfraREIT, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“ HIFR ”), InfraREIT Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability company (“ SDTS ” and, together with HIFR and the Partnership, the “ InfraREIT Entities ”), Hunt Consolidated, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ HCI ”), Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ HTS ”), Electricity Participant Partnership, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“ EPP ”), Hunt Utility Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ HUS ” and together with HCI, HTS and EPP, the “ Hunt Entities ”), and Sharyland Utilities, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“ Sharyland ”). Each of the InfraREIT Entities, the Hunt Entities and Sharyland are sometimes referred to in this Agreement individually as a “ Party ” or collectively as the “ Parties .”

Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS , concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, SDTS, Sharyland and Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Oncor ”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Asset Exchange Agreement ”) pursuant to which, among other things, at the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby (the “ Closing ”) and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (i) Sharyland’s equity interests in SDTS will be cancelled and (ii) SDTS and Sharyland will exchange certain transmission and distribution assets;

WHEREAS , concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, HIFR and the Partnership are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”) with Oncor, 1912 Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oncor (“ Merger Sub ”), and Oncor T&D Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Oncor (“ Merger Partnership ”), pursuant to which, among other things, at the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, (i) HIFR will be merged with and into Merger Sub and (ii) Merger Partnership will be merged with and into the Partnership, with the result that both Merger Sub and the Partnership will survive as indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Oncor;

WHEREAS , the Asset Exchange Agreement and the Merger Agreement contemplate the execution of this Agreement and the transactions and arrangements contemplated hereby, including the termination of each of the agreements listed on Exhibit A hereto (the “ Subject Agreements ”) and each of the leases listed on Exhibit B hereto (the “ SU/SDTS Leases ”), as well as the termination of any rights or obligations that survived the expiration or termination of any other lease between SDTS and Sharyland that had expired or was terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the date hereof (together with the SU/SDTS Leases, the “ Subject Leases ”);

 

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WHEREAS , the Management Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2015 (as amended, the “ Management Agreement ”), among HUS, the Partnership and HIFR, provides that (i) HIFR may elect not to renew the Management Agreement by delivering a notice of such election within certain time periods and (ii) in the event of such election, the Partnership will be obligated to pay to HUS a termination fee in the amount specified therein (the “ Termination Fee ”); and

WHEREAS , in connection with the non-renewal and termination of the Management Agreement, the InfraREIT Entities are willing to make a payment of $40,536,000 (the “ Termination Amount ”) to HUS at the Closing, which amount (i) represents the amount of the Termination Fee payable pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Management Agreement in respect of an election not to renew the Management Agreement and (ii) except as otherwise provided in Section 1.2(b) hereof, will be deemed to satisfy in full any obligations of the InfraREIT Entities arising under the Management Agreement or any other Subject Agreement or Subject Lease.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreement and covenants set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties do hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

TERMINATION

Section 1.1     Payment of Termination Amount . By executing this Agreement (i) HIFR notifies HUS of its election not to renew the Management Agreement and (ii) HUS accepts such notification. HIFR, the Partnership and HUS agree that, in light of the execution and delivery of the Asset Exchange Agreement and the Merger Agreement, the end of the term of the Management Agreement shall be the date of the Closing (the “ Closing Date ”) as evidenced by the termination of the Management Agreement provided for in Section 1.2. At the Closing, the Partnership shall pay, or cause to be paid, to HUS the Termination Amount, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as HUS shall have specified to HIFR at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date.

Section 1.2      Termination of Subject Agreements and Subject Leases .

(a)    Effective immediately upon the Closing, without further action required by any Party (other than the payment of the Termination Amount pursuant to Section 1.1 hereof and subject to Section 1.2(b) hereof) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Subject Agreement or any Subject Lease, including any terms thereof that provide for the survival of all or any portion of such Subject Agreement or any Subject Lease following a termination thereof:

(i)    each of the Subject Agreements and each of the Subject Leases shall automatically be irrevocably terminated and cancelled in its entirety and shall be deemed null and void and of no further force or effect;

 

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(ii)    no Party that is party to any such Subject Agreement or Subject Lease shall thereafter have any rights, remedies or benefits thereunder or any duties, responsibilities, obligations or liabilities thereunder, including, without limitation, any obligation to transfer or right to receive projects, properties or other assets pursuant to any of the Subject Agreements or any of the Subject Leases (except as provided in the Asset Exchange Agreement); and

(iii)    all amounts owed by any Party pursuant to any of the Subject Agreements or any of the Subject Leases shall be deemed paid and satisfied in full.

