Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13, 15(d), OR 37 OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020
OR
 o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to _____

Commission file number 000-52313
TVA-LOGOB94.JPG
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
A corporate agency of the United States created by an act of Congress
 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
62-0474417
 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
400 W. Summit Hill Drive
Knoxville, Tennessee
 (Address of principal executive offices)
 
37902
 (Zip Code)
(865) 632-2101
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
N/A
N/A
N/A

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13, 15(d), or 37 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes x No o

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

Large accelerated filer  o                                                                                    Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer    x   Smaller reporting company  o        
Emerging growth company o
 
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. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o   No x
 

1

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
 
 
 
Page
GLOSSARY OF COMMON ACRONYMS......................................................................................................................................
3
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION.........................................................................................................................................
5
GENERAL INFORMATION............................................................................................................................................................
6
 
 
 
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................................................................................................................
7
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)............................................................................................................
7
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)............................................................................
7
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)...........................................................................................................................
8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)..........................................................................................................
10
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Proprietary Capital (Unaudited)............................................................................
11
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)....................................................................................................
12
 
 
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS...
48
Executive Overview...............................................................................................................................................................
48
Results of Operations............................................................................................................................................................
49
Liquidity and Capital Resources............................................................................................................................................
57
Key Initiatives and Challenges..............................................................................................................................................
59
Environmental Matters..........................................................................................................................................................
67
Legal Proceedings................................................................................................................................................................
73
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements..........................................................................................................................................
73
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates...........................................................................................................................
73
New Accounting Standards and Interpretations....................................................................................................................
73
Legislative and Regulatory Matters.......................................................................................................................................
73
 
 
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK..............................................................
74
 
 
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES..................................................................................................................................
74
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.....................................................................................................................................
74
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting..........................................................................................................
74
 
 
             PART II - OTHER INFORMATION 
 
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS..................................................................................................................................................
74
 
 
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS............................................................................................................................................................
75
 
 
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION..................................................................................................................................................
75
 
 
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS........................................................................................................................................................................
76
 
 
SIGNATURES...............................................................................................................................................................................
77

2

Table of Contents

GLOSSARY OF COMMON ACRONYMS
Following are definitions of some of the terms or acronyms that may be used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 (the "Quarterly Report"):
 
Term or Acronym
 
Definition
AOCI
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
ARO
 
Asset retirement obligation
ART
 
Asset Retirement Trust
ASLB
 
Atomic Safety and Licensing Board
Bonds
 
Bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness
CAA
 
Clean Air Act
CCR
 
Coal combustion residuals
CEL
 
Chilling Effect Letter
CME
 
Chicago Mercantile Exchange
CO2
 
Carbon dioxide
COLA
 
Cost-of-living adjustment
COVID-19
 
Coronavirus Disease 2019
CSAPR
 
Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
CTs
 
Combustion turbine unit(s)
CVA
 
Credit valuation adjustment
CY
 
Calendar year
DCP
 
Deferred Compensation Plan
DER
 
Distributed energy resources
DOE
 
Department of Energy
EIS
 
Environmental Impact Statement
ELGs
 
Effluent Limitation Guidelines
EO
 
Executive Order
EPA
 
Environmental Protection Agency
EPRI
 
Electric Power Research Institute
EPU
 
Extended Power Uprate
ESPA
 
Early Site Permit Application
FASB
 
Financial Accounting Standards Board
FCM
 
Futures Commission Merchant
FERC
 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FTP
 
Financial Trading Program
GAAP
 
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
GHG
 
Greenhouse gas
GMDs
 
Geomagnetic disturbances
GWh
 
Gigawatt hour(s)
HAP
 
Hazardous Air Pollutants
IRP
 
Integrated Resource Plan
JSCCG
 
John Sevier Combined Cycle Generation LLC
KOC
 
Knoxville Office Complex
kW
 
Kilowatts
kWh
 
Kilowatt hours
LPC
 
Local power company customers
MATS
 
Mercury and Air Toxics Standards
MD&A
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
mmBtu
 
Million British thermal unit(s)
MtM
 
Mark-to-market

3

Table of Contents

MW
 
Megawatts
NAAQS
 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NAV
 
Net asset value
NDT
 
Nuclear Decommissioning Trust
NEIL
 
Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited
NEPA
 
National Environmental Policy Act
NERC
 
North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NOx
 
Nitrogen oxide
NPDES
 
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NRC
 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NSR
 
New Source Review
NWP
 
Nationwide Permit
OCI
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
OCIP
 
Owner Controlled Insurance Program
PARRS
 
Putable Automatic Rate Reset Securities
PM
 
Particulate matter
QER
 
Quadrennial Energy Review
QTE
 
Qualified technological equipment and software
RECs
 
Renewable Energy Certificates
REIT
 
Real Estate Investment Trust
SCCG
 
Southaven Combined Cycle Generation LLC
SCRs
 
Selective catalytic reduction systems
SEC
 
Securities and Exchange Commission
SERP
 
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
SHLLC
 
Southaven Holdco LLC
SIPs
 
State implementation plans
SMR
 
Small modular reactor(s)
SO2
 
Sulfur dioxide
SPC
 
Summer Place Complex
TCWN
 
Tennessee Clean Water Network
TDEC
 
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
TVA Act
 
The Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933, as amended, 16 U.S.C. §§ 831-831ee
TVARS
 
Tennessee Valley Authority Retirement System
U.S. Treasury
 
United States Department of the Treasury
VIE
 
Variable interest entity
XBRL
 
eXtensible Business Reporting Language


4

Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Quarterly Report contains forward-looking statements relating to future events and future performance.  All statements other than those that are purely historical may be forward-looking statements.  In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "project," "plan," "predict," "assume," "forecast," "estimate," "objective," "possible," "probably," "likely," "potential," "speculate," the negative of such words, or other similar expressions.

Although the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") believes that the assumptions underlying any forward-looking statements are reasonable, TVA does not guarantee the accuracy of these statements.  Numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements.  These factors include, among other things:

The impact of the pandemic resulting from the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) on TVA's revenues, the demand for electricity, TVA’s workforce and operations, the availability of fuel and critical parts, supplies, and services, and the business and financial condition of TVA’s customers and counterparties;
The duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its effects, and broader impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic and market conditions, including impacts on interest rates, commodity prices, investment performance, and foreign currency exchange rates;
New, amended, or existing laws, regulations, or administrative orders or interpretations, including those related to environmental matters, and the costs of complying with these laws, regulations, or administrative orders or interpretations;
The cost of complying with known, anticipated, or new emissions reduction requirements, some of which could render continued operation of many of TVA's aging coal-fired generation units not cost-effective or result in their removal from service, perhaps permanently;
Significant reductions in demand for electricity produced through non-renewable or centrally located generation sources that may result from, among other things, economic downturns, increased energy efficiency and conservation, increased utilization of distributed generation and microgrids, and improvements in alternative generation and energy storage technologies;
Changes in customer preferences for energy produced from cleaner generation sources;
Changes in technology;
Actions taken, or inaction, by the U.S. government relating to the national or TVA debt ceiling or automatic spending cuts in government programs;
Costs or liabilities that are not anticipated in TVA's financial statements for third-party claims, natural resource damages, environmental cleanup activities, or fines or penalties associated with unexpected events such as failures of a facility or infrastructure;
Addition or loss of customers by TVA or the local power company customers ("LPCs");
Significant delays, cost increases, or cost overruns associated with the construction and maintenance of generation, transmission, navigation, flood control, or related assets;
Requirements or decisions changing the amount or timing of funding obligations associated with TVA's pension plans, other post-retirement benefit plans, or health care plans;
Increases in TVA's financial liabilities for decommissioning its nuclear facilities or retiring other assets;
Risks associated with the operation of nuclear facilities or other generation and related facilities, including coal combustion residuals ("CCR") facilities;
Physical attacks on TVA's assets;
Cyber attacks on TVA's assets or the assets of third parties upon which TVA relies;
The outcome of legal or administrative proceedings;
The failure of TVA's generation, transmission, navigation, flood control, and related assets and infrastructure, including CCR facilities, to operate as anticipated, resulting in lost revenues, damages, or other costs that are not reflected in TVA's financial statements or projections;
Differences between estimates of revenues and expenses and actual revenues earned and expenses incurred;
Weather conditions;
Catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, solar events, electromagnetic pulses ("EMP"), geomagnetic disturbances ("GMDs"), droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, or other casualty events or pandemics, wars, national emergencies, terrorist activities, or other similar events, especially if these events occur in or near TVA's service area;
Events at a TVA facility, which, among other things, could result in loss of life, damage to the environment, damage to or loss of the facility, and damage to the property of others;
Events or changes involving transmission lines, dams, and other facilities not operated by TVA, including those that affect the reliability of the interstate transmission grid of which TVA's transmission system is a part and those that increase flows across TVA's transmission grid;
Disruption of fuel supplies, which may result from, among other things, economic conditions, weather conditions, production or transportation difficulties, labor challenges, or environmental laws or regulations affecting TVA's fuel suppliers or transporters;
Purchased power price volatility and disruption of purchased power supplies;
Events which affect the supply of water for TVA's generation facilities;
Changes in TVA's determinations of the appropriate mix of generation assets;

5

Table of Contents

Ineffectiveness of TVA's efforts at adapting its organization to an evolving marketplace and remaining cost competitive;
Inability to use regulatory accounting or loss of regulatory accounting approval for certain costs;
Inability to obtain, or loss of, regulatory approval for the construction or operation of assets;
The requirement or decision to make additional contributions to TVA's Nuclear Decommissioning Trust ("NDT") or Asset Retirement Trust ("ART");
Limitations on TVA's ability to borrow money which may result from, among other things, TVA's approaching or substantially reaching the limit on bonds, notes, and other evidences of indebtedness specified in the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 ("TVA Act");
An increase in TVA's cost of capital that may result from, among other things, changes in the market for TVA's debt securities, changes in the credit rating of TVA or the U.S. government, or, potentially, an increased reliance by TVA on alternative financing should TVA approach its debt limit;
Changes in the economy and volatility in financial markets;
Reliability or creditworthiness of counterparties;
Changes in the market price of commodities such as coal, uranium, natural gas, fuel oil, crude oil, construction materials, reagents, electricity, or emission allowances;
Changes in the market price of equity securities, debt securities, or other investments;
Changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, or inflation rates;
Ineffectiveness of TVA's disclosure controls and procedures or its internal control over financial reporting;
Inability to eliminate identified deficiencies in TVA's systems, standards, controls, or corporate culture;
Inability to attract or retain a skilled workforce;
Inability to respond quickly enough to current or potential customer demands or needs;
Events at a nuclear facility, whether or not operated by or licensed to TVA, which, among other things, could lead to increased regulation or restriction on the construction, ownership, operation, or decommissioning of nuclear facilities or on the storage of spent fuel, obligate TVA to pay retrospective insurance premiums, reduce the availability and affordability of insurance, increase the costs of operating TVA's existing nuclear units, or cause TVA to forego future construction at these or other facilities;
Loss of quorum of the TVA Board of Directors ("TVA Board");
Changes in the priorities of the TVA Board or TVA senior management; or
Other unforeseeable events.

See also Item 1A, Risk Factors, and Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in TVA's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended September 30, 2019 (the "Annual Report"), and Part I, Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors in this Quarterly Report for a discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statement.  New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for TVA to predict all such factors or to assess the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may impact TVA's business or cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.  TVA undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect developments that occur after the statement is made.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Fiscal Year

References to years (2020, 2019, etc.) in this Quarterly Report are to TVA's fiscal years ending September 30.  Years that are preceded by "CY" are references to calendar years.

Notes

References to "Notes" are to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report.

Available Information

TVA's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, are available on TVA's website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  TVA's website is www.tva.gov.  Information contained on TVA's website shall not be deemed to be incorporated into, or to be a part of, this Quarterly Report.  All TVA SEC reports are available to the public without charge from the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov.  


6

Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(in millions)
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
Six Months Ended March 31
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from sales of electricity
$
2,489

 
$
2,712

 
$
5,021

 
$
5,393

Other revenue
32

 
38

 
78

 
82

Total operating revenues
2,521


2,750


5,099


5,475

Operating expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fuel
429

 
501

 
852

 
942

Purchased power
252

 
255

 
471

 
552

Operating and maintenance
644

 
800

 
1,333

 
1,545

Depreciation and amortization
457

 
466

 
1,041

 
811

Tax equivalents
132

 
136

 
263

 
268

Total operating expenses
1,914

 
2,158

 
3,960

 
4,118

Operating income
607

 
592

 
1,139

 
1,357

Other income (expense), net
(1
)
 
14

 
11

 
38

Other net periodic benefit cost
62

 
65

 
127

 
129

Interest expense
289

 
300

 
576

 
602

Net income (loss)
$
255

 
$
241

 
$
447

 
$
664

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)
(in millions)
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
Six Months Ended March 31
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Net income (loss)
$
255

 
$
241

 
$
447

 
$
664

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
(163
)
 
23

 
(87
)
 
(29
)
Reclassification to earnings from cash flow hedges
56

 
(14
)
 
(3
)
 
4

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
(107
)
 
9

 
(90
)
 
(25
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
$
148

 
$
250

 
$
357

 
$
639

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


7


TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(in millions)
ASSETS
 
March 31, 2020

September 30, 2019
Current assets
 

 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
835

 
$
299

Accounts receivable, net
1,264

 
1,739

Inventories, net
1,071

 
999

Regulatory assets
161

 
156

Other current assets
93

 
85

Total current assets
3,424

 
3,278

 
 
 
 
Property, plant, and equipment
 

 
 

Completed plant
63,453

 
62,944

Less accumulated depreciation
(32,237
)
 
(31,384
)
Net completed plant
31,216

 
31,560

Construction in progress
2,095

 
1,893

Nuclear fuel
1,547

 
1,534

Finance leases
140

 
146

Total property, plant, and equipment, net
34,998

 
35,133

 
 
 
 
Investment funds
2,607

 
2,968

 
 
 
 
Regulatory and other long-term assets
 

 
 

Regulatory assets
9,433

 
8,763

Operating lease assets, net of amortization
354

 

Other long-term assets
332

 
325

Total regulatory and other long-term assets
10,119

 
9,088

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
51,148

 
$
50,467

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



8


TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(in millions)
LIABILITIES AND PROPRIETARY CAPITAL
 
March 31, 2020
 
September 30, 2019
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
1,764

 
$
1,812

Accrued interest
305

 
296

Current portion of leaseback obligations
136

 
40

Regulatory liabilities
207

 
150

Short-term debt, net
1,875

 
922

Current maturities of power bonds
1,552

 
1,030

Current maturities of long-term debt of variable interest entities
40

 
39

Current maturities of notes payable
22

 
23

Total current liabilities
5,901

 
4,312

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
 
 
 
Post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligations
5,984

 
6,181

Asset retirement obligations
5,582

 
5,453

Operating lease liabilities
262

 

Other long-term liabilities
2,914

 
2,490

Leaseback obligations
87

 
223

Total other liabilities
14,829

 
14,347

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net
 
 
 
Long-term power bonds, net
17,370

 
19,094

Long-term debt of variable interest entities, net
1,069

 
1,089

Total long-term debt, net
18,439

 
20,183

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
39,169

 
38,842

 
 
 
 
Contingencies and legal proceedings (Note 19)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proprietary capital
 
 
 
Power program appropriation investment
258

 
258

Power program retained earnings
11,271

 
10,823

Total power program proprietary capital
11,529

 
11,081

Nonpower programs appropriation investment, net
552

 
556

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(102
)
 
(12
)
Total proprietary capital
11,979

 
11,625

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and proprietary capital
$
51,148

 
$
50,467

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


9


TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
 For the Six Months Ended March 31
 (in millions)
 
2020
 
2019
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
447

 
$
664

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization(1)
1,052

 
821

Amortization of nuclear fuel cost
194

 
179

Non-cash retirement benefit expense
162

 
157

Other regulatory amortization and deferrals
81

 
184

Changes in current assets and liabilities
 

 
 

Accounts receivable, net
475

 
269

Inventories and other current assets, net
(101
)
 
(83
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(218
)
 
(274
)
Accrued interest
13

 
6

Pension contributions
(155
)
 
(155
)
Other, net
(80
)
 
(21
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,870

 
1,747

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities
 

 
 

Construction expenditures
(840
)
 
(862
)
Nuclear fuel expenditures
(184
)
 
(172
)
Loans and other receivables
 

 
 

Advances
(3
)
 
(4
)
Repayments
4

 
4

Other, net
13

 
(6
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,010
)
 
(1,040
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities
 

 
 

Long-term debt
 

 
 

Redemptions and repurchases of power bonds
(1,218
)
 
(1,003
)
Redemptions of notes payable

 
(21
)
Redemptions of debt of variable interest entities
(20
)
 
(19
)
Short-term debt issues (redemptions), net
953

 
378

Payments on leases and leasebacks
(43
)
 
(40
)
Other, net
4

 
(1
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(324
)
 
(706
)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
536

 
1

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period
322

 
322

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period
$
858

 
$
323

Note
(1) Includes amortization of debt issuance costs and premiums/discounts.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


10


TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PROPRIETARY CAPITAL (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019
(in millions)
 
Power Program Appropriation Investment
 
 
Power Program Retained Earnings
 
Nonpower Programs Appropriation Investment, Net
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
 
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
258

 
$
9,827

 
$
562

 
$
23

 
$
10,670

Net income (loss)

 
243

 
(2
)
 

 
241

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 
9

 
9

Return on power program appropriation investment

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Balance at March 31, 2019
$
258

 
$
10,069

 
$
560

 
$
32

 
$
10,919

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2019
$
258

 
$
11,015

 
$
554

 
$
5

 
$
11,832

Net income (loss)

 
257

 
(2
)
 

 
255

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 
(107
)
 
(107
)
Return on power program appropriation investment

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Balance at March 31, 2020
$
258

 
$
11,271

 
$
552

 
$
(102
)
 
$
11,979

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PROPRIETARY CAPITAL (Unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019
(in millions)
 
Power Program Appropriation Investment
 
 
Power Program Retained Earnings
 
Nonpower Programs Appropriation Investment, Net
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
 
 
Total
Balance at September 30, 2018
$
258

 
$
9,404

 
$
564

 
$
57

 
$
10,283

Net income (loss)

 
668

 
(4
)
 

 
664

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 
(25
)
 
(25
)
Return on power program appropriation investment

 
(3
)
 

 

 
(3
)
Balance at March 31, 2019
$
258

 
$
10,069

 
$
560

 
$
32

 
$
10,919

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2019
$
258

 
$
10,823

 
$
556

 
$
(12
)
 
$
11,625

Net income (loss)

 
451

 
(4
)
 

 
447

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 
(90
)
 
(90
)
Return on power program appropriation investment

 
(3
)
 

 

 
(3
)
Balance at March 31, 2020
$
258

 
$
11,271

 
$
552

 
$
(102
)
 
$
11,979

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


11


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except where noted)

Note
Page
1
 
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12
2
 
Impact of New Accounting Standards and Interpretations
16
3
 
Accounts Receivable, Net
17
4
 
Inventories, Net
18
5
 
Plant Closures
18
6
 
Leases
18
7
 
Other Long-Term Assets
21
8
 
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities
22
9
 
Variable Interest Entities
23
10
 
Other Long-Term Liabilities
24
11
 
Asset Retirement Obligations
25
12
 
Debt and Other Obligations
26
13
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
28
14
 
Risk Management Activities and Derivative Transactions
28
15
 
Fair Value Measurements
33
16
 
Revenue
40
17
 
Other Income (Expense), Net
43
18
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
43
19
 
Benefit Plans
43
20
 
Contingencies and Legal Proceedings
44
21
 
Subsequent Events
48

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

General

The Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA") is a corporate agency and instrumentality of the United States ("U.S.") that was created in 1933 by federal legislation in response to a proposal by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  TVA was created to, among other things, improve navigation on the Tennessee River, reduce the damage from destructive flood waters within the Tennessee River system and downstream on the lower Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, further the economic development of TVA's service area in the southeastern U.S., and sell the electricity generated at the facilities TVA operates.

Today, TVA operates the nation's largest public power system and supplies power in most of Tennessee, northern Alabama, northeastern Mississippi, and southwestern Kentucky and in portions of northern Georgia, western North Carolina, and southwestern Virginia to a population of nearly 10 million people.

TVA also manages the Tennessee River, its tributaries, and certain shorelines to provide, among other things, year-round navigation, flood damage reduction, and affordable and reliable electricity. Consistent with these primary purposes, TVA also manages the river system and public lands to provide recreational opportunities, adequate water supply, improved water quality, cultural and natural resource protection, and economic development.

The power program has historically been separate and distinct from the stewardship programs.  It is required to be self-supporting from power revenues and proceeds from power financings, such as proceeds from the issuance of bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness (collectively, "Bonds").  Although TVA does not currently receive congressional appropriations, it is required to make annual payments to the U.S. Department of the Treasury ("U.S. Treasury") as a return on the government's appropriation investment in TVA's power facilities (the "Power Program Appropriation Investment").  In the 1998 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, Congress directed TVA to fund essential stewardship activities related to its management of the Tennessee River system and nonpower or stewardship properties with power revenues in the event that there were insufficient appropriations or other available funds to pay for such activities in any fiscal year.  Congress has not provided any appropriations to TVA to fund such activities since 1999.  Consequently, during 2000, TVA began paying for essential stewardship activities primarily with power revenues, with the remainder funded with user fees and other forms of revenues derived in connection with those activities.  The activities related to stewardship properties do not meet the criteria of

12


an operating segment under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").  Accordingly, these assets and properties are included as part of the power program, TVA's only operating segment.

Power rates are established by the TVA Board of Directors ("TVA Board") as authorized by the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933, as amended ("TVA Act").  The TVA Act requires TVA to charge rates for power that will produce gross revenues sufficient to provide funds for operation, maintenance, and administration of its power system; payments to states and counties in lieu of taxes ("tax equivalents"); debt service on outstanding indebtedness; payments to the U.S. Treasury in repayment of and as a return on the Power Program Appropriation Investment; and such additional margin as the TVA Board may consider desirable for investment in system assets, retirement of outstanding Bonds in advance of maturity, additional reduction of the Power Program Appropriation Investment, and other purposes connected with TVA's business. TVA fulfilled its requirement to repay $1.0 billion of the Power Program Appropriation Investment with the 2014 payment; therefore, this item is no longer a component of rate setting.  In setting TVA's rates, the TVA Board is charged by the TVA Act to have due regard for the primary objectives of the TVA Act, including the objective that power shall be sold at rates as low as are feasible.  Rates set by the TVA Board are not subject to review or approval by any state or federal regulatory body.

Fiscal Year

TVA's fiscal year ends September 30.  Years (2020, 2019, etc.) refer to TVA's fiscal years unless they are preceded by "CY," in which case the references are to calendar years.

Cost-Based Regulation

Since the TVA Board is authorized by the TVA Act to set rates for power sold to its customers, TVA is self-regulated. Additionally, TVA's regulated rates are designed to recover its costs.  Based on current projections, TVA believes that rates, set at levels that will recover TVA's costs, can be charged and collected.  As a result of these factors, TVA records certain assets and liabilities that result from the regulated ratemaking process that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities.  Regulatory assets generally represent incurred costs that have been deferred because such costs are probable of future recovery in customer rates.  Regulatory liabilities generally represent obligations to make refunds to customers for previous collections for costs that are not likely to be incurred or deferral of gains that will be credited to customers in future periods.  TVA assesses whether the regulatory assets are probable of future recovery by considering factors such as applicable regulatory changes, potential legislation, and changes in technology.  Based on these assessments, TVA believes the existing regulatory assets are probable of recovery.  This determination reflects the current regulatory and political environment and is subject to change in the future.  If future recovery of regulatory assets ceases to be probable, or any of the other factors described above cease to be applicable, TVA would no longer be considered to be a regulated entity and would be required to write off these costs.  All regulatory asset write-offs would be required to be recognized in earnings in the period in which future recovery ceases to be probable.

Basis of Presentation

TVA prepares its consolidated interim financial statements in conformity with GAAP for consolidated interim financial information. Accordingly, TVA's consolidated interim financial statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. As such, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2019, and the notes thereto, which are contained in TVA's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended September 30, 2019 (the "Annual Report"). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of items of a normal recurring nature) considered necessary for fair presentation are included on the consolidated interim financial statements.

The accompanying consolidated interim financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, include the accounts of TVA, wholly-owned direct subsidiaries, and variable interest entities ("VIE") of which TVA is the primary beneficiary. See Note 9Variable Interest Entities. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires TVA to estimate the effects of various matters that are inherently uncertain as of the date of the consolidated financial statements.  Although the consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, TVA is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the reporting period.  Each of these estimates varies in regard to the level of judgment involved and its potential impact on TVA's financial results.  Estimates are considered critical either when a different estimate could have reasonably been used, or where changes in the estimate are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, and such use or change would materially impact TVA's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.





13


Reclassifications

Certain historical amounts have been reclassified in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to the current presentation. In the March 31, 2019, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, amounts previously reported as $(10) million of Prepayment credits applied to revenue were reclassified to Other, net in cash flows from operating activities.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash includes cash on hand, non-interest bearing cash, and deposit accounts. All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted, as to withdrawal or use under the terms of certain contractual agreements, are recorded in Other long-term assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Restricted cash and cash equivalents includes cash held in trusts that are currently restricted for TVA economic development loans and for certain TVA environmental programs in accordance with agreements related to compliance with certain environmental regulations. See Note 20Contingencies and Legal ProceedingsLegal Proceedings Environmental Agreements.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents
$
835

 
$
299

Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in Other long-term assets
23

 
23

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
$
858

 
$
322


Due to recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic, TVA increased its target balance of Cash and cash equivalents in March 2020 by $500 million through short-term discount note issuances.

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts

The allowance for uncollectible accounts reflects TVA's estimate of probable losses inherent in its accounts and loans receivable balances, excluding the EnergyRight® loans receivable.  TVA determines the allowance based on known accounts, historical experience, and other currently available information including events such as customer bankruptcy and/or a customer failing to fulfill payment arrangements after 90 days.  It also reflects TVA's corporate credit department's assessment of the financial condition of customers and the credit quality of the receivables. TVA continues to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on accounts and loans receivable balances to evaluate the allowance for uncollectible accounts.

The allowance for uncollectible accounts was less than $1 million at both March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, for accounts receivable. Additionally, loans receivable of $137 million and $131 million at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, respectively, are included in Accounts receivable, net and Other long-term assets, for the current and long-term portions, respectively, and are reported net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of less than $1 million at both March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019.

Revenues

TVA recognizes revenue from contracts with customers to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. For the generation and transmission of electricity, this is generally at the time the power is delivered to a metered customer delivery point for the customer's consumption or distribution. As a result, revenues from power sales are recorded as electricity is delivered to customers. In addition to power sales invoiced and recorded during the month, TVA accrues estimated unbilled revenues for power sales provided to five customers whose billing date occurs prior to the end of the month.  Exchange power sales are presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of sales of electricity. Exchange power sales are sales of excess power after meeting TVA native load and directly served requirements.  Native load refers to the customers on whose behalf a company, by statute, franchise, regulatory requirement, or contract, has undertaken an obligation to serve. TVA engages in other arrangements in addition to power sales. Certain other revenue from activities related to TVA's overall mission are recorded in Other revenue. Revenues that are not related to the overall mission are recorded in Other income (expense), net.

Leases

TVA recognizes a lease asset and lease liability for leases with terms of greater than 12 months. Lease assets represent TVA's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent TVA's obligation to make lease

14


payments arising from the lease, both of which are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date.  TVA has certain lease agreements that include variable lease payments that are based on energy production levels. These variable lease payments are not included in the measurement of the lease assets or lease liabilities but are recognized in the period in which the expenses are incurred.
    
While not specifically structured as leases, certain power purchase agreements are deemed to contain a lease of the underlying generating units when the terms convey the right to control the use of the assets. Amounts recorded for these leases are generally based on the amount of the scheduled capacity payments due over the remaining terms of the power purchase agreements, the terms of which vary. The total lease obligation included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Operating lease liabilities related to these agreements was $296 million at March 31, 2020.

TVA has agreements with lease and non-lease components and has elected to account for the components separately. Consideration is allocated to lease and non-lease components generally based on relative standalone selling prices.

TVA has lease agreements which include options for renewal and early termination. The intent to renew a lease varies depending on the lease type and asset. Renewal options that are reasonably certain to be exercised are included in the lease measurements. The decision to terminate a lease early is dependent on various economic factors. No termination options have been included in TVA's lease measurements.
    
Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, which do not include an option to extend the initial term of the lease to greater than 12 months that TVA is reasonably certain to exercise, are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2020.
 
Operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease agreement. Rent expense associated with short-term leases and variable leases is recorded in Operating and maintenance expense, Fuel expense, or Purchased power expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Expenses associated with finance leases result in the separate presentation of interest expense on the lease liability and amortization expense of the related lease asset on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Depreciation    

TVA accounts for depreciation of its properties using the composite depreciation convention of accounting. Under the composite method, assets with similar economic characteristics are grouped and depreciated as one asset. Depreciation is generally computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated service lives of the various classes of assets. The estimation of asset useful lives requires management judgment, supported by external depreciation studies of historical asset retirement experience. Depreciation rates are determined based on the external depreciation studies. These studies are updated at least every five years. Depreciation expense was $407 million and $424 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Depreciation expense was $946 million and $732 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. See Note 5Plant Closures for a discussion of the impact of plant closures.


15


2.  Impact of New Accounting Standards and Interpretations     

The following are accounting standard updates issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") that TVA adopted during 2020:
Lease Accounting
Description
This guidance changes the provisions of recognition in both the lessee and lessor accounting models. The standard requires entities that lease assets ("lessees") to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with terms of more than 12 months, while also refining the definition of a lease. In addition, lessees are required to disclose key information about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements. The recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily depend on its classification as a finance lease (formerly referred to as capital lease) or operating lease. The standard requires both types of leases to be recognized on the balance sheet. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense, while finance leases will result in recognition of interest on the lease liability separate from amortization expense. The accounting rules for the owner of assets leased by the lessee ("lessor accounting") remain relatively unchanged.

The standard allows for certain practical expedients to be elected related to lease term determination, separation of lease and non-lease elements, reassessment of existing leases, and short-term leases. The standard is to be applied using a modified retrospective transition.
Effective Date for TVA
October 1, 2019
Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
TVA has elected the modified retrospective method of adoption effective October 1, 2019. Under the modified retrospective method of adoption, prior year reported results are not restated.

TVA recorded $205 million and $210 million of lease assets and lease liabilities, respectively, for operating leases in effect at the adoption date. The accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged. Adoption of the standard did not materially impact results of operations or cash flows.

TVA has elected to apply the following practical expedients:
 
Practical Expedient
Description
 
 
Package of transition practical expedients (for leases commenced prior to adoption date; expedients must be adopted as a package)
Do not need to (1) reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are leases or contain leases, (2) reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, or (3) reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases.
 
 
Short-term lease expedient (elect by class of underlying asset)
Elect as an accounting policy to not apply the recognition requirements to short-term leases by asset class.
 
 
Existing and expired land easements not previously accounted for as leases
Elect to not evaluate existing or expired easements under the new guidance and carry forward current accounting treatment.
 
 
Comparative reporting requirements for initial adoption
Elect to apply transition requirements at adoption date, recognize cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings in period of adoption, and not apply the new requirements to comparative periods, including disclosures.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives and Hedging - Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
Description
This guidance better aligns an entity's risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. To meet that objective, the amendments expand and refine hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and align the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements.
Effective Date for TVA
October 1, 2019
Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
TVA has adopted the standard on a prospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on TVA's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. TVA only uses hedge accounting under its foreign currency swap arrangements, and the adoption of this standard had no impact on those arrangements.
 
Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs in a Cloud Arrangement That Is a Service Contract
Description
This guidance relates to the accounting for a customer's implementation costs in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract. The amendments align the requirements for capitalizing those implementation costs with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license. The amendments also provide requirements for the classification of the capitalized costs and related expense and cash flows in the financial statements, the application of impairment guidance to the capitalized costs, and the application of abandonment guidance to the capitalized costs. Entities are required to apply the amendments either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the adoption date.
Effective Date for TVA
October 1, 2019
Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
TVA has adopted the standard on a prospective basis. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on TVA's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. TVA records qualified implementation costs in a cloud arrangement that is a service contract as a prepaid asset and amortizes the prepaid asset to Operating and maintenance expense based on the term of the contract.

16


The following accounting standards have been issued but at March 31, 2020, were not effective and had not been adopted by TVA:
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
Description
This guidance eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an allowance to be recorded for all expected credit losses for certain financial assets that are not measured at fair value. The allowance for credit losses is based on historical information, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The new standard also makes revisions to the other than temporary impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. Disclosures of credit quality indicators in relation to the amortized cost of financing receivables are further disaggregated by year of origination.
Effective Date for TVA
The new standard is effective for TVA's interim and annual reporting periods beginning October 1, 2020. While early adoption is permitted, TVA does not plan to adopt the standard early.
Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
TVA is working to develop a model to calculate the allowance for credit losses based on management's estimate of the losses expected to be incurred over the life of the asset. TVA is evaluating the potential impact of the changes on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
 
Fair Value Measurement Disclosure
Description
The guidance changes certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. It removes certain disclosure requirements, such as the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for timing of the transfers between levels; and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements.  Some disclosure requirements are added, such as the change in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements.
Effective Date for TVA
The new standard is effective for TVA's interim and annual reporting periods beginning October 1, 2020. While early adoption is permitted, TVA does not plan to adopt the standard early.
Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
TVA does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on TVA's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. TVA is evaluating the potential impact on related disclosures.
 
Reference Rate Reform
Description
The guidance provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the guidance in GAAP on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rates.
Effective Date for TVA
The new standard is effective for adoption at any time between March 12, 2020, and December 31, 2022. TVA currently plans to adopt the standard by December 31, 2022.
Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
TVA continues to review this standard and evaluate the impact of using an alternative reference rate instead of LIBOR in its interest rate swap contracts. TVA expects the adoption of the standard will simplify the accounting for any modifications to its interest rate swap contracts.

3.  Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts due from customers for power sales.  The table below summarizes the types and amounts of TVA's accounts receivable:
Accounts Receivable, Net 
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
Power receivables
$
1,182

 
$
1,624

Other receivables
82

 
115

Accounts receivable, net(1)
$
1,264

 
$
1,739

Note
(1) Allowance for uncollectible accounts was less than $1 million at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, and therefore is not represented in the table
above.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the TVA Board approved the Public Power Support and Stabilization Program, which includes alternative wholesale payment arrangements for LPCs, on March 25, 2020. TVA is offering up to $1.0 billion of credit support to LPCs who demonstrate the need for temporary financial relief, through the deferral of a portion of LPCs' wholesale power payments owed to TVA. The program requires LPCs to apply monthly beginning in April 2020 for the deferral, which is subject to approval by TVA. If approved, TVA will establish a repayment schedule based on the LPC's need, not to exceed two years, and an initial repayment date will be approved by TVA no later than December 31, 2020. The earliest deferral may be related to the May bill, and no such deferrals are included in the balances above. As of May 4, 2020, $1 million of credit support has been approved under the Public Power Support and Stabilization Program.

17


4.  Inventories, Net

The table below summarizes the types and amounts of TVA's inventories:
Inventories, Net 
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
Materials and supplies inventory
$
773

 
$
742

Fuel inventory
328

 
294

Renewable energy certificates/emission allowance inventory, net
18

 
16

Allowance for inventory obsolescence
(48
)
 
(53
)
Inventories, net
$
1,071

 
$
999


5. Plant Closures

Background

TVA must continuously evaluate all generating assets to ensure an optimal energy portfolio that provides safe, clean, and reliable power while maintaining flexibility and fiscal responsibility to the people of the Tennessee Valley. Based on results of assessments presented to the TVA Board in 2019, the retirement of Paradise Fossil Plant ("Paradise") Unit 3 by December 2020 and Bull Run Fossil Plant ("Bull Run") by December 2023 was approved. Subsequent to the TVA Board approval, TVA determined that Paradise would not be restarted after January 2020 due to the plant's material condition. Paradise Fossil Plant Unit 3 was taken offline on February 1, 2020, effectively retiring the plant.

Financial Impact

As a result of TVA's decision to accelerate the retirements of Paradise and Bull Run, certain construction projects at these locations were identified as probable of abandonment or were no longer expected to be in service for greater than one year prior to the plants' retirement dates. The write-off of these projects resulted in $124 million of Operating and maintenance expense during the second quarter of 2019. TVA has since recognized a cumulative $34 million of Operating and maintenance expense related to other activities including certain regulatory compliance projects at these facilities. Of this amount, $3 million and $7 million were recognized during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. TVA has also recognized a cumulative $21 million of Operating and maintenance expense related to materials and supplies inventory reserves and write-offs identified at Paradise. Of this amount, $2 million was recognized for both the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Additional amounts for Bull Run may be written off during closure activities.

TVA's policy is to adjust depreciation rates to reflect the most current assumptions, ensuring units will be fully depreciated by the applicable retirement dates. As a result of TVA's decision to accelerate the retirement of Paradise and Bull Run, TVA has recognized a cumulative $882 million of accelerated depreciation, with $91 million and $316 million being recognized during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, respectively.

6. Leases

As described in Note 2Impact of New Accounting Standards and Interpretations, TVA has elected the modified retrospective method of adoption for the new lease accounting standard effective October 1, 2019. Under the modified retrospective method of adoption, prior year reported results are not restated.

TVA recorded $205 million and $210 million of lease assets and lease liabilities, respectively, for operating leases in effect at the adoption date. The accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged. Adoption of the standard did not materially impact results of operations or cash flows.


18


The following table provides additional information regarding the presentation of leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2020:
Amounts Recognized on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets
At March 31, 2020
Assets
 
 
  Operating
Operating lease assets, net of amortization
$
354

  Finance
Finance leases
140

Total lease assets
 
$
494

 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Current
 
 
  Operating
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
101

  Finance
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
6

Non-current
 
 
  Operating
Operating lease liabilities
262

  Finance
Other long-term liabilities
179

Total lease liabilities
 
$
548


TVA's leases consist primarily of railcars, equipment, real estate/land, power generating facilities, and gas pipelines. TVA's leases have various terms and expiration dates remaining from one to 27 years. The components of lease costs for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, were as follows:
Lease Costs(1)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020
 
Six Months Ended
March 31, 2020
Operating lease costs(1)
$
21

 
$
39

Variable lease costs(1)
20

 
26

Short-term lease costs(1)
3

 
3

Finance lease costs
 
 
 
Amortization of lease assets(2)
3

 
5

Interest on lease liabilities(3)(4)
9

 
15

Total finance lease costs
12

 
20

     Total lease costs
$
56


$
88

Notes
(1) Costs are included in Operating and maintenance expense, Fuel expense, and Purchased power expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. TVA's rental expense for operating leases was approximately $18 million and $36 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, respectively.
(2) Expense is included in Depreciation and amortization expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(3) Expense is included in Interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(4) Certain finance leases receive regulatory accounting treatment and are reclassified to Fuel expense and Purchased power expense.

TVA's variable lease costs are related to renewable energy purchase agreements that require TVA to purchase all output from the underlying facility. Payments under those agreements are solely based on the actual output over the lease term. Certain TVA lease agreements contain renewal options. Those renewal options that are reasonably certain to be exercised are included in the lease measurements.

The following table contains additional information with respect to cash and non-cash activities related to leases:
Amounts Recognized on TVA's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended March 31, 2020
Operating cash flows for operating leases
$
36

Operating cash flows for finance leases
15

Financing cash flows for finance leases
2

 
 
Lease assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations (non-cash)
 
Operating leases(1)
186

Finance leases

Note
(1) Amount excludes operating lease assets recorded as a result of the adoption of the new lease standard

19


TVA has certain finance leases under power purchase agreements under which the present value of the minimum lease payments exceeds the fair value of the related lease asset at the date of measurement.  This resulted in an interest rate that was higher than TVA's incremental borrowing rate. At March 31, 2020, the weighted average remaining lease term in years and the weighted average discount rate for TVA's operating and financing leases were as follows:
Weighted Averages
At March 31, 2020
Weighted average remaining lease terms
 
Operating leases
4 years
Finance leases
13 years
 
 
Weighted average discount rate(1)
 
Operating leases
1.6%
Finance leases
35.2%
Note
(1) The discount rate is calculated using the rate implicit in a lease if it is readily determinable. If the rate used by the lessor is not readily determinable, TVA uses its incremental borrowing rate as permitted by accounting guidance. The incremental borrowing rate is influenced by TVA's credit rating and lease term and as such may differ for individual leases, embedded leases, or portfolios of leased assets.

The following table presents maturities of lease liabilities and a reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows to lease liabilities at March 31, 2020:
Future Minimum Lease Payments
Minimum Payments Due at March 31, 2020
Operating leases
 
  2020 (remaining)
$
59

  2021
105

  2022
91

  2023
43

  2024
35

Thereafter
43

Minimum annual payments
376

Less: present value discount
(13
)
Operating present value of net minimum lease payments
$
363

 
 
Finance leases
 
  2020 (remaining)
$
27

  2021
53

  2022
53

  2023
55

  2024
51

    Thereafter
418

Minimum annual payments
657

Less: amount representing interest
(472
)
Finance present value of net minimum lease payments
$
185


20


The following table presents the future minimum lease payments under operating leases and the finance lease maturities as reported under the previous lease standard at September 30, 2019:
Future Minimum Lease Payments
Minimum Payments Due at September 30, 2019
Operating leases
 
2020
$
76

2021
75

2022
60

2023
12

2024
3

    Thereafter
2

Minimum annual payments
228

Less: present value discount

Operating present value of net minimum lease payments
$
228

 
 
Finance leases
 
2020
$
53

2021
53

2022
53

2023
55

2024
51

    Thereafter
418

Minimum annual payments
683

Less: amount representing interest
(495
)
Finance present value of net minimum lease payments
$
188


TVA entered into a power purchase agreement with a renewable resource provider for solar generation and rights to charge and discharge a battery energy storage system. The system is considered a lease component in this agreement. This lease has a term of 20 years, and is expected to commence on October 1, 2022. Payments made over the term of this lease are expected to total approximately $89 million.

7.  Other Long-Term Assets

The table below summarizes the types and amounts of TVA's other long-term assets:
Other Long-Term Assets
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
Loans and other long-term receivables, net
$
126

 
$
125

EnergyRight® receivables
76

 
81

Prepaid long-term service agreements(1)
33

 
22

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
23

 
23

Prepaid capacity payments
15

 
19

Other
59

 
55

Total other long-term assets
$
332

 
$
325

Note
(1) Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.

EnergyRight® Receivables. In association with the EnergyRight® Solutions program, TVA's local power company customers ("LPCs") offer financing to end-use customers for the purchase of energy-efficient equipment. Depending on the nature of the energy-efficiency project, loans may have a maximum term of five years or 10 years. TVA purchases the resulting loans receivable from its LPCs. The loans receivable are then transferred to a third-party bank with which TVA has agreed to repay in full any loans receivable that have been in default for 180 days or more or that TVA has determined are uncollectible. Given this continuing involvement, TVA accounts for the transfer of the loans receivable as secured borrowings. The current and long-term portions of the loans receivable are reported in Accounts receivable, net and Other long-term assets, respectively, on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, the carrying amount of the loans receivable,

21


net of discount, reported in Accounts receivable, net was $19 million and $20 million, respectively. See Note 10Other Long-Term Liabilities for information regarding the associated financing obligation.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, customers experiencing a financial hardship can request a deferral of loan payments for a period of up to six months. This deferral option is available beginning April 20, 2020, through October 31, 2020. Deferred loans will not accrue interest during the deferral months.

Prepaid Long-Term Service Agreements. TVA has entered into various long-term service agreements for major maintenance activities at certain of its combined cycle plants. TVA uses the direct expense method of accounting for these arrangements. TVA accrues for parts when it takes ownership and for contractor services when they are rendered. Under certain of these agreements, payments made exceed the value of parts received and services rendered. The current and long-term portions of the resulting prepayments are reported in Other current assets and Other long-term assets, respectively, on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, prepayments of $1 million and $5 million, respectively, were recorded in Other current assets.

8.  Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

Regulatory assets generally represent incurred costs that have been deferred because such costs are probable of future recovery in customer rates.  Regulatory liabilities generally represent obligations to make refunds to customers for previous collections for costs that are not likely to be incurred or deferral of gains that will be credited to customers in future periods.  Components of regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities are summarized in the table below:
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities(1)
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
Current regulatory assets
 
 
 
Unrealized losses on interest rate derivatives
$
109

 
$
89

Unrealized losses on commodity derivatives
52

 
39

Fuel cost adjustment receivable

 
28

Total current regulatory assets
161

 
156

 
 
 
 
Non-current regulatory assets
 

 
 

Deferred pension costs and other post-retirement benefits costs
4,602

 
4,756

Non-nuclear decommissioning costs
1,859

 
1,741

Nuclear decommissioning costs
1,200

 
868

Unrealized losses on interest rate derivatives
1,615

 
1,241

Unrealized losses on commodity contracts
8

 
15

Other non-current regulatory assets
149

 
142

Total non-current regulatory assets
9,433

 
8,763

Total regulatory assets
$
9,594

 
$
8,919

 
 
 
 
Current regulatory liabilities
 

 
 

Fuel cost adjustment tax equivalents
$
131

 
$
138

Fuel cost adjustment
72

 

Unrealized gains on commodity derivatives
4

 
12

Total current regulatory liabilities
$
207

 
$
150

Note
(1) Amounts for Non-current regulatory liabilities were less than $1 million at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, and are therefore not represented in the table above.

Due to recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, TVA experienced unrealized losses related to its investment portfolios and derivative instruments for the six months ended March 31, 2020. TVA does not recognize unrealized gains and losses from the investment portfolios and derivative instruments within earnings but rather defers all such gains and losses within a regulatory liability or asset in accordance with its accounting policy. See Note 14Risk Management Activities and Derivative Transactions and Note 15Fair Value Measurements.


22


9.  Variable Interest Entities

A VIE is an entity that either (i) has insufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or (ii) has equity investors who lack the characteristics of owning a controlling financial interest. When TVA determines that it has a variable interest in a VIE, a qualitative evaluation is performed to assess which interest holders have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity and have the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could be significant to the entity. The evaluation considers the purpose and design of the business, the risks that the business was designed to create and pass along to other entities, the activities of the business that can be directed and which party can direct them, and the expected relative impact of those activities on the economic performance of the business through its life. TVA has the power to direct the activities of an entity when it has the ability to make key operating and financing decisions, including, but not limited to, capital investment and the issuance of debt. Based on the evaluation of these criteria, TVA has determined it is the primary beneficiary of certain entities and as such is required to account for the VIEs on a consolidated basis.

John Sevier VIEs

In 2012, TVA entered into a $1.0 billion construction management agreement and lease financing arrangement with John Sevier Combined Cycle Generation LLC ("JSCCG") for the completion and lease by TVA of the John Sevier Combined Cycle Facility ("John Sevier CCF"). JSCCG is a special single-purpose limited liability company formed in January 2012 to finance the John Sevier CCF through a $900 million secured note issuance ("JSCCG notes") and the issuance of $100 million of membership interests subject to mandatory redemption.  The membership interests were purchased by John Sevier Holdco LLC ("Holdco").  Holdco is a special single-purpose entity, also formed in January 2012, established to acquire and hold the membership interests in JSCCG.  A non-controlling interest in Holdco is held by a third party through nominal membership interests, to which none of the income, expenses, and cash flows are allocated. 
 
The membership interests held by Holdco in JSCCG were purchased with proceeds from the issuance of $100 million of secured notes ("Holdco notes") and are subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a schedule of amortizing, semi-annual payments due each January 15 and July 15, with a final payment due in January 2042. The payment dates for the mandatorily redeemable membership interests are the same as those of the Holdco notes. The sale of the JSCCG notes, the membership interests in JSCCG, and the Holdco notes closed in January 2012. The JSCCG notes are secured by TVA's lease payments, and the Holdco notes are secured by Holdco's investment in, and amounts receivable from, JSCCG. TVA's lease payments to JSCCG are equal to and payable on the same dates as JSCCG's and Holdco's semi-annual debt service payments. In addition to the lease payments, TVA pays administrative and miscellaneous expenses incurred by JSCCG and Holdco. Certain agreements related to this transaction contain default and acceleration provisions.

Due to its participation in the design, business conduct, and credit and financial support of JSCCG and Holdco, TVA has determined that it has a variable interest in each of these entities. Based on its analysis, TVA has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary of JSCCG and Holdco and, as such, is required to account for the VIEs on a consolidated basis. Holdco's membership interests in JSCCG are eliminated in consolidation.

Southaven VIE

In 2013, TVA entered into a $400 million lease financing arrangement with Southaven Combined Cycle Generation LLC ("SCCG") for the lease by TVA of the Southaven Combined Cycle Facility ("Southaven CCF"). SCCG is a special single-purpose limited liability company formed in June 2013 to finance the Southaven CCF through a $360 million secured notes issuance ("SCCG notes") and the issuance of $40 million of membership interests subject to mandatory redemption. The membership interests were purchased by Southaven Holdco LLC ("SHLLC"). SHLLC is a special single-purpose entity, also formed in June 2013, established to acquire and hold the membership interests in SCCG. A non-controlling interest in SHLLC is held by a third party through nominal membership interests, to which none of the income, expenses, and cash flows of SHLLC are allocated.

The membership interests held by SHLLC were purchased with proceeds from the issuance of $40 million of secured notes ("SHLLC notes") and are subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a schedule of amortizing, semi-annual payments due each February 15 and August 15, with a final payment due on August 15, 2033. The payment dates for the mandatorily redeemable membership interests are the same as those of the SHLLC notes, and the payment amounts are sufficient to provide returns on, as well as returns of, capital until the investment has been repaid to SHLLC in full. The rate of return on investment to SHLLC is 7.0 percent, which is reflected as interest expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. SHLLC is required to pay a pre-determined portion of the return on investment to Seven States Southaven, LLC ("SSSL") on each lease payment date as agreed in SHLLC's formation documents (the "Seven States Return"). The current and long-term portions of the Membership interests of VIE subject to mandatory redemption are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, respectively.

The SCCG notes are secured by TVA's lease payments, and the SHLLC notes are secured by SHLLC's investment in, and amounts receivable from, SCCG. TVA's lease payments to SCCG are payable on the same dates as SCCG's and SHLLC's semi-annual debt service payments and are equal to the sum of (i) the amount of SCCG's semi-annual debt service payments, (ii) the amount of SHLLC's semi-annual debt service payments, and (iii) the amount of the Seven States Return. In addition to

23


the lease payments, TVA pays administrative and miscellaneous expenses incurred by SCCG and SHLLC. Certain agreements related to this transaction contain default and acceleration provisions.

In the event that TVA were to choose to exercise an early buy out feature of the Southaven facility lease, in part or in whole, TVA must pay to SCCG amounts sufficient for SCCG to repay or partially repay on a pro rata basis the membership interests held by SHLLC, including any outstanding investment amount plus accrued but unpaid return. TVA also has the right, at any time and without any early redemption of the other portions of the Southaven facility lease payments due to SCCG, to fully repay SHLLC's investment, upon which repayment SHLLC will transfer the membership interests to a designee of TVA.

TVA participated in the design, business conduct, and financial support of SCCG and has determined that it has a direct variable interest in SCCG resulting from risk associated with the value of the Southaven CCF at the end of the lease term. Based on its analysis, TVA has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of SCCG and, as such, is required to account for the VIE on a consolidated basis.

Impact on Consolidated Financial Statements

The financial statement items attributable to carrying amounts and classifications of JSCCG, Holdco, and SCCG at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, as reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are as follows:
Summary of Impact of VIEs on Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
Current liabilities
 
 
 

Accrued interest
$
10

 
$
11

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
3

 
3

Current maturities of long-term debt of variable interest entities
40

 
39

Total current liabilities
53

 
53

Other liabilities
 
 
 
Other long-term liabilities
24

 
25

Long-term debt, net
 
 
 
Long-term debt of variable interest entities, net
1,069

 
1,089

Total liabilities
$
1,146

 
$
1,167


Interest expense of $14 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, and $27 million and $28 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, is included on the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to debt of VIEs and membership interests of VIEs subject to mandatory redemption.

Creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to the general credit of TVA. TVA does not have any obligations to provide financial support to the VIEs other than as prescribed in the terms of the agreements related to these transactions.

10.  Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities consist primarily of liabilities related to certain derivative agreements and finance leases, as well as liabilities for environmental remediation and liabilities under agreements related to compliance with certain environmental regulations. The table below summarizes the types and amounts of Other long-term liabilities:
Other Long-Term Liabilities
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
Interest rate swap liabilities
$
2,045

 
$
1,676

Finance lease liabilities
179

 
182

Currency swap liabilities
280

 
193

EnergyRight® financing obligations
85

 
90

Paradise pipeline financing obligation
79

 
80

Accrued long-term service agreements
61

 
66

Other
185

 
203

Total other long-term liabilities
$
2,914

 
$
2,490



24


Interest Rate Swap Liabilities. TVA uses interest rate swaps to fix variable short-term debt to a fixed rate. The values of these derivatives are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, the carrying amount of the interest rate swap liabilities reported in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities was $105 million and $88 million, respectively. See Note 14Risk Management Activities and Derivative TransactionsDerivatives Not Receiving Hedge Accounting TreatmentInterest Rate Derivatives for information regarding the interest rate swap liabilities. As of March 31, 2020, interest rate swap liabilities increased $369 million as compared to September 30, 2019, primarily due to a decrease in interest rates resulting in higher mark-to-market values on future expected net cash flows.
 
EnergyRight® Financing Obligations. TVA purchases certain loans receivable from its LPCs in association with the EnergyRight® Solutions program. The current and long-term portions of the resulting financing obligations are reported in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, respectively, on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, the carrying amount of the financing obligations reported in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities was $21 million and $23 million, respectively. See Note 7Other Long-Term Assets for information regarding the associated loans receivable.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, customers experiencing a financial hardship can request a deferral of loan payments for a period of up to six months. This deferral option is available beginning April 20, 2020, through October 31, 2020. Deferred loans will not accrue interest during the deferral months.

Paradise Pipeline Financing Obligation. TVA reserves firm pipeline capacity on an approximately 19-mile pipeline owned by Texas Gas, which serves TVA's Paradise Combined Cycle Plant. The capacity contract contains a lease component due to TVA's exclusive right to use the pipeline. TVA accounts for this lease component as a financing transaction. The current and long-term portions of the resulting financing obligation are reported in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, respectively, on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets. At both March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, related liabilities of less than $1 million were recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Accrued Long-Term Service Agreements. TVA has entered into various long-term service agreements for major maintenance activities at certain of its combined cycle plants. TVA uses the direct expense method of accounting for these arrangements. TVA accrues for parts when it takes ownership and for contractor services when they are rendered. Under certain of these agreements, parts received and services rendered exceed payments made. The current and long-term portions of the resulting obligation are reported in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, respectively, on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, related liabilities of $13 million and $12 million, respectively, were recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

11.  Asset Retirement Obligations

During the six months ended March 31, 2020, TVA's total asset retirement obligations ("ARO") liability increased $159 million as a result of periodic accretion and revisions in estimate, partially offset by settlement projects that were conducted during the period. The nuclear and non-nuclear accretion amounts were deferred as regulatory assets.  During the six months ended March 31, 2020, $84 million of the related regulatory assets were amortized into expense as these amounts were collected in rates. See Note 8Regulatory Assets and Liabilities. TVA maintains investment trusts to help fund its decommissioning obligations. See Note 15 Fair Value MeasurementsInvestment Funds and Note 20Contingencies and Legal ProceedingsContingenciesDecommissioning Costs for disclosure of the current balances of the trusts and a discussion of the trusts' objectives.
Asset Retirement Obligation Activity(1)
 
Nuclear
 
Non-Nuclear
 
Total
Balance at September 30, 2019
$
3,136

 
$
2,480

 
$
5,616

Settlements

 
(62
)
 
(62
)
Revisions in estimate

 
120

 
120

Accretion (recorded as regulatory asset)
70

 
31

 
101

Balance at March 31, 2020
$
3,206

 
$
2,569

 
$
5,775

Note
(1) The current portions of the ARO liability in the amounts of $193 million and $163 million at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, respectively, are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

The revisions in non-nuclear estimates increased $120 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020. In November 2019, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation ("TDEC") released amendments to its regulations which govern solid waste disposal facilities, including TVA's active Coal Combustion Residuals ("CCR") facilities covered by a solid waste disposal permit and those which closed pursuant to a TDEC approved closure plan. Such facilities are generally subject to a 30-year post-closure care period during which the owner or operator must undertake certain activities, including monitoring and maintaining the facility. The amendments will, among other things, add an additional 50-year period after the end of the

25


post-closure care period, require TVA to submit recommendations as to what activities must be performed during this 50-year period to protect human health and the environment, and require TVA to submit revised closure plans every 10 years. This regulatory revision resulted in an increase of $129 million, of which $38 million was related to operating CCR facilities and $91 million was related to inactive or closed CCR facilities.

12.  Debt and Other Obligations

Debt Outstanding

Total debt outstanding at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, consisted of the following:
Debt Outstanding 
(in millions)
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
Short-term debt
 
 
 
Short-term debt, net
$
1,875

 
$
922

Current maturities of power bonds issued at par
1,552

 
1,030

Current maturities of long-term debt of VIEs issued at par
40

 
39

Current maturities of notes payable
22

 
23

Total current debt outstanding, net
3,489

 
2,014

Long-term debt
 

 
 

Long-term power bonds(1)
17,491

 
19,225

Long-term debt of VIEs, net
1,069

 
1,089

Unamortized discounts, premiums, issue costs, and other
(121
)
 
(131
)
Total long-term debt, net
18,439

 
20,183

Total debt outstanding
$
21,928

 
$
22,197

Note
(1) Includes net exchange gain from currency transactions of $183 million and $191 million at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, respectively.

The increase in short-term debt of approximately $1.0 billion is primarily a result of power bond maturities and increased short-term debt issuance to hold a higher cash balance. Due to recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, TVA increased its target balance of Cash and cash equivalents by $500 million through discount note issuances.

Debt Securities Activity

The table below summarizes the long-term debt securities activity for the period from October 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020:
Debt Securities Activity(1)
 
 
Date
 
Amount(2)
(in millions)
 
Interest Rate
Redemptions/Maturities
 
 
 
 
 
 
electronotes®
 
First Quarter 2020
 
$
217

 
3.33
%

 

 
 
 
 
2009 Series B
 
December 2019
 
1

 
3.77
%
2018 Series A
 
March 2020
 
1,000

 
2.25
%
Total redemptions/maturities of power bonds
 
 
 
1,218

 


Debt of variable interest entities
 
 
 
20

 
4.32
%
Total redemptions/maturities of debt
 
 
 
$
1,238

 


Notes
(1) Amounts for notes payable were less than $1 million at March 31, 2020, and are therefore not represented in the table above.
(2) All redemptions were at 100 percent of par.


26


Credit Facility Agreements

TVA has funding available under four long-term revolving credit facilities totaling $2.7 billion: a $150 million credit facility that matures on December 11, 2021, a $1.0 billion credit facility that matures on June 13, 2023, a $1.0 billion credit facility that matures on September 28, 2023, and a $500 million credit facility that matures on February 1, 2025. The interest rate on any borrowing under these facilities varies based on market factors and the rating of TVA's senior unsecured, long-term, non-credit-enhanced debt. TVA is required to pay an unused facility fee on the portion of the total $2.7 billion that TVA has not borrowed or committed under letters of credit. This fee, along with letter of credit fees, may fluctuate depending on the rating of TVA's senior unsecured, long-term, non-credit-enhanced debt. At March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, there were approximately $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, of letters of credit outstanding under these facilities, and there were no borrowings outstanding. See Note 14Risk Management Activities and Derivative TransactionsOther Derivative InstrumentsCollateral.

The following table provides additional information regarding TVA's funding available under the four long-term revolving credit facilities:
Summary of Long-Term Credit Facilities
At March 31, 2020
(in millions)
 
 
Facility Limit
 
Letters of Credit Outstanding
 
Cash Borrowings
 
Availability
Maturity Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 December 2021
 
$
150

 
$
38

 
$

 
$
112

 June 2023
 
1,000

 
409

 

 
591

 September 2023
 
1,000

 
450

 

 
550

 February 2025
 
500

 
500

 

 

Total
 
$
2,650

 
$
1,397

 
$

 
$
1,253


TVA and the U.S. Treasury, pursuant to the TVA Act, have entered into a memorandum of understanding under which the U.S. Treasury provides TVA with a $150 million credit facility. This credit facility was renewed in 2019 with a maturity date of September 30, 2020. Access to this credit facility or other similar financing arrangements with the U.S. Treasury has been available to TVA since the 1960s. TVA can borrow under the U.S. Treasury credit facility only if it cannot issue Bonds in the market on reasonable terms, and TVA considers the U.S. Treasury credit facility a secondary source of liquidity. The interest rate on any borrowing under this facility is based on the average rate on outstanding marketable obligations of the U.S. with maturities from date of issue of one year or less. There were no outstanding borrowings under the facility at March 31, 2020. The availability of this credit facility may be impacted by how the U.S. government addresses the possibility of approaching its debt limit.

Lease/Leasebacks
    
TVA previously entered into leasing transactions to obtain third-party financing for 24 peaking combustion turbine units ("CTs") as well as certain qualified technological equipment and software ("QTE"). Due to TVA's continuing involvement with the combustion turbine facilities and the QTE during the leaseback term, TVA accounted for the lease proceeds as financing obligations. At March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, the outstanding leaseback obligations related to the remaining CTs and QTE were $223 million and $263 million, respectively. In March 2019, TVA made final rent payments under lease/leaseback transactions involving eight CTs, and TVA had previously acquired the equity interests related to these transactions. These transactions were terminated in July 2019. Final rent payments are scheduled to be made under the remaining CT lease/leaseback transactions on various dates from May 2020 to January 2022. TVA has already acquired the equity interests related to transactions involving eight of these CTs and will have the option to acquire the equity interests related to transactions involving the remaining eight CTs for additional amounts. In addition, on October 30, 2019, TVA provided notice of its intent to purchase the ownership interest in certain QTE. Repurchase payments are expected to be paid through a series of installments in 2021 and 2022, after which the associated leases will be terminated.


27


13.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") represents market valuation adjustments related to TVA's currency swaps. The currency swaps are cash flow hedges and are the only derivatives in TVA's portfolio that have been designated and qualify for hedge accounting treatment. TVA records exchange rate gains and losses on its foreign currency-denominated debt and any related accrued interest in net income and marks its currency swap assets and liabilities to market through other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI"). TVA then reclassifies an amount out of AOCI into net income, offsetting the exchange gain/loss recorded on the debt. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, TVA reclassified $56 million of losses and $14 million of gains, respectively, related to its cash flow hedges from AOCI to Interest expense. During the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, TVA reclassified $3 million of gains and $4 million of losses, respectively, related to its cash flow hedges from AOCI to Interest expense. See Note 14Risk Management Activities and Derivative Transactions.

TVA records certain assets and liabilities that result from the regulated ratemaking process that would not be recorded under GAAP for non-regulated entities. As such, certain items that would generally be reported in AOCI or that would impact the statements of operations are recorded as regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities. See Note 8Regulatory Assets and Liabilities for a schedule of regulatory assets and liabilities.  See Note 14Risk Management Activities and Derivative Transactions for a discussion of the recognition in AOCI of gains and losses associated with certain derivative contracts. See Note 15Fair Value Measurements for a discussion of the recognition of certain investment fund gains and losses as regulatory assets and liabilities.  See Note 19Benefit Plans for a discussion of the regulatory accounting related to components of TVA's benefit plans.
    
14.  Risk Management Activities and Derivative Transactions

TVA is exposed to various risks related to commodity prices, investment prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates, and inflation as well as counterparty credit and performance risks.  To help manage certain of these risks, TVA has historically entered into various derivative transactions, principally commodity option contracts, forward contracts, swaps, swaptions, futures, and options on futures.  Other than certain derivative instruments in its trust investment funds, it is TVA's policy to enter into these derivative transactions solely for hedging purposes and not for speculative purposes. TVA suspended its Financial Trading Program ("FTP") in 2014 and no longer uses financial instruments to hedge risks related to commodity prices; however, TVA plans to continue to manage fuel price volatility through other methods and to periodically reevaluate its suspended FTP program for future use of financial instruments.

Overview of Accounting Treatment

TVA recognizes certain of its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.  The accounting for changes in the fair value of these instruments depends on (1) whether TVA uses regulatory accounting to defer the derivative gains and losses, (2) whether the derivative instrument has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment, and (3) if so, the type of hedge relationship (for example, cash flow hedge).

The following tables summarize the accounting treatment that certain of TVA's financial derivative transactions receive:
Summary of Derivative Instruments That Receive Hedge Accounting Treatment (part 1) 
Amount of Mark-to-Market Gain (Loss) Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
Six Months Ended
March 31
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship
 
Objective of Hedge Transaction
 
Accounting for Derivative
Hedging Instrument
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
Currency swaps
 
To protect against changes in cash flows caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates (exchange rate risk)
 
Unrealized gains and losses are recorded in AOCI and reclassified to Interest expense to the extent they are offset by gains and losses on the hedged transaction
 
$
(163
)
 
$
23

 
$
(87
)
 
$
(29
)
 
Summary of Derivative Instruments That Receive Hedge Accounting Treatment (part 2)(1)
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Interest Expense
(in millions)
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
Six Months Ended
March 31
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
Currency swaps
 
$
(56
)
 
$
14

 
$
3

 
$
(4
)
 
Note
(1) There were no amounts excluded from effectiveness testing for any of the periods presented. Based on forecasted foreign currency exchange rates, TVA expects to reclassify approximately $35 million of gains from AOCI to Interest expense within the next 12 months to offset amounts anticipated to be recorded in Interest expense related to exchange gain on the debt.

28


Summary of Derivative Instruments That Do Not Receive Hedge Accounting Treatment
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives(1)





 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
Six Months Ended March 31
 
Derivative Type
 
Objective of Derivative
 
Accounting for Derivative Instrument
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
Interest rate swaps
 
To fix short-term debt variable rate to a fixed rate (interest rate risk)
 
Mark-to-market gains and losses are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities

Realized gains and losses are recognized in Interest expense when incurred during the settlement period and are presented in operating cash flow
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(44
)
 
$
(39
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contract derivatives
 
To protect against fluctuations in market prices of purchased coal or natural gas (price risk)
 
Mark-to-market gains and losses are recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities

Realized gains and losses due to contract settlements are recognized in Fuel expense as incurred
 

 

 
1

 

 
Note
(1) All of TVA's derivative instruments that do not receive hedge accounting treatment have unrealized gains (losses) that would otherwise be recognized in income but instead are deferred as regulatory assets and liabilities. As such, there were no related gains (losses) recognized in income for these unrealized gains (losses) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
Fair Values of TVA Derivatives
(in millions)
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
Derivatives That Receive Hedge Accounting Treatment:
 
Balance
 
Balance Sheet Presentation
 
Balance
 
Balance Sheet Presentation
Currency swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
£200 million Sterling
$
(91
)
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $(6); Other long-term liabilities $(85)
 
$
(90
)
 
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $(6); Other long-term liabilities $(84)
£250 million Sterling
(98
)
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $(5); Other long-term liabilities $(93)
 
(61
)
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $(5); Other long-term liabilities $(56)
£150 million Sterling
(106
)
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $(4); Other long-term liabilities $(102)
 
(57
)
 
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $(4); Other long-term liabilities $(53)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives That Do Not Receive Hedge Accounting Treatment:
 
Balance
 
Balance Sheet Presentation
 
Balance
 
Balance Sheet Presentation
Interest rate swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$1.0 billion notional
$
(1,520
)
 
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $(73);
Other long-term liabilities
$(1,447)
 
$
(1,261
)
 
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $(62); Other long-term liabilities $(1,199)
$476 million notional
(625
)
 
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $(30);
Other long-term liabilities
$(595)
 
(498
)
 
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $(24);
Other long-term liabilities
$(474)
$42 million notional
(5
)
 
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $(2); Other long-term liabilities $(3)
 
(5
)
 
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $(2); Other long-term liabilities $(3)
Commodity contract derivatives
(56
)
 
Other current assets $4; Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $(52); Other long-term liabilities $(8)
 
(41
)
 
Other current assets $12; Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $(37); Other long-term liabilities $(16)


29


Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Currency Swaps

To protect against exchange rate risk related to three British pound sterling denominated Bond transactions, TVA entered into foreign currency hedges at the time the Bond transactions occurred.  TVA had three currency swaps outstanding at March 31, 2020, with total currency exposure of £600 million and expiration dates ranging from 2021 to 2043.

When the dollar strengthens against the British pound sterling, the exchange gain on the Bond liability and related accrued interest is offset by an equal amount of loss on the swap contract that is reclassified out of AOCI. Conversely, the exchange loss on the Bond liability and related accrued interest is offset by an equal amount of gain on the swap contract that is reclassified out of AOCI. All such exchange gains or losses on the Bond liability and related accrued interest are included in Long-term debt, net and Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, respectively. The offsetting exchange losses or gains on the swap contracts are recognized in AOCI. If any gain (loss) were to be incurred as a result of the early termination of the foreign currency swap contract, the resulting income (expense) would be amortized over the remaining life of the associated Bond as a component of Interest expense. The values of the currency swap liabilities are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Derivatives Not Receiving Hedge Accounting Treatment

Interest Rate Derivatives.  Generally TVA uses interest rate swaps to fix variable short-term debt to a fixed rate, and TVA uses regulatory accounting treatment to defer the mark-to-market ("MtM") gains and losses on its interest rate swaps. The net deferred unrealized gains and losses are classified as regulatory assets or liabilities on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets and are included in the ratemaking formula when gains or losses are realized. The values of these derivatives are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and realized gains and losses, if any, are included on TVA's Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the changes in fair market value of the interest rate swaps resulted in the deferral of unrealized losses of $556 million and $99 million, respectively. For the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the changes in fair market value of the interest rate swaps resulted in the deferral of unrealized losses of $385 million and $209 million, respectively. These unrealized losses are primarily due to recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commodity Derivatives. TVA enters into certain derivative contracts for coal and natural gas that require physical delivery of the contracted quantity of the commodity. TVA marks to market all such contracts and defers the fair market values as regulatory assets or liabilities on a gross basis. At March 31, 2020, TVA's coal and natural gas contract derivatives had terms of up to two and four years, respectively.
Commodity Contract Derivatives 
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
 
Number of Contracts
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value (MtM)
 
Number of Contracts
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value (MtM)
Coal contract derivatives
9
 
9 million tons
 
$
(7
)
 
8
 
9 million tons
 
$
(4
)
Natural gas contract derivatives
34
 
386 million mmBtu
 
(49
)
 
65
 
330 million mmBtu
 
(37
)

30


Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities

The amounts of TVA's derivative instruments as reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, are shown in the table below:
Derivative Assets and Liabilities(1)
(in millions)
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
Assets
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives not subject to master netting or similar arrangement
$
4

 
$
12

 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Currency swaps(2)
$
295

 
$
208

Interest rate swaps(2)
2,150

 
1,764

Total derivatives subject to master netting or similar arrangement
2,445

 
1,972

Commodity derivatives not subject to master netting or similar arrangement
60

 
53

Total liabilities
$
2,505

 
$
2,025

Notes
(1) Offsetting amounts primarily include counterparty netting of derivative contracts, margin account deposits for futures commission merchants transactions, and cash collateral received or paid in accordance with the accounting guidance for derivatives and hedging transactions. There were no offsetting amounts on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets at either March 31, 2020, or September 30, 2019.
(2) Letters of credit of approximately $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion were posted as collateral at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, respectively, to partially secure the liability positions of one of the currency swaps and one of the interest rate swaps in accordance with the collateral requirements for these derivatives.

Other Derivative Instruments

Investment Fund Derivatives.  Investment funds consist primarily of funds held in the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust ("NDT"), the Asset Retirement Trust ("ART"), the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"), and the TVA Deferred Compensation Plan ("DCP"). See Note 15Fair Value MeasurementsInvestment Funds for a discussion of the trusts, plans, and types of investments. The NDT and ART may invest in derivative instruments which may include swaps, futures, options, forwards, and other instruments. At March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, the NDT held investments in forward contracts to purchase debt securities. The fair values of these derivatives were in net asset positions totaling $10 million and $22 million at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, respectively.

Collateral.  TVA's interest rate swaps and currency swaps contain contract provisions that require a party to post collateral (in a form such as cash or a letter of credit) when the party's liability balance under the agreement exceeds a certain threshold.  At March 31, 2020, the aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk related contingent features that were in a liability position was $2.4 billion.  TVA's collateral obligations at March 31, 2020, under these arrangements were approximately $1.4 billion, for which TVA had posted approximately $1.4 billion in letters of credit. These letters of credit reduce the available balance under the related credit facilities.  TVA's assessment of the risk of its nonperformance includes a reduction in its exposure under the contract as a result of this posted collateral.

For all of its derivative instruments with credit-risk related contingent features:
    
If TVA remains a majority-owned U.S. government entity but Standard & Poor's Financial Services, LLC or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") downgrades TVA's credit rating to AA or Aa2, respectively, TVA's collateral obligations would likely increase by $22 million, and

If TVA ceases to be majority-owned by the U.S. government, TVA's credit rating would likely be downgraded and TVA would be required to post additional collateral.

Counterparty Risk

TVA may be exposed to certain risks when a counterparty has the potential to fail to meet its obligations in accordance with agreed terms. These risks may be related to credit, operational, or nonperformance matters. To mitigate certain counterparty risk, TVA analyzes the counterparty's financial condition prior to entering into an agreement, establishes credit limits, monitors the appropriateness of those limits, as well as any changes in the creditworthiness of the counterparty, on an ongoing basis, and when required, employs credit mitigation measures, such as collateral or prepayment arrangements and master purchase and sale agreements.

Customers.  TVA is exposed to counterparty credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable from delivered power sales to LPCs, and from industries and federal agencies directly served, all located in the Tennessee Valley region. Of the $1.2

31


billion and $1.6 billion of receivables from power sales outstanding at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, respectively, nearly all counterparties were rated investment grade. TVA is also exposed to risk from exchange power arrangements with a small number of investor-owned regional utilities related to either delivered power or the replacement of open positions of longer-term purchased power or fuel agreements. TVA believes its policies and procedures for counterparty performance risk reviews have generally protected TVA against significant exposure related to market and economic conditions. See Note 1Summary of Significant Accounting PoliciesAllowance for Uncollectible Accounts and Note 3Accounts Receivable, Net.

TVA had revenue from two LPCs that collectively accounted for 16 percent of total operating revenues for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Suppliers.  If one of TVA's fuel or purchased power suppliers fails to perform under the terms of its contract with TVA, TVA might lose the money that it paid to the supplier under the contract and have to purchase replacement fuel or power on the spot market, perhaps at a significantly higher price than TVA was entitled to pay under the contract. In addition, TVA might not be able to acquire replacement fuel or power in a timely manner and thus might be unable to satisfy its own obligations to deliver power.