(b)    Sharyland and SDTS acknowledge and agree that the calculation of the final amounts owed under the SU/SDTS Leases will be included as part of the calculation of the STX Working Capital Package and the NTX Working Capital Package (each, as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement) in accordance with Section 1.08 and Section 1.09 of the Asset Exchange Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, Sharyland and SDTS hereby agree that (i) any Base Rent (as defined in the applicable SU/SDTS Lease) owed under the applicable SU/SDTS Lease for the calendar month in which the Closing occurs will be pro rated based on the number of days in the calendar month up to and including the Closing Date and (ii) any Percentage Rent (as defined in the applicable SU/SDTS Lease) owed under the applicable SU/SDTS Lease for the Lease Year (as defined in the applicable SU/SDTS Lease) in which the Closing occurs will be calculated by using a pro rated Annual Percentage Rent Breakpoint (as defined in the applicable SU/SDTS Lease) equal to the product of (A) a fraction (x) the numerator of which is the number of days in the Lease Year up to and including the Closing Date and (y) the denominator of which is 365, multiplied by (B) the Annual Percentage Rent Breakpoint for such Lease Year as set forth in the then-current Rent Supplement (as defined in the applicable SU/SDTS Lease).

Section 1.3     Releases .

(a)    Effective immediately upon the Closing, each of the InfraREIT Entities, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives and equityholders and their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “ InfraREIT Releasors ”), hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, relinquishes, releases and forever discharges each of the Hunt Entities and Sharyland and each of their respective past, present or future Affiliates and their respective Representatives, equityholders, successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Hunt Releasees ”) from and against any and all causes of actions, suits, claims, demands, proceedings, damages, debts, accounts, covenants, contracts, judgments and liabilities of any kind and nature whatsoever, known or unknown, currently existing or arising in the future, at law or in equity, whether foreseen or unforeseen, suspected or unsuspected, existing or inchoate, contingent or accrued, asserted or unasserted (collectively, “ Claims ”), that such InfraREIT Releasors ever had, now have or may have against any Hunt Releasee, in each case, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever arising under, relating to or in connection with the Third Amended and Restated Company Agreement of SDTS, dated as of January 29, 2015, between SU and Transmission and Distribution Company, L.L.C. (the “ SDTS LLCA ”), the Subject Agreements and/or the Subject Leases or the transactions and arrangements carried out thereunder or contemplated thereby. Each InfraREIT Entity covenants and agrees not to, and shall cause each of the other InfraREIT Releasors not to, assert any such Claim against any of the Hunt Releasees. Notwithstanding the foregoing

 

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provisions of this Section 1.3(a), such waiver, relinquishment, release and discharge shall not apply to any Claims arising (i) under the express terms of this Agreement, the Asset Exchange Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (as defined in the Asset Exchange Agreement), as applicable, or (ii) as a result of fraud.

(b)    Effective immediately upon the Closing, each of the Hunt Entities and Sharyland, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives and equityholders and their respective successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Hunt Releasors ” and, collectively with the InfraREIT Releasors, the “ Releasing Parties ”), hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, relinquishes, releases and forever discharges each of the InfraREIT Entities and each of their respective past, present or future Affiliates and their respective Representatives, equityholders, successors and assigns (collectively, the “ InfraREIT Releasees ”) from and against any and all Claims that such Hunt Releasors ever had, now have or may have against any InfraREIT Releasee, in each case, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever arising under, relating to or in connection with the SDTS LLCA, the Subject Agreements and/or the Subject Leases or the transactions and arrangements carried out thereunder or contemplated thereby. Each Hunt Entity covenants and agrees not to, and shall cause each of the other Hunt Releasors not to, assert any such Claim against any of the InfraREIT Releasees. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.3(b), such waiver, relinquishment, release and discharge shall not apply to any Claims arising (i) under the express terms of this Agreement, the Asset Exchange Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, as applicable, or (ii) as a result of fraud.