Natural Gas. TVA purchases the majority of its natural gas requirements from a variety of suppliers under short-term contracts. In the event of nonperformance by these suppliers, TVA believes that it can obtain replacement natural gas.

Coal. To help ensure a reliable supply of coal, TVA had coal contracts with multiple suppliers at March 31, 2020. The contracted supply of coal is sourced from multiple geographic regions of the U.S. and is to be delivered via various transportation methods (e.g., barge, rail, and truck). Emerging technologies, environmental regulations, and low natural gas prices have contributed to weak demand for coal. As a result, coal suppliers are facing increased financial pressure, which has led to relatively poor credit ratings and bankruptcies. Continued difficulties by coal suppliers could result in consolidations, additional bankruptcies, restructuring, contract renegotiations, or other scenarios. TVA has received notification from certain coal suppliers that they are temporarily suspending operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TVA may experience issues in obtaining fuel supply for its coal-fired generation, which could be material.

Nuclear Fuel. Nuclear fuel is obtained predominantly through long-term uranium concentrate supply contracts, contracted conversion services, contracted enrichment services, or a combination thereof, and contracted fuel fabrication services. The supply markets for uranium concentrates and certain nuclear fuel services are subject to price fluctuations and availability restrictions. Supply market conditions may make procurement contracts subject to credit risk related to the potential nonperformance of counterparties. In the event of nonperformance by these or other suppliers, TVA believes that replacement uranium concentrate and nuclear fuel services can be obtained, although at prices that may be unfavorable when compared to the prices under the current supply agreements.

Purchased Power. TVA has a power purchase agreement that expires on March 31, 2032, with a supplier of electricity for 440 megawatts ("MW") of summer net capability from a lignite-fired generating plant. TVA has determined that the supplier has the equivalent of a non-investment grade credit rating; therefore, the supplier has provided credit assurance to TVA under the terms of the agreement.

Derivative Counterparties.  TVA has entered into physical and financial contracts that qualify as derivatives for hedging purposes, and TVA's NDT, ART, and qualified defined benefit pension plan have entered into derivative contracts for investment purposes. If a counterparty to one of the physical or financial derivative transactions defaults, TVA might incur substantial costs in connection with entering into a replacement transaction. If a counterparty to the derivative contracts into which the NDT, the ART, and the qualified pension plan have entered for investment purposes defaults, the value of the investment could decline significantly or perhaps become worthless. TVA has concentrations of credit risk from the banking, coal, and gas industries because multiple companies in these industries serve as counterparties to TVA in various derivative transactions. At March 31, 2020, all of TVA's currency swaps and interest rate swaps as well as all of the derivatives in the NDT and ART were with banking counterparties whose Moody's credit ratings were A3 or higher.

TVA classifies qualified forward coal and natural gas contracts as derivatives. See Derivatives Not Receiving Hedge Accounting Treatment above. At March 31, 2020, the coal contracts were with counterparties whose Moody's credit rating, or TVA's internal analysis when such information was unavailable, ranged from B2 to Ba1. At March 31, 2020, the natural gas contracts were with counterparties whose ratings ranged from Caa2 to A2. See Suppliers above for discussion of challenges facing the coal industry. TVA recognizes the oil and gas industry has been impacted as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the slowdown in demand. TVA will continue to monitor the impacts and affected credit ratings and enforce contract performance assurance provisions when applicable.


32


15.  Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the asset or liability's principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. TVA uses market or observable inputs as the preferred source of values, followed by assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs.

Valuation Techniques

The measurement of fair value results in classification into a hierarchy by the inputs used to determine the fair value as follows:
Level 1
 
 
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets accessible by the reporting entity for identical assets or liabilities.  Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing.
Level 2
 
 
 
Pricing inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are based on observable market data and that are directly or indirectly observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.  These include quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted market prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, adjusted quoted market prices, inputs from observable data such as interest rate and yield curves, volatilities and default rates observable at commonly quoted intervals, and inputs derived from observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3
 
 
Pricing inputs that are unobservable, or less observable, from objective sources.  Unobservable inputs are only to be used to the extent observable inputs are not available.  These inputs maintain the concept of an exit price from the perspective of a market participant and should reflect assumptions of other market participants.  An entity should consider all market participant assumptions that are available without unreasonable cost and effort.  These are given the lowest priority and are generally used in internally developed methodologies to generate management's best estimate of the fair value when no observable market data is available.

A financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy (where Level 1 is the highest and Level 3 is the lowest) is based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement.

The following sections describe the valuation methodologies TVA uses to measure different financial instruments at fair value. Except for gains and losses on SERP and DCP assets, all changes in fair value of these assets and liabilities have been recorded as changes in regulatory assets, regulatory liabilities, or AOCI on TVA's Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Except for gains and losses on SERP and DCP assets, there has been no impact to the Consolidated Statements of Operations or the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows related to these fair value measurements.

Investment Funds

At March 31, 2020, Investment funds were comprised of $2.6 billion of equity securities and debt securities classified as trading measured at fair value. Equity and trading debt securities are held in the NDT, ART, SERP, and DCP. The NDT holds funds for the ultimate decommissioning of TVA's nuclear power plants. The ART holds funds primarily for the costs related to the future closure and retirement of TVA's other long-lived assets. The balances in the NDT and ART were $1.9 billion and $677 million, respectively, at March 31, 2020.

TVA established a SERP to provide benefits to selected employees of TVA which are comparable to those provided by competing organizations. The DCP is designed to provide participants with the ability to defer compensation until employment with TVA ends. The NDT, ART, SERP, and DCP funds are invested in portfolios of securities generally designed to achieve a return in line with overall equity and debt market performance.

The NDT, ART, SERP, and DCP are composed of multiple types of investments and are managed by external institutional investment managers. Most U.S. and international equities, U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities, real estate investment trust securities, and cash securities and certain derivative instruments are measured based on quoted exchange prices in active markets and are classified as Level 1 valuations. Fixed-income investments, high-yield fixed-income investments, currencies, and most derivative instruments are non-exchange traded and are classified as Level 2 valuations. These measurements are based on market and income approaches with observable market inputs.

Private equity limited partnerships, private real asset investments, and private credit investments may include holdings of investments in private real estate, venture capital, buyout, mezzanine or subordinated debt, restructuring or distressed debt, and special situations through funds managed by third-party investment managers. These investments generally involve a three-to-four-year period where the investor contributes capital, followed by a period of distribution, typically over several years.

33


The investment period is generally, at a minimum, 10 years or longer. The NDT had unfunded commitments related to private equity limited partnerships of $209 million, unfunded commitments related to private real assets of $63 million, and unfunded commitments related to private credit of $10 million at March 31, 2020. The ART had unfunded commitments related to private equity limited partnerships of $129 million, unfunded commitments related to private real assets of $52 million, and unfunded commitments related to private credit of $5 million at March 31, 2020. These investments have no redemption or limited redemption options and may also impose restrictions on the NDT's and ART's ability to liquidate their investments. There are no readily available quoted exchange prices for these investments. The fair value of these investments is based on information provided by the investment managers. These investments are valued on a quarterly basis. TVA's private equity limited partnerships, private real asset investments, and private credit investments are valued at net asset values ("NAV") as a practical expedient for fair value. TVA classifies its interest in these types of investments as investments measured at net asset value in the fair value hierarchy.

Commingled funds represent investment funds comprising multiple individual financial instruments. The commingled funds held by the NDT, ART, SERP, and DCP consist of either a single class of securities, such as equity, debt, or foreign currency securities, or multiple classes of securities. All underlying positions in these commingled funds are either exchange traded or measured using observable inputs for similar instruments. The fair value of commingled funds is based on NAV per fund share (the unit of account), derived from the prices of the underlying securities in the funds. These commingled funds can be redeemed at the measurement date NAV and are classified as Commingled funds measured at net asset value in the fair value hierarchy.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses on equity and trading debt securities are recognized in current earnings and are based on average cost. The gains and losses of the NDT and ART are subsequently reclassified to a regulatory asset or liability account in accordance with TVA's regulatory accounting policy. See Note 1Summary of Significant Accounting PoliciesCost-Based Regulation and Note 8Regulatory Assets and Liabilities. TVA recorded unrealized gains and losses related to its equity and trading debt securities held during each period as follows:
Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
Six Months Ended
March 31
 
Fund
 
Financial Statement Presentation
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
NDT
 
Regulatory asset
 
$
(357
)
 
$
154

 
$
(246
)
 
$
(47
)
 
ART
 
Regulatory asset
 
(135
)
 
52

 
(98
)
 
(52
)
 
SERP
 
Other income (expense)
 
(9
)
 
5

 
(8
)
 
(1
)
 
DCP
 
Other income (expense)
 
(3
)
 
1

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 

Due to recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, TVA experienced losses related to its ART and NDT investment portfolio for the six months ended March 31, 2020.  For the six months ended March 31, 2020, the NDT declined in value $258 million, of which $246 million was unrealized.  Even with the decline in investment value, however, TVA’s NDT funding as of March 31, 2020, was fully funded per the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (“NRC”) funding requirements.

Currency and Interest Rate Derivatives

See Note 14Risk Management Activities and Derivative TransactionsCash Flow Hedging Strategy for Currency Swaps and Derivatives Not Receiving Hedge Accounting Treatment for a discussion of the nature, purpose, and contingent features of TVA's currency swaps and interest rate swaps. These swaps are classified as Level 2 valuations and are valued based on income approaches using observable market inputs for similar instruments.

Commodity Contract Derivatives

Most of these contracts are valued based on market approaches which utilize short-term and mid-term market-quoted prices from an external industry brokerage service. A small number of these contracts are valued based on a pricing model using long-term price estimates from TVA's coal price forecast. To value the volume option component of applicable coal contracts, TVA uses a Black-Scholes pricing model which includes inputs from the forecast, contract-specific terms, and other market inputs. These contracts are classified as Level 3 valuations.


34


Nonperformance Risk

The assessment of nonperformance risk, which includes credit risk, considers changes in current market conditions, readily available information on nonperformance risk, letters of credit, collateral, other arrangements available, and the nature of master netting arrangements. TVA is a counterparty to currency swaps, interest rate swaps, commodity contracts, and other derivatives which subject TVA to nonperformance risk. Nonperformance risk on the majority of investments and certain exchange-traded instruments held by TVA is incorporated into the exit price that is derived from quoted market data that is used to mark the investment to market.

Nonperformance risk for most of TVA's derivative instruments is an adjustment to the initial asset/liability fair value. TVA adjusts for nonperformance risk, both of TVA (for liabilities) and the counterparty (for assets), by applying credit valuation adjustments ("CVAs"). TVA determines an appropriate CVA for each applicable financial instrument based on the term of the instrument and TVA's or the counterparty's credit rating as obtained from Moody's. For companies that do not have an observable credit rating, TVA uses internal analysis to assign a comparable rating to the counterparty. TVA discounts each financial instrument using the historical default rate (as reported by Moody's for CY 1983 to CY 2019) for companies with a similar credit rating over a time period consistent with the remaining term of the contract. The application of CVAs resulted in a less than $1 million decrease in the fair value of assets and a $1 million decrease in the fair value of liabilities at March 31, 2020.


35


Fair Value Measurements

The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, TVA's financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019. Financial assets and liabilities have been classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. TVA's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the determination of the fair value of the assets and liabilities and their classification in the fair value hierarchy levels.
Fair Value Measurements
At March 31, 2020
(in millions)
 
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
343

 
$

 
$

 
$
343

Government debt securities
289

 
59

 

 
348

Corporate debt securities

 
349

 

 
349

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 
28

 

 
28

Institutional mutual funds
201

 

 

 
201

Forward debt securities contracts

 
10

 

 
10

Private credit funds measured at net asset value(1)

 

 

 
48

Private equity funds measured at net asset value(1)

 

 

 
143

Private real asset funds measured at net asset value(1)

 

 

 
161

Commingled funds measured at net asset value(1)

 

 

 
976

Total investments
833

 
446

 

 
2,607

Commodity contract derivatives

 
3

 
1

 
4

Total
$
833

 
$
449

 
$
1

 
$
2,611

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency swaps(2)
$

 
$
295

 
$

 
$
295

Interest rate swaps

 
2,150

 

 
2,150

Commodity contract derivatives

 
52

 
8

 
60

Total
$

 
$
2,497

 
$
8

 
$
2,505

Notes
(1) Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)  TVA records currency swaps net of cash collateral received from or paid to the counterparty, to the extent such amount is not recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities. See Note 14Risk Management Activities and Derivative Transactions Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities.

36


Fair Value Measurements
At September 30, 2019
(in millions)

Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Assets

 

 

 

Investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
$
464

 
$

 
$

 
$
464

Government debt securities
279

 
65

 

 
344

Corporate debt securities

 
417

 

 
417

Mortgage and asset-backed securities

 
32

 

 
32

Institutional mutual funds
250

 

 

 
250

Forward debt securities contracts

 
22

 

 
22

Private equity funds measured at net asset value(1)

 

 

 
140

Private real estate funds measured at net asset value(1)

 

 

 
135

Private credit funds measured at net asset value(1)

 

 

 
33

Commingled funds measured at net asset value(1)

 

 

 
1,131

Total investments
993

 
536

 

 
2,968

Commodity contract derivatives

 
7

 
5

 
12

Total
$
993

 
$
543

 
$
5

 
$
2,980




 


 


 



Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Liabilities
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Liabilities

 

 

 

Currency swaps(2)
$

 
$
208

 
$

 
$
208

Interest rate swaps

 
1,764

 

 
1,764

Commodity contract derivatives

 
44

 
9

 
53

Total
$

 
$
2,016

 
$
9

 
$
2,025

Notes
(1) Certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)  TVA records currency swaps net of cash collateral received from or paid to the counterparty, to the extent such amount is not recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities. See Note 14Risk Management Activities and Derivative TransactionsOffsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities.

TVA uses internal valuation specialists for the calculation of its commodity contract derivatives fair value measurements classified as Level 3. Analytical testing is performed on the change in fair value measurements each period to ensure the valuation is reasonable based on changes in general market assumptions. Significant changes to the estimated data used for unobservable inputs, in isolation or combination, may result in significant variations to the fair value measurement reported.


37


The following table presents a reconciliation of all commodity contract derivatives measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs
(in millions)
 
Commodity Contract Derivatives
 
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
Six Months Ended
March 31
Balance at beginning of period
$
63

 
$
58

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) deferred as regulatory assets and liabilities
(25
)
 
(20
)
Balance at March 31, 2019
$
38

 
$
38

 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
(17
)
 
$
(4
)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) deferred as regulatory assets and liabilities
10

 
(3
)
Balance at March 31, 2020
$
(7
)
 
$
(7
)

The following table presents quantitative information related to the significant unobservable inputs used in the measurement of fair value of TVA's assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements 
 
Fair Value at
March 31, 2020
 
Valuation Technique(s)
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contract derivatives
$
1

  
Pricing model
 
Coal supply and demand
 
0.3 - 0.6 billion tons/year
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term market prices
 
$12.00 - $89.62/ton
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contract derivatives
8

 
Pricing model
 
Coal supply and demand
 
0.3 - 0.6 billion tons/year
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term market prices
 
$12.00 - $89.62/ton

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements 
 
Fair Value at September 30, 2019
 
Valuation Technique(s)
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contract derivatives
$
5

 
Pricing model
 
Coal supply and demand
 
0.4 - 0.8 billion tons/year
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term market prices
 
$12.10 - $94.51/ton
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contract derivatives
9

 
Pricing model
 
Coal supply and demand
 
0.4 - 0.8 billion tons/year
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term market prices
 
$12.10 - $94.51/ton


38


Other Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value
         
TVA uses the methods and assumptions described below to estimate the fair value of each significant class of financial instruments. The fair value of the financial instruments held at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, may not be representative of the actual gains or losses that will be recorded when these instruments mature or are called or presented for early redemption. The estimated values of TVA's financial instruments not recorded at fair value at March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, were as follows:
Estimated Values of Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value
(in millions)
 
 
 
At March 31, 2020
 
At September 30, 2019
 
Valuation Classification
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
EnergyRight® receivables (including current portion)
Level 2
 
$
95

 
$
94

 
$
101

 
$
100

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and other long-term receivables, net (including current portion)
Level 2
 
137

 
128

 
131

 
120

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EnergyRight® financing obligations (including current portion)
Level 2
 
106

 
117

 
113

 
126

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unfunded loan commitments
Level 2
 

 
10

 

 
10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Membership interests of VIEs subject to mandatory redemption (including current portion)
Level 2
 
27

 
35

 
28

 
37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term outstanding power bonds (including current maturities), net
Level 2
 
18,922

 
25,178

 
20,124

 
26,059

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt of VIEs (including current maturities), net
Level 2
 
1,109

 
1,369

 
1,128

 
1,371

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term notes payable (including current maturities)
Level 2
 
22

 
22

 
23

 
23


The carrying value of Cash and cash equivalents, Restricted cash and cash equivalents, and Short-term debt, net approximate their fair values.

The fair value for loans and other long-term receivables is estimated by determining the present value of future cash flows using a discount rate equal to lending rates for similar loans made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for similar remaining maturities, where applicable. The fair value of long-term debt and membership interests of VIEs subject to mandatory redemption is estimated by determining the present value of future cash flows using current market rates for similar obligations, giving effect to credit ratings and remaining maturities.


39


16.  Revenue

Revenue from Sales of Electricity

TVA's revenue from contracts with customers is primarily derived from the generation and sale of electricity to its customers and is included in Revenue from sales of electricity on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Electricity is sold primarily to LPCs for distribution to their end-use customers. In addition, TVA sells electricity to directly served industrial companies, federal agencies, and others.
LPC sales
Approximately 93 percent of TVA's revenue from sales of electricity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 was to LPCs, which then distribute the power to their customers using their own distribution systems. Power is delivered to each LPC at delivery points within the LPC's service territory. TVA recognizes revenue when the customer takes possession of the power at the delivery point. For power sales, the performance obligation to deliver power is satisfied in a series over time because the sales of electricity over the term of the customer contract are a series of distinct goods that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. TVA has no continuing performance obligations subsequent to delivery. Using the output method for revenue recognition provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of electricity as customers obtain control of the power and benefit from its use at delivery. Additionally, TVA has an enforceable right to consideration for energy delivered at any discrete point in time and will recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which TVA is entitled for the energy delivered.

The amount of revenue is based on contractual prices approved by the TVA Board. Customers are invoiced monthly for power delivered as measured by meters located at the delivery points. The net transaction price is offset by certain credits available to customers that are known at the time of billing. Credits are designed to achieve objectives of the TVA Act and include items such as hydro preference credits for residential customers of LPCs, economic development credits to promote growth in the Tennessee Valley, wholesale bill credits to LPCs participating in the long-term Partnership Agreement, and interruptible credits allowing TVA to reduce industrial customer usage in periods of peak demand to balance system demand. Payments are typically due within approximately one month of invoice issuance.
 
Directly served customers
Directly served customers, including industrial customers, federal agencies, and other customers, take power for their own consumption. Similar to LPCs, power is delivered to a delivery point, at which time the customer takes possession and TVA recognizes revenue. For all power sales, the performance obligation to deliver power is satisfied in a series over time since the sales of electricity over the term of the customer contract are a series of distinct goods that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. TVA has no continuing performance obligations subsequent to delivery. Using the output method for revenue recognition provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of electricity as customers obtain control of the power and benefit from its use at delivery. Additionally, TVA has an enforceable right to consideration for energy delivered at any discrete point in time and will recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which TVA is entitled for the energy delivered.

The amount of revenue is based on contractual prices approved by the TVA Board. Customers are invoiced monthly for power delivered as measured by meters located at the delivery points. The net transaction price is offset by certain credits available to customers that are known at the time of billing. Examples of credits include items such as economic development credits to promote growth in the Tennessee Valley and interruptible credits allowing TVA to reduce industrial customer usage in periods of peak demand to balance system demand. Payments are typically due within approximately one month of invoice issuance.

Other Revenue

Other revenue consists primarily of wheeling and network transmission charges, sales of excess steam that is a by-product of power production, delivery point charges for interconnection points between TVA and the customer, and certain other ancillary goods or services.
 

40


Disaggregated Revenue

During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, revenues generated from TVA's electricity sales were $2.5 billion and $5.0 billion, respectively, and accounted for virtually all of TVA's revenues. TVA's operating revenues by state for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are detailed in the table below:
Operating Revenues By State
(in millions)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
Six Months Ended
March 31
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Alabama
$
360

 
$
387

 
$
729

 
$
779

Georgia
64

 
70

 
127

 
137

Kentucky
158

 
173

 
315

 
341

Mississippi
227

 
249

 
464

 
501

North Carolina
19

 
21

 
37

 
41

Tennessee
1,648

 
1,799

 
3,324

 
3,568

Virginia
12

 
13

 
23

 
25

Subtotal
2,488

 
2,712

 
5,019

 
5,392

Off-system sales
1

 

 
2

 
1

Revenue from sales of electricity
2,489

 
2,712

 
5,021

 
5,393

Other revenue
32

 
38

 
78

 
82

Total operating revenues
$
2,521

 
$
2,750

 
$
5,099

 
$
5,475


TVA's operating revenues by customer type for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are detailed in the table below:
Operating Revenues by Customer Type
(in millions)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
Six Months Ended
March 31
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Revenue from sales of electricity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Local power companies(1)
$
2,301

 
$
2,514

 
$
4,658

 
$
4,981

Industries directly served
160

 
168

 
310

 
353

Federal agencies and other
28

 
30

 
53

 
59

Revenue from sales of electricity
2,489

 
2,712

 
5,021

 
5,393

Other revenue
32

 
38

 
78

 
82

Total operating revenues
$
2,521

 
$
2,750

 
$
5,099

 
$
5,475

Note
(1) The amount for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, is net of $36 million and $70 million, respectively, of wholesale bill credits to LPCs participating in the long-term Partnership Agreement.

TVA and LPCs continue to work together to meet the changing needs of consumers around the Tennessee Valley. At its August 2019 meeting, the TVA Board approved a 20-year Partnership Agreement option that better aligns the length of LPC contracts with TVA's long-term commitments. These agreements are automatically extended each year after their initial effective date, contingent upon certain circumstances, including agreement on flexibility options and limited rate increases going forward. Participating LPCs will receive benefits including a 3.1 percent wholesale bill credit in exchange for their long-term commitment, which enables TVA to recover its long-term financial commitments over a commensurate period. In addition, participating LPCs will have the option for flexible generation capacity up to approximately five percent of average total hourly energy sales over the prior five years. As of May 4, 2020, 139 LPCs had signed the 20-year Partnership Agreement with TVA.




41


The number of LPCs with the contract arrangements described below, the revenues derived from such arrangements for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, and the percentage of TVA's total operating revenues for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 represented by these revenues, are summarized in the tables below:
TVA Local Power Company Contracts
At and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Contract Arrangements(1)
 
Number of LPCs
 
Revenue from Sales of Electricity to LPCs
(in millions)
 
Percentage of Total Operating Revenues
20-year termination notice
 
138

 
$
1,737

 
68.9
%
10-year termination notice
 
2

 
15

 
0.6
%
 5-year termination notice
 
14


549

 
21.8
%
Total
 
154

 
$
2,301

 
91.3
%
Note
(1) Ordinarily, the LPCs and TVA have the same termination notice period; however, in contracts with two of the LPCs with five-year termination notices, TVA has a 10-year termination notice (which becomes a five-year termination notice if TVA loses its discretionary wholesale rate-setting authority). Certain LPCs have five-year termination notices or a shorter period if any act of Congress, court decision, or regulatory change requires or permits that election.    
                                
TVA Local Power Company Contracts
At and for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2020
Contract Arrangements(1)
 
Number of LPCs
 
Revenue from Sales of Electricity to LPCs
(in millions)
 
Percentage of Total Operating Revenues
20-year termination notice
 
138

 
$
3,506

 
68.8
%
10-year termination notice
 
2

 
30

 
0.6
%
 5-year termination notice
 
14


1,122

 
22.0
%
Total
 
154

 
$
4,658

 
91.4
%
Note
(1) Ordinarily, the LPCs and TVA have the same termination notice period; however, in contracts with two of the LPCs with five-year termination notices, TVA has a 10-year termination notice (which becomes a five-year termination notice if TVA loses its discretionary wholesale rate-setting authority). Certain LPCs have five-year termination notices or a shorter period if any act of Congress, court decision, or regulatory change requires or permits that election.

TVA's two largest LPCs — Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division ("MLGW") and Nashville Electric Service ("NES") — have contracts with a five-year and a 20-year termination notice period, respectively. Sales to MLGW and NES each accounted for eight percent of TVA's total operating revenues during the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Contract Balances

Contract assets represent an entity's right to consideration in exchange for goods and services that the entity has transferred to customers. TVA does not have any material contract assets at March 31, 2020.

Contract liabilities represent an entity's obligations to transfer goods or services to customers for which the entity has received consideration (or an amount of consideration is due) from the customers. These contract liabilities are primarily related to upfront consideration received prior to the satisfaction of the performance obligation. TVA does not have any material contract liabilities at March 31, 2020.

Economic Development Incentives. Under certain economic development programs, TVA offers incentives to existing and potential power customers in certain business sectors that make multi-year commitments to invest in the Tennessee Valley. TVA records those incentives as reductions of revenue. Incentives recorded as a reduction to revenue were $84 million and $89 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Incentives recorded as a reduction to revenue were $160 million and $156 million during the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Incentives that have been approved but have not been paid are recorded in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, the outstanding unpaid incentives were $168 million and $157 million, respectively. These incentives may be subject to clawback provisions if the customers fail to meet certain program requirements. In April 2020, TVA established flexibility provisions to support the continued operations and recovery of participating customers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.


42


17.  Other Income (Expense), Net

Income and expenses not related to TVA's operating activities are summarized in the following table:
Other Income (Expense), Net 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
Six Months Ended
March 31
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Bellefonte deposit
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
21

Interest income
5

 
6

 
10

 
12

External services
3

 
2

 
6

 
6

Gains (losses) on investments
(11
)
 
6

 
(6
)
 
(1
)
Miscellaneous
2

 

 
1

 

Total Other income (expense), net
$
(1
)
 
$
14

 
$
11

 
$
38


During the three months ended March 31, 2020, Other income (expense), net decreased $15 million as compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily driven by $12 million of unrealized losses on the SERP and DCP investments as a result of recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the six months ended March 31, 2020, Other income (expense), net decreased $27 million, primarily driven by $21 million of other income in 2019 related to a deposit liability received by TVA as a down payment on the sale of Bellefonte Nuclear Plant ("Bellefonte"). The purchaser, Nuclear Development, LLC, failed to fulfill the requirements of the sales contract with respect to obtaining NRC approval of the transfer of required nuclear licenses and payment of the remainder of the selling price before the November 30, 2018, closing date. See Note 20Contingencies and Legal Proceedings Legal Proceedings for a discussion of the lawsuit filed by Nuclear Development, LLC. Additionally, during the six months ended March 31, 2020, TVA experienced $10 million of unrealized losses on the SERP and DCP investments as a result of recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

18. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Construction in progress and Nuclear fuel expenditures included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at March 31, 2020 and 2019, were $295 million and $281 million, respectively, and are excluded from the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, as non-cash investing activities.

19.  Benefit Plans

TVA sponsors a qualified defined benefit plan ("pension plan") that covers most of its full-time employees hired before July 1, 2014, a qualified defined contribution plan ("401(k) plan") that covers most of its full-time employees, two unfunded post-retirement health care plans that provide for non-vested contributions toward the cost of eligible retirees' medical coverage, other post-employment benefits, such as workers' compensation, and the SERP. The pension plan and the 401(k) plan are administered by a separate legal entity, the TVA Retirement System ("TVARS"), which is governed by its own board of directors.


43


The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized as changes in regulatory assets for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, were as follows:
Components of TVA's Benefit Plans(1)
 
For the Three Months Ended
March 31
 
For the Six Months Ended
March 31
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Post-Retirement Benefits
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
 
2020
 
2019
Service cost
$
15

 
$
10

 
$
4

 
$
3

 
$
27

 
$
22

 
$
8

 
$
6

Interest cost
104

 
126

 
4

 
5

 
208

 
249

 
8

 
9

Expected return on plan assets
(122
)
 
(120
)
 

 

 
(244
)
 
(239
)
 

 

Amortization of prior service credit
(24
)
 
(24
)
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
 
(48
)
 
(49
)
 
(12
)
 
(12
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
109

 
86

 
3

 
1

 
218

 
168

 
5

 
2

Total net periodic benefit cost as actuarially determined
82

 
78

 
5

 
3

 
161

 
151

 
9

 
5

Amount expensed (capitalized) due to actions of regulator
(6
)
 
(2
)
 

 

 
(8
)
 
1

 

 

Total net periodic benefit cost
$
76

 
$
76

 
$
5

 
$
3

 
$
153

 
$
152

 
$
9

 
$
5

Note
(1) The components of net benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in Other net periodic benefit cost on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

TVA's minimum required pension plan contribution for 2020 is $300 million. TVA contributes $25 million per month to TVARS and as of March 31, 2020, had contributed $150 million. The remaining $150 million will be contributed by September 30, 2020. For the six months ended March 31, 2020, TVA also contributed $46 million to the 401(k) plan, $16 million (net of $3 million in rebates) to the other post-retirement plans, and $5 million to the SERP.

Financial markets have experienced higher volatility since September 30, 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The uncertainty as to the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significantly lower market valuations for many investments. The impact of these events on TVA’s pension system is reflected in changes in the asset portfolio values from $8.0 billion at September 30, 2019, to $6.8 billion at March 31, 2020. TVA has not determined at this time whether additional contributions will be made to TVARS during 2020. Additionally, other post-retirement contributions related to the retiree health plans may be higher than previously assumed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic increasing health care costs, but cannot be estimated at this time.

The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the pension plan and other post-retirement plans depends on factors beyond TVA’s knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of this outbreak, actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its effects, and broader impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country and region’s economy. Therefore, TVA currently cannot estimate the potential impact to the pension plan and other post-retirement plans at this time.

20.  Contingencies and Legal Proceedings

Contingencies

Nuclear Insurance.  Section 170 of the Atomic Energy Act, commonly known as the Price-Anderson Act, provides a layered framework of financial protection to compensate for liability claims of members of the public for personal injury and property damages arising from a nuclear incident in the U.S. This financial protection consists of two layers of coverage:

The primary level is private insurance underwritten by American Nuclear Insurers ("ANI") and provides public liability insurance coverage of $450 million for each nuclear power plant licensed to operate. If this amount is not sufficient to cover claims arising from a nuclear incident, the second level, Secondary Financial Protection, applies.

Within the Secondary Financial Protection level, the licensee of each nuclear reactor has a contingent obligation to pay a retrospective premium, equal to its proportionate share of the loss in excess of the primary level, regardless of proximity to the incident of fault, up to a maximum of approximately $138 million per reactor per incident. With TVA's seven reactors, the maximum total contingent obligation per incident is $963 million. This retrospective premium is payable at a maximum rate currently set at approximately $20 million per year per incident per reactor. Currently, 97 reactors are participating in the Secondary Financial Protection program.

In the event that a nuclear incident results in public liability claims, the primary level provided by ANI combined with the Secondary Financial Protection should provide up to approximately $13.8 billion in coverage.


44


Federal law requires that each NRC power reactor licensee obtain property insurance from private sources to cover the cost of stabilizing and decontaminating a reactor and its station site after an accident. TVA carries property, decommissioning liability, and decontamination liability insurance from Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited ("NEIL") with limits up to $2.1 billion available for a loss at TVA's three sites. Some of this insurance may require the payment of retrospective premiums up to a maximum of approximately $139 million.

TVA purchases accidental outage (business interruption) insurance for TVA's nuclear sites from NEIL.  In the event that an accident covered by this policy takes a nuclear unit offline or keeps a nuclear unit offline, NEIL will pay TVA, after a waiting period, an indemnity (a set dollar amount per week) with a maximum indemnity of $490 million per unit.  This insurance policy may require the payment of retrospective premiums up to a maximum of approximately $46 million, but only to the extent the retrospective premium is deemed necessary by the NEIL Board of Directors to pay losses unable to be covered by NEIL's surplus.

Decommissioning Costs.  TVA recognizes legal obligations associated with the future retirement of certain tangible long-lived assets related primarily to nuclear generating plants, coal-fired generating plants, hydroelectric generating plants/dams, transmission structures, and other property-related assets. See Note 11Asset Retirement Obligations.

Nuclear Decommissioning.  Provision for decommissioning costs of nuclear generating units is based on options prescribed by the NRC procedures to dismantle and decontaminate the facilities to meet the NRC criteria for license termination. At March 31, 2020, $3.2 billion, representing the discounted value of future estimated decommissioning costs, was included in AROs.  The actual decommissioning costs may vary from the derived estimates because of, among other things, changes in current assumptions, such as the assumed dates of decommissioning, changes in regulatory requirements, changes in technology, and changes in the cost of labor, materials, and equipment.  Utilities that own and operate nuclear plants are required to use different procedures in calculating nuclear decommissioning costs under GAAP than those that are used in calculating nuclear decommissioning costs when reporting to the NRC.  The two sets of procedures produce different estimates for the costs of decommissioning primarily because of differences in the underlying assumptions. Decommissioning costs studies are updated for each of TVA's nuclear units at least every five years.

TVA maintains a NDT to provide funding for the ultimate decommissioning of its nuclear power plants.  See Note 15Fair Value MeasurementsInvestment Funds. TVA monitors the value of its NDT and believes that, over the long term and before cessation of nuclear plant operations and commencement of decommissioning activities, adequate funds from investments and additional contributions, if necessary, will be available to support decommissioning.  TVA's operating nuclear power units are licensed through various dates between 2033-2055, depending on the unit.  It may be possible to extend the operating life of some of the units with approval from the NRC. See Note 8Regulatory Assets and Liabilities and Note 11Asset Retirement Obligations.

Non-Nuclear Decommissioning.  The estimated future non-nuclear decommissioning ARO was $2.6 billion at March 31, 2020.  This decommissioning cost estimate involves estimating the amount and timing of future expenditures and making judgments concerning whether or not such costs are considered a legal obligation.  Estimating the amount and timing of future expenditures includes, among other things, making projections of the timing and duration of the asset retirement process and how costs will escalate with inflation.  The actual decommissioning costs may vary from the derived estimates because of changes in current assumptions, such as the assumed dates of decommissioning, changes in regulatory requirements, changes in technology, and changes in the cost of labor, materials, and equipment. TVA updates its underlying assumptions for non-nuclear decommissioning AROs at least every five years. However, material changes in underlying assumptions that impact the amount and timing of undiscounted cash flows are continuously monitored and incorporated into ARO balances in the period identified.

TVA maintains an ART to help fund the ultimate decommissioning of its non-nuclear power assets.  See Note 15Fair Value MeasurementsInvestment Funds. Estimates involved in determining if additional funding will be made to the ART include inflation rate, rate of return projections on the fund investments, and the planned use of other sources to fund decommissioning costs. See Note 8Regulatory Assets and Liabilities and Note 11Asset Retirement Obligations.

Environmental Matters. TVA's power generation activities, like those across the utility industry and in other industrial sectors, are subject to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations.  Major areas of regulation affecting TVA's activities include air quality control, water quality control, and management and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes.  In the future, regulations in all of these areas are expected to become more stringent.  Regulations are also expected to have a particular emphasis on climate change, renewable generation, and energy efficiency.

TVA has incurred, and expects to continue to incur, substantial capital and operating and maintenance costs to comply with evolving environmental requirements primarily associated with, but not limited to, the operation of TVA's coal-fired generating units.  Environmental requirements placed on the operation of TVA's coal-fired and other generating units will likely continue to become more restrictive over time. Litigation over emissions or discharges from coal-fired generating units is also occurring.  Failure to comply with environmental and safety laws can result in TVA being subject to enforcement actions, which can lead to the imposition of significant civil liability, including fines and penalties, criminal sanctions, and/or the shutting down of non-compliant facilities.

45


TVA estimates that compliance with existing and future Clean Air Act ("CAA") requirements (excluding greenhouse gas ("GHG") requirements) could lead to costs of $124 million from 2020 to 2024, which include existing controls capital projects and air operations and maintenance projects. TVA also estimates additional expenditures of approximately $1.1 billion from 2020 to 2024 relating to TVA's CCR conversion program, as well as expenditures of approximately $238 million from 2020 to 2024 relating to compliance with Clean Water Act requirements. Future costs could differ from these estimates if new environmental laws or regulations become applicable to TVA or the facilities it operates, or if existing environmental laws or regulations are revised or reinterpreted.  There could also be costs that cannot reasonably be predicted at this time, due to uncertainty of actions, that could increase these estimates.

Liability for releases and cleanup of hazardous substances is primarily regulated by the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, and other federal and parallel state statutes.  In a manner similar to many other industries and power systems, TVA has generated or used hazardous substances over the years. TVA operations at some facilities have resulted in contamination that TVA is addressing.  At March 31, 2020, and September 30, 2019, TVA's estimated liability for cleanup and similar environmental work for those sites for which sufficient information is available to develop a cost estimate was approximately $12 million and $15 million, respectively, on a non-discounted basis, and was included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Potential Liability Associated with Workers' Exposure to CCR Materials. In response to the 2008 ash spill at Kingston, TVA hired Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. ("Jacobs") to oversee certain aspects of the cleanup. After the cleanup was completed, Jacobs was sued in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee ("Eastern District") by employees of a contractor involved in the cleanup and family members of some of the employees. The plaintiffs alleged that Jacobs had failed to take or provide proper health precautions and misled workers about the health risks associated with exposure to coal fly ash, which is a CCR material. The plaintiffs alleged that exposure to the fly ash caused a variety of significant health issues and illnesses, including in some cases death. The case was split into two phases, with the first phase considering, among other issues, general causation and the second determining specific causation and damages. On November 7, 2018, a jury hearing the first phase returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs, including determinations that Jacobs failed to adhere to its contract with TVA or the Site Wide Safety and Health Plan in place; Jacobs failed to provide reasonable care to the plaintiffs; and Jacobs's failures were capable of causing a list of medical conditions, ranging from hypertension to cancer. On January 11, 2019, the Eastern District referred the parties to mediation. Mediation has concluded, but the parties did not resolve the matter. The litigation will now proceed to the second phase on the question of whether Jacobs's failures did in fact cause the plaintiffs' alleged injuries and damages.
 
On May 13, 2019, an additional group of contractor employees and family members filed suit against Jacobs in the Circuit Court for Roane County, Tennessee. These plaintiffs have raised similar claims to those being litigated in the case referenced above.

While TVA is not a party to either of these lawsuits, TVA could be contractually obligated to reimburse Jacobs for some amounts that Jacobs is required to pay. TVA will continue monitoring the litigation to determine whether these or similar cases could have broader implications for the utility industry. TVA does not expect any potential liability to have a material adverse impact on its results of operations or financial condition.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, TVA is party to or otherwise involved in lawsuits, claims, proceedings, investigations, and other legal matters ("Legal Proceedings") that have arisen in the ordinary course of conducting TVA's activities, as a result of a catastrophic event or otherwise.  
 
General. At March 31, 2020, TVA had accrued $13 million of probable losses with respect to Legal Proceedings, which is included in Other long-term liabilities. No assurance can be given that TVA will not be subject to significant additional claims and liabilities.  If actual liabilities significantly exceed the estimates made, TVA's results of operations, liquidity, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
 
Environmental Agreements. In April 2011, TVA entered into two substantively similar agreements, one with the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and the other with Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, and three environmental advocacy groups: the Sierra Club, the National Parks Conservation Association, and Our Children's Earth Foundation (collectively, the "Environmental Agreements"). Under the Environmental Agreements, TVA committed to, among other things, take actions regarding coal units that have been completed. TVA also agreed to invest $290 million in certain TVA environmental projects of which TVA had spent approximately $279 million as of March 31, 2020. In exchange for these commitments, most past claims against TVA based on alleged New Source Review and associated violations were waived and cannot be brought against TVA. Future claims, including those for sulfuric acid mist and GHG emissions, can still be brought against TVA.

The liabilities related to the Environmental Agreements are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the March 31, 2020, Consolidated Balance Sheets. In conjunction with the approval of the Environmental Agreements, the TVA Board determined that it was appropriate to record TVA's obligations under the

46


Environmental Agreements as regulatory assets, and they are included as such on the March 31, 2020, Consolidated Balance Sheets and will be recovered in rates in future periods.

Case Involving Kingston Fossil Plant. On May 7, 2019, Roane County and the Cities of Kingston and Harriman ("local governments") filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Roane County, Tennessee, against TVA and Jacobs for monetary damages and unspecified injunctive relief relating to TVA's cleanup response to the 2008 ash spill at Kingston. The local governments allege that TVA and Jacobs failed to take proper measures to mitigate environmental and health risks during the cleanup response and misled the local governments and their citizens about health and environmental risks associated with exposure to coal fly ash. The local governments seek to recover monetary damages on behalf of their citizens for personal injury and property loss claims, damages for lost tax revenue, damages for increased emergency and medical response costs claims, punitive damages, and unspecified injunctive relief. On June 6, 2019, TVA removed the lawsuit to the Eastern District, and TVA and Jacobs filed separate motions to dismiss. Plaintiffs, in response, filed a response opposing both motions and a separate motion seeking leave to file a proposed amended class action complaint in which Roane County would serve as class representative for the municipalities and their citizens.

In December 2019, the federal court ruled that the local governments did not have standing to assert representative claims on behalf of their citizens and rejected their motion to proceed as a class action on behalf of their citizens because of the dissimilarity of the injuries allegedly suffered by the local governments (lost tax revenue) and the personal injuries and personal medical expenses allegedly suffered by the individuals. The court indicated, however, that the local governments may have legal standing to assert claims for their direct injuries (claims relating to municipally owned property) and directed the local governments to file an amended pleading in conformance with the court's order by January 16, 2020. The plaintiffs filed their amended complaint on January 15, 2020. Trial is set for April 2021.

Class Action Lawsuit Involving Kingston Fossil Plant. On November 7, 2019, a resident of Roane County, Tennessee, filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Jacobs and TVA in the Eastern District. The complaint alleges that the class representative and all other members of the proposed class were damaged as a result of the 2008 ash spill at Kingston and the resulting cleanup activities. The complaint alleges, among other things, that (1) TVA was negligent in its construction and operation of the Kingston CCR facility, (2) TVA and Jacobs failed to take proper measures to mitigate environmental and health risks during the cleanup response, and (3) TVA and Jacobs misled the community about health and environmental risks associated with exposure to coal fly ash. The complaint seeks monetary damages and injunctive relief in the form of an order requiring the defendants to establish a blood testing program and medical monitoring protocol and to remediate damage to the properties of the proposed class. On April 22, 2020, TVA moved to dismiss the complaint.

Case Involving Bull Run Fossil Plant. On February 5, 2020, two plaintiffs who reside near Bull Run filed suit against TVA in the Circuit Court for Anderson County, Tennessee, on behalf of themselves and their two minor children. The plaintiffs allege that they and their children were injured from direct exposures to CCR material originating from Bull Run and from second-hand exposures to coal ash through contact with a family member who worked at an undisclosed TVA facility. TVA
removed the case to the Eastern District on March 5, 2020, and the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in federal court on
March 12, 2020.

Consent Decree Involving Colbert Fossil Plant. In May 2013, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management ("ADEM") and TVA entered into a consent decree concerning alleged violations of the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act. The consent decree required, among other things, that TVA continue remediation efforts TVA had begun prior to the suit being filed and stop using an unlined landfill after a lined landfill is approved and constructed. In August 2018, the parties agreed to amend the consent decree to deal with groundwater issues identified after TVA published groundwater monitoring reports in accordance with the EPA's CCR rule. The amended consent decree requires TVA to investigate the nature and extent of any groundwater contamination, develop and implement a remedy, provide semiannual status reports to ADEM, and remedy any seeps identified during inspections. TVA also paid $100,000 to Alabama under the amended consent decree. In accordance with the amended consent decree, TVA submitted to ADEM a Comprehensive Groundwater Investigation Report on May 17, 2019, and an Assessment of Corrective Measures on July 17, 2019. TVA is continuing to develop the groundwater remedy and submit reports to ADEM.

Case Involving Tennessee River Boat Accident. On July 23, 2015, plaintiffs filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ("Northern District"), seeking recovery for personal injuries sustained when the plaintiffs' boat struck a TVA transmission line which was being raised from the Tennessee River during a repair operation. The district court dismissed the case, finding that TVA's exercise of its discretion as a governmental entity in deciding how to carry out the operation barred any liability for negligence. In August 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ("Eleventh Circuit") affirmed the decision. The plaintiffs petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court ("Supreme Court") for review of the decision, arguing that the provision of the TVA Act which allows suit to be brought against TVA does not allow TVA to claim immunity for discretionary actions. On April 29, 2019, the Supreme Court issued its opinion reversing the judgment of the Eleventh Circuit and remanding the case to the Eleventh Circuit. On July 17, 2019, the Eleventh Circuit remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court's opinion. Trial is currently scheduled for February 16, 2021.

Case Involving Bellefonte Nuclear Plant. On November 30, 2018, Nuclear Development, LLC, filed suit against TVA in the Northern District. The plaintiff alleges that TVA breached its agreement to sell Bellefonte to the plaintiff. The plaintiff seeks,

47


among other things, (1) an injunction requiring TVA to maintain Bellefonte and the associated NRC permits until the case is concluded, (2) an order compelling TVA to complete the sale of Bellefonte to the plaintiff, and (3) if the court does not order TVA to complete the sale, monetary damages in excess of $30 million. On December 26, 2018, Nuclear Development, LLC, and TVA filed a joint stipulation with the court. Under the stipulation, Nuclear Development, LLC, withdrew its request for an expedited hearing on its injunction in exchange for TVA's agreement to continue to maintain Bellefonte in accordance with the NRC permits and to give Nuclear Development, LLC, and the court five days prior notice of any filing by TVA to terminate the permits or sell the site. TVA filed a motion to dismiss the case on February 4, 2019. On May 15, 2019, the court denied TVA's motion. The case is scheduled to be ready for trial by August 2020.

21. Subsequent Events

Interest Rate Reset on Certain Bonds

TVA announced on April 29, 2020, that the coupon rate on the TVA 1998 Series D bonds (CUSIP number 880591300) will be reset from the current rate of 3.55 percent to the new rate of 2.13 percent on June 1, 2020. Beneficial owners of the bonds have the option of requesting repayment at par value in conjunction with the rate reset. As a result, TVA could be required to repurchase up to $273 million of bonds on June 1, 2020.

LPC Deferral Program

As of May 4, 2020, $1 million of credit support has been approved under the Public Power Support and Stabilization Program.

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in millions except where noted)

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") explains the results of operations and general financial condition of the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA"). The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and TVA's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended September 30, 2019 (the "Annual Report").

Executive Overview

TVA's net income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, was $255 million and $447 million, respectively, as compared with net income of $241 million and $664 million for the same periods of the prior year. As is often the case for electric utilities, weather is a primary driver of TVA's sales and revenue. Despite record-setting heat experienced during October 2019 and record-setting cold during November 2019, TVA's service territory experienced overall milder weather during the six months ended March 31, 2020. This overall milder weather drove lower energy sales. Similarly, revenue from sales of electricity decreased $372 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $230 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. This increase was primarily due to accelerated depreciation from the retirement decisions at Bull Run Fossil Plant ("Bull Run") and Paradise Fossil Plant ("Paradise"). Fuel and purchased power expense decreased $171 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to lower energy sales, as well as lower effective fuel and purchased power rates and availability of lower cost TVA-owned generation. Operating and maintenance expense decreased $212 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. This was primarily driven by prior year recovery of the regulatory asset for environmental cleanup costs related to the Kingston ash spill.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") a pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States. TVA is coordinating with local power company customers (“LPCs”) and partners to understand the impact to its service territory. During March 2020, the TVA Board approved the Public Power Support and Stabilization Program, offering up to $1.0 billion of credit support to provide temporary financial relief for its LPCs in the form of deferred payments of power bills under certain circumstances. Operations and delivery of energy to customers have not been materially impacted at this time. TVA continues to monitor the situation and will adjust its response as necessary to ensure reliable service while protecting the safety and health of its workforce and sustaining business operations.
The Tennessee Valley experienced significant rainfall during the second quarter of 2020, setting records for the wettest second quarter and the third wettest February in TVA’s history. Despite significant rainfall, runoff, and flooding during the period, TVA continued to generate low-cost hydroelectric power while meeting its river system commitments, including flood mitigation which prevented approximately $1.0 billion in damages across the Tennessee Valley.

TVA continues to maintain 99.999 percent reliability in delivering energy to its customers despite experiencing record-setting weather. TVA's reliability and economic development efforts continue to attract and encourage the expansion of business

48


and industries in the Tennessee Valley, with over $6.1 billion in investments and more than 51,500 jobs created or retained through the second quarter of 2020.

Results of Operations

Sales of Electricity

The following chart compares TVA's sales of electricity for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
 
Sales of Electricity
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
(millions of kWh)
 
        
 
Sales of Electricity
 
Six Months Ended March 31
 
(millions of kWh)
 
    

SALESOFELECTRICITYQTDA01.JPG SALESOFELECTRICITYYTD.JPG

    
The following charts show a breakdown of TVA's energy load by customer type:

CHART-40C28ED23A72B3067B2.JPG      CHART-F2A27E36848E5C7A6A8.JPG
Note
Information included in the charts above was derived from energy usage of directly served customers and customers served by LPCs over the previous 12 months.

49


Weather affects both the demand for TVA power and the price for that power. TVA uses degree days to measure the impact of weather on its power operations. Degree days measure the extent to which the TVA system 23-station average temperatures vary from 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
Degree Days
 
 
 
Variation from Normal
 
Variation from Prior Period
 
2020
 
Normal
 
Percent Variation
 
2019
 
Normal
 
Percent Variation
 
Percent Change
Heating Degree Days
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31
1,456

 
1,870

 
(22.1
)%
 
1,696

 
1,870

 
(9.3
)%
 
(14.2
)%
Six Months Ended March 31
2,734

 
3,159

 
(13.5
)%
 
3,080

 
3,159

 
(2.5
)%
 
(11.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cooling Degree Days
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31
24

 
9

 
166.7
 %
 
2

 
9

 
(77.8
)%
 
1,100.0
 %
Six Months Ended March 31
114

 
52

 
119.2
 %
 
118

 
52

 
126.9
 %
 
(3.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Degree Days
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31
1,480

 
1,879

 
(21.2
)%
 
1,698

 
1,879

 
(9.6
)%
 
(12.8
)%
Six Months Ended March 31
2,848

 
3,211

 
(11.3
)%
 
3,198

 
3,211

 
(0.4
)%
 
(10.9
)%

Sales of electricity decreased approximately two percent for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to decreased sales volume for LPCs driven predominantly by a 13 percent decrease in total degree days. The Tennessee Valley's weather has averaged warmer than normal temperatures over this period, thereby reducing energy sales. Partially offsetting the decreased sales volume for LPCs, sales to industries directly served increased as TVA began supplying power to new customers in the data processing, hosting, and related services sector. TVA experienced a decrease in sales of electricity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and expects reductions in sales to continue for the remainder of 2020.

Sales of electricity decreased approximately three percent for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to decreased sales volume for LPCs driven predominantly by an 11 percent decrease in total degree days. During October 2019, TVA recorded its third largest peak power demand for the month of October at 28,353 megawatts with a system average temperature of 97 degrees Fahrenheit. During November 2019, TVA recorded its highest peak power demand for the month of November at 27,722 megawatts with a system average temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite record-setting heat experienced during October 2019 and record-setting cold during November 2019, TVA's service territory experienced overall milder weather during the six months ended March 31, 2020.
    
Financial Results

The following table compares operating results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations 
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
Six Months Ended March 31
 
2020
 
2019
 
Percent Change
 
2020
 
2019
 
Percent Change
Operating revenues
$
2,521

 
$
2,750

 
(8.3
)%
 
$
5,099

 
$
5,475

 
(6.9
)%
Operating expenses
1,914

 
2,158

 
(11.3
)%
 
3,960

 
4,118

 
(3.8
)%
Operating income
607

 
592

 
2.5
 %
 
1,139

 
1,357

 
(16.1
)%
Other income (expense), net
(1
)
 
14

 
(107.1
)%
 
11

 
38

 
(71.1
)%
Other net periodic benefit cost
62

 
65

 
(4.6
)%
 
127

 
129

 
(1.6
)%
Interest expense
289

 
300

 
(3.7
)%
 
576

 
602

 
(4.3
)%
Net income (loss)
$
255

 
$
241

 
5.8
 %
 
$
447

 
$
664

 
(32.7
)%

50


Operating Revenues.  Operating revenues for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following:                
            
 
Operating Revenues
 
Three Months Ended March 31
OPERATINGREVENUEQTD.JPG
                
 
Operating Revenues
 
Six Months Ended March 31
OPERATINGREVENUEYTDA01.JPG

51


TVA's current rate structure provides pricing signals intended to signal higher cost periods to serve its customers and capture a portion of TVA's fixed costs in fixed charges.  The structure includes three base revenue components: time of use demand charges, time of use energy charges, and a grid access charge ("GAC").  The demand charges are based upon the customer's peak monthly usage and increase as the peak increases. The energy charges are based on time differentiated kWh used by the customer.  Both of these components can be significantly impacted by weather. The GAC captures a portion of fixed costs and will be offset by a corresponding reduction to the energy rates.  The GAC also reduces the impact of weather variability to the overall rate structure.

Additionally, at its August 2019 meeting, the TVA Board approved a 20-year Partnership Agreement option that better aligns the length of LPC contracts with TVA's long-term commitments. Participating LPCs will receive benefits including a 3.1 percent wholesale bill credit in exchange for their long-term commitment, which enables TVA to recover its long-term financial commitments over a commensurate period. As of May 4, 2020, 139 LPCs had signed the 20-year Partnership Agreement with TVA.

In addition to base revenues, the rate structure also includes a separate fuel rate that includes the costs of natural gas, fuel oil, purchased power, coal, emission allowances, nuclear fuel, and other fuel-related commodities; realized gains and losses on derivatives purchased to hedge the costs of such commodities; and payments to states and counties in lieu of taxes ("tax equivalents") associated with the fuel cost adjustments.

The changes in revenue components for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, are summarized below:
Changes in Revenue Components
(in millions)
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
Six Months Ended March 31
 
2020
 
2019
 
Change
 
2020
 
2019
 
Change
Base revenue


 


 


 
 
 
 
 


Energy revenue
$
1,112

 
$
1,235

 
$
(123
)
 
$
2,179

 
$
2,425

 
$
(246
)
Demand revenue
794

 
860

 
(66
)
 
1,677

 
1,717

 
(40
)
Grid access charge
149

 
64

 
85

 
299

 
129

 
170

Long-term partnership credits for LPCs
(36
)
 

 
(36
)
 
(70
)
 

 
(70
)
Other charges and credits(1)
(165
)
 
(178
)
 
13

 
(310
)
 
(316
)
 
6

Total base revenue
1,854

 
1,981

 
(127
)
 
3,775

 
3,955

 
(180
)
Fuel cost recovery
634

 
731

 
(97
)
 
1,244

 
1,437

 
(193
)
Off-system sales
1

 

 
1

 
2

 
1

 
1

Revenue from sales of electricity
2,489

 
2,712

 
(223
)
 
5,021

 
5,393

 
(372
)
Other revenue
32

 
38

 
(6
)
 
78

 
82

 
(4
)
Total operating revenues
$
2,521

 
$
2,750

 
$
(229
)
 
$
5,099

 
$
5,475

 
$
(376
)
Note
(1) Includes economic development credits to promote growth in the Tennessee Valley, hydro preference credits for residential customers of LPCs, and interruptible credits allowing TVA to reduce industrial customer usage in periods of peak demand to balance system demand. See Note 16Revenue.
    
Operating revenues decreased $229 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to a $127 million decrease in base revenue and a $97 million decrease in fuel cost recovery revenue. The $127 million decrease in base revenue was driven by a decrease of $43 million attributable to lower effective rates and a decrease of $84 million attributable to lower sales volume. Lower energy sales resulted primarily from milder weather for the Tennessee Valley service area during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The $97 million decrease in fuel cost recovery revenue was driven by an $81 million decrease attributable to lower fuel rates and a $16 million decrease attributable to lower energy sales during the quarter. TVA has experienced a decrease in base revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2020 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and expects reductions in revenue to continue for the remainder of 2020.
Operating revenues decreased $376 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily due to a $193 million decrease in fuel cost recovery revenue and a $180 million decrease in base revenue. The $193 million decrease in fuel cost recovery revenue was driven by a $150 million decrease attributable to lower fuel rates and a $43 million decrease attributable to lower energy sales. Lower energy sales resulted primarily from overall milder weather for the Tennessee Valley service area during the six months ended March 31, 2020, despite record-setting heat in October 2019 and record-setting cold in November 2019. The $180 million decrease in base revenue was driven by a decrease of $84 million attributable to lower effective rates and a decrease of $96 million attributable to lower sales volume during the quarter.

52


Operating Expenses. Operating expense components as a percentage of total operating expenses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following:
     CHART-3ECE790F10DC56E3BB9.JPG CHART-090E58F733515AD18B1.JPG
     CHART-F9EA7A4B70F1A184B1E.JPG CHART-33DFF82F9C958C8AB3B.JPG
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020, Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

The following table shows TVA's generation and purchased power by generating source as a percentage of all electrical power generated and purchased (based on kWh) for the periods indicated:
Power Supply from TVA-Operated Generation Facilities and Purchased Power
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
kWh
(millions)
 
Percent of Power Supply
 
kWh
(millions)
 
Percent of Power Supply
 
Change
 
Percentage Change
Coal-fired
 
3,762

 
10
%
 
5,717

 
15
%
 
(1,955
)
 
(34
)%
Nuclear
 
16,801

 
44
%
 
16,642

 
43
%
 
159

 
1
 %
Hydroelectric
 
4,941

 
13
%
 
4,850

 
12
%
 
91

 
2
 %
Natural gas and/or oil-fired
 
8,007

 
21
%
 
6,950

 
18
%
 
1,057

 
15
 %
Total TVA-operated generation facilities(1)
 
33,511

 
88
%
 
34,159

 
88
%
 
(648
)
 
(2
)%
Purchased power (non-renewable)(2)
 
2,251

 
6
%
 
2,428

 
6
%
 
(177
)
 
(7
)%
Purchased power (renewable)(3)
 
2,349

 
6
%
 
2,212

 
6
%
 
137

 
6
 %
Total purchased power
 
4,600

 
12
%
 
4,640

 
12
%
 
(40
)
 
(1
)%
Total power supply
 
38,111

 
100
%
 
38,799

 
100
%
 
(688
)
 
(2
)%
Notes
(1) Generation from TVA-owned renewable resources (non-hydroelectric) is less than one percent for all periods shown and therefore is not represented in the table above.
(2) Includes generation from Caledonia Combined Cycle Plant, which is currently a leased facility operated by TVA. Generation from Caledonia Combined Cycle Plant was 1,114 million kWh and 976 million kWh for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(3) Includes purchased power from the following renewable sources: hydroelectric, solar, wind, and cogeneration.

53



CHART-FD8B63958A0852D9B58.JPG
Fuel
Fuel expense decreased $72 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to lower effective fuel rates of $64 million, resulting from lower natural gas prices. A decrease in total degree days reduced demand for power generation, contributing to a reduction in volume of $8 million.
CHART-DCC6363A2CDC5CB7871.JPG
Purchased Power
Purchased power expense decreased $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. This was primarily due to a decrease in volume of $2 million and a decrease of $1 million in fuel rate recovery.

CHART-5E31EA98692450CEA54.JPG
Operating and Maintenance
Operating and maintenance expense decreased $156 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. This was primarily driven by a decrease of $130 million of project write-offs and materials and supplies inventory reserves and write-offs related to the retirement of Bull Run and Paradise. Additionally, $65 million of prior year recovery of the regulatory asset for Environmental cleanup costs related to the Kingston ash spill contributed to the decrease. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in planned nuclear outage days which increased the expense by $16 million and $33 million of increased payroll and benefit costs due to labor escalation for cost of living increases.
CHART-AE113ACE43795866885.JPG
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year.  This was primarily driven by a net decrease in depreciation expense of $20 million related to the decision in the second quarter of 2019 to accelerate the retirements of Bull Run and Paradise. Partially offsetting this decrease was a $6 million increase in amortization expense of non-nuclear decommissioning costs recovered in rates. The remaining variance is primarily due to depreciation of additions to Completed plant.
CHART-35DDDA418D535E26913.JPG
Tax Equivalents
Tax equivalents expense decreased $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. The change is primarily driven by a decrease in the tax equivalents collected in the fuel rate recovery.


















54


Six Months Ended March 31, 2020, Compared to Six Months Ended March 31, 2019

The following table shows TVA's generation and purchased power by generating source as a percentage of all electrical power generated and purchased (based on kWh) for the periods indicated:

Power Supply from TVA-Operated Generation Facilities and Purchased Power
 
 
Six Months Ended March 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
kWh
(millions)
 
Percent of Power Supply
 
kWh
(millions)
 
Percent of Power Supply
 
Change
 
Percentage Change
Coal-fired
 
8,932

 
12
%
 
12,197

 
16
%
 
(3,265
)
 
(27
)%
Nuclear
 
32,517

 
43
%
 
30,452

 
39
%
 
2,065

 
7
 %
Hydroelectric
 
8,596

 
11
%
 
9,659

 
12
%
 
(1,063
)
 
(11
)%
Natural gas and/or oil-fired
 
15,862

 
21
%
 
13,561

 
18
%
 
2,301

 
17
 %
Total TVA-operated generation facilities(1)
 
65,907

 
87
%
 
65,869

 
85
%
 
38

 
 %
Purchased power (non-renewable)(2)
 
5,205

 
7
%
 
7,446

 
10
%
 
(2,241
)
 
(30
)%
Purchased power (renewable)(3)
 
4,299

 
6
%
 
4,121

 
5
%
 
178

 
4
 %
Total purchased power
 
9,504

 
13
%
 
11,567

 
15
%
 
(2,063
)
 
(18
)%
Total power supply
 
75,411

 
100
%
 
77,436

 
100
%
 
(2,025
)
 
(3
)%
Notes
(1) Generation from TVA-owned renewable resources (non-hydroelectric) is less than one percent for all periods shown and therefore is not represented in the table above.
(2) Includes generation from Caledonia Combined Cycle Plant, which is currently a leased facility operated by TVA. Generation from Caledonia Combined Cycle Plant was 1,919 million kWh and 2,005 million kWh for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(3) Includes purchased power from the following renewable sources: hydroelectric, solar, wind, and cogeneration.
    
CHART-2BA920C4F2C566F5440.JPG
Fuel
Fuel expense decreased $90 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. Lower effective fuel rates contributed $121 million to the decrease, resulting from lower natural gas prices and increased availability of nuclear fuel. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase of $31 million driven by variances in fuel rate recovery.
CHART-7012BDECD7A9889181E.JPG
Purchased Power
Purchased power expense decreased $81 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. This was primarily due to a decrease in volume of $96 million as a result of milder weather and more availability of lower cost TVA owned generation in the current year. Lower effective purchased power rates contributed an additional $4 million to the decrease. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase of $19 million in fuel rate recovery.

CHART-FB6114DC13D8E6D6C28.JPG
Operating and Maintenance
Operating and maintenance expense decreased $212 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. This was primarily driven by a decrease of $126 million of project write-offs and materials and supplies inventory reserves and write-offs related to the retirement of Bull Run and Paradise. Additionally, $130 million of recovery in the prior year of the regulatory asset for Environmental cleanup costs related to the Kingston ash spill contributed to the decrease. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase of $15 million related to TVA's capital spare program and $49 million of increased payroll and benefit costs due to labor escalation for cost of living increases.

55


CHART-B1D244C8D79629DD1DA.JPG
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $230 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year.  This was primarily driven by an increase in accelerated depreciation expense of $206 million related to the decision in the second quarter of 2019 to accelerate the retirements of Bull Run and Paradise. In addition, there was a $13 million increase in amortization expense of non-nuclear decommissioning costs recovered in rates. The remaining variance is primarily due to depreciation of additions to Completed plant.
CHART-0BBAA94A2BED92EA73A.JPG
Tax Equivalents
Tax equivalents expense decreased $5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. The change is primarily driven by a decrease in the tax equivalents collected in the fuel rate recovery.
Interest Expense.  Interest expense and interest rates for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, were as follows:
Interest Expense and Rates(4)
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
Six Months Ended March 31
 
2020
 
2019
 
Percent
 Change
 
2020
 
2019
 
Percent
 Change
Interest expense(1)
$
289

 
$
300

 
(3.7
)%
 
$
576

 
$
602

 
(4.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average blended debt balance(2)
21,846

 
23,561

 
(7.3
)%
 
22,038

 
23,615

 
(6.7
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average blended interest rate(3)
5.11
%
 
4.88
%
 
4.7
 %
 
5.08
%
 
4.88
%
 
4.1
 %
Notes
(1) Includes amortization of debt discounts, issuance, and reacquisition costs, net.
(2) Includes average balances of long-term power bonds, debt of VIE, and discount notes.
(3) Includes interest on long-term power bonds, debt of VIE, and discount notes.
(4) There were no Allowance for Funds Used During Construction amounts for the periods shown above.

Total interest expense decreased $11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year.  This was driven by a decrease of $14 million in interest expense due primarily to lower average debt balances.

Total interest expense decreased $26 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year.  This was driven by a decrease of $23 million in interest expense due primarily to lower average debt balances.

Other Income (Expense), Net. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, Other income (expense), net decreased $15 million as compared to the same period of the prior year, primarily driven by $12 million of unrealized losses on the SERP and DCP investments as a result of recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the six months ended March 31, 2020, Other income (expense), net decreased $27 million, primarily driven by $21 million of other income in 2019 related to a deposit liability received by TVA as a down payment on the sale of Bellefonte Nuclear Plant ("Bellefonte"). The purchaser, Nuclear Development, LLC, failed to fulfill the requirements of the sales contract with respect to obtaining Nuclear Regulatory Commission ("NRC") approval of the transfer of required nuclear licenses and payment of the remainder of the selling price before the November 30, 2018, closing date. See Note 20Contingencies and Legal Proceedings Legal Proceedings for a discussion of the lawsuit filed by Nuclear Development, LLC. Additionally, during the six months ended March 31, 2020, TVA experienced $10 million of unrealized losses on the SERP and DCP investments as a result of recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.


56


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity

TVA depends on various sources of liquidity to meet cash needs and contingencies. TVA's primary sources of liquidity are cash from operations and proceeds from the issuance of short-term debt in the form of discount notes, along with periodic issuances of long-term debt. TVA's balance of short-term debt typically changes frequently as TVA issues discount notes to meet short-term cash needs and pay scheduled maturities of discount notes and long-term debt. The periodic amounts of short-term debt issued are determined by near-term expectations for cash receipts, cash expenditures, and funding needs, while seeking to maintain a target range of cash and cash equivalents on hand.

In addition to cash from operations and proceeds from the issuance of short-term and long-term debt, TVA's sources of liquidity include a $150 million credit facility with the United States Department of the Treasury ("U.S. Treasury"), four long-term revolving credit facilities totaling $2.7 billion, and proceeds from other financings. See Note 12Debt and Other Obligations
Credit Facility Agreements. Other financing arrangements may include sales of receivables, loans, and other assets.

The TVA Act authorizes TVA to issue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness (collectively, "Bonds") in an amount not to exceed $30.0 billion outstanding at any time. Bonds outstanding, excluding unamortized discounts and premiums and net exchange gains from foreign currency transactions, at March 31, 2020, were $21.1 billion (including current maturities). The balance of Bonds outstanding directly affects TVA's capacity to meet operational liquidity needs and to strategically use Bonds to fund certain capital investments as management and the TVA Board may deem desirable.  Other options for financing not subject to the limit on Bonds, including lease financings (see Lease Financings below, Note 6 Leases, and Note 9Variable Interest Entities), could provide supplementary funding if needed. Currently, TVA believes that it has adequate capability to fund its ongoing operational liquidity needs and make planned capital investments over the next decade through a combination of Bonds, additional power revenues through power rate increases, cost reductions, or other ways. See Lease Financings below, Note 9Variable Interest Entities, and Note 12Debt and Other Obligations for additional information.

TVA may from time to time seek to retire or purchase its outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, TVA's liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

Due to recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, TVA increased its target balance of Cash and cash equivalents in March 2020 by $500 million through discount note issuances. TVA has maintained continued debt market access since the outbreak of the pandemic. TVA also successfully funded the maturity of $1.0 billion of power bonds in March 2020 with cash from operations and proceeds from the issuance of discount notes. TVA's next material power bond maturity of $1.5 billion is in February 2021.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the TVA Board approved the Public Power Support and Stabilization Program, which includes alternative wholesale payment arrangements for LPCs, on March 25, 2020. Under these arrangements, TVA is offering up to $1.0 billion of credit support to LPCs, who demonstrate the need for temporary financial relief, through the deferral of a portion of LPCs' wholesale power payments owed to TVA. The program requires LPCs to apply for the deferral, which is subject to approval by TVA. If approved, TVA will establish a repayment schedule based on the LPC's need, not to exceed two years, and an initial repayment date will be approved by TVA no later than December 31, 2020. These actions continue to show TVA's commitment to support the financial integrity of LPCs during challenging economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Debt Securities.  TVA's Bonds are not obligations of the U.S., and the U.S. does not guarantee the payments of principal or interest on Bonds. TVA's Bonds consist of power bonds and discount notes. Power bonds have maturities of between one and 50 years. At March 31, 2020, the average maturity of long-term power bonds was 16.40 years, and the average interest rate was 4.78 percent. Discount notes have maturities of less than one year. Power bonds and discount notes have a first priority and equal claim of payment out of net power proceeds. Net power proceeds are defined as the remainder of TVA's gross power revenues after deducting the costs of operating, maintaining, and administering its power properties and payments to states and counties in lieu of taxes, but before deducting depreciation accruals or other charges representing the amortization of capital expenditures, plus the net proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any power facility or interest therein. In addition to power bonds and discount notes, TVA had long-term debt associated with certain VIEs outstanding at March 31, 2020. TVA also had secured notes outstanding at March 31, 2020 that were assumed in a prior year asset acquisition. See Lease Financings below, Note 9Variable Interest Entities, and Note 12Debt and Other Obligations for additional information.


57


The following table provides additional information regarding TVA's short-term borrowings:
Short-Term Borrowing Table
 
At
March 31,
2020
 
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2020
 
Six Months Ended
March 31, 2020
 
At
March 31,
2019
 
Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2019
Six Months Ended
March 31, 2019
Gross Amount Outstanding (at End of Period) or Average Gross Amount Outstanding (During Period)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount Notes
$
1,875

 
$
810

 
$
789

 
$
1,618

 
$
1,874

$
1,937

Maximum Month-End Gross Amount Outstanding (During Period)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount Notes
N/A

 
1,875

 
1,875

 
N/A

 
$
2,192

$
2,390

Weighted Average Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount Notes
0.400
%
 
1.150
%
 
1.420
%
 
2.410
%
 
2.370
%
2.320
%

Lease Financings. TVA has entered into certain leasing transactions with special purpose entities ("SPEs") to obtain third-party financing for its facilities. These SPEs are sometimes identified as VIEs of which TVA is determined to be the primary beneficiary. TVA is required to account for these VIEs on a consolidated basis. See Note 9Variable Interest Entities and Note 12 Debt and Other Obligations for information about TVA's lease financing activities. During 2017 and 2016, TVA acquired 100 percent of the equity interests in certain SPEs created for the purpose of facilitating lease financing. TVA may seek to enter into similar arrangements in the future. In March 2019, TVA made final rent payments under lease/leaseback transactions involving eight CTs, and in July 2019, these transactions were terminated.

Summary Cash Flows

A major source of TVA's liquidity is operating cash flows resulting from the generation and sale of electricity. Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash were $858 million at March 31, 2020, compared to $323 million at March 31, 2019. A summary of cash flow components for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, follows:

    Cash provided by (used in):                         CHART-A17EE7EA923F5A6F8C2.JPG CHART-B466ED1F18475B2D8FF.JPG CHART-92AFCABC990054D196A.JPG
Operating Activities. TVA's cash flows from operations are primarily driven by sales of electricity, fuel expense, and operating and maintenance expense. The timing and level of cash flows from operations can be affected by the weather, changes in working capital, commodity price fluctuations, outages, and other project expenses.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities increased $123 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year. The increase is due to lower fuel and purchased power payments as a result of milder weather and more availability of lower cost TVA owned generation in the current year. This increase is partially offset by lower revenue collections due to decreased revenue from sales of electricity, as a result of overall milder weather and long-term partnership credits for LPCs.

Investing Activities. The majority of TVA's investing cash flows are due to investments to acquire, upgrade, or maintain generating and transmission assets, including environmental projects and the purchase of nuclear fuel.
    
Net cash flows used in investing activities decreased $30 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year driven by the completion of the Browns Ferry extended power uprate in the prior year.  This decrease was partially offset by an increase in expenditures for the Boone Dam and Pickwick South Embankment Remediation projects and increases in nuclear fuel expenditures.  Nuclear fuel expenditures vary depending on the number of outages and the prices and timing of purchases of uranium and enrichment services. 

58


Financing Activities. TVA's cash flows provided by or used in financing activities are primarily driven by the timing and level of cash flows provided by operating activities, cash flows used in investing activities, and net issuance and redemption of debt instruments to maintain a strategic balance of cash on hand.

Net cash used in financing activities decreased $382 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the same period of the prior year driven by the increase in discount note issuances to fund power bond maturities and to increase the Cash and cash equivalents target balance by $500 million due to higher recent volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result of certain commercial and industrial customers curtailing operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TVA experienced decreases in base revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2020. TVA currently anticipates base revenue to be lower than plan by between $300 million and $500 million for the remainder of 2020. Due to these expected reductions in revenue associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, TVA is implementing various cost savings initiatives such as deferring certain capital project expenses, prioritizing certain capital projects, and decreasing discretionary spending. TVA may also experience an increase in interest cost, fuel cost, and other additional operating costs. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TVA's financial condition depends on factors beyond TVA’s knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of this outbreak, actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its effects, and broader impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country and region’s economy.

Contractual Obligations
TVA has obligations and commitments to make future payments under certain contracts. During the six months ended March 31, 2020, there were no material changes in TVA's contractual obligations outside of the ordinary course of business. TVA's contractual obligations are discussed in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsLiquidity and Capital Resources and Note 21Benefit Plans of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report.

Key Initiatives and Challenges

Coronavirus Pandemic

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus was reported in China. As this strain continued to spread across the globe, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus a pandemic on March 11, 2020. TVA has performed risk analyses across the company to determine potential impacts and monitor performance throughout the situation. TVA has implemented a company-wide pandemic plan to address specific aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including limiting business related travel and encouraging working remotely when possible. TVA continues to implement strong physical and cybersecurity measures to ensure that systems remain functional to keep employees, customers, and communities safe and enable TVA to continue achieving its mission to serve the people of the Valley.