(c)    EACH OF THE PARTIES, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF EACH RELEASING PARTY, EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS AFFORDED BY ANY STATUTE OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES, WHICH LIMIT THE EFFECT OF A RELEASE WITH RESPECT TO UNKNOWN CLAIMS. EACH OF THE PARTIES, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF EACH RELEASING PARTY, ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT UNDERSTANDS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS RELEASE OF UNKNOWN CLAIMS AND WAIVER OF ANY STATUTORY PROTECTION AGAINST A RELEASE OF UNKNOWN CLAIMS. EACH OF THE PARTIES, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF EACH RELEASING PARTY, ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS WAIVER IS AN ESSENTIAL AND MATERIAL TERM OF THE ASSET EXCHANGE AGREEMENT AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT.

ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Party hereby severally represents and warrants (as to itself and not any other Party) to the other Parties that as of the date hereof and as of the Closing:

Section 2.1     Organization; Good Standing . Such Party is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize such concept) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization.

 

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Section 2.2     Authorization . Such Party has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with its terms. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party and the consummation by such Party of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or similar action on the part of such Party. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Party and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of the other Parties hereto, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof, subject to the Bankruptcy Exceptions.

Section 2.3     No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance by such Party of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any Law applicable to such Party, (ii) conflict with or violate the organizational documents of such Party or (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default or require any consent (other than any consent which will be obtained prior to the Closing) under, any material Contract to which such Party is a party or by which it or its properties are bound.

Section 2.4     No Assignment of Claims . Such Party has not assigned or otherwise transferred or subrogated, or purported to assign, transfer or subrogate, to any Person any Claim or portion thereof or interest therein that such Party is releasing or purporting to release pursuant to Section 1.3.

ARTICLE III

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

Section 3.1     Mutual Cooperation . On and after the date hereof, each of the Parties agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause its Affiliates to take, all action to do or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with each other Party in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, as promptly as reasonably practicable, the transactions and arrangements contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, (a) obtaining all necessary waivers, consents and approvals from Governmental Entities and the making of all necessary registrations and filings and the taking of all reasonable steps as may be necessary to obtain any approval or waiver from, or to avoid any action or proceeding by, any Governmental Entity and (b) obtaining all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from third parties. Nothing in this Section 3.1 shall require any Party to take any action that it would not otherwise be required to take pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Merger Agreement or Section 5.05 of the Asset Exchange Agreement.

Section 3.2     Further Assurances . From time to time after the date hereof, as and when requested by any Party hereto, each of the other Parties shall, at the expense of the requesting Party, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents and instruments and take, or cause to be taken, all such further actions as such requesting Party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to evidence and effectuate the transactions and arrangements contemplated by this Agreement, including but not limited to, the termination of the Subject Agreements or the Subject Leases provided for in Section  1.2 and the releases granted pursuant to Section  1.3 .

 

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ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 4.1     Termination . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement, and all obligations, terms and conditions contained herein, shall automatically terminate and be null and void and without effect without any further action required by any Party, if the Asset Exchange Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 7.01 or 7.02 thereof, without the transactions contemplated thereby having been consummated. Upon the termination of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the notice of non-renewal contemplated by Section  1.1 hereof, termination of the Subject Agreements and Subject Leases provided for in Section  1.2 , and the releases provided for in Section 1.3, shall cease to be of any further force or effect and each of the Parties shall have all rights, remedies, benefits, duties, responsibilities, obligations and liabilities under the Subject Agreements and the Subject Leases that it would have had if this Agreement had never been entered into by the Parties.

Section 4.2     Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto), together with the Asset Exchange Agreement and the Merger Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior written agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings and all prior and contemporaneous oral agreements, arrangements, communications and understandings among the Parties with respect to such subject matter.

Section 4.3     Governing Law . This Agreement and all disputes or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the Laws of any other jurisdiction that might be applied because of the conflicts of laws principles of the State of Delaware.