Further, in response to enhanced public health guidance from federal and state authorities, TVA has closed certain recreation areas including water recreation facilities, campgrounds, visitor centers, and trails to slow the spread of the virus. These closures will continue indefinitely until it is safe to resume full operations.

In addition to measures to protect its workforce, stakeholders, and critical operations, TVA is actively monitoring generation, transmission, and distribution functions. Operations and delivery of energy to customers have not been materially impacted. Certain commercial and industrial customers have curtailed operations in response to COVID-19 pandemic social distancing standards and economic uncertainty. Therefore, TVA is experiencing decreased energy demand in those sectors. Due to expected reductions in TVA's revenue for the remainder of 2020 associated with this decreased energy demand, TVA is implementing various cost savings initiatives such as deferring certain capital project expenses, prioritizing certain capital projects, and decreasing discretionary spending.

TVA has developed initial internal forecasts based on a range of external data sources in an effort to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations. The model inputs include external projections of gross domestic and gross regional products, unemployment rates, pandemic duration, business and social responses to the disease, and other factors to forecast the impact on TVA energy demand and revenues. Based on initial forecasts of early data, TVA anticipates base revenue to be lower than plan by between $300 million and $500 million for the remainder of 2020. However, estimates of each of these factors are constantly changing as the pandemic situation evolves and projections are refined. As such, TVA’s estimate of the impact to its financial position, results of operations, and cash flows will be evolving over the remainder of the year and could differ materially from TVA's initial forecasts based on early data.

TVA is also assessing potential supplier performance risks, including procurement of fuel, parts, and services. If suppliers are unable to perform under TVA's existing contracts or if TVA is unable to obtain similar services from other vendors, TVA could experience delays, disruptions, additional costs, or other operational outcomes that may impact generation, maintenance, and capital programs. At this time, TVA has not identified any specific issues related to supplier performance in

59


the near term. Certain planned outages at generating facilities and construction projects may be delayed based on availability of contractors and supplies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created economic uncertainty for TVA’s LPCs and the communities they serve. To support LPCs and strengthen the public power response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TVA announced initiatives to enable and support LPCs in taking timely, local action. TVA first provided regulatory flexibility for LPCs to halt disconnection of services and respond to the local needs of their customers and communities. On March 25, 2020, the TVA Board approved the Public Power Support and Stabilization Program, which includes alternative wholesale payment arrangements for LPCs. TVA is offering up to $1.0 billion of credit support to LPCs who demonstrate the need for temporary financial relief, through the deferral of a portion of LPCs' wholesale power payments owed to TVA.  The program requires LPCs to apply for the deferral, which is subject to approval by TVA.  If approved, TVA will establish a repayment schedule based on the LPC’s need, not to exceed two years, and an initial repayment date will be approved by TVA no later than December 31, 2020.  As of May 4, 2020, $1 million of credit support has been approved under the Public Power Support and Stabilization Program. Additionally, TVA created the Back-to-Business credit program that will enable TVA and LPCs to provide relief to certain large customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing certain credits when returning to operations. TVA is also partnering with LPCs by providing $2 million in matching funds to support local initiatives that address hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions continue to show TVA's commitment to support the financial integrity of LPCs along with communities and customers across the Valley during these challenging economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation that may lead to extended disruption of economic activity and an adverse impact on TVA's results of operations. TVA is closely monitoring developments and will continue adjusting its response as necessary to ensure reliable service while protecting the safety and health of its workforce. Despite TVA’s efforts to manage the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, their ultimate impact also depends on factors beyond TVA’s knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of this outbreak, actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its effects, and broader impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country and region’s economy.

Distributed Energy Resources

Consumer desire for energy choice, among other things, is driving the expectation for flexible options in the electric industry. TVA and LPCs are working together to leverage the strengths of the Tennessee Valley public power model to provide distributed energy solutions that are economical, sustainable, and flexible. TVA will focus on the safety and reliability impacts of these resources as they are interconnected to the grid and will ensure that the pricing of electricity remains as low as feasible. Additional regulatory considerations and analysis may be required as the DER market, technologies, and programs evolve. TVA is working to develop pricing and regulatory structures with a deliberate and thoughtful analysis of each current and future program offering. This requires strong partnerships with LPCs to give customers choices and provide end-use consumers the flexibility they desire.

In May 2017, the TVA Board authorized up to $300 million to be spent over the next 10 years, subject to annual budget availability and necessary environmental reviews, to build an enhanced fiber optic network that will better connect TVA's operational assets. Fiber is a vital part of TVA's modern communication infrastructure. The new fiber optic lines will improve the reliability and resiliency of the generation and transmission system while enabling the system to better accommodate DER as they enter the market. As of March 31, 2020, TVA had spent $102 million on installation of the fiber optic lines and expects to spend an additional $198 million to complete the project.
    
Changing Customer Preferences

As more consumers and businesses are demanding cleaner energy, the utility industry is evolving to meet those needs. As TVA also evolves, it will see impacts to the way it does business through the pricing of products, transmission of energy, and development of new products and services for its customers in support of changing customer preferences and its economic development efforts. End-use customers are becoming more technologically sophisticated and want greater control over their energy usage. Many companies are focusing more on sustainability and requiring more energy efficiency as well as cleaner, more renewable energy options. The continuing challenge for TVA and others is finding ways to meet the needs and preferences of customers while successfully developing flexible pricing models to accommodate the evolving markets.

Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program. Through the Home Uplift Program, TVA is partnering with LPCs, state and local governments, non-profit agencies, energy efficiency advocates, and the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association to complete home evaluations and make high-impact home energy upgrades for qualifying homeowners. In addition, TVA and LPCs conduct workshops to educate homeowners about low and no-cost energy efficiency upgrades that improve their quality of life.

Renewable Power Purchase Agreements.  In order to meet customer preferences and requirements for cleaner energy, TVA entered into certain power purchase agreements ("PPAs") with renewable resource providers during 2019.  These agreements are the latest to stem from TVA's 2017 request for proposals for renewable energy.  In 2019, TVA signed four solar PPAs for 674 megawatts ("MW") of solar generation at sites in Tennessee and Alabama.  These four solar projects are expected to come online in 2021.  During 2020, as a result of TVA’s 2019 request for proposals for renewable energy, TVA signed six

60


additional PPAs for 661 MW of solar generation with 50 MW of battery storage expected to come online in 2022. TVA will procure the renewable energy and sell the resulting Renewable Energy Certificates to specific customers, allowing TVA to increase its renewable energy portfolio without additional costs to other Valley customers.  These agreements help to align the core values of TVA and the public power model with the desire of TVA's customers for renewable energy.

Further, TVA issued another request for proposal during the second quarter of 2020 for up to 200 MW of new renewable energy. The ultimate volume contracted will align to TVA customers' demand for renewable energy, allowing TVA to increase its renewable energy portfolio without additional costs to other Valley customers. TVA anticipates making selections during the fourth quarter of 2020.

Renewable Power Solutions. During its February 2019 meeting, the TVA Board approved new renewable power solutions, including a utility-scale option and a mid-scale option, that better equip TVA and LPCs with the flexibility to meet changing end-use customer needs. The utility-scale option, which aggregates demand through a competitive procurement process, is implemented by a renewable investment agreement through TVA's Green Invest Program. TVA may also construct its own renewable facilities to meet these needs. The mid-scale option, also known as the Flexibility Research Project, is a joint project with LPCs to enable solutions for situations where the end-use consumer needs onsite renewable or distributed generation. This project will allow TVA to gain market knowledge and operational insights.

Natural Resource Plan

TVA is updating its Natural Resource Plan ("NRP"), which was completed in 2011 to guide TVA's management of the public lands and waters within its seven-state service area. TVA remains committed to a balanced management approach and is considering changes to the NRP that include objectives and programs for each focus area and a flexible approach for long-term planning. These changes align with TVA's mission and will help TVA be better equipped to prioritize funding plans and create efficiencies in business planning and stewardship project implementation. During 2019, TVA hosted public meetings around the Valley and released the draft NRP and the associated Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement ("SEIS") for public review and comment. TVA published the final SEIS and 2020 NRP in February 2020, and intends to present them to the TVA Board at its May 2020 meeting for approval.

Strategic Financial Plan

In 2019, the TVA Board approved an annual budget that reflects the first year of a new Strategic Financial Plan. The Strategic Financial Plan, which extends from 2020 through 2030, is flexible in aligning customer preferences and TVA's mission while at the same time establishing a long-term forecast of financial results. Key focus areas of the Strategic Financial Plan include maintaining rates as low as feasible, establishing better alignment between the length of LPC contracts and TVA's long-term commitments, stabilizing debt in an $18.0 billion to $20.0 billion range, assuming 100 percent long-term partner participation, maintaining a cash balance of $300 million, and pursuing operational efficiencies. As TVA executes the plan, key assumptions and performance may change estimated debt and cash balances. Due to recent higher volatility in the financial markets associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, TVA increased its target balance of Cash and cash equivalents in March 2020 by $500 million through short-term discount note issuances.

Generation Resources

Extreme Flooding Preparedness. Updates to the TVA analytical hydrology model completed in 2009 indicated that under "probable maximum flood" conditions, some of TVA's dams might not have been capable of regulating the higher flood waters.  A "probable maximum flood" is an extremely unlikely event; however, TVA is obligated to provide protection for its nuclear plants against such events.  As a result, TVA installed a series of modifications at four dams.

Since 2009, TVA has performed further hydrology modeling of portions of the TVA watershed using updated modeling tools. The revised hydrology models were reviewed and approved by the NRC for Watts Bar Units 1 and 2. However, TVA identified an error in the modeling that will require the models for Watts Bar Units 1 and 2 to be resubmitted. TVA plans to resubmit models for Watts Bar Units 1 and 2 during the third quarter of 2020.  In addition, TVA submitted models for Sequoyah Nuclear Plant ("Sequoyah") Units 1 and 2 on January 14, 2020.  TVA will subsequently address conditions at Browns Ferry as needed.  TVA is deferring the decision on the need for additional modifications until after the modeling work is complete.
As of March 31, 2020, TVA had spent $153 million on the modifications and improvements related to extreme flooding preparedness and expects to spend up to an additional $27 million to complete the modifications.

NRC Seismic Assessments. In 2014, the NRC notified licensees of nuclear power reactors in the central and eastern U.S. of the results of seismic hazard screening and prioritization evaluations performed by unit owners and reviewed by the NRC staff. Because the seismic hazards for Browns Ferry, Sequoyah, and Watts Bar had increases in seismic parameters beyond the technical information available when the plants were designed and licensed, TVA must conduct seismic risk evaluations for these plants. TVA completed the risk evaluation for Watts Bar and submitted it to the NRC in 2017; the evaluation concluded that no additional actions were required. The NRC completed its review of the Watts Bar evaluation in 2018 and concluded that no further response or regulatory actions were required. The evaluation for Sequoyah was submitted on October 18, 2019 and

61


the evaluation for Browns Ferry was submitted on December 17, 2019. TVA anticipates the NRC will complete its review this year.
Mitigation of Beyond-Design-Basis Events.  NRC rulemaking has been developed to codify the requirements promulgated by orders related to beyond-design-basis flooding and seismic events discussed above. The NRC Commissioners approved the final rule in 2019.  TVA plans to implement requirements for Sequoyah and Watts Bar by 2022 and for Browns Ferry by 2023.  A gap review of the revised rule has been performed, and no new gaps to compliance were identified.  Actions to complete flood and seismic assessments are still ongoing. See Extreme Flooding Preparedness and NRC Seismic Assessments above.
Work Environment at Nuclear Plants. In March 2016, the NRC issued a Chilling Effect Letter ("CEL") to TVA regarding work environment concerns identified at Watts Bar. In the mid-cycle assessment letter issued in June 2018, the NRC issued a Cross Cutting Issue in safety conscious work environment ("CCI") and outlined the closure criteria for both the CEL and CCI.  In October 2019, TVA informed the NRC of its CEL and CCI closure criteria readiness, and the NRC completed its inspection, resulting in no findings with progress noted as documented in its December 2019 inspection report.  In March 2020, the NRC issued its Annual Assessment Letter for Watts Bar noting TVA’s progress in addressing the CEL and CCI while stating that the NRC continues to monitor TVA’s activities as they deliberate on the appropriate time to close the CEL and CCI.

Apparent Violations of NRC Regulations. On March 2, 2020, the NRC issued a letter to TVA identifying four apparent violations of NRC regulations that prohibit licensees from retaliating against employees for their having raised protected nuclear safety concerns. On March 9, 2020, the NRC issued a letter to TVA identifying twelve apparent violations of NRC regulations: six relating to operational activities and six relating to NRC regulations governing the completeness and accuracy of information. TVA is evaluating these matters in accordance with its processes and will have an opportunity to discuss these matters with the NRC at pre-decision enforcement conferences before the NRC makes final enforcement decisions. Although TVA cannot predict the final outcome of these matters, it is reasonably possible that the NRC may direct TVA to change certain aspects of its operations and/or impose civil penalties on TVA.  TVA does not expect any such penalties to have a material adverse impact on its results of operations or financial condition.

Tritium-Producing Burnable Absorber Rods. TVA was a cooperating agency in the 2016 Department of Energy ("DOE") Final SEIS for the Production of Tritium in a Commercial Light Water Reactor. In 2017, due to an anticipated need for more tritium-producing burnable absorber rods ("TPBARs"), the DOE announced its preferred alternative for irradiation services, which included use of an additional reactor. As a result of TVA's assessment and concurrence with the DOE's alternative, TVA submitted a license amendment request to the NRC to authorize the irradiation of TPBARs in Watts Bar Unit 2. The NRC approved the request in 2019. TVA is projecting to begin tritium production in Watts Bar Unit 2 in the fall of 2021. The DOE's decision also allows for irradiation of TPBARs at Sequoyah in the future; however, TVA does not have plans to employ Sequoyah units for tritium production in the near term.

Extended Power Uprate. TVA has undertaken an extended power uprate ("EPU") project at Browns Ferry to increase the amount of electrical generation capacity of its reactors. The license for each reactor was amended to allow reactor operation at the higher power level. The Browns Ferry EPU license amendments were approved by the NRC in 2017, following a nearly two-year review.

The project involved extensive engineering analyses and modification and replacement of certain existing plant components to enable the units to produce the additional power requested by the license amendments. The project's total cost will be approximately $475 million. Physical work on all units was completed in 2019. The generating capacity is expected to increase by an estimated 465 MW that must be validated through operation of all units for four seasons and completion of additional testing. TVA is currently operating and testing the units through the required period to complete the validation of the increased generating capacity.

Plant Closures.  Results of assessments performed at Paradise and Bull Run were presented to the TVA Board at its February 2019 meeting. The TVA Board approved the retirement of Paradise Unit 3 by December 2020 and Bull Run by December 2023. Subsequent to the TVA Board approval, TVA determined that Paradise would not be restarted after January 2020 due to the plant's material condition. Paradise Fossil Plant Unit 3 was taken offline on February 1, 2020, effectively retiring the plant. See Note 5Plant Closures.

Optimum Energy Portfolio. TVA must continuously evaluate all generating assets to ensure an optimum energy portfolio that provides safe, clean, and reliable power while maintaining flexibility and fiscal responsibility to the people of the Tennessee Valley.  During its August 2019 meeting, the TVA Board approved the Integrated Resource Plan, which included plans to assess performance of all generating assets.  These assessments consider material condition, plant performance, system flexibility needs, environmental impacts, grid support, and other factors.  TVA is currently performing these assessments and will provide the findings to the TVA Board to inform long-term planning of its generating assets.  In addition, TVA is also considering plans for additional generating facilities to support flexible resources and renewable portfolio options.


62


    Coal Combustion Residuals Facilities. TVA has committed to a programmatic approach for the elimination of wet storage of coal combustion residuals ("CCR") within the TVA service area. Under this program ("CCR Conversion Program"), TVA is converting all operational coal-fired plants to dry CCR storage and closing all wet storage facilities.

Dry generation and dewatering projects. Conversion of coal plant CCR wet processes to dry generation or dewatering is complete at Bull Run, Shawnee, and Kingston Fossil Plant ("Kingston"). Construction at Gallatin Fossil Plant ("Gallatin") was completed during the first quarter of 2020. Construction is underway at Cumberland Fossil Plant ("Cumberland") and is scheduled for completion in late 2020. Fly ash and gypsum conversion projects at Paradise were completed in 2019. 

Landfills. TVA has made strategic decisions to build and maintain lined and permitted dry storage facilities on TVA-owned property at several TVA locations, allowing these facilities to operate beyond existing dry storage capacity. Currently, lined and permitted dry storage facilities are completed and operational at Bull Run, Kingston, and Gallatin, and a lined dry storage facility at Paradise has been constructed but is not yet operational. A lined dry storage facility at Shawnee is currently under construction with completion scheduled for September 2020. Construction of a lined dry storage facility at Cumberland is expected to start in 2021. Kingston's permitted lined dry storage expansion is scheduled for completion in 2021. TVA is designing and permitting a lateral expansion of the existing landfill at Gallatin. Additionally, TVA is initiating the design and permitting process for a new lined landfill at Bull Run, but no decision to construct the facility has been made at this time. Construction of additional lined facilities may occur to support future business requirements.

Wet CCR impoundment closures. TVA is working to close wet CCR impoundments in accordance with federal and state requirements. Closure project schedules and costs are driven by the selected closure methodology (such as closure-in-place or closure-by-removal). Closure initiation dates are driven by environmental regulations. TVA's predominant closure methodology is closure-in-place, with exceptions at certain facilities. TVA issued an environmental impact statement ("EIS") in June 2016 that addresses the closure of CCR impoundments at TVA's coal-fired plants. TVA issued its associated Record of Decision in July 2016. Although the EIS was designed to be programmatic in order to address the mode of impoundment closures, it specifically addressed closure methods at 10 impoundments. TVA subsequently decided to close those impoundments. The method of final closure for each of these facilities will depend on various factors, including the results of studies conducted pursuant to NEPA and approval by appropriate state regulators. Additional NEPA studies will be conducted as other facilities are designated for closure. See Note 11Asset Retirement Obligations.
    
Groundwater monitoring. Compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's ("EPA's") CCR rule ("CCR Rule") as well as other requirements will require additional engineering and analysis as well as implementation of a comprehensive groundwater monitoring program. As further analyses are performed, including evaluation of monitoring results, there is the potential for additional costs for investigation and/or remediation. TVA expects to continue to evaluate and update these cost estimates.

In compliance with the CCR Rule, TVA published the results of additional groundwater testing at TVA's CCR facilities on March 1, 2019. The results included values above groundwater protection standards for some constituents at several CCR units. Accordingly, TVA will have to cease sending CCR and non-CCR wastestreams to any impacted unlined CCR surface impoundments no later than October 31, 2020 (and potentially earlier due to location demonstration results) and initiate additional corrective actions for groundwater. The EPA has proposed a rule revision that would change the deadline to cease sending CCR and non-CCR wastestreams to unlined CCR impoundments and to initiate closure by August 31, 2020. The proposed rule also allows for extensions based on meeting certain criteria. TVA evaluated and published Assessment of Corrective Measures reports to its CCR website in August 2019. TVA is continuing to publish periodic reports on additional groundwater testing at its CCR facilities; the latest report was published on February 28, 2020. In addition, TVA has been and will continue posting semi-annual progress reports on the status of remedy selection.

As of March 31, 2020, TVA had spent approximately $1.9 billion on its CCR Conversion Program. TVA expects to spend an additional $1.1 billion on the CCR Conversion Program through 2024. These estimates may change depending on the final closure method selected for each facility. Once the CCR Conversion Program is completed, TVA will continue to undertake certain CCR projects, including building new landfill cells under existing permits and closing existing cells once they reach capacity.

TVA was involved in two lawsuits concerning the CCR facilities at Gallatin. One of these cases was resolved by the entry of a consent order that became effective July 31, 2019. TVA agreed to close the existing wet ash impoundments by removal, either to an onsite landfill or to an offsite facility. TVA may also submit a plan that allows for beneficial reuse. TVA is currently conducting additional studies and environmental reviews to support its determination of the specific removal plans. See Note 11Asset Retirement Obligations.

In October 2019, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation ("TDEC") released amendments to its regulations which govern solid waste disposal facilities, including TVA's active CCR facilities covered by a solid waste disposal permit and those which closed pursuant to a TDEC approved closure plan. Such facilities are generally subject to a 30-year post-closure care period during which the owner or operator must undertake certain activities, including monitoring and maintaining the facility. The amendments will, among other things, add an additional 50-year period after the end of the post-

63


closure care period, require TVA to submit recommendations as to what activities must be performed during this 50-year period to protect human health and the environment, and require TVA to submit revised closure plans every 10 years.

Potential Liability Associated with Workers' Exposure to CCR Materials. In response to the 2008 ash spill at Kingston, TVA hired Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. ("Jacobs") to oversee certain aspects of the cleanup. After the cleanup was completed, Jacobs was sued in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee ("Eastern District") by employees of a contractor involved in the cleanup and family members of some of the employees.  The plaintiffs alleged that Jacobs had failed to take or provide proper health precautions and misled workers about the health risks associated with exposure to coal fly ash, which is a CCR material. The plaintiffs alleged that exposure to the fly ash caused a variety of significant health issues and illnesses, including in some cases death. The case was split into two phases, with the first phase considering, among other issues, general causation and the second determining specific causation and damages. In 2018, a jury hearing the first phase returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs, including determinations that Jacobs failed to adhere to its contract with TVA or the Site Wide Safety and Health Plan in place; Jacobs failed to provide reasonable care to the plaintiffs; and Jacobs's failures were capable of causing a list of medical conditions, ranging from hypertension to cancer. In 2019, the district court referred the parties to mediation. Mediation has concluded, but the parties did not resolve the matter. The litigation will now proceed.

Further in 2019, an additional group of contractor employees and family members filed suit against Jacobs in the Circuit Court for Roane County, Tennessee. These plaintiffs have raised similar claims to those being litigated in the case referenced above.

While TVA is not a party to either of these lawsuits, TVA could be contractually obligated to reimburse Jacobs for some amounts that Jacobs is required to pay. TVA will continue monitoring the litigation to determine whether these or similar cases could have broader implications for the utility industry. TVA does not expect any potential liability to have a material adverse impact on its results of operations or financial condition. See Note 20Contingencies and Legal Proceedings Contingencies.

River Management. Rainfall and runoff in the Tennessee Valley through the second quarter of 2020 were 166 percent and 174 percent of normal, respectively. Above normal rainfall and runoff have continued to help TVA meet its river system commitments, including managing minimum river flows for navigation, generating low-cost hydroelectric power, maintaining water quality and water supply, and providing recreational opportunities for the Tennessee Valley.  In addition, having cool water available helps TVA to meet thermal compliance and support normal operation of TVA's nuclear and fossil-fueled plants, while oxygenating water helps fish species remain healthy.  Significant flooding occurred in portions of the Tennessee Valley during February 2020 after receiving 10.0 inches of rainfall, which was 223 percent of normal for the month and the third wettest February on record. Although many locations along the Tennessee River reached or exceeded flood stage, TVA's efforts, including storing water in large tributary reservoirs, accounted for approximately $1.0 billion in avoided damages in areas such as Chattanooga, Tennessee. Further, the second quarter of 2020 was the wettest second quarter on record with 24.6 inches of rainfall received. Rainfall and runoff in the Tennessee Valley during the second quarter of 2020 were 177 percent and 182 percent of normal, respectively.

Small Modular Reactors.  In 2015, DOE entered into an Interagency Agreement with TVA to fund 50 percent of site characterization activities and the development of an Early Site Permit Application ("ESPA") for a generic small modular reactor ("SMR"). The ESPA is based on the potential construction and operation of two or more SMR units at TVA's Clinch River Site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. TVA submitted the ESPA for review by the NRC in 2016.  NRC staff concluded their environmental review and issued a final environmental impact statement in April 2019, followed by the conclusion of the safety review and issuance of a final safety evaluation report in June 2019.  The Commission held the statutorily required mandatory hearing for the ESPA in August 2019, and the permit was issued by the NRC in December 2019. The permit is valid through 2039 and therefore provides TVA a great deal of flexibility to make new nuclear decisions based on energy needs and economic factors.

TVA is in the process of evaluating new nuclear technology options and potential deployment scenarios.  To assist in the evaluation of SMRs, TVA has entered into memorandums of understanding with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee. These partnerships allow for collaboration, exploring highly efficient advanced reactor designs as a next-generation nuclear technology while leveraging advanced modeling and simulation tools to assist in determining the feasibility of SMRs. Any decision to construct an SMR would require approval by the TVA Board and the NRC. As of March 31, 2020, TVA had spent $77 million on work regarding SMRs, including work to complete the ESPA for the Clinch River Site, of which the DOE reimbursed TVA $24 million.  Additional expenditures will be determined based on future project development.

System Operations Center. A new system operations center has been approved for $255 million. The new secured facility is being built to accommodate a new energy management system and to adapt to new regulatory requirements.  The facility is expected to be constructed by 2022 and fully operational by 2024. As of March 31, 2020, TVA had spent approximately $19 million on the project and expects to spend an additional $236 million.


64


Dam Safety and Remediation Initiatives

Assurance Initiatives. TVA has an established dam safety program, which includes procedures based on the Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety, with the objective of reducing the risk of a dam safety event. The program is comprised of various engineering activities for all of TVA's dams including safety reassessments using modern industry criteria and the new probable maximum flood and site-specific seismic load cases. One aspect of the guidelines is that dam structures will be periodically assessed to assure that TVA's dams meet current design criteria. These assessments include material sampling of the dam and foundational structures and detailed engineering analysis.  TVA will continue preventative and ongoing maintenance as a part of this safety program.

Boone Dam Remediation. In 2015, a sinkhole was discovered near the base of the earthen embankment at Boone Dam, and a small amount of water and sediment was found seeping from the river bank below the dam. TVA identified underground pathways contributing to the seepage and prepared a plan to repair the dam, which consists of the construction of a composite seepage barrier wall in the dam's earthen embankment. TVA has completed grouting and construction of an upstream and downstream buttress. Installation of the concrete cut-off wall elements is in process.
    
As design and construction plans are finalized, the estimated cost and duration continue to be refined. As of March 31, 2020, TVA had spent $216 million related to this project and expects to spend an additional $240 million through 2023. TVA expects the reservoir to return to normal operations in 2022 and is continuing to work with the community to help mitigate local impacts of the extended drawdown.

Pickwick South Embankment Remediation. Reassessments of Pickwick Landing Dam ("Pickwick") found low safety factors for post-earthquake stability indicating that the dam is at significant risk for slope stability failure following a seismic event in portions of the south embankment. Slope stability failure could lead to a breach of the south embankment and loss of the reservoir, resulting in loss of life and damage to property downstream, disruption to navigation, and loss of generation and recreation.

TVA is upgrading the south embankment by constructing berms on the upstream and downstream slopes. The design phase of the project began in 2017 and is now completed. Construction began in the spring of 2019, and the project is currently estimated to be completed in two years, but could take longer depending on successful construction sequencing.  As of March 31, 2020, TVA had spent $111 million related to this project and expects to spend an additional $37 million through 2022.

Real Estate Portfolio

TVA continues to study its real estate portfolio for the purpose of aligning its real estate holdings with TVA's strategic direction. A comprehensive assessment of its real estate portfolio has been completed. TVA will continue to develop and implement a strategy aimed at reducing cost and right-sizing its portfolio as part of the effort.

Knoxville Property. In 2016, TVA completed a comprehensive assessment of its real estate holdings in the Knoxville, Tennessee region including the Knoxville Office Complex ("KOC") and adjacent Summer Place Complex ("SPC"). As a result of this study and a subsequent Environmental Assessment in 2017, TVA has consolidated its Knoxville area employees into the West Tower of the KOC and the Greenway Drive Transmission Service Center, and is completing the centralized field offices in Norris, Tennessee. As part of this consolidation effort, TVA has approved the conveyance of the SPC and the East Tower of the KOC. TVA expects to convey the KOC by the end of 2020.

Regulatory Compliance

Steam-Electric Effluent Guidelines. In 2015, the EPA published a final rule revising the existing steam-electric effluent limitation guidelines ("ELGs").  The ELGs update the existing technology-based water discharge limitations for power plants.  Compliance with new requirements is required in the 2018-2023 timeframe and will necessitate major upgrades to wastewater treatment systems at all coal-fired plants. Dry fly ash handling is mandated by the rule. The rule also requires either dry bottom ash handling systems or "no discharge" recycle of bottom ash transport waters, and new technology-based limits on flue gas desulfurization ("FGD") (scrubber) wastewater require primary physical/chemical treatment and secondary biological treatment to meet extremely low limits for arsenic, mercury, and selenium.

The EPA published a rule in 2017, postponing certain compliance/applicability dates to provide the EPA time to review and revise, as necessary, the 2015 ELGs for FGD wastewater and bottom ash transport water. The EPA delayed the compliance dates for these two waste streams from the 2018-2023 timeframe to 2020-2023. However, the 2018-2023 applicability dates and the accompanying requirements for fly ash transport water, flue gas mercury control wastewater, and gasification wastewater remain unchanged. While the EPA reconsiders the limits for FGD wastewater and bottom ash transport water, states have issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") permits for all of TVA's active coal facilities based on the 2015 ELGs, recognizing that the permits may need to be reopened to incorporate modifications to those ELGs. The EPA proposed revised ELGs for bottom ash transport water and FGD wastewater on November 4, 2019.

65


The primary impact of these proposed regulations for TVA is on the operation of existing coal-fired generation facilities. The proposed revised ELGs could impact long-term investment decisions being made relative to the long-term compliance and operability of these plants. The proposed revisions may require TVA to install additional wastewater treatment systems for FGD wastewater and bottom ash transport water, and TVA could incur substantial costs to comply with the new rule. TVA currently has three plants with wet scrubbers that may be subject to new scrubber-related limits, the largest being Cumberland. Bull Run is exempt from the imposition of new scrubber-related limits due to the pending retirement of the plant prior to the regulatory deadline. The proposed revision also includes a subcategory for which Cumberland would qualify that provides TVA greater flexibility in meeting the ELGs. However, given that these are proposed rules, it is unclear as to the nature of the final impact to TVA.

Allen Groundwater Investigation.  The CCR Rule required TVA to implement a comprehensive groundwater monitoring program at units subject to the rule. As a result of this groundwater monitoring program, TVA reported to TDEC in 2017 elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and fluoride in groundwater samples collected from two shallow-aquifer groundwater monitoring wells around the Allen East Ash Disposal Area. TVA, under the oversight of TDEC, conducted a remedial investigation into the nature and extent of the contamination. In 2018, TVA submitted a draft Remedial Investigation Report to TDEC which was revised after discussions with TDEC and additional investigation. TVA submitted the Final Updated Remedial Investigation Report to TDEC in 2019.

The remedial investigation confirmed that the high arsenic, fluoride, and lead concentrations are limited to the shallow alluvial aquifer in the north and south areas of the Allen East Ash Disposal Area. These areas are not adversely impacting the Memphis aquifer, which is the source of the public drinking water supply. All samples taken from the Memphis aquifer through TVA production wells were below the EPA drinking water standards. As the result of a pumping test conducted on TVA production wells at the nearby Allen Combined Cycle Plant ("Allen CC") by the United States Geological Survey and the University of Memphis, TVA is committed to not operating these production wells until additional data supports safe use. TVA constructed water tanks on site and is purchasing cooling water from Memphis Light, Gas and Water. The use of water tanks rather than the wells may impose some operational restrictions on the Allen CC due to the lower availability of cooling water.

TDEC approved TVA's Remedial Investigation/Interim Response Action Groundwater Monitoring Plan in 2019. The plan will be reviewed and modified annually as required to support project needs. The 2020 Remedial Investigation/Interim Response Action Groundwater Monitoring Plan has been sent to TDEC. TVA sampled the monitoring wells around the Allen East Ash Disposal Area quarterly throughout CY 2019. TVA prepared a memorandum following each sampling event, and has issued an annual report that has been submitted to TDEC. TVA is currently in the process of finalizing the interim response action for a groundwater extraction system to control and begin treating the shallow groundwater that contains elevated concentrations of arsenic. TVA began dewatering the Allen East Impoundment in September 2019.

TVA has evaluated closure options for the Allen East Ash Disposal Area, as well as the nearby West Ash Impoundment, through an EIS pursuant to NEPA. In March 2019, TVA released its public scoping report, which eliminated closure-in-place as an alternative. TVA published the final EIS on March 13, 2020 and its Record of Decision on April 14, 2020, which documents the final decision regarding the closure method for the CCR units at the Allen Fossil Plant. TVA has decided to remove CCR from the above identified areas to an existing permitted offsite landfill.

Ratemaking

TVA, LPCs, and directly served industries have worked collaboratively in recent years to develop changes to rates that focus on TVA's long-term pricing efforts and the changing needs of customers in the Tennessee Valley. These changes have improved pricing by better aligning rates with underlying cost drivers and by sending improved pricing signals, while maintaining competitive industrial rates and keeping residential rates affordable.

In 2019, the TVA Board approved a 20-year Partnership Agreement option that better aligns the length of LPC contracts with TVA's long-term commitments. These agreements are automatically extended each year after their initial effective date, contingent upon certain circumstances, including agreement on flexibility options and limited rate increases going forward. Participating LPCs will receive benefits including a 3.1 percent wholesale bill credit in exchange for their long-term commitment, which enables TVA to recover its long-term financial commitments over a commensurate period. In addition, participating LPCs will have the option for flexible generation capacity up to approximately five percent of average total hourly energy sales over the prior five years. As of May 4, 2020, 139 LPCs had signed the 20-year Partnership Agreement with TVA.

Safeguarding Assets

Physical Security Non-Nuclear Asset Protection.  TVA utilizes a variety of security technologies, security awareness activities, and security personnel to prevent sabotage, vandalism, and thefts.  Any of these activities could negatively impact the ability of TVA to generate, transmit, and deliver power to its customers. TVA's Police and Emergency Management personnel are active participants with numerous professional and peer physical security organizations in both the electric industry and law enforcement communities.


66


Physical attacks on transmission facilities across the country have heightened awareness of the need to physically protect facilities. TVA continues to work with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation ("NERC"), the SERC Reliability Corporation, the North American Transmission Forum, and other utilities to implement industry approved recommendations and standards.

Nuclear Security. Nuclear security is carried out in accordance with federal regulations as set forth by the NRC. These regulations are designed for the protection of TVA's nuclear power plants, the public, and employees from the threat of radiological sabotage and other nuclear-related terrorist threats. TVA has security forces to guard against such threats.

Cybersecurity. TVA operates in a highly regulated environment with respect to cybersecurity. TVA's cybersecurity program aligns or complies with the Federal Information Security Management Act, the NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection requirements, and the NRC requirements for cybersecurity, as well as industry best practices. As part of the U.S. government, TVA coordinates with and works closely with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team ("US-CERT"). US-CERT functions as a liaison between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the public and private sectors to coordinate responses to security threats from the internet.

The risk of cybersecurity events such as malicious code attacks, unauthorized access attempts, and social engineering attempts continues to intensify. While TVA and its third-party vendors and service providers have been, and will likely continue to be, subjected to such attacks and attempts to disrupt operations, to date the attacks have not impacted TVA's ability to operate as planned. See Item 1A, Risk Factors — Operational RisksTVA's facilities and information infrastructure may not operate as planned due to cyber threats to TVA's assets and operations in the Annual Report.

Over the last few years, there has been an increase of malicious cyber activity across all industries, including the energy sector. Recently, TVA has observed a significant increase in malicious activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic including phishing campaigns and malicious websites. These types of malicious activity are occurring across the industry and have also been observed by TVA’s external vendors, stakeholders and partners. This activity has caused the need for heightened awareness and preparedness. TVA is leveraging federal and other partners to better identify, detect, protect, and respond to these potential attacks. While there have been incidents of phishing and attempted fraud against TVA and its vendors and service providers, these events have not had a significant or material impact on business or operations.

Transmission Assets. In addition to physical and cybersecurity attacks, TVA's transmission assets are vulnerable to various types of electrically charged energy disruptions such as those from geomagnetic disturbances ("GMDs") and electromagnetic pulses ("EMP"). Because the effects of GMD and EMP are similar, they are often considered together. In September 2016, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") approved a new standard to address GMD events, and in March 2020, FERC approved a revision to the standard. TVA has met the requirements of the original standard and subsequent revisions, and has evaluated the effects of solar storms ranging from NERC's reference case to possible extreme levels. TVA continues as an active participant with NERC in this field. The most serious threats from EMP are those caused by high-altitude nuclear explosions. Like others in the industry, TVA is coordinating with federal and state authorities, NERC, Electric Power Research Institute, and other grid owners and operators to address this concern.

Bulk-Power System Assets. On May 1, 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order ("EO") 13920, Securing the United States Bulk-Power System.  Among other things, the EO prohibits the acquisition or installation of any bulk-power system electric equipment where the transaction (1) involves any property in which any foreign country or a national thereof has any interest and (2) poses an undue risk to the bulk-power system in, or national security of, the United States. TVA is reviewing this EO and has not yet determined the extent to which this EO may impact TVA’s operations.

Environmental Matters

TVA's activities, particularly its power generation activities, are subject to comprehensive regulation under environmental laws and regulations relating to air pollution, water pollution, and management and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, among other issues. Emissions from all TVA-owned and operated units (including small combustion turbine units of less than 25 MW) have been reduced from historic peaks. Emissions of nitrogen oxide ("NOx") have been reduced by 96 percent below peak 1995 levels and emissions of sulfur dioxide ("SO2") have been reduced by 99 percent below 1977 levels through CY 2019. For CY 2019, TVA's emission of carbon dioxide ("CO2") from its sources was 47 million tons, a 55 percent reduction from 2005 levels. This amount includes 2,383 tons from units rated at less than 25 MW. To remain consistent and to align with the EPA's reporting requirements, TVA intends to continue reporting CO2 emissions on a calendar year basis.

Clean Air Act

The CAA establishes a comprehensive program to protect and improve the nation's air quality and control sources of air pollution. The major CAA programs that affect TVA's power generation activities are described below.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The CAA requires the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards ("NAAQS") for certain air pollutants. The EPA has done this for ozone, particulate matter ("PM"), SO2, nitrogen dioxide ("NO2"), carbon monoxide, and lead. Over the years, the EPA has made the NAAQS more stringent. Each state must develop a plan to

67


be approved by the EPA for achieving and maintaining NAAQS within its borders. These plans impose limits on emissions from pollution sources, including TVA fossil fuel-fired plants. Areas meeting a NAAQS are designated as attainment areas. Areas not meeting a NAAQS are designated as non-attainment areas, and more stringent requirements apply in those areas, including stricter controls on industrial facilities and more complicated permitting processes. TVA fossil fuel-fired plants can be impacted by these requirements. All TVA generating units are located in areas designated as in attainment with NAAQS.

Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. The EPA issued the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule ("CSAPR") in July 2011 requiring several states in the eastern U.S. to improve air quality by reducing power plant emissions that contribute to pollution in other states.  In 2016, the EPA issued an update to CSAPR to address cross-state air pollution (the "CSAPR Update Rule"). The EPA subsequently issued an additional rule to resolve any remaining cross-state air pollutant issues ("CSAPR Close-Out Rule"). The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ("D.C. Circuit") has remanded a portion of the CSAPR Update Rule back to the EPA to address its failure to require upwind states to eliminate substantial contributions to downwind nonattainment by the statutory deadline. The D.C. Circuit also vacated the CSAPR Close-Out Rule. TVA does not anticipate significant changes to its operations based on the CSAPR Update Rule and the CSAPR Close-Out Rule, but cannot predict how the EPA will respond to the previously mentioned court decisions in amending these rules.

Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for Electric Utility Units. On April 16, 2020, the EPA issued a final rule which revokes the agency’s earlier finding that regulation of hazardous air pollutants ("HAP") emitted from steam electric utilities is “appropriate and necessary.” The rule does not remove electric generating units from the source categories listed under Section 112 of the CAA nor does it rescind the MATS requirements. Additionally, the EPA determined that further restrictions on HAP emissions are not warranted based on a residual risk and technology review for this source category. TVA does not anticipate that the final rule will change TVA's MATS compliance requirements or strategy.

Environmental Agreements. See Note 20Contingencies and Legal Proceedings Legal Proceedings Environmental Agreements for a discussion of the Environmental Agreements, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference.

Acid Rain Program. The Acid Rain Program is intended to help reduce emissions of SO2 and NOx, which are the primary pollutants implicated in the formation of acid rain. The program includes a cap-and-trade emission reduction program for SO2 emissions from power plants. TVA continues to reduce SO2 and NOx emissions from its coal-fired plants, and the SO2 allowances allocated to TVA under the Acid Rain Program are sufficient to cover the operation of its coal-fired plants. In the TVA service area, the limitations imposed on SO2 and NOx emissions by the CSAPR program are more stringent than the Acid Rain Program. Therefore, TVA forecasts that the Acid Rain Program will not impose any additional material requirements on TVA.

Regional Haze Program. The EPA issued the Clean Air Visibility Rule, which required certain older sources to install best available retrofit technology. No additional controls or lower operating limits are required for any TVA units to meet best available retrofit technology requirements. In January 2017, the EPA published the final rule that changed some of the requirements for Regional Haze State Implementation Plans ("SIPs"). Specific impacts cannot be determined until future Regional Haze SIPs are developed.

Opacity. Opacity, or visible emissions, measures the denseness (or color) of power plant plumes and has traditionally been used by states as a means of monitoring good maintenance and operation of particulate control equipment. Under some conditions, retrofitting a unit with additional equipment to better control SO2 and NOx emissions can adversely affect opacity performance, and TVA and other utilities have addressed this issue. The evaluation of utilities' compliance with opacity requirements is coming under increased scrutiny, especially during periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction. Historically, SIPs developed under the CAA typically excluded periods of startup, shutdowns, and malfunctions, but in June 2015, the EPA finalized a rule to eliminate such exclusions. The EPA rule required states to modify their implementation plans by November 2016. Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi submitted implementation plans, but Alabama has not. Environmental petitioners and several states filed petitions for judicial review of the EPA final rule before the D.C. Circuit. In April 2017, the D.C. Circuit, at the request of the new EPA Administrator, ordered this litigation to be suspended pending the EPA's review to determine whether to reconsider all or part of the rule. TVA does not expect significant impacts from these rule changes.

New York Petition to Address Impacts from Upwind High Emitting Sources. In March 2018, the State of New York filed a petition with the EPA under Section 126(b) of the CAA to address ozone impacts on New York from the NOx emissions from sources emitting at least 400 tons of NOx in CY 2017 from nine states including Kentucky. The New York petition requests that the EPA require daily NOx limits for utility units with SCRs such as Shawnee Units 1 and 4 and emission reductions from utility units without SCRs such as Shawnee Units 2, 3 and 5-9. Kentucky utility unit NOx emissions are already limited by the CSAPR Update Rule and are declining, and current EPA modeling projects no additional requirements to reduce Kentucky NOx emissions are necessary. On September 20, 2019, the EPA finalized its denial of New York's petition because the state did not demonstrate, and the EPA could not independently establish, that sources in the states listed in the petition contribute to exceedances of the 2008 and 2015 ozone NAAQS in New York. On October 29, 2019, the State of New York filed a petition in the D.C. Circuit for judicial review of the EPA's denial of the petition. Specific impacts to TVA as a result of the filing of the petition for judicial review cannot be determined at this time.
    

68


Affordable Clean Energy Rule. On June 19, 2019, the EPA finalized the final Affordable Clean Energy ("ACE") rule and repealed the EPA's previous regulation addressing greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions from existing fossil fuel-fired units. The ACE rule establishes guidelines for GHG emissions from existing coal-fired units based on efficiency improvements that can be achieved at those units at reasonable cost. States are required to apply the emission guidelines to coal-fired units within their respective jurisdictions and take into account the remaining useful lives of those units. The impact of the ACE rule on TVA's coal-fired units cannot be determined until Tennessee and Kentucky submit to the EPA their SIPs implementing guidelines in the ACE rule and the EPA approves these SIPs. The ACE rule allows states three years to submit their SIPs and allows the EPA 18 months for approval.
    
New Source Performance Standards. On December 6, 2018, the EPA proposed revisions to the GHG emission standards for new, modified, and reconstructed electric utility generating units that were finalized by the EPA in October 2015. For coal-fired units, the EPA proposes to revise the current new source standards such that carbon capture and sequestration technology is no longer necessary to meet the standards of performance that reflect the best system of emission reduction. The resulting limits are less stringent than limits under the current rule and can be met by modern coal-fired units (e.g., supercritical steam generators) in combination with best operating practices, but without carbon capture and sequestration. The EPA is not proposing to revise the new source performance standard for GHG emission from gas-fired units. If finalized as proposed, the revisions are not expected to significantly impact TVA since TVA does not currently plan to construct, modify, or reconstruct any coal-fired units.

Maryland Petition to Address Impacts from Upwind Electric Generating Units. In September 2017, the State of Maryland filed a lawsuit against the EPA for failing to act within 60 days on Maryland's petition under Section 126 of the CAA to address ozone impacts on Maryland from the NOx emissions of 36 electric generating units, including TVA's Paradise coal-fired Unit 3. The EPA has denied the petition because existing regulations already address emissions from the generating units at issue. On October 15, 2018, the State of Maryland filed a petition for judicial review with the D.C. Circuit asking the court to review the EPA's decision. With the retirement of Paradise Unit 3 on February 1, 2020, the outcome of this litigation will not affect TVA.

Climate Change

Executive Actions. In March 2017, President Trump issued EO 13783, "Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth."  The EO reversed or altered many actions taken by the federal government in the last four years of the Obama Administration to address climate change and mandates that federal agencies review existing regulations and actions that potentially burden energy development and use.  Several EOs, policy statements, and reports that established climate change objectives were rescinded or revoked.  EO 13783 did not mandate that the EPA reconsider its finding under the CAA that GHG emissions cause climate change and therefore endanger public health and the environment.

While EO 13783 requires review of all agency actions that potentially burden the safe, efficient development of domestic energy resources, the final specific requirements and impacts from implementation of this EO are not possible to predict at this time. It is likely that there will be some delay in the development of future GHG reduction requirements.

In May 2018, EO 13834, "Efficient Federal Operations," was signed. EO 13834 emphasizes meeting statutory requirements and gives agencies greater flexibility and discretion to decide how best to improve operations in order to "optimize energy and environmental performance, reduce waste, and cut costs." It also calls on the White House Council of Environmental Quality to streamline pre-existing environmental orders by "refocusing agencies on cost-effectively meeting mandates and goals" established by law. The order seeks to consolidate requirements related to energy and water efficiency, high performance buildings, renewable energy consumption, and federal vehicle fleet management. TVA consistently seeks to improve its operations in order to optimize energy and environmental performance and does not anticipate significant changes in its planning or operations as a result of the new EO.

International Accords. In September 2016, the U.S. formally accepted the Paris Agreement. The agreement met the threshold of at least 55 countries that account for at least 55 percent of global GHG emissions and formally entered into force in November 2016. The durability of the Paris Agreement commitments is uncertain after President Trump's announcement in June 2017 that the U.S. would withdraw from the agreement. On November 4, 2019, the United States formally notified the United Nations that it would withdraw from the agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, the effective date for the withdrawal will be November 4, 2020. Specific impacts to TVA cannot be determined at this time.
In response to President Trump's Paris withdrawal announcement, 25 states have formed the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to reducing GHG emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. North Carolina and Virginia are the only states in the TVA region that are U.S. Climate Alliance members. Among other commitments, each state commits to implement policies that advance the goals of the Paris Agreement, aiming to reduce GHG emissions by at least 26-28 percent below CY 2005 levels by CY 2025 and to accelerate new and existing policies to reduce carbon pollution and promote clean energy deployment at the state and federal level. In June 2017, America's Pledge was announced as a collaborative opportunity for these states to work with U.S. cities and businesses representing more than half of the U.S. economy. In September 2018, America's Pledge released its economy-wide policy analysis with recommendations of how

69


states, cities, businesses, and other stakeholders can influence U.S. decarbonization. It is premature to determine potential impacts to TVA.

Litigation. In addition to legislative activity, climate change issues have been the subject of a number of lawsuits, including lawsuits against TVA. See Note 20Contingencies and Legal Proceedings for additional information.
Indirect Consequences of Regulation or Business Trends. Legal, technological, political, and scientific developments regarding climate change may create new opportunities and risks. The potential indirect consequences could include an increase or decrease in electricity demand, increased demand for generation from alternative energy sources, and subsequent impacts to business reputation and public opinion.

Physical Impacts of Climate Change. TVA's Climate Change Adaptation Plan was last updated in June 2018. The goal of the adaptation planning process is to ensure TVA continues to achieve its mission and program goals and to operate in a secure, effective, and efficient manner in a changing climate by integrating climate change adaptation efforts in coordination with state and local partners, tribal governments, and private stakeholders. TVA manages the potential effects of climate change on its mission, programs, and operations within its environmental management processes.

Actions Taken by TVA to Reduce GHG Emissions. TVA has reduced GHG emissions from both its generation stations and its operations.  Recent TVA Board actions have focused on TVA's plan to balance its coal-fired generation by increasing its nuclear capacity, modernizing its hydroelectric generation system, increasing natural gas-fired generation, installing emission control equipment on certain of its coal-fired units, increasing its purchases of renewable energy, building solar facilities, and investing in energy efficiency initiatives to reduce energy use in the Tennessee Valley.  Additionally, TVA has invested to reduce energy use in its operations.  The combination of more stringent environmental regulations, lower natural gas prices, and lower demand for energy across the Tennessee Valley has reduced the utilization of coal-fired generation.  These factors have resulted in lower CO2 emissions from the TVA system.

Renewable/Clean Energy Standards

Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have established enforceable or mandatory requirements for electric utilities to generate a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources.  One state within the TVA service area, North Carolina, has a mandatory renewable standard that, while not applying directly to TVA, does apply to TVA's LPCs serving retail customers in that state.  TVA's policy is to provide compliance assistance to any distributor of TVA power, and TVA is providing assistance to the covered LPCs that sell TVA power in North Carolina.  Likewise, the Mississippi Public Service Commission adopted an energy efficiency rule applying to electric and natural gas providers in the state, and TVA is supplying information on participation in TVA's energy efficiency programs to support the covered Mississippi LPCs.

Water Quality Control Developments

Cooling Water Intake Structures. In May 2014, the EPA released a final rule under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act relating to cooling water intake structures ("CWIS") for existing power generating facilities. The rule requires changes in CWIS used to cool the vast majority of coal, gas, and nuclear steam-electric generating plants and a wide range of manufacturing and industrial facilities in the U.S.  The final rule requires CWIS to reflect the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impacts, primarily by reducing the amount of fish and shellfish that are impinged or entrained at a cooling water intake structure. These new requirements will potentially affect a number of TVA's fossil- and nuclear-fueled facilities and will likely require capital upgrades to ensure compliance. Most TVA facilities are projected to require retrofit of CWIS with "fish-friendly" screens and fish return systems to achieve compliance with the new rule. The rule is being implemented through permits issued under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") in Section 402 of the Clean Water Act. State agencies administer the NPDES permit program in most states including those in which TVA's facilities are located.  In addition, the responsible state agencies must provide all permit applications to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a 60-day review prior to public notice and an opportunity to comment during the public notice. As a result, the permit may include requirements for additional studies of threatened and endangered species arising from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service comments and may require additional measures be taken to protect threatened and endangered species and critical habitats directly or indirectly related to the plant cooling water intake. TVA's review of the final rule indicates that the rule offers adequate flexibility for cost-effective compliance.  The required compliance timeframe is linked to plant specific NPDES permit renewal cycles (i.e., technology retrofits), and compliance is expected to be required in the CYs 2022-2024 timeframe.

The EPA has never applied the requirements under Section 316(b) to hydroelectric facilities. However, two EPA regions that do not cover TVA's activities are proposing to include Section 316(b) requirements in NPDES permits for hydroelectric facilities in those regions. It is not clear whether the requirements will be adopted nationwide or, given the unique features of hydroelectric facilities and the manner in which they withdraw cooling water, how the best technology available standard would be applied.

Hydrothermal Discharges. The EPA and many states continue to focus regulatory attention on potential effects of hydrothermal discharges. Many TVA plants have variances from thermal standards under Section 316(a) of the Clean Water Act that are subject to review as NPDES permits are renewed. Specific data requirements in the future will be determined based on

70


negotiations between TVA and regulators. If plant thermal limits are made more stringent, TVA may have to install cooling towers at some of its plants and operate installed cooling towers more often. This could result in a substantial cost to TVA.

Steam-Electric Effluent Guidelines. In 2015, the EPA revised existing steam-electric effluent limitation guidelines ("ELGs"), which regulate water discharge pollutants and require the application of certain pollutant control technologies. The 2015 ELGs establish more stringent performance standards for existing and new sources and will require major upgrades to wastewater treatment options at all coal-fired plants. Compliance with new requirements was originally required in the CYs 2018-2023 timeframe, but the EPA delayed the compliance for flue gas desulfurization ("FGD") wastewater and bottom ash transport water until CYs 2020-2023 to allow the EPA time to review and potentially revise the ELGs with regard to these waste streams.

In August 2017, the EPA Administrator announced his decision to conduct a rulemaking to potentially revise the new, more stringent effluent limitations that apply to bottom ash transport water and FGD wastewater in the CY 2015 ELG rule. In April 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ("Fifth Circuit") remanded portions of the 2015 ELG because it determined that some of the standards did not comply with statutory requirements. The EPA proposed revised ELGs for bottom ash transport water and FGD wastewater on November 4, 2019, but did not address the portions of the ELG that were remanded by the Fifth Circuit.

The primary impact for TVA is on the operation of existing coal-fired generation facilities. The proposed revised ELGs could impact long-term investment decisions being made relative to the long-term compliance and operability of these plants. The proposed revisions may require TVA to install additional wastewater treatment systems for FGD wastewater and bottom ash transport water, and TVA could incur substantial costs to comply with the new rule.  The proposed revision also includes a subcategory for which the Cumberland Fossil Plant ("Cumberland") would qualify that provides TVA greater flexibility in meeting the ELGs. However, given that these are proposed rules, it is unclear what the final impact to TVA will be.  The proposed revisions may require TVA to install additional wastewater treatment systems for FGD wastewater and bottom ash transport water, and TVA could incur substantial costs to comply with the new rule.
    
Other Clean Water Act Requirements. As is the case in other industrial sectors, TVA and other utilities are also facing more stringent requirements related to the protection of wetlands, reductions in storm water impacts from construction activities, new water quality criteria for nutrients and other pollutants, new wastewater analytical methods, and regulation of pesticide discharges.

Recent Clean Water Act Decisions

On April 23, 2020, in County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, the Supreme Court held that the Clean Water Act requires a permit when there is a direct discharge of pollutants from a point source to waters of the U.S. and when there is the “functional equivalent” of a direct discharge.  The Court acknowledged that the new test would be somewhat difficult to apply, potentially requiring evaluation of multiple factors, but noted that “time and distance” of pollutant migration often will be the most important factors.  TVA cannot determine at this time what impact the decision and application of the test will have on its operations.

On April 15, 2020, in Northern Plains Resource Council v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana vacated the Nationwide Permit (“NWP”) 12, which authorizes discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S.  The decision means that any projects relying on coverage under NWP 12 to authorize impacts to waters of the U.S. no longer have that coverage.  TVA is evaluating how many projects are currently proceeding under NWP 12.  These projects will be required to obtain authorization under other Nationwide Permits or by individual permits.  The decision will likely result in delays and cost increases.

Cleanup of Solid and Hazardous Wastes

Liability for releases and cleanup of hazardous substances is imposed under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), and other federal and parallel state statutes. In a manner similar to many other industries and power systems, TVA has generated or used hazardous substances over the years.

TVA Sites. TVA operations at some of its facilities have resulted in contamination that TVA is addressing including at TVA's Environmental Research Center at Muscle Shoals, Alabama. At March 31, 2020, TVA's estimated liability for cleanup and similar environmental work for those sites for which sufficient information was available to develop a cost estimate is approximately $12 million and was included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, the ERC has an active groundwater monitoring program as part of a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") Corrective Action Permit.

Non-TVA Sites. TVA is aware of alleged hazardous-substance releases at certain non-TVA areas for which it may have some liability. See Note 20Contingencies and Legal Proceedings Environmental Matters.


71


Coal Combustion Residuals. The EPA published its final rule governing CCR in April 2015. The rule regulates CCR as nonhazardous waste under Subtitle D of the RCRA. While states may adopt the rule's requirements into their regulatory programs, the rule does not require states to adopt the requirements. The initial version of the rule provided for self-implementation by utilities and allows enforcement through citizen suits in federal court. The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act ("WIIN Act") subsequently allowed state or federal-based permitting to implement the CCR rule as an alternative to self-implementation and citizen suits. The rule, which became effective in October 2015, has later effective dates for certain provisions. See Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Key Initiatives and Challenges Generation Resources Coal Combustion Residual Facilities in the Annual Report for a discussion of the impact on TVA's operations, including the cost and timing estimates of related projects.
    
  In July 2018, the EPA issued a final rule which provided additional flexibility and an extension of certain deadlines. On March 13, 2019, the D.C. Circuit granted the EPA's request to remand this final rule to allow the EPA to reconsider the amendments to the CCR Rule. The remand also allows the EPA additional time to complete a new rulemaking to establish revised timelines for unlined impoundments to initiate closure and to reexamine the October 2020 deadline for closing some unlined impoundments. On August 14, 2019, the EPA issued a proposed rule to amend portions of the CCR Rule regarding beneficial use, temporary piles, and public access to information. As a result of these developments, it is not possible to predict potential impacts on TVA.

On November 4, 2019, the EPA announced a proposed rule that will revise portions of the CCR Rule requiring closure of unlined surface impoundments. This proposal, if finalized, will require all unlined CCR surface impoundments to stop receiving CCR and non-CCR wastestreams and to initiate closure by no later than August 31, 2020. The proposed rule would allow a utility to demonstrate the need for a short-term extension to continue to use the unlined CCR surface impoundment until November 30, 2020, if the alternative disposal capacity (i.e., new landfills or non-CCR water management systems) is not complete. Additionally, the proposed rule provides a process for a utility to seek site-specific approval from the EPA to continue to use the unlined CCR surface impoundment until no later than October 15, 2023. TVA does not currently anticipate the proposed rule will have a significant impact because TVA is already planning to close its unlined CCR surface impoundments.

In August 2015, TDEC issued an order that (1) allowed TDEC to oversee TVA's implementation of the EPA's CCR rule and (2) required TVA to assess CCR contamination risks at seven of TVA's eight coal-fired plants in Tennessee and to remediate any unacceptable risks.  The TDEC order does not allege that TVA is violating any CCR regulatory requirements nor does it assess TVA penalties.  The TDEC order sets out an iterative process through which TVA and TDEC will identify and evaluate any CCR contamination risks and, if necessary, respond to such risks.

Groundwater Contamination. Environmental groups and state regulatory agencies are increasing their attention on alleged groundwater contamination associated with CCR management activities. As a result, TVA may have to change how it manages CCR at some of its plants, potentially resulting in higher costs. See Part I, Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Key Initiatives and ChallengesGeneration ResourcesCoal Combustion Residuals Facilities and Note 11Asset Retirement Obligations.
Environmental Investments

From 1970 to 2019, TVA spent approximately $6.8 billion on controls to reduce emissions from its coal-fired power plants. In addition, TVA has reduced emissions by idling or retiring coal-fired units and relying more on cleaner energy resources including natural gas and nuclear generation.

TVA currently anticipates spending significant amounts on environmental projects through 2024, including investments in new clean energy generation including renewables to reduce TVA's overall environmental footprint.  TVA environmental project expenditures also result from coal-fired plant decommissioning and from effective ash management modernization. Based on TVA's decisions regarding certain coal-fired units, the amount and timing of expenditures could change.

SO2 Emissions and NOx Emissions. To reduce SO2 emissions, TVA operates scrubbers on 19 of its coal-fired units and switched to lower-sulfur coal at 13 coal-fired units. To reduce NOx emissions, TVA operates SCRs on 19 coal-fired units, operates low-NOx burners or low-NOx combustion systems on 19 units, operates over-fire air on one cyclone unit, optimized combustion on six units, and operates NOx control equipment year round when units are operating (except during start-up, shutdown, and maintenance periods). TVA has also retired 33 of 59 coal-fired units. Except for seven units at Shawnee, the remaining coal-fired units have scrubbers and SCRs.

Particulate Emissions. To reduce particulate emissions of air pollutants, TVA has equipped all of its coal-fired units with scrubbers, mechanical collectors, electrostatic precipitators, and/or bag houses.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. There could be additional material costs if further reductions of GHGs, including CO2, are mandated by legislative, regulatory, or judicial actions and if more stringent emission reduction requirements for conventional pollutants are established. These costs cannot reasonably be predicted at this time because of the uncertainty of these actions.

72


The EPA may issue regulations establishing more stringent air, water, and waste requirements, and these requirements could result in significant changes in the structure of the U.S. power industry, especially in the eastern half of the country.

Estimated Required Environmental Expenditures

The following table contains information about TVA's current estimates on projects related to environmental laws and regulations:
Estimated Potential Environmental Expenditures(1)(2)
At March 31, 2020
(in millions)

 
Remaining 2020
 
2021
 
Thereafter(3)(4)
 
Total
Coal combustion residuals conversion program(5)
$
161

 
$
290

 
$
602

 
$
1,053

Clean air control projects(6)
6

 
37

 
81

 
124

Clean Water Act requirements(7)
44

 
74

 
120

 
238

Notes
(1) These estimates are subject to change as additional information becomes available and as regulations change.
(2) These estimates include $165 million, $206 million, and $256 million for the remainder of 2020, 2021, and thereafter, respectively, in capital expenditures.
(3) See Note 20 — Contingencies and Legal ProceedingsContingencies.
(4) These estimates include expenditures expected to be incurred during 2022, 2023, and 2024.
(5)  Includes costs associated with pond closures, conversion of wet to dry handling, and landfill activities. TVA is continuing to evaluate the rules and their impact on its operations, including the cost and timing estimates of related projects. See Part I, Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Key Initiatives and Challenges — Generation Resources — Coal Combustion Residuals Facilities and Note 11Asset Retirement Obligations.
(6)  Includes air quality projects that TVA is currently performing to comply with existing air quality regulations, but does not include any projects that may be required to comply with potential GHG regulations or transmission upgrades.
(7)  Includes projects that TVA is currently planning to comply with revised rules under the Clean Water Act (regarding CWIS and ELGs for steam electric power plants).

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, TVA is party to or otherwise involved in lawsuits, claims, proceedings, investigations, and other legal matters ("Legal Proceedings") that have arisen in the ordinary course of conducting its activities, as a result of catastrophic events or otherwise. At March 31, 2020, TVA had accrued $13 million with respect to Legal Proceedings. No assurance can be given that TVA will not be subject to significant additional claims and liabilities. If actual liabilities significantly exceed the estimates made, TVA's results of operations, liquidity, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

For a discussion of certain current material Legal Proceedings, see Note 20 Contingencies and Legal Proceedings Legal Proceedings, which discussions are incorporated into this Part I, Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
    
At March 31, 2020, TVA had no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires TVA to estimate the effects of various matters that are inherently uncertain as of the date of the financial statements. Although the financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., TVA is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the amounts of revenues and expenses reported during the reporting period. Each of these estimates varies in regard to the level of judgment involved and its potential impact on TVA's financial results. Estimates are deemed critical either when a different estimate could have reasonably been used, or where changes in the estimate are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, and such use or change would materially impact TVA's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. TVA's critical accounting policies are discussed in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates and Note 1Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report.

New Accounting Standards and Interpretations

For a discussion of new accounting standards and interpretations, see Note 2Impact of New Accounting Standards and Interpretations, which discussion is incorporated into this Part I, Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.




73


Legislative and Regulatory Matters

TVA continues to monitor how regulatory agencies are interpreting and implementing the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was enacted in July 2010.  As a result, TVA has become subject to
recordkeeping, reporting, and reconciliation requirements related to its derivative transactions. In addition, depending on how regulatory agencies interpret and implement the provisions, TVA's hedging costs may increase, and TVA may have to post additional collateral and margin in connection with its derivative transactions.

TVA does not engage, and does not control any entity that is engaged, in any activity listed under Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), which requires certain issuers to disclose certain activities relating to Iran involving the issuer and its affiliates.  Based on information supplied by each such person, none of TVA's directors and executive officers are involved in any such activities.  While TVA is an agency and instrumentality of the U.S., TVA does not believe its disclosure obligations, if any, under Section 13(r) extend to the activities of any other departments, divisions, or agencies of the U.S.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Financial markets have experienced higher volatility during the second quarter of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The uncertainty has resulted in significantly lower market valuations for many investments and derivative instruments. See Note 14Risk Management Activities and Derivative Transactions for additional information regarding TVA's derivative transactions and risk management activities, Note 15Fair Value Measurements for disclosure of the current balances of investment funds, and Note 19Benefit Plans for additional information regarding the impacts to TVA's pension system.


ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

TVA's management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and members of the Disclosure Control Committee, including the Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer), evaluated the effectiveness of TVA's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2020.  Based on this evaluation, TVA's management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and members of the Disclosure Control Committee, including the Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer), concluded that TVA's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2020, to ensure that information required to be disclosed by TVA in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by TVA in such reports is accumulated and communicated to TVA's management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and members of the Disclosure Control Committee, including the Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, there were no changes in TVA's internal control over financial reporting
that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, TVA's internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, TVA is party to or otherwise involved in lawsuits, claims, proceedings, investigations, and other legal matters ("Legal Proceedings") that have arisen in the ordinary course of conducting its activities, as a result of catastrophic events or otherwise.  While the outcome of the Legal Proceedings to which TVA is a party cannot be predicted with certainty, any adverse outcome to a Legal Proceeding involving TVA may have a material adverse effect on TVA's financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

For a discussion of certain current material Legal Proceedings, see Note 20Contingencies and Legal ProceedingsLegal Proceedings, which discussions are incorporated by reference into this Part II, Item 1, Legal Proceedings.


74


ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

The following risk factor describes a material change from the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A, Risk Factors of the Annual Report. The following information should be read in conjunction with additional risk factors included in the Annual Report.

Events such as health epidemics, pandemics, and similar outbreaks could adversely affect TVA’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Health epidemics, pandemics, and similar outbreaks, including the global pandemics resulting from the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) and efforts to contain the virus, can adversely affect TVA’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. Such impacts can include reduced revenues as customers curtail operations to reduce the spread of the outbreak, including quarantines, closures, or reduced operations of businesses or other institutions, deferral of revenues under programs such as that offered by TVA to its local power company customers to offset the impact of customers’ inability to pay during the outbreak, and the impairment of accounts and loans receivable. Based on initial forecasts of early data, TVA anticipates base revenue to be lower than plan by between $300 million and $500 million for the remainder of 2020.

In addition, TVA’s operations could be impacted by, among other things, the need to implement social distancing to prevent illness from spreading within the workforce, travel restrictions, the availability of the workforce to perform essential functions, and the unavailability of fuel or critical parts, supplies, or services due to transportation restrictions and the shutdown, slowdown, or inability to meet contractual requirements of suppliers or other vendors in TVA’s supply chain. In addition, the continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely impact TVA’s ability to develop, construct, and operate facilities and could lead to impairments of TVA's long-lived assets.

TVA could be further adversely affected by general impacts of the outbreak on the economy and financial markets, including an economic downturn and continued volatility in interest rates, commodity prices, investment performance, and foreign currency exchange rates. The value of TVA’s pension plan assets and other investment portfolios decreased significantly during the second quarter of 2020 and may continue to decrease, possibly by significant amounts.

To address specific aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, TVA has implemented a company-wide pandemic plan, including limiting business related travel and encouraging working remotely when possible, implementing strong physical and cyber-security measures, closing certain recreation areas to slow the spread of the virus, actively monitoring generation, transmission, and distribution functions, and increasing its cash reserves; however, it is possible that these measures will not be successful in mitigating the impact of the outbreak.

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will impact TVA’s business, financial condition, and results of operations is uncertain and will depend on numerous evolving factors beyond TVA’s knowledge or control including, among other things, the duration and severity of the outbreak, actions taken to contain its spread and mitigate its effects, and broader impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country and region’s economy. However, TVA reasonably anticipates that a prolonged outbreak could have a material impact on its business, financial condition, and results of operations, and could require TVA to change how it conducts certain operations, takes power under certain agreements, or dispatches its own facilities.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

On May 4, 2020, TVA amended and restated its Deferred Compensation Plan to align with competitive practice. The plan is designed to provide participants with deferrals of compensation in order to provide income to supplement retirement benefits, an additional means of deferring taxes on deferred compensation, and an opportunity to earn a notational investment return on deferred compensation. A copy of the plan is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Quarterly Report.


75


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit  No. 
Description 
 
 
31.1
 
 
31.2
 
 
32.1
 
 
32.2
 
 
10.1
 
 
10.2
 
 
101.INS
TVA XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
TVA XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
101.CAL
TVA XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
101.DEF
TVA XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
 
101.LAB
TVA XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
101.PRE
TVA XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 


76


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13, 15(d), or 37 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:
May 4, 2020
 
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY                           
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 /s/ Jeffrey J. Lyash
 
 
 
Jeffrey J. Lyash
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) 
 
 
 
By:
 /s/ John M. Thomas, III  
 
 
 
John M. Thomas, III
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

77


EXHIBIT 10.1

This agreement has been filed to provide investors with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Tennessee Valley Authority. The representations and warranties of the parties in this agreement were made to, and solely for the benefit of, the other parties to this agreement. The assertions embodied in the representations and warranties may be qualified by information included in schedules, exhibits, or other materials exchanged by the parties that may modify or create exceptions to the representations and warranties. Accordingly, investors should not rely on the representations and warranties as characterizations of the actual state of facts at the time they were made or otherwise.


THIRD AMENDMENT

THIS THIRD AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) dated as of February 27, 2020 to the Credit Agreement referenced below is among TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY, a wholly owned corporate agency and instrumentality of the United States of America (the “Borrower”) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender and as Administrative Agent.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, pursuant to the February Maturity Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 2015 (as amended, modified, supplemented, increased and extended from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrower, the Lender identified therein and the Administrative Agent, the Lender agreed to make extensions of credit to the Borrower; and

WHEREAS, the parties have requested certain modifications to the Credit Agreement, and the parties have agreed to the requested modifications on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.    Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

2.    Amendments to the Credit Agreement.

2.1.    The Credit Agreement, other than the existing schedules and exhibits thereto, is amended as provided in Exhibit A attached hereto to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text).

2.2.    A new Exhibit 2.04 is hereby added to the Credit Agreement in the form of Exhibit 2.04 attached hereto.

3.    Conditions Precedent. This Amendment shall become effective as of the date set forth above upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

(a)    receipt by the Administrative Agent of counterparts of this Amendment and a fee letter, in each case, executed by the Borrower and the Lender;

(b)    receipt by the Administrative Agent of resolutions and certificate of incumbency of the Borrower evidencing the authority of the Borrower to enter into this Amendment certified by the Secretary or by an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower to be true and correct as of the date hereof; and




(c)    receipt by the Administrative Agent of an opinion of legal counsel to the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lender, dated as of the date hereof, and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

4.    No Other Changes. Except as expressly modified hereby, all of the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect.

5.    Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties; No Default. The Borrower represents and warrants that each representation and warranty set forth in the Loan Documents is true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof (except those that expressly relate to an earlier date or period). No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from giving effect to this Amendment.

6.    Counterparts; Delivery. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Amendment to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as an original.

7.    Governing Law. Except for those sections that specifically reference a federal statute or regulation, this Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract made under, and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Tennessee. The foregoing notwithstanding, to the extent the following defenses would be available to the Borrower under federal law, then such defenses shall be available to the Borrower in connection with this Amendment: (i) non-liability for punitive damages, (ii) exemption from anti-trust laws, (iii) the Borrower cannot be contractually bound by representation of an employee made without actual authority, (iv) presumption that government officials have acted in good faith and (v) limitation on the application of the doctrine of equitable estoppel to the government. For the avoidance of doubt, the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, shall continue to be governed by Section 10.15, Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc., and not by Section 7, Governing Law, of this Amendment.

[Signature Page Follows]





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Third Amendment to the February Maturity Credit Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

BORROWER:        TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY

By:_/s/ Mary Nell Pruitt_____________
Name:    Mary Nell Pruitt    
Title:    Director, Treasury Management


ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT:        BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent

By:_/s/ John M. Hall _____________
Name:    John M. Hall    
Title:    Senior Vice President


LENDER:        BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender

By:_/s/ John M. Hall _____________
Name:    John M. Hall    
Title:    Senior Vice President




Exhibit A

Credit Agreement
















FEBRUARY MATURITY CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of August 7, 2015

Among

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY,
as the Borrower


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as a Lender

and

THE OTHER LENDERS PARTY HERETO


Arranged By:

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH
BOFA SECURITIES, INC.,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner




TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS    1
1.01    Defined Terms.    1
1.02    Other Interpretive Provisions.    18
1.03    Accounting Terms.    18
1.04    Times of Day; Rates.    19
1.05    Letter of Credit Amounts.    19
ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND LOANS    19
2.01    Loans.    19
2.02    Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.    2019
2.03    Letter of Credit.    21
2.04    Prepayments.    2927
2.05    Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Commitments; Availability.    2928
2.06    Repayment of Loans.    3029
2.07    Interest.    3029
2.08    Fees.    3129
2.09    Computation of Interest and Fees.    3130
2.10    Evidence of Debt.    3230
2.11    Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.    3230
2.12    Sharing of Payments by Lenders.    3432
2.13    Cash Collateral.    3432
2.14    Defaulting Lenders.    3533
2.15    Extension of the Termination Date.    3735
ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY    3735
3.01    Taxes.    3735
3.02    Illegality.    4138
3.03    Inability to Determine Rates.    4138
3.04    Increased Costs.    4240
3.05    Compensation for Losses.    4341
3.06    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.    4442
3.07    Survival.    4442
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS    4543
4.01    Conditions to Closing.    4543
4.02    Conditions to all Credit Extensions.    4643
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES    4744
5.01    Existence, Qualification and Power.    4744
5.02    Authorization; No Contravention.    4744
5.03    Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.    4745
5.04    Binding Effect.    4745
5.05    Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.    4745
5.06    Litigation.    4845
5.07    No Default.    4845
5.08    Ownership of Property; Liens.    4845


i



5.09    Environmental Compliance.    4846
5.10    Payment of Governmental Charges.    4946
5.11    ERISA Compliance.    4946
5.12    Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.    5047
5.13    Disclosure.    5047
5.14    Compliance with Laws.    5047
5.15    EEA Financial Institution.    48
ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS    5148
6.01    Financial Statements.    5148
6.02    Certificates; Other Information.    5249
6.03    Notices.    5350
6.04    Payment of Obligations.    5350
6.05    Preservation of Existence, Etc.    5350
6.06    Maintenance of Properties.    5450
6.07    Maintenance of Insurance.    5451
6.08    Compliance with Laws.    5451
6.09    Books and Records.    5451
6.10    Inspection Rights.    5451
6.11    Use of Proceeds.    5551
6.12    Rates and Charges.    5551
6.13    Protection of Lender’s Investment.    5552
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS    5652
7.01    Liens.    5652
7.02    Indebtedness.    5652
7.03    Fundamental Changes; Subsidiaries.    5653
7.04    Change in Nature of Business.    5653
7.05    Use of Proceeds.    5753
7.06    Sanctions.    5753
7.07    Anti-Corruption.    5753
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES    5754
8.01    Events of Default.    5754
8.02    Remedies Upon Event of Default.    5956
8.03    Application of Funds.    6056
ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT    6157
9.01    Appointment and Authority.    6157
9.02    Rights and Obligations as a Lender.    6157
9.03    Exculpatory Provisions.    6257
9.04    Reliance by Administrative Agent.    6258
9.05    Delegation of Duties.    6359
9.06    Resignation of Administrative Agent.    6359
9.07    Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.    6460
9.08    No Other Duties; Etc.    6460
9.09    Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.    6460
9.10    Certain ERISA Matters.    61
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS    6562
10.01    Amendments, Etc.    6562


ii



10.02    Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies.    6663
10.03    No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.    6864
10.04    Expenses; Indemnity; and Damage Waiver.    6965
10.05    Payments Set Aside.    7166
10.06    Successors and Assigns.    7167
10.07    Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.    7570
10.08    Set-off.    7571
10.09    Interest Rate Limitation.    7671
10.10    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.    7671
10.11    Survival of Representations and Warranties.    7672
10.12    Severability.    7772
10.13    Replacement of Lenders.    7772
10.14    [Reserved].    7873
10.15    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.    7873
10.16    Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury.    7974
10.17    USA PATRIOT Act Notice.    7974
10.18    Statement of Borrower regarding the Bankruptcy Code of the United States.    7974
10.19    No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.    7974
10.20    Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.    8075
10.21    TVA Related Provisions.    8075
10.22    Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.    75
10.23    Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs.    76


iii



SCHEDULES

1.01    Pricing Grid
2.01    Commitments and Applicable Percentages
2.03    Existing Letter of Credit
7.01    Other Permitted Liens
10.02    Certain Addresses for Notices

EXHIBITS

2.02    Form of Loan Notice
2.04    Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment
2.10    Form of Note
10.06    Form of Assignment and Assumption
10.21    Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements



iv



FEBRUARY MATURITY CREDIT AGREEMENT

This FEBRUARY MATURITY CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of August 7, 2015 among TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY, a wholly owned corporate agency and instrumentality of the United States of America (the “Borrower”), the Lenders (defined herein) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender and as Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer.