Section 4.4     Submission to Jurisdiction . Each of the Parties irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any Party or its Affiliates against any other Party or its Affiliates shall be brought and determined in any federal or state court located in Dallas County in the State of Texas. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts for itself and with respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, with regard to any such action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the Parties agrees not to commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in the courts described above in Texas, other than actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court in Texas as described herein. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the courts in Texas as described herein for any reason, (b) that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in any such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

 

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Section 4.5     Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HEREBY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (D) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS Section 4.5.

Section 4.6     Amendments; Waivers . This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, except by an instrument in writing specifically designated as an amendment hereto, signed on behalf of each of the Parties in interest at the time of the amendment. The rights of any Party under this Agreement may not be waived except by a written instrument executed by such Party.

Section 4.7     No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and the other Persons identified as Hunt Releasees or InfraREIT Releasees in Section 1.3, and nothing herein expressed or implied shall give or be construed to give to any other Person any third-party beneficiary rights, obligations or benefits hereunder.

Section 4.8     Assignment; Successors . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or delegated, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties, and any such assignment without such prior written consent shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 4.9     Severability . Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction.

 

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Section 4.10     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same instrument and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties. This Agreement may be executed by .pdf signature and a .pdf signature shall constitute an original for all purposes.

[ Signature pages follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.    

 

InfraREIT, Inc.
By:  

/s/ Brant Meleski

Name:   Brant Meleski
Title:  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer

InfraREIT Partners, LP

 

By: InfraREIT, Inc., its general partner

By:  

/s/ Brant Meleski

Name:   Brant Meleski
Title:  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer

Sharyland Distribution & Transmission Services, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ Brant Meleski

Name:   Brant Meleski
Title:  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer

 

[ Signature Page to Omnibus Termination Agreement ]


Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
By:  

/s/ David C. Hernandez

Name:   David C. Hernandez
Title:   Executive Vice President

 

Hunt Transmission Services, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ David C. Hernandez

Name:   David C. Hernandez
Title:   Executive Vice President

 

Electricity Participant Partnership, L.L.C.
By:  

/s/ David C. Hernandez

Name:   David C. Hernandez
Title:   Executive Vice President

 

Hunt Utility Services, LLC
By:
 

/s/ Michael Carter

Name:   Michael Carter
Title:   Vice President

 

[ Singature Page to Omnibus Termination Agreement ]


Sharyland Utilities, L.P.

By: Shary Holdings, L.L.C.,

       its general partner

By:  

/s/ Hunter L. Hunt

Name:   Hunter L. Hunt
Title:   Chairman

 

[ Signature Page to Omnibus Termination Agreement ]


Exhibit A

Subject Agreements

 

  1.

Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2017, among HIFR, HCI and Sharyland.

 

  2.

Delegation Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2015, between HIFR and Sharyland.

 

  3.

Development Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2015, as amended, among HIFR, the Partnership, HTS and Sharyland.

 

  4.

Letter Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2017, between SDTS and Sharyland.

 

  5.

License Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2010, among the Partnership, HIFR and HUS.

 

  6.

Lock-Up Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2015, among HIFR, the Partnership, HTS, EPP and HCI.

 

  7.

Management Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2015, among HIFR, the Partnership and HUS, as amended.


Exhibit B

SU/SDTS Leases

 

  1.

Third Amended and Restated Master System Lease Agreement (McAllen System), dated December 1, 2014, as amended, between SDTS and Sharyland, as it may be supplemented from time to time.

 

  2.

Third Amended and Restated Lease Agreement (Stanton Transmission Loop Assets), dated December 1, 2014, as amended, between SDTS FERC, L.L.C. (predecessor in interest to SDTS) and SU FERC, L.L.C. (predecessor in interest to Sharyland), as it may be supplemented from time to time.

 

  3.

Lease Agreement (ERCOT Transmission Assets), dated December 1, 2014, as amended, between SDTS and Sharyland, as it may be supplemented from time to time.

 

  4.

Fourth Amended and Restated CREZ Lease Agreement, dated November 9, 2017, between SDTS and Sharyland, as it may be supplemented from time to time.

 

  5.

Permian Lease Agreement, dated December 31, 2017, between SDTS and Sharyland, as it may be supplemented from time to time.