The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide $500 million in credit facilities for the purposes set forth herein, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

To the extent that any Credit Extension (as defined below) constitutes bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness for purposes of the TVA Act (defined below) then such Credit Extension is issued pursuant to Section 15d of the TVA Act.

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1.01    Defined Terms.

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Administrative Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the Lenders.

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Agent Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 10.02(e).

Aggregate Commitments” means the aggregate of the Commitments of all the Lenders. The amount of the Aggregate Commitments in effect on the Closing Date is FIVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($500,000,000).

Agreement” means this February Maturity Credit Agreement.

Annual Financial Statements” means the balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, and the related statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal year.

Anti-Corruption Laws” means the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and all other laws, rules and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.



1



Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means all applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to terrorist financing or money laundering, including the U.S. Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 (18 U.S.C. 1956-67) and the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act.

Applicable Percentage” means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.14; provided that if the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

Applicable Rate” means, for any day, the applicable percentage per annum equal to the percentage set forth on Schedule 1.01 determined by reference to the pricing level containing the lowest of (a) the Rating from S&P and (b) the Rating from Moody’s, in each case corresponding to such Base Rate Loan or LIBOR Rate Loan; provided, however, if there is a split in Ratings between Moody’s and S&P and (i) the two Ratings differ by one pricing level, the lower level will apply, or (ii) the two Ratings differ by more than one level, one level higher than the lower Rating will apply. Each change in the Applicable Rate shall be effective on and as of the date of such change and shall be applicable to all existing Credit Extensions and to any new Credit Extensions made on the date thereof.

Appropriation Investment” means, in any fiscal year, that part of the Borrower’s total investment assigned to power as of the beginning of the fiscal year (including both completed plant and construction in progress) which has been provided from appropriations or by transfers of property from other United States Government agencies without reimbursement by the Borrower, less repayments of such Appropriation Investment made under the TVA Act, under Title II of the Government Corporations Appropriation Act of 1948, 61 Stat. 576-577 (1947) or under other applicable legislation.

Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Arranger” means Bank of America, N.A., an affiliate of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated (or any other registered broker-dealer wholly-owned by Bank of America Corporation to which all or substantially all of Bank of America Corporation’s or any of its subsidiaries’ investment banking, commercial lending services or related businesses may be transferred following the date of this Agreement)BofA Securities, Inc., in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner.

Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit 10.06 or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by MarkitClear or other electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

Auto Borrow Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 2.02(f).

Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iv).

Availability Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b).

Availability Period” means the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Commitments pursuant to Section 2.05, and


2



(c) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.

“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

“Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus one and one-half of one percent (1.5%), (b) the LIBOR Rate plus one and one-half of one percent (1.5%) and (c) the Prime Rate; provided, if Base Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of this Agreement. If the Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, then the Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (c) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (b) above.

Base Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.
 
“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. §1841(k)) of such party.

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Borrower.

Bond Anticipation Obligations” means Evidences of Indebtedness and renewals thereof to be paid from the proceeds of a series of bonds previously authorized when issued or from other funds that may be available for that purpose.

Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type and, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period, made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any LIBOR Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the LIBOR market.

Businesses” means, at any time, a collective reference to the businesses operated by the Borrower at such time.

Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, as collateral for the L/C Obligations or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, account balances or, if the L/C Issuer shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation


3



in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided, however, for purposes of this Agreement, (i) the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Basel III and all requests, rules, guidelines, directives and interpretations thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, directives and interpretations promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, in each case are deemed to have gone into effect and to have been adopted after the date of this Agreement and are thereby deemed to be “Changes in Law”.

Closing Date” means the date hereof.

Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to make Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 and purchase participations in L/C Obligations pursuant to Section 2.03(a) in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Commitment Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.08(a).

Commitment Termination Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a)(ii).

Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote five percent (5%) or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.

“Covered Entity” means any of the following: (a) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (b) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (c) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Covered Party” has the meaning specified in Section 10.23.

Credit Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

Debt Ceiling Availability” means the amount equal to the limitation on indebtedness set forth in Section 15(d) of the TVA Act less the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.


4



Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would, unless and until waived or cured in accordance with this Agreement, be an Event of Default.

Default Rate” means (a) with respect to any Loan, the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate and any applicable Liquidity Premium) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus two percent (2%) per annum, (b) with respect to the Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the sum of (i) the Applicable Rate plus (ii) two percent (2%) per annum, and (c) with respect to any other Obligation, an interest rate equal to the sum of (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) two percent (2%) per annum, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.14(b), any Lender that, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations hereunder, including in respect of its Loans or participations in respect of Letters of Credit, within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it, or (iii) taken any action in furtherance of, or indicated its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or (iv) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority.

Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory itself, or whose government, is the subject or target of comprehensive Sanctions.

Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a Subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Sections 10.06(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).



5



Environmental Laws” means to the extent relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public sewer systems: any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules or judgments; any and all applicable administrative orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses or agreements made with or issued by any Governmental Authority; and any and all applicable governmental restrictions.

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

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

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code).

ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or
a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (e) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (f) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Internal Revenue Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; or (g) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.

Evidences of Indebtedness” means all bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness issued by the Borrower pursuant to the TVA Act to assist in financing its Power Program including any evidences of indebtedness resulting from borrowings from the Treasury, but not the Appropriation Investment.

Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the Laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, (c) any backup withholding tax that is required by the Internal Revenue Code to be withheld from amounts payable to a Lender that has failed to comply with clause (A) of Section 3.01(e)(ii), (d) in the case of a Foreign


6



Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 10.13), any United States withholding tax that (i) is required to be imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender pursuant to Laws in force at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office) or (ii) is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law occurring after such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto) to comply with clause (B) of Section 3.01(e)(ii), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) or (c) and (e) any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Existing Credit Agreement” means the April 2018 Maturity Credit Agreement dated as of April 5, 2013 among the Borrower, the lenders identified therein and Bank of America, as administrative agent, as amended from time to time.

Existing Indebtedness” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(f).

Existing Letter of Credit” means the Letter of Credit outstanding on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 2.03.

Facilities” means, at any time, a collective reference to the facilities and real properties owned, leased or operated by the Borrower.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471 (b) (1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as publishedcalculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as sobased on such day’s federal funds transactions by depository institutions (as determined in such manner as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as the federal funds effective rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of one-hundredth of one percent (1/100 of 1%)) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

Fee Letter” means the letter agreement dated as of the Closing Date between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes (including such a Lender when acting in the capacity of the L/C Issuer). For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.



7



Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, including, without limitation, Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 71, Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation, consistently applied and as in effect from time to time.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Gross Power Revenues” means the gross revenues from the Borrower’s Power Program including, revenues from the disposition of power (including that used by the Borrower for construction and in its programs other than its Power Program), from rental of Power Properties and from investment of funds derived from or pertaining to the Borrower’s Power Program.

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Honor Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c).

Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).

Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.

Interest Payment Date” means (a) as to any LIBOR Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan or any Loan made pursuant to the Auto Borrow Agreement, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and the Maturity Date.

Interest Period” means, as to each LIBOR Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such LIBOR Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a LIBOR Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability), as selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice; provided that:

(i)    any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(ii)    any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

(iii)    no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.


8



Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “ the International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of, International Banking Law & Practice, Inc.Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the applicable time of issuance).
Issuer Documents” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.

Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and binding administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable binding administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.

L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Borrowing of Loans.

L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

L/C Issuer” means Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit.

L/C Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.05. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

Lender” means each of Bank of America and the other Persons identified as a “Lender” on the signature pages hereto and its successors and assigns.

Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, which may include any Affiliate of such Lender or any domestic or foreign branch of such Lender or such affiliate. Unless the context otherwise requires each reference to a Lender shall include its applicable Lending Office.

Letter of Credit” means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder and shall include the Existing Letter of Credit.

Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a letter of credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.

Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.


9



Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(i).

Letter of Credit Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Aggregate Commitments or (b) $500 million. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments.

LIBOR Base Rate” means:

(a)    for any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or a comparable or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Administrative Agentas administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for U.S. Dollars for a period equal in length to such Interest Period) (“LIBOR”), as published by Bloomberg (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

(b)    for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to LIBOR or a comparable or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published by Bloomberg (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time determined two Business Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for a term of one month commencing that day;

provided, that (i) to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided, further, that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and (ii) notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the LIBOR Base Rate would be less than zero percent pursuant to the foregoing clauses (a) or (b), for purposes of this Agreement, the LIBOR Base Rate shall be zero percent.

LIBOR Rate” means (a) for any Interest Period with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the LIBOR Base Rate for such LIBOR Rate Loan for such Interest Period by (ii) one minus the LIBOR Reserve Percentage for such LIBOR Rate Loan for such Interest Period and (b) for any day with respect to any Base Rate Loan bearing interest at a rate based on the LIBOR Rate, a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the LIBOR Base Rate for such Base Rate Loan for such day by (ii) one minus the LIBOR Reserve Percentage for such Base Rate Loan for such day.

LIBOR Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of “LIBOR Base Rate”.

LIBOR Reserve Percentage” means, for any day, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, carried out to five (5) decimal places) in effect on such day, whether or not applicable to any Lender, under regulations issued from time to time by the FRB for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “eurocurrency liabilities”). The LIBOR Rate for each outstanding LIBOR Rate Loan and each outstanding Base Rate Loan bearing interest at a rate based on the LIBOR Rate shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage.


10



“LIBOR Screen Rate” means the LIBOR quote on the applicable screen page the Administrative Agent designates to determine LIBOR (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time).
“LIBOR Successor Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.03(c).

“LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any proposed LIBOR Successor Rate, any conforming changes to the definition of Base Rate, Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other technical, administrative or operational matters as may be appropriate, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, to reflect the adoption and implementation of such LIBOR Successor Rate and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such LIBOR Successor Rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent determines is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement).

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

Liquidity Premium” means, for any day, the following percentages per annum based upon the Notice Period and the principal amount of any Borrowing, any conversion of Loans from one Type to the other and any continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans:

Notice Period
Liquidity Premium
 
 
Same Day
0.05%
One Day
0.05%
Two or More Days
0.00%

The Liquidity Premium shall apply to each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans. As used herein, “Notice Period” means the period equal to the number of Business Days notice that the Borrower provides to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.02 prior to the date of the applicable Borrowing, conversion or continuation (any such notice provided after 1:00 pm on any Business Day shall for purposes hereof be deemed to have been provided on the immediately succeeding Business Day). If the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation of an outstanding Loan and such Loan is converted to, or continued as, a LIBOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one month pursuant to Section 2.02, then, for purposes of the Liquidity Premium, the Borrower shall be deemed to have given same day notice for such conversion or continuation.

Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each Note, each Issuer Document and the Fee Letter.

Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing of Loans, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans, in each case pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.02 or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent) appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.



11



Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent) or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Borrower of any Loan Document. The parties agree that a downgrade of the S&P Debt Rating or the Moody’s Debt Rating shall not itself constitute a Material Adverse Effect.

Maturity Date” means February 1, 20222025; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Moody’s Debt Rating” means, at any time, the rating (if any) assigned to the Borrower’s senior unsecured long term non-credit enhanced debt by Moody’s.

Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

Net Power Proceeds” means the remainder of the Borrower’s Gross Power Revenues after deducting the costs of operating, maintaining and administering its Power Properties and payments to states and counties in lieu of taxes, but before deducting depreciation accruals or other charges representing the amortization of capital expenditures, plus the net proceeds of the sale or other disposition of any power facility or interest therein.

Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 10.13.

Non-Reinstatement Deadline” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iv).

Note” has the meaning specified in Section 2.10.

“Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.04 or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer.

Nuclear Decommissioning Trust” means the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust established by the Borrower to fund the future decommissioning of nuclear power facilities operated by the Borrower.

Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, the Borrower arising under any Loan Document, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against the Borrower of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming the Borrower as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other


12



Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Outstanding Amount” means (a) with respect to any Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of any Loans occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.

Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Sections 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Internal Revenue Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Permitted Liens” means any of the following:

(a)    Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;

(b)     the pledge by the Borrower of Net Power Proceeds (as defined under the Power Resolution) to secure bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness issued under the Power Resolution;

(c)    Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.01;

(d)    Liens for taxes (other than Liens imposed under ERISA), assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

(e)    Liens imposed under Law, including statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and suppliers, and Liens imposed pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of title arising in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Liens secure only amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce the same or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been established;

(f)    pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, Pension Plan, Nuclear Decommissioning Trust and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;



13



(g)    deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(h)    easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, licenses, permits and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the Borrower’s power program;

(i)    Liens securing judgments for the payment of money (or appeal or other surety bonds relating to such judgments) not in excess of the Threshold Amount (except to the extent covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer has acknowledged in writing its obligation to cover), unless any such judgment remains undischarged for a period of more than thirty consecutive days during which execution is not effectively stayed;

(j)    Liens securing Indebtedness incurred to provide funds for the construction, acquisition, enlargement, improvement, replacement, operation and maintenance of the Borrower’s power system; provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than (A) the property financed by such indebtedness, (B) supporting and other related facilities, including without limitation, facilities that are shared or used in common by multiple units or facilities and that are necessary for or otherwise used in the operation of the property being financed and (C) other property to the extent such Liens would otherwise be Permitted Liens, (ii) the indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of acquisition and (iii) such Liens attach to such property concurrently with or within one year after (A) the later of the completion of such construction or commencement of full operation of such property or (B) ninety (90) days from the acquisition thereof, as applicable;

(k)    leases, subleases, licenses or easements involving real or personal property, whether or not the economic equivalent of a sale, where the Borrower obtains a sublease, service contract or other arrangements giving the Borrower a right to the output or use of related property which is the subject of such lease, sublease, license or easement (“Lease Transactions”), and Liens granted in such leaseholds, subleaseholds, licenses or easements in connection with such Lease Transactions;

(l)    leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower;

(m)    any interest of title of a lessor under, and Liens arising from UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to, leases permitted by this Agreement;

(n)    Liens arising from UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to sales of receivables, provided that such Liens are limited to the receivables and related property actually sold;

(o)    Liens deemed to exist in connection with investments in repurchase agreements;

(p)    normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions;

(q)    Liens of a collection bank arising under Section 4‑210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection;

(r)    Liens of sellers of goods to the Borrower arising under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code or similar provisions of applicable Law in the ordinary course of business,


14



covering only the goods sold and securing only the unpaid purchase price for such goods and related expenses;

(s)    Liens existing on property at the time of the acquisition thereof by the Borrower, provided that such Liens are not created in contemplation of such acquisition;

(t)    any renewals or extensions of any Liens permitted under (b), (c), (j), or (k) above, provided that (i) any renewal or extension is limited to the property subject to such Lien, (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased, (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect to the Lien is not changed and (iv) any renewal or extension of any indebtedness secured or benefited thereby is not prohibited by Section 7.02; and

(u)    other Liens provided that the aggregate principal amount of the obligations secured by such Liens shall not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Borrower as set forth in the most recent financial statements of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b).

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.

Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

Power Assets” or “Power System Assets” means all objects and rights of value owned by the Borrower or entrusted to it as agent of the United States, which are derived from or pertain to its Power Program, including, but not by way of limitation, cash and temporary investments of cash; accounts and notes receivable; inventories of materials and supplies; land, structures, machinery and equipment; and prepaid expenses or other costs incurred for the benefit of future operations.

Power Program” means all of the Borrower’s activities relating to the generation, acquisition, transmission, distribution and disposition of power and to the construction, acquisition, leasing, operation, maintenance, administration, disposition and rental of properties which are used or held for use therefor, including multiple-purpose properties in the proportion that multiple-purpose costs are allocated to power (hereinafter referred to as the “Power Properties”).

Power Properties” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Power Program”.

Power Resolution” means the Basic Tennessee Valley Authority Power Bond Resolution.

Prime Rate” means, for any day, the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate.” The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in the “prime rate” announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.



15



“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 5390(c)(8)(D).

“QFC Credit Support” has the meaning specified in Section 10.23.

Ratings” means the S&P Debt Rating and/or the Moody’s Debt Rating.

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors, consultants, service providers and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the purpose of recommending a benchmark rate to replace LIBOR in loan agreements similar to this Agreement.

Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty-day notice period has been waived.

Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Loans, a Loan Notice, and (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application.

Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders holding in the aggregate more than 50% of (a) the unfunded Commitments and the outstanding Loans, L/C Obligations and participations therein or (b) if the Commitments have been terminated, the outstanding Loans, L/C Obligations and participations therein. The unfunded Commitments of, and the outstanding Loans, L/C Obligations and participations therein held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Responsible Officer” means the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Director, Corporate Finance, or the Director, Treasury Management, of the Borrower and, solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates, the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Borrower and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the Borrower so designated in writing by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of the Borrower designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Borrower and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of the Borrower. To the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, each Responsible Officer will provide an incumbency certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any European Union member state or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any Person described in the above clauses.

Sanctions” means any economic or financial sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, any European Union member state or other relevant sanctions authority.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc., and any successor thereto.


16



S&P Debt Rating” means, at any time, the rating (if any) assigned to the Borrower’s senior unsecured long term non-credit enhanced debt by S&P.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

“SOFR” with respect to any day means the secured overnight financing rate published for such day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s website and that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

“SOFR-Based Rate” means SOFR or Term SOFR.

Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of Voting Stock is at the time beneficially owned, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.

“Supported QFC” has the meaning specified in Section 10.23.

Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

“Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate for any period that is approximately (as determined by the Administrative Agent as long as any of the Interest Period options set forth in the definition of “Interest Period” and that is based on SOFR and that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body, in each case as published on an information service as selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion.

Threshold Amount” means $1 billion.

Total Revolving Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations.

Treasury” means the United States Department of the Treasury.

TVA Act” means the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933.

Type” means, with respect to any Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan.

“U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning specified in Section 10.23.

United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).

Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, capital stock or other ownership and equity interests issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right so to vote has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.



17



1.02    Other Interpretive Provisions.

With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

(a)    The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

(b)    In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

(c)    Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(d)    Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each division of any limited liability company that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).

1.03    Accounting Terms.

(a)    Generally. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Annual Financial Statements.

(b)    Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in


18



GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

1.04    Times of Day; Rates.

Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as then applicable). The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “LIBOR Base Rate” or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto.rate that is an alternative or replacement for or successor to any of such rates (including, without limitation, any LIBOR Successor Rate) or the effect of any of the foregoing, or of any LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes.

1.05    Letter of Credit Amounts.

Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

ARTICLE II

THE COMMITMENTS AND LOANS

2.01    Loans.

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “Loan”) to the Borrower in Dollars from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Borrowing of Loans, (a) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments and (b) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of Loans of any Lender plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment. Within the limits of each Lender’s Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.04, and reborrow under this Section 2.01. Loans may be Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans, or a combination thereof, as further provided herein.


2.02    Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

(a)    Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) a Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Loan Notice. Each such Loan Notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of, LIBOR Rate Loans or of any conversion of LIBOR Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Except as provided in Section 2.03(c), each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Loans shall be in a principal amount of $50,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is


19



requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of a Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loan shall be made as, converted to, or continued as, a LIBOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one month. Any such automatic conversion to a LIBOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one month shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable LIBOR Rate Loan. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans in any Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.

(b)    Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to a LIBOR Rate Loan with an Interest Period of one month as described in the preceding subsection. In the case of a Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date the Loan Notice with respect to a Borrowing of Loans is given by the Borrower there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings and second, shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.

(c)    During the existence of a Default, the Required Lenders may demand that any or all of the then outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans be converted immediately to Base Rate Loans.

(d)    The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for LIBOR Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in the Prime Rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

(e)    After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than eight (8) Interest Periods in effect with respect to Loans (for purposes hereof, LIBOR Rate Loans with separate or different Interest Periods will be considered as separate Loans even if their Interest Periods expire on the same date).

(f)    So long as Bank of America is the only Lender, in order to facilitate the borrowing of Loans, the Borrower and Bank of America may mutually agree to enter into an auto borrow agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Bank of America and the Borrower (the “Auto Borrow Agreement”) providing for the automatic advance by Bank of America of Loans under the conditions set forth in the Auto Borrow Agreement, subject to the conditions set forth herein. At any time an Auto Borrow Agreement is in effect, advances under the Auto Borrow Agreement shall be deemed Loans for all purposes hereof, except that Borrowings of Loans under the Auto Borrow Agreement shall be made in accordance with the Auto Borrow Agreement. For purposes of determining the Total Revolving Outstandings at any time during which an Auto Borrow Agreement is in effect, the Outstanding Amount of all Loans shall be deemed to be the sum of the Outstanding Amount of Loans at such time plus the maximum amount that could be borrowed under such Auto Borrow Agreement at such time.



20



2.03    Letter of Credit.

(a)    Letter of Credit Commitment.

(i)    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit in Dollars for the account of the Borrower and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under Letters of Credit; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension, (x) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Loans of any Lender plus such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed. The Existing Letter of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

(ii)    The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit if:

(A)    the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than 364 days after the date of issuance or last extension; or

(B)    the expiry date of such Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless the Lenders have approved such expiry date.

(iii)    The L/C Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

(A)    any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;

(B)    the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;

(C)    such Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder; or

(D)    any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate the L/C


21



Issuer’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.14(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.

(iv)    The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.

(v)    The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

(vi)    The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit to increase or decrease the amount of such Letter of Credit more frequently than five times per calendar month.

(vii)    The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article X with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article X included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.

(b)    Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit.

(i)    Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by facsimile, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least three (3) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may reasonably require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may reasonably require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.

(ii)    Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide


22



the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

(iii)    [Reserved].

(iv)    If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that permits the automatic reinstatement of all or a portion of the stated amount thereof after any drawing thereunder (each, an “Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit”). Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer to permit such reinstatement. Once an Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit has been issued, except as provided in the following sentence, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to reinstate all or a portion of the stated amount thereof in accordance with the provisions of such Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit permits the L/C Issuer to decline to reinstate all or any portion of the stated amount thereof after a drawing thereunder by giving notice of such non-reinstatement within a specified number of days after such drawing (the “Non-Reinstatement Deadline”), the L/C Issuer shall not permit such reinstatement if it has received a notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Reinstatement Deadline (A) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such reinstatement or (B) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied (treating such reinstatement as an L/C Credit Extension for purposes of this clause) and, in each case, directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such reinstatement.

(v)    Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will
also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

(c)    Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.

(i)    Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an “Honor Date”), the Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Loan Notice) and provided that, after giving effect to such Borrowing, the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments. Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the


23



lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

(ii)    Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.

(iii)    With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03.

(iv)    Until each Lender funds its Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.

(v)    Each Lender’s obligation to make Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or Event of Default, the Termination of the Commitments or the Expiration of the applicable Letter of Credit; (C) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower; (D) any breach of any Loan Document by any party thereto; (E) any violation or asserted violation of Law by any Lender or any Affiliate thereof; (F) the failure of any Lender to perform its obligations hereunder; (G) any amendment to or extension of an issued and outstanding Letter of Credit; or (H) any other circumstance, occurrence, event or condition whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lender’s obligation to make Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Loan Notice). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

(vi)    If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in the relevant


24



Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d)    Repayment of Participations.

(i)    At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.

(ii)    If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

(e)    Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

(i)    any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement or any other Loan Document;

(ii)    the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

(iii)    any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

(iv)    waiver by the L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for the L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by the L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;

(v)    honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in form of a draft;

(vi)    any payment made by the L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC or the ISP, as applicable;



25



(vii)    any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or

(viii)    any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower.

The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will promptly notify the L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

(f)    Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by such Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary; provided, however, that anything in this sentence to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence.

(g)    [Reserved].



26



(h)    Applicability of ISP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to the Existing Letter of Credit), the rules of the ISP shall apply to each Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and the L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the L/C Issuer required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a justification where the L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade – International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.

(i)    Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit; provided, however, any Letter of Credit Fees otherwise payable for the account of a Defaulting Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit as to which such Defaulting Lender has not provided Cash Collateral satisfactory to the L/C Issuer pursuant to this Section 2.03 shall be payable, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, to the other Lenders in accordance with the upward adjustments in their respective Applicable Percentages allocable to such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.14(a)(iv), with the balance of such fee, if any, payable to the L/C Issuer for its own account. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.05. Letter of Credit Fees shall be computed on a quarterly basis in arrears and shall be due and payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.

(j)    Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer.

(i)    The Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee equal to the rate set forth in the Fee Letter times the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.05. Such fronting fee shall be computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit and on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand.

(ii)    The Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit at the rates set forth in the Fee Letter. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.

(k)    Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.

2.04    Prepayments.

(a)    Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower may, upon notice from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent pursuant to delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Loan Prepayment, at


27



any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (1) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans and (2) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; and (ii) any such prepayment shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding). Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Each such prepayment shall be applied to the Loans of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.

(b)    Mandatory Prepayments of Loans. If for any reason the Total Revolving Outstandings at any time exceed the Aggregate Commitments then in effect, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to such excess. Prepayments shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to LIBOR Rate Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. All prepayments under this Section 2.04(b) and Section 2.05(a)(ii) shall be subject to Section 3.05, but otherwise without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid through the date of prepayment.

2.05    Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Commitments; Availability.

(a)    Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Commitments.

(i)    Optional. The Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Commitments, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitments to an amount not less than the Total Revolving Outstandings; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon five (5) Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (iii) if after giving effect to any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Commitments, then the Letter of Credit Sublimit shall automatically be reduced by the amount of such excess. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Commitments. Any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments shall be applied to the Commitment of each Lender according to its Applicable Percentage. All fees accrued with respect thereto until the effective date of any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination or reduction.

(ii)    Mandatory. If at any time the Moody’s Debt Rating is reduced to lower than Baa1 and the S&P Debt Rating is reduced to lower than BBB+, the Required Lenders may, in their sole discretion, upon written notice to the Borrower (the “Commitment Termination Notice”), terminate the Aggregate Commitments and require the prepayment of the Loans and other Obligations in full and Cash Collateralization of all L/C Obligations on the date ninety (90) days after the effective date of the Commitment Termination Notice, which can be given only within sixty (60) days of the effective date of such reduction in the Moody’s Debt Rating and S&P Debt Rating.

(b)    Availability. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, if at any time (i) either the Moody’s Debt Rating is reduced to lower than Baa1 or the S&P Debt Rating is reduced to lower than BBB+ and (ii) the Required Lenders provide a notice to the Borrower restricting the availability of new Credit Extensions (the “Availability Notice”), then the Borrower shall not be permitted to request, and the Lenders shall not be obligated to make, any new Credit Extensions (although the Borrower shall be permitted to continue and convert existing Credit Extensions); provided that so long as the Required Lenders have delivered the Availability Notice to the Borrower but have not


28



delivered the Commitment Termination Notice to the Borrower, the Borrower shall be permitted to request, and the Lenders shall be obligated to make, new Credit Extensions upon the occurrence of one of the following: (i) the Moody’s Debt Rating is raised to Baa1 or higher and the S&P Debt Rating is raised to BBB+ or higher or (ii) the Required Lenders consent to making new Credit Extensions.

2.06    Repayment of Loans.

(a)    The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, the principal amount of each Loan outstanding on the earlier to occur of (i) the date 364 days after such Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.

(b)    The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, the principal amount of each outstanding Loan deemed made pursuant to Section 2.03(c) and each outstanding L/C Borrowing on the earlier to occur of (i) the date 364 days after such Letter of Credit is issued and (ii) the Maturity Date.

2.07    Interest.

(a)    Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each LIBOR Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period plus (B) the Applicable Rate plus (C) the applicable Liquidity Premium; (ii) each Base Rate Loan (other than Borrowings pursuant to the Auto Borrow Agreement) shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the Base Rate plus (B) the Applicable Rate plus (C) the applicable Liquidity Premium; and (iii) each Loan made pursuant to the Auto Borrow Agreement shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (A) the rate based on clause (b) of the definition of “LIBOR Base Rate” plus (B) the Applicable Rate plus (C) the applicable Liquidity Premium.

(b)    (i)    If any amount payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(ii)    Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(iii)    Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

(c)    Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

2.08    Fees.

(a)    The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”) equal to the product of the (i) Applicable Rate times (ii) the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Commitments exceed the Total Revolving Outstandings, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.14. The Commitment Fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the


29



Maturity Date. The Commitment Fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any calendar quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such calendar quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

(b)    Fee Letter. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

2.09    Computation of Interest and Fees.

All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.11(a), bear interest for one day.

2.10    Evidence of Debt.

(a)    The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a promissory note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each such promissory note shall be in the form of Exhibit 2.10 (a “Note”). Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

(b)    In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

2.11    Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.

(a)    General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.


30



(b)    (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of LIBOR Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 11:00 a.m. on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

(ii)    Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(c)    Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

(d)    Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any


31



other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).

(e)    Funding Source. Subject to Section 3.06(a), nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

2.12    Sharing of Payments by Lenders.

If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Loans made by it, or the participations in L/C Obligations held by it resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans or participations and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and sub-participations in L/C Obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:

(i)    if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

(ii)    the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (B) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.13 or (C) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or sub-participations in L/C Obligations to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

2.13    Cash Collateral.

(a)    Certain Credit Support Events. If (i) either (A) the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing or (B) as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have provided ten (10) days prior written notice to the Borrower, then the Borrower shall immediately Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, immediately upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.14(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

(b)    Grant of Security Interest. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked deposit accounts at Bank of America. Such Cash Collateral shall be invested in non-interest bearing deposit accounts, in the case of Cash Collateral provided by a Lender, and shall be invested in such investments as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall agree, in the case of Cash Collateral provided by the Borrower. The account records for such deposit accounts shall clearly indicate that the Cash Collateral is held as collateral and owned by the Borrower


32



(or, in the case of Cash Collateral provided by a Lender, such Lender). The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Lender, such Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.13(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the applicable Fronting Exposure and other obligations secured thereby, the Borrower or the relevant Defaulting Lender will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency.

(c)    Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.13 or any other provision of this Agreement in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.

(d)    Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 10.06(b)(vi))) or (ii) the Administrative Agent’s good faith determination that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, that (x) Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower shall not be released during the continuance of a Default (and following application as provided in this Section 2.13 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section 8.03), and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

2.14    Defaulting Lenders.

(a)    Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

(i)    Waivers and Amendments. That Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 10.01.

(ii)    Reallocation of Payments. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer hereunder; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by the L/C Issuer, to be held as Cash Collateral for future funding obligations of that Defaulting Lender of any participation in any Letter of Credit; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders or the L/C Issuer as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained


33



by any Lender or the L/C Issuer against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans or L/C Borrowings were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Borrowings owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Borrowings owed to, that Defaulting Lender. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.14(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(iii)    Certain Fees. That Defaulting Lender (A) shall not be entitled to receive any Commitment Fee for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender) and (B) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.03(i).

(iv)    Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit pursuant to Sections 2.03, the Applicable Percentage of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Commitment of that Defaulting Lender; provided, that, (A) each such reallocation shall be given effect only if, at the date the applicable Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, no Default exists; and (B) the aggregate obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (1) the Commitment of that non-Defaulting Lender minus (2) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Loans of that Lender.

(v)    Termination of Commitment of Defaulting Lender. The Borrower may terminate the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender and thereby reduce the Commitments by the amount of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment; provided that (A) no Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) the Administrative Agent consents thereto in writing and (C) the Borrower shall pay to such Defaulting Lender on the date of termination of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to such Defaulting Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05).

(b)    Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.14(a)(iv)), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder


34



from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

2.15    Extension of the Termination Date.

The Borrower may request extensions of the Maturity Date from time to time after the date hereof by notice to the Administrative Agent. Any such requested extension shall only be effective with the written consent of each Lender and pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

ARTICLE III

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

3.01    Taxes.

(a)    Payments Free of Taxes – Obligation to Withhold: Payments on Account of Taxes.

(i)    Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall to the extent permitted by applicable Laws be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Taxes. If, however, applicable Laws require the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to withhold or deduct any Tax, such Tax shall be withheld or deducted in accordance with such Laws as determined by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.

(ii)    If the Borrower or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Internal Revenue Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

(b)    Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

(c)    Tax Indemnification.

(i)    Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, the Borrower shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the L/C Issuer, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) withheld or deducted by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent or paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The Borrower shall also, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten


35



days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or the L/C Issuer for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required by clause (ii) of this subsection. A certificate as to the amount of any such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(ii)    Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, each Lender and the L/C Issuer shall, and do hereby, indemnify and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) and (y) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii). The agreements in this clause (ii) shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

(d)    Evidence of Payments. Upon request by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority, as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Law to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

(e)    Status of Lenders: Tax Documentation.

(i)    Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and to the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by applicable Laws or when reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable Laws or by the taxing authorities of any jurisdiction and such other reasonably requested information as will permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine (A) whether or not payments made hereunder or under any other Loan Document are subject to Taxes, (B) if applicable, the required rate of withholding or deduction, and (C) such Lender’s entitlement to any available exemption from, or reduction of, applicable Taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such Lender by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise to establish such Lender’s status for withholding tax purposes in the applicable jurisdiction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A), 3.01(e)(ii)(B) and 3.01(e)(ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii)    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Borrower is a resident for tax purposes in the United States

(A)    any Lender that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the


36



Administrative Agent executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or such other documentation or information prescribed by applicable Laws or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements;

(B)    each Foreign Lender that is entitled under the Internal Revenue Code or any applicable treaty to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:

(I)    executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,

(II)    executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,

(III)    executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY and all required supporting documentation, or

(IV)    in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code and (y) executed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable;

(C)    Any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable Laws as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Laws to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D)    If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such


37



payment. Solely for purposes of this paragraph, “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(iii)    Each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction.

(f)    Treatment of Certain Refunds. If the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines in its sole discretion exercised in good faith that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer in the event the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the L/C Issuer is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

3.02    Illegality.

If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund LIBOR Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions after the Closing Date on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (a) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue LIBOR Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended and (b) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), have the option to either prepay or, if applicable, convert all LIBOR Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such LIBOR Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the LIBOR Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

3.03    Inability to Determine Rates.

(a)    If in connection with any request for a LIBOR Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof (ai) the Administrative Agent determines that (iA) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in


38



the LIBOR market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such LIBOR Rate Loan or (iiB) (1) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the LIBOR Base Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan and (2) the circumstances described in Section 3.03(c)(i) do not apply or (bii) the Required Lenders determine that for any reason the LIBOR Base Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and all Lenders. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected LIBOR Rate Loans or Interest Periods) and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the LIBOR Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the LIBOR Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may (1) revoke any pending request for a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected LIBOR Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or (2) prepay any affected Loans, including accrued interest. If the Borrower fails to do (1) or (2) above, the Borrower’s request will be deemed to have converted into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

(b)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent has made the determination described in clause (a)(i) of this Section, the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower and the affected Lenders, may establish an alternative interest rate for the affected Loans, in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to the affected Loans until (1) the Administrative Agent revokes the notice delivered with respect to the affected Loans under clause (a)(i) of this Section, (2) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders notify the Borrower that such alternative interest rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding the affected Loans, or (3) any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to such alternative rate of interest or to determine or charge interest rates based upon such rate or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to do any of the foregoing and provides the Administrative Agent and the Borrower written notice thereof.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document, but without limiting Section 3.03(a) or (b), if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error), or the Borrower or Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Lenders, a copy to the Borrower) that the Borrower or Required Lenders (as applicable) have determined (which determination likewise shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error), that:

(i)    adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR for any requested Interest Period, including, without limitation, because the LIBOR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or
(ii)    the administrator of the LIBOR Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having or purporting to have jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which LIBOR or the LIBOR Screen Rate shall no longer be made available, or used for determining the interest rate of loans, provided that, at the time of such statement, there is no successor administrator that is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that will continue to provide LIBOR after such specific date (such specific date, the “Scheduled Unavailability Date”); or
(iii)    syndicated loans currently being executed, or that include language similar to that contained in this Section 3.03, are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace LIBOR,


39



then, reasonably promptly after such determination by the Administrative Agent or receipt by the Administrative Agent of such notice, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace LIBOR with (x) one or more SOFR-Based Rates or (y) another alternate benchmark rate giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities for such alternative benchmarks and, in each case, including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities for such benchmarks which adjustment or method for calculating such adjustment shall be published on an information service as selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion and may be periodically updated (the “Adjustment;” and any such proposed rate, a “LIBOR Successor Rate”), and any such amendment shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. on (I) to the extent Bank of America is the sole Lender, on the date such amendment is executed by Bank of America and the Borrower and (II) to the extent Bank of America is not the sole Lender, the fifth Business Day after the Administrative Agent shall have posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower unless, prior to such time, Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders (A) in the case of an amendment to replace LIBOR with a rate described in clause (x), object to the Adjustment; or (B) in the case of an amendment to replace LIBOR with a rate described in clause (y), object to such amendment; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of clause (A), the Required Lenders shall not be entitled to object to any SOFR-Based Rate contained in any such amendment. Such LIBOR Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such LIBOR Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.
(d)    If no LIBOR Successor Rate has been determined and the circumstances under clause (c)(i) above exist or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred (as applicable), the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (i) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected LIBOR Rate Loans or Interest Periods), and (ii) the LIBOR Rate component shall no longer be utilized in determining the Base Rate. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected LIBOR Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans (subject to the foregoing clause (ii)) in the amount specified therein.
(e)    Notwithstanding anything else herein, any definition of LIBOR Successor Rate shall provide that in no event shall such LIBOR Successor Rate be less than zero for purposes of this Agreement.
(f)    In connection with the implementation of a LIBOR Successor Rate, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.
3.04    Increased Costs.

(a)    Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i)    impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the LIBOR Rate) or the L/C Issuer;

(ii)    subject any Lender or the L/C Issuer to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any LIBOR Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or the L/C Issuer in


40



respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 3.01 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer); or

(iii)    impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, continuing, converting into or maintaining any Loan whose rate is determined by reference to the LIBOR Base Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b)    Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c)    Certificates for Reimbursement. Each Lender or the L/C Issuer that desires compensation under this Section 3.04 shall notify the Borrower of the occurrence of the event entitling such Lender or the L/C Issuer to compensation pursuant to this Section 3.04 as promptly as is practicable, and in no event later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of the occurrence of such event. Each Lender or the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to compensation with respect to such event under this Section 3.04 only for compensation accruing as a result of such event during the period one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date such Lender or the L/C Issuer provides notice to the Borrower pursuant to the foregoing sentence. Payment by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 3.04 shall be made within thirty (30) days from the date such Lender or the L/C Issuer makes written demand therefore (submitted through the Administrative Agent) which demand shall be accompanied by a certificate describing in reasonable detail the basis and calculation thereof and certifying further that the method used to calculate such amount is fair and reasonable.

3.05    Compensation for Losses.

Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a)    any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);



41



(b)    any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or

(c)    any assignment of a LIBOR Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13 (other than as a result of a request by the Borrower to replace a Defaulting Lender);

including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained (but excluding lost profits). The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each LIBOR Rate Loan made by it at the LIBOR Base Rate used in determining the LIBOR Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the LIBOR market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such LIBOR Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

3.06    Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a)    Designation of a Different Lending Office. Each Lender may make any Credit Extension to the Borrower through any Lending Office, provided that the exercise of this option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Credit Extension in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall, as applicable, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b)    Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.

3.07    Survival.

All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder and resignation of the Administrative Agent.



42



ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS

4.01    Conditions to Closing.

This Agreement shall be effective as of the Closing Date upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

(a)    Loan Documents. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of executed counterparts of this Agreement and the Notes, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer and, in the case of this Agreement, by each Lender.

(b)    Opinion of Counsel. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of favorable opinion of legal counsel to the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, dated as of the Closing Date, and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(c)    No Material Adverse Effect. There shall not have occurred since September 30, 2014 any event or condition that has had or could be reasonably expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d)    Resolutions, Etc. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of the Borrower as the Administrative Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(e)    Closing Certificate. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer certifying that the conditions specified in Section 4.01(c) and Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied.

(f)    Refinance of Existing Indebtedness. The Borrower shall have repaid all outstanding indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement (“Existing Indebtedness”) and terminated all commitments to extend credit with respect to the Existing Indebtedness.

(g)    Fees. Receipt by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date.

(h)    Attorney Costs. The Borrower shall have paid all reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent).

4.02    Conditions to all Credit Extensions.

The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a)    The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article V (other than Section 5.05(d)) or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and


43



warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date.

(b)    No Default or Event of Default shall exist or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

(c)    In the case of a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall have received a Loan Notice in accordance with the requirements hereof.

(d)    In the case of a L/C Credit Extension the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall have received a Letter of Credit Application in accordance with the requirements hereof.

(e)    The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (i) resolutions of the board of directors of the Borrower authorizing such Credit Extension which resolutions shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Borrower as being in full force and effect as of the date of such Request for Credit Extension and (ii) if such resolutions limit the aggregate amount of borrowings by the Borrower under all of its credit facilities with one or more financial institutions, a certificate of an authorized officer of the Borrower demonstrating that after giving effect to such Credit Extension the aggregate amount of borrowings by the Borrower under all of its credit facilities with one or more financial institutions shall not exceed such limit.

(f)    The Borrower shall have delivered, and the Administrative Agent shall have approved (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), evidence that the requirements of Section 15d of the TVA Act are satisfied.

Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:

5.01    Existence, Qualification and Power.

The Borrower (a) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or use its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (b) to the extent applicable to an agency of the United States, is duly qualified and is licensed and in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease, use or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (a)(i) or (b), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.02    Authorization; No Contravention.

The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of each Loan Document have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and do not (a) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation to which the Borrower is a party or affecting the Borrower or any of its properties or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which the Borrower or its property is subject; or (b) violate any Law (including, without limitation, the TVA Act and Regulation U or Regulation X issued by the FRB).



44



5.03    Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.

No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, the Borrower of any Loan Document other than those that have already been obtained and are in full force and effect.

5.04    Binding Effect.

Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower. Each Loan Document constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms.

5.05    Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

(a)    The Annual Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower as of the date thereof and its results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, commitments and indebtedness.

(b)    [Reserved].

(c)    The financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) and (b) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as otherwise expressly noted therein or as may be permitted under Section 6.01(a) and (b)) and present fairly (on the basis disclosed in the footnotes to such financial statements) the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower as of the dates thereof and for the periods covered thereby.

(d)    Since the date of the Annual Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.06    Litigation.

There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against the Borrower or against any of its or the United States’ properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or (b) are reasonably likely to be determined adversely and, if determined adversely, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.07    No Default.

No Default has occurred and is continuing.

5.08    Ownership of Property; Liens.

The Borrower or the United States has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, valid leasehold interests in, or other right to use, all real property used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The property of the Borrower is subject to no Liens, other than Permitted Liens.



45



5.09    Environmental Compliance.

Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

(a)     Each of the Facilities and all operations at the Facilities are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, and there is no violation of any Environmental Law with respect to the Facilities or the Businesses, and there are no conditions relating to the Facilities or the Businesses that could give rise to liability under any applicable Environmental Laws.

(b)    The Borrower has not received any written or verbal notice from any Governmental Authority of, or inquiry from any Governmental Authority regarding, any violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Facilities or the Businesses, nor does any Responsible Officer have knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice will be received or is being threatened.

5.10    Payment of Governmental Charges.

The Borrower has paid all federal, state and local material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges of which it is aware that have been levied or imposed upon it or its properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP.

5.11    ERISA Compliance.

If the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is subject to ERISA, then:

(a)    Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other Federal or state Laws. Each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service. To the knowledge of the Responsible Officers of the Borrower, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.

(b)    There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Responsible Officers of the Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)    (i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (ii) the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code) is 60% or higher and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 60% as of the most recent valuation date; (iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (v) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to


46



Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vi) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.

(d)    The Borrower represents and warrants as of the effective date of the Second Amendment to this Agreement that the Borrower is not and will not be using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments.

5.12    Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.

(a)    The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the assets of the Borrower subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 or Section 7.03 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between the Borrower and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender relating to indebtedness and within the scope of Section 8.01(e) will be margin stock.

(b)    Neither the Borrower nor any Person Controlling the Borrower is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

5.13    Disclosure.

No written report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, taken as a whole in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that (a) with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time, (b) nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to require the Borrower to provide the Administrative Agent or any Lender projected financial information, except to the extent such projected financial information might otherwise be included in Borrower’s annual and interim financial reports and (c) if such misstatement of fact or omission of a fact relates to a fact that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, then the Borrower can cure such misstatement or omission by providing modified or supplemented information.

5.14    Compliance with Laws.

(a)    The Borrower is in compliance with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its property, except in such instances in which (i) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (ii) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    Neither the Borrower, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any director or officer thereof, nor, to the Borrower’s knowledge, any employee, Affiliate, agent, representative or Person acting on behalf of the Borrower or of any of its Subsidiaries, has, in the course of its actions for, or on behalf of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly (i) used any corporate funds of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary for any contribution, gift, entertainment or other expenses relating to political activity, in each case, in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Law, (ii) made any direct or indirect payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee or any other Person in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption


47



Law, or (iii) violated or is in violation, in any material respect, of any provision of applicable Anti-Corruption Law.

(c)    The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with applicable Sanctions and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with applicable Sanctions in all respects. None of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or to the Borrower’s knowledge, any director, officer, employee, agent, or Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a Sanctioned Person.

(d)    The operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority involving the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any potential material violation of any Anti-Money Laundering Law is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened. The Borrower has provided to the Lender all information regarding the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates necessary for the Lender to comply with applicable “know your customer” and Anti-Money Laundering Laws and such information is true and correct.

(e)    Neither the Borrower nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, employee, Affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity currently the subject of Sanctions, nor is the Borrower located, organized or resident in any Designated Jurisdiction.

5.15    EEA Financial Institution.

The Borrower is not an EEA Financial Institution.

ARTICLE VI

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, the Borrower shall:

6.01    Financial Statements.

Deliver to the Administrative Agent:

(a)    as soon as available, but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end of such fiscal year, and the related statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP except as expressly noted therein, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or another independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit; and

(b)    as soon as available, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a Responsible Officer as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations


48



and cash flows of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP except as expressly noted therein, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

6.02    Certificates; Other Information.

Deliver to the Administrative Agent:

(a)    promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any material statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of the Borrower pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement (other than offering circulars issued by the Borrower in connection with bond offerings) and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02;

(b)    promptly, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of the Borrower;

(c)    promptly (and in any event, within five (5) Business Days), (i) notice of any announcement by Moody’s of any change in the Moody’s Debt Rating or of any suspension or withdrawal of its rating of the Borrower’s senior unsecured long-term non-credit enhanced debt and (ii) notice of any announcement by S&P of any change in the S&P Debt Rating or of any suspension or withdrawal of its rating of the Borrower’s senior unsecured long-term non-credit enhanced debt; and

(d)    promptly following any request therefor, information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the USA Patriot Act; and

(de)    promptly, such additional information regarding the business or financial affairs of the Borrower, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may from time to time reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(b) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third‑party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent including, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR system or on the www.tva.com website); provided that: the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent upon request to the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arranger will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on Intralinks, Syndtrak, Debt Domain or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities.


49



The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

6.03    Notices.

(a)    Promptly (and in any event, within five (5) Business Days) after obtaining knowledge thereof, notify the Administrative Agent of the occurrence of any Default.

(b)    Promptly (and in any event, within five (5) Business Days) after obtaining knowledge thereof, notify the Administrative Agent of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c)    Promptly (and in any event, within ten (10) Business Days) notify the Administrative Agent of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by the Borrower.

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03(a) through (c) shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.

6.04    Payment of Obligations.

Pay and discharge, as the same shall become due and payable, all its applicable federal, state and local material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon it or its properties, income or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower.

6.05    Preservation of Existence, Etc.

(a)    Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence.

(b)    Take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.06    Maintenance of Properties.

Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the judgment of the Borrower in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.



50



6.07    Maintenance of Insurance.

(a)    At any time the Moody’s Debt Rating is Baa1 or lower and the S&P Debt Rating is BBB+ or lower, maintain in full force and effect insurance (including worker’s compensation insurance, liability insurance, casualty insurance and business interruption insurance) with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower operates.

(b)    The Borrower shall maintain in full force and effect nuclear liability and property insurance in accordance with applicable Law.

6.08    Compliance with Laws.

Comply with the requirements of all Laws (including, without limitation, the TVA Act) and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.09    Books and Records.

(a)    Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied, except as otherwise expressly noted therein or in any the Annual Financial Statements and the annual and quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01, shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower.

(b)     Maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower.

6.10    Inspection Rights.

To the extent consistent with the Borrower’s safety and security procedures (which procedures will be applied to the Administrative Agent and each Lender in a manner consistent with the application to other Persons not employed by the Borrower), permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, at the expense of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, to visit and inspect any of the Borrower’s properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, at such reasonable times during normal business hours not more than once per year, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided, however, that when an Event of Default exists the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower.

6.11    Use of Proceeds.

Use the Credit Extensions for the purposes permitted under Section 15d of the TVA Act; provided that in no event shall the Credit Extensions be used in contravention of any Law.

6.12    Rates and Charges.

(a)    Charge rates for power which will produce gross revenues sufficient to provide funds for operation, maintenance, and administration of its power system; payments to states and counties in lieu of taxes; debt service on outstanding bonds, including provision and maintenance of reserve funds and other funds established in connection therewith; payments to the Treasury as a return on the Appropriation


51



Investment; repayment to the Treasury of the Appropriation Investment; and such additional margin as the Board may consider desirable for investment in Power System Assets, retirement of outstanding bonds in advance of maturity, additional reduction of Appropriation Investment, and other purposes connected with the Borrower’s power business, having due regard for the primary objectives of the TVA Act, including the objective that power shall be sold at rates as low as are feasible.

(b)    For purposes of this Section 6.12, “debt service on outstanding bonds,” as used in the above provision, shall mean for any fiscal year the sum of all amounts required to be (i) paid during such fiscal year as interest on Evidences of Indebtedness, (ii) accumulated in such fiscal year in any sinking or other analogous fund provided for in connection with any Evidences of Indebtedness, and (iii) paid in such fiscal year on account of the principal of any Evidences of Indebtedness for the payment of which funds will not be available from sinking or other analogous funds, from the proceeds of refunding issues, or from other sources; provided, however, that for purposes of clause (iii) of this provision, Bond Anticipation Obligations and renewals thereof shall be deemed to mature in the proportions and at the times provided for paying or setting aside funds for the payment of the principal of the authorized bonds in anticipation of the issuance of which such Bond Anticipation Obligations were issued.

(c)    For purposes of this Section 6.12, the rates for power fixed by the Borrower shall also be sufficient so that they would cover all requirements of Section 6.12(a) hereof if, in such requirements, there were substituted for “debt service on outstanding bonds” for any fiscal year the amount which if applied annually for 35 years would retire, with interest at the rates applicable thereto, the originally issued amounts of all series of bonds issued under the Power Resolutions and other Evidences of Indebtedness, any part of which was outstanding on October 1 of such year.

6.13    Protection of Lender’s Investment.

During each successive five-year period beginning with the five-year period which commenced on October 1, 2010, apply Net Power Proceeds either in reduction (directly or through payments into reserve or sinking funds) of its capital obligations, including bonds and the Appropriation Investment, or to reinvestment in Power Assets, at least to the extent of the combined amount of the aggregate of the depreciation accruals and other charges representing the amortization of capital expenditures applicable to its Power Properties plus the net proceeds realized from any disposition of power facilities in said period.

ARTICLE VII

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, the Borrower shall not:

7.01    Liens.

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the Permitted Liens.

7.02    Indebtedness.

(a)    Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any indebtedness or similar financial obligation, except for (i) subject to section 7.02(b), indebtedness permitted under the TVA Act and (ii) indebtedness specifically permitted to be incurred by the Borrower under any other applicable federal Law.

(b)    Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any bank credit facility issued pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Basic Tennessee Valley Power Bond Resolution adopted on October 6, 1960, as amended (“Section 2.5”), without providing the Required Lenders the right to elect to cause the Credit Extensions under this Agreement to also be issued pursuant to Section 2.5; provided, however, if the


52



Required Lenders elect to cause the Credit Extensions under this Agreement to also be issued pursuant to Section 2.5, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, including an opinion of counsel, if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, that the Credit Extensions under this Agreement are issued pursuant to Section 2.5 and further provided that the Credit Extensions under this Agreement and Credit Extensions under the other bank credit facility will have the same rights with respect to acceleration of amounts owed upon Default.

(c)     Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any indebtedness or similar financial obligation in excess of its Debt Ceiling Availability.


7.03    Fundamental Changes; Subsidiaries.

(a)    Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or sell, lease or otherwise transfer (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person.

(b)    Form or acquire any Subsidiary.

7.04    Change in Nature of Business.

Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower on the Closing Date or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.

7.05    Use of Proceeds.

Use the Credit Extensions, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.

7.06    Sanctions.

Directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Credit Extension or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions, or in any manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any individual or entity participating in the transaction, whether as Lender, Arranger, Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or otherwise).

7.07    Anti-Corruption.

Directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of any Credit Extension or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment or giving of money or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws.



53



ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

8.01    Events of Default.

Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

(a)    Non-Payment. The Borrower fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation, including any required prepayment thereof, or (ii) within three days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

(b)    Specific Covenants.

(i)    The Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.10 and such failure continues for five (5) Business Days after notice thereof is provided to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent; or

(ii)    The Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.02(d), 6.03(a), 6.03(b), 6.05(a), 6.11 or Article VII; or

(c)    Other Defaults. The Borrower fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days; or

(d)    Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading when made or deemed made; provided, however, that in the event that the representations made by the Borrower in Section 5.05(a) or (b) shall be incorrect or misleading when made or deemed made, an Event of Default shall not occur as long as (i) the Borrower cures the misrepresentation by issuing corrected financial statements within thirty (30) days of the date that a Responsible Officer becomes aware of the misrepresentation or (ii) a waiver acknowledging that the misrepresentation does not constitute an Event of Default is provided under Section 10.01 within thirty (30) days of the date that a Responsible Officer becomes aware of the misrepresentation; or

(e)    Cross-Acceleration to Power Resolution.

(i)    The occurrence of an “Event of Default” under, and as defined in, the Power Resolution with respect to the payment of principal or interest on bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness issued under the Power Resolution that constitute more than five percent (5%) of the aggregate principal amount of all bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness issued under the Power Resolution; or

(ii)     The occurrence of any other “Event of Default” under, and as defined in, the Power Resolution, the result of which is the acceleration of bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness issued under the Power Resolution that constitute the greater of (A) $1 billion or (B) more than five percent (5%) of the aggregate principal amount of all bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness issued under the Power Resolution; or

(f)    Cross Default. The occurrence of an “Event of Default” under, and as defined in, (i) the Winter Maturity Credit Agreement dated as of December 13, 2012 among the Borrower, the


54



lenders identified therein and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as Administrative Agent, as amended, modified, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time or (ii) the Spring Maturity Credit Agreement dated as of June 25, 2012 among the Borrower, the lenders identified therein and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Administrative Agent, as amended, modified, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

(g)    Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. The Borrower institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

(h)    Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) The Borrower becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within thirty days after its issue or levy; or

(i)    Judgments. There is entered against the Borrower (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of ten (10) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

(j)    ERISA. If the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is subject to ERISA: (i) an ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or

(k)    Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or the Borrower contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document; or the Borrower denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document; or

(l)    Change of Control. The United States of America shall fail to own at least (i) ninety percent (90%) of the equity interests of the Borrower and (ii) ninety percent (90%) of the equity interests of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully diluted basis (it being understood that as of the Closing Date the Borrower is a wholly owned corporate agency and instrumentality of the United States of America); or



55



(m)    Debt Ratings.

(i)    The Moody’s Debt Rating is lower than Baa3 and the S&P Debt Rating is lower than BBB-; or

(ii)    Moody’s and S&P suspend or withdraw their rating of the Borrower’s senior unsecured long-term non-credit enhanced debt.

8.02    Remedies Upon Event of Default.
    
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

(a)    declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

(b)    declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;

(c)    require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount thereof); and

(d)    exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under the Loan Documents;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

8.03    Application of Funds.

After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.13 and 2.14, shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;



56



Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans and L/C Borrowings, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third held by them;

Fourth, to (a) payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and L/C Borrowings and (b) Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.

Subject to Section 2.03(c) and Section 2.13, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

9.01    Appointment and Authority.

Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

9.02    Rights and Obligations as a Lender.

(a)    The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any of its Affiliates as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

(b)    If the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder is also a Lender, such Person’s status as Administrative Agent shall not affect such Person’s obligations as a Lender (including such Person’s obligation to fund Loans in its capacity as a Lender).

9.03    Exculpatory Provisions.

The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:


57



(a)    shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

(b)    shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and

(c)    shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. Any such action taken or failure to act pursuant to the foregoing shall be binding on all Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, any Lender or the L/C Issuer.

Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be responsible for or have any duty or obligation to any Lender or participant or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

9.04    Reliance by Administrative Agent.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall be fully protected in relying and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.


58



9.05    Delegation of Duties.

The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub‑agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub‑agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub‑agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub‑agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

9.06    Resignation of Administrative Agent.

The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub‑agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer. If Bank of America resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c). Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor L/C Issuer hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer shall be discharged from all of its respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.



59



9.07    Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.

Each Lender and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

9.08    No Other Duties; Etc.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the bookrunners, arrangers, syndication agents, documentation agents or co-agents shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder.

9.09    Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relative to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a)    to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(i) and (j), 2.08 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b)    to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.08 and 10.04.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer in any such proceeding.



60



9.10    Certain ERISA Matters.

(a)    Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i)    such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments, or this Agreement,
(ii)    the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84–14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95–60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90–1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91–38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96–23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,
(iii)    (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84–14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84–14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84–14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or
(iv)    such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b)    In addition, unless either (1) clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty or covenant in accordance with clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).


61



ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

10.01    Amendments, Etc.

NoSubject to Section 3.03(c) and Section 3.03(f), no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, further, that

(a)    no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(i)    extend or increase the Commitment of a Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender whose Commitment is being extended or increased (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or of any Default or a mandatory reduction in Commitments is not considered an extension or increase in the Commitment of any Lender);

(ii)    postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal (excluding mandatory prepayments), interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) or any scheduled or mandatory reduction of the Commitments hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to receive such payment or whose Commitment is to be reduced;

(iii)    reduce the principal of, or subject to Section 3.03(c) and Section 3.03(f), the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (i) of the final proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to receive such payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to (A) amend the definition of “Default Rate,” (B) to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate, (C) to waive the increase in the Applicable Rate set forth in the last paragraph of Schedule 1.01 and (D) to waive the Liquidity Premium for any Borrowing, conversion or continuation;

(iv)    change Section 2.12 or Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

(v)    change any provision of this Section 10.01(a) or the definition of “Required Lenders” without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; or

(vi)    release the Borrower from its obligations under the Loan Documents without the written consent of each Lender;

(b)     unless also signed by the L/C Issuer, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; and

(c)    unless also signed by the Administrative Agent, no amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;


62




provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto, (ii) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (A) the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (B) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender, (iii) each Lender is entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States supersedes the unanimous consent provisions set forth herein and (iv) the Required Lenders shall determine whether or not to allow the Borrower to use cash collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding and such determination shall be binding on all of the Lenders.

10.02    Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies.

(a)    Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

(i)    if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and

(ii)    if to any other Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

(b)    Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e‑mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and


63



identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

(c)    Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

(d)    Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

(e)    The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

10.03    No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

No failure by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including the imposition of the Default Rate) preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.


64



The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided and provided under each other Loan Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Borrower shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuer; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) the L/C Issuer from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.12), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.12, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

10.04    Expenses; Indemnity; and Damage Waiver.

(a)    Costs and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out‑of‑pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent) in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), and (ii) all reasonable out‑of‑pocket expenses incurred by the L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any single counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer unless conflicts of interests require the use of more than one counsel) in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans or the Letters of Credit, including all such reasonable out‑of‑pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of the Loans or the Letters of Credit.

(b)    Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the L/C Issuer and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any outside counsel for any Indemnitee) incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01), (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of


65



the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

(c)    Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by them to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the L/C Issuer or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the L/C Issuer or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s share of the Total Credit Exposure at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on such Lenders’ Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the L/C Issuer in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or the L/C Issuer in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.11(d).

(d)    Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.

(i)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, the Borrower shall not assert, and the Borrower hereby waives any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(ii)    To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, no Indemnitee shall assert, and each Indemnitee hereby waives, any claim against the Borrower, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.

(iii)    Neither the Borrower nor any Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

(e)    Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than thirty (30) days after the Borrower’s receipt of an invoice demanding such payment.

(f)    Survival. The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

10.05    Payments Set Aside.

To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered


66



into by the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

10.06    Successors and Assigns.

(a)    Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b)    Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in L/C Obligations) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i)    Minimum Amounts.

(A)    in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the related Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B)    in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met.



67



(ii)    Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned;

(iii)    Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

(A)    the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

(B)    the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of any Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender; and

(C)    the consent of the L/C Issuer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding).

(iv)    Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment and that the Borrower will not be required to pay such processing and recordation fee unless the assignment was requested by the Borrower. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v)    No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) to a natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person).

(vi)    Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.



68



Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05 and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment); provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section. The Borrower reserves the right to propose potential assignees and the Lenders agree to consider, in their sole discretion, the Borrower’s proposed assignees.

(c)    Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d)    Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, and without cost or expense to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than (i) a natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person), (ii) Defaulting Lender, (iii) the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates and (iv) any Person that is primarily in the business of producing or transmitting electricity) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 10.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participation. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso of Section 10.01(a) that affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.12 as though it were a Lender.


69



(e)    Limitation on Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 3.01(e) as though it were a Lender.

(f)    Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g)    Resignation as L/C Issuer after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Commitment and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, upon thirty days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer, (1) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer and (2) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

10.07    Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, auditors, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto (such other party acknowledges that it is subject to the confidentiality obligations hereunder with respect to such Information), (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) on a confidential basis to the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (h) with the consent of the Borrower or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or any of its businesses, other than any such information that is available to the


70



Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States federal and state securities Laws.

10.08    Set-off.

If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the L/C Issuer or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender or the L/C Issuer different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.14 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

10.09    Interest Rate Limitation.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

10.10    Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by a Responsible Officer and the


71



Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

10.11    Survival of Representations and Warranties.

All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

10.12    Severability.

If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

10.13    Replacement of Lenders.

If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, (iii) a Lender (a “Non-Consenting Lender”) does not consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan Document that has been approved by the Required Lenders as provided in Section 10.01 but requires unanimous consent of all Lenders or all Lenders directly affected thereby (as applicable) or (iv) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

(A)    the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 10.06(b);

(B)    such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

(C)    in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;


72



(D)    such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and

(E)    in the case of any such assignment resulting from a Non-Consenting Lender’s failure to consent to a proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan Document, the applicable assignee consents to the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination; provided that the failure by such Non-Consenting Lender to execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption shall not impair the validity of the removal of such Non-Consenting Lender and the mandatory assignment of such Non-Consenting Lender’s Commitments and outstanding Loans and participations in L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 10.13 shall nevertheless be effective without the execution by such Non-Consenting Lender of an Assignment and Assumption.

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

10.14    [Reserved].

10.15    Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a)    GOVERNING LAW. EXCEPT FOR THOSE SECTIONS THAT SPECIFICALLY REFERENCE A FEDERAL STATUTE OR REGULATION, THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE FOREGOING NOTWITHSTANDING, TO THE EXTENT THE FOLLOWING DEFENSES WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE BORROWER UNDER FEDERAL LAW, THEN SUCH DEFENSES SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO THE BORROWER IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS: (i) NON-LIABILITY FOR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, (ii) EXEMPTION FROM ANTI-TRUST LAWS, (iii) THE BORROWER CANNOT BE CONTRACTUALLY BOUND BY REPRESENTATION OF AN EMPLOYEE MADE WITHOUT ACTUAL AUTHORITY, (iv) PRESUMPTION THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE ACTED IN GOOD FAITH AND (v) LIMITATION ON THE APPLICATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF EQUITABLE ESTOPPEL TO THE GOVERNMENT.

(b)    SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK OR ANY APPELLATE COURT TAKING APPEALS THEREFROM FOR ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.

(c)    WAIVER OF VENUE. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN THE COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

(d)    SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.



73



10.16    Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury.

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

10.17    USA PATRIOT Act Notice.

Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act. The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.

10.18    Statement of Borrower regarding the Bankruptcy Code of the United States.

The Borrower takes the position that as a government agency the Borrower cannot be a “debtor” under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States. The agreement of the Borrower to include the Bankruptcy Code of the United States in the definition of “Debtor Relief Laws” is not to be interpreted as a recognition, acknowledgment or agreement by the Borrower of a contrary position.

10.19    No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.

In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent, the Arranger nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower and its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.


74



10.20    Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents.

The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement, any other documented executed in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby (including any Assignment and Assumption, amendments or other modifications, Loan Notices, waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided further without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of any party, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

10.21    TVA Related Provisions.

In connection with this Agreement each Lender agrees to comply with (i) the Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam-Era clause, 41 C.F.R. § 60-250.4, (ii) the Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers clause, 41 C.F.R. § 60-741.4, (iii) the Equal Opportunity clause, 41 C.F.R. § 60-1.4, and all amendments to these clauses and all applicable regulations, rules, and orders issued thereunder. Each Lender that executes this Agreement, and each Lender that becomes a party to this Agreement by execution of an Assignment and Assumption, agrees that upon its execution of this Agreement or such Assignment and Assumption, as applicable, it shall be deemed to have executed the Certification for Contracts, Grants, Loans, and Cooperative Agreements attached hereto Exhibit 10.21.

10.22    Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.

Solely to the extent any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an EEA Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a)    the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or L/C Issuer that is an EEA Financial Institution; and
(b)    the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)    a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)    a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii)    the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.


75



10.23    Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs.

To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap Contract or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States): In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

[SIGNATURE PAGES INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]



76



Exhibit 2.04

FORM OF NOTICE OF LOAN PREPAYMENT

Date: ___________, _____

To:    Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Re:
February Maturity Credit Agreement (as amended, modified and supplemented from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of August 7, 2015 among Tennessee Valley Authority, a wholly owned corporate agency and instrumentality of the United States of America (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as a Lender and as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.


The Borrower hereby notifies the Administrative Agent that on [_____________]1 pursuant to the terms of Section 2.04 (Prepayments) of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower intends to prepay/repay the following Loans as more specifically set forth below2:

Indicate: Borrower Name
Indicate: Requested Amount
Indicate:
Base Rate Loan
or
LIBOR Rate Loan
For LIBOR
Rate Loans
Indicate:
Interest Period (e.g. 1, 2, 3 or 6 month interest period)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this notice by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this notice.

TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY

By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________ ______
Title:___________________________________




____________________________

1 Specify date of such prepayment.

2 Note to Borrower. Scheduled payments and advances should only be processed by auto debit, wire or to BAC's ACH account (not check or cashier's check). Unscheduled payments should only be received by wire or DDA transfers (not ACH or check or cashier's check).


EXHIBIT 10.2

EXHIBIT102IMAGE1.JPG















DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Amended and Restated as of May 4, 2020















 

Prepared by: /s/ Tina Wallace      05/01/2020_
Tina Wallace, VP Total Rewards     Date             
 
 
Validation Date: 05/01/2020
Review Frequency: 5 years
Validated By: Stephen Gaby
 


1



Table of Contents
Section 1: PURPOSE
3
1.1
Establishment
3
1.2
Purpose
3
 
 
Section 2: DEFINITIONS
3
2.1
Account
3
2.2
Beneficiary
3
2.3
Board
4
2.4
Code
4
2.5
Dependent
4
2.6
Interest
4
2.7
Plan Administrator
4
2.8
Recordkeeper
4
2.9
Return
4
2.10
Section 409A
4
2.11
Separation 5-Year Source
4
2.12
Separation 10-Year Source
4
2.13
Separation from Service
4
2.14
Separation Lump Sum Source
4
2.15
Set Date 5-Year Source
4
2.16
Set Date 10-Year Source
4
2.17
Set Date Lump Sum Source
5
2.18
Source
5
2.19
Unforeseeable Emergency
5
 
 
 
Section 3: ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE
5
 
 
 
Section 4: PLAN GUIDELINES
5
4.1
Deferred Compensation Plan Credits
5
 
 
 
Section 5: PAYMENT OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION
6
5.1
Separation from Service
6
5.2
Set Payment Date
7
5.3
Death
8
5.4
Subsequent Elections
8
5.5
Unforeseeable Emergency
9
5.6
Account Liquidation
9
 
 
 
Section 6: PLAN ADMINISTRATION
10
6.1
Plan Administrator
10
6.2
Determinations by Plan Administrator
10
 
 
 
Section 7: AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
11
 
 
 
Section 8: GENERAL PROVISIONS
11
8.1
TVA Compensation Plan
11
8.2
Non-Transferability of Rights and Interests
11
8.3
Compliance with Section 409A
11
8.4
Severability
12
8.5
Limitation of Rights
12
8.6
Titles
12
8.7
Governing Law
12
8.8
Authorized Representatives
13
8.9
Certain Rights and Limitations
13
8.10
Tax Withholding
13
8.11
No Trust Is Created
13
 
 
 
Signature
13





2



1.
PURPOSE

1.1
Establishment. The Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”) hereby amends and restates in its entirety its Deferred Compensation Plan, which was originally established in 1994 and updated effective January 1, 2009. The amended and restated plan will hereafter be referred to as the Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan supports TVA’s compensation philosophy, which is designed to attract, retain, and engage employees needed to accomplish TVA’s broad mission.

1.2
Purpose. The Plan is designed to provide Participants with (a) deferrals of compensation in order to provide income to supplement retirement benefits, (b) an additional means of deferring taxes on deferred compensation, and (c) an opportunity to earn a notational investment return on deferred compensation.

2.
DEFINITIONS

Wherever used herein, the following terms have the meaning set forth below, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:

2.1
“Account” means the account established on TVA’s books in the name of each Participant to which compensation deferred by the Participant pursuant to any of TVA’s compensation plans, or deferred compensation awarded to the Participant by TVA, as well as any Interest or Return on such compensation, is accounted for in the form of credits.

2.2
“Beneficiary” means, collectively, such persons and/or entities as the Participant designates to be the Participant’s beneficiary or beneficiaries under this Plan. The Participant may make, change, or revoke a Beneficiary designation at any time before his or her death without the consent of the Participant’s spouse or anyone the Participant previously named as a Beneficiary, and the Participant may designate primary and secondary Beneficiaries. A Beneficiary designation must comply with procedures established by the Plan Administrator (as defined below) and must be received by the Plan Administrator before the Participant’s death. If the Participant dies without a valid Beneficiary designation (as determined by the Plan Administrator), then such Participant’s Beneficiary shall mean (a) the widow or widower of the Participant; (b) if there is no widow or widower, the child or children of the Participant and descendants of deceased children by representation; (c) if none of the above, then the duly appointed legal representative of the estate of the Participant; and (d) if none of the above, then the person or entity so entitled under the law of the state of domicile of the Participant at the time of death.

2.3
“Board” means the Board of Directors of TVA.

2.4
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

2.5
“Dependent” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 152 of the Code without regard to Section 152(b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B) of the Code.

2.6
“Interest” means the notational interest on a Participant’s Account balance based on an annual interest rate set from time to time by the Plan Administrator or its designee.

2.7
“Plan Administrator” means, unless otherwise designated by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) or the designee of the CEO. When the CEO is a Participant, the Board or its designee shall be the Plan Administrator with respect to matters affecting the CEO.

2.8
“Recordkeeper” means the organization selected by TVA to recordkeep the notational investment return alternatives from which the Participant may choose.

2.9
“Return” means the notational investment return on a Participant’s Account balance based on the change in the value of the mutual funds designated by the Participant.

2.10
“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.


3



2.11
“Separation 5-Year Source” means a deferred compensation Source that is paid in five (5) annual installments in connection with a Participant’s Separation from Service pursuant to Section 5.1.

2.12
“Separation 10-Year Source” means a deferred compensation Source that is paid in ten (10) annual installments in connection with a Participant’s Separation from Service pursuant to Section 5.1.

2.13
“Separation from Service” and like phrases have the meaning set forth in Treas. Regs. § 1.409A-1(h) as in effect from time to time.

2.14
“Separation Lump Sum Source” means a deferred compensation Source that is paid in lump sum in connection with a Participant’s Separation from Service pursuant to Section 5.1.

2.15
“Set Date 5-Year Source” means a deferred compensation Source that is paid in five (5) annual installments in connection with the occurrence of a set date pursuant to Section 5.2.

2.16
“Set Date 10-Year Source” means a deferred compensation Source that is paid in ten (10) annual installments in connection with the occurrence of a set date pursuant to Section 5.2.

2.17
“Set Date Lump Sum Source” means a deferred compensation Source that is paid in lump sum in connection with the occurrence of a set date pursuant to Section 5.2.

2.18
“Source” means a division within each Participant’s Account to which deferred compensation credits are assigned based on the time and form of payment for such deferred compensation.

2.19
“Unforeseeable Emergency” has the meaning ascribed thereto in Treas. Regs. § 1.409A-3(i)(3).


3.
ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE

Participation in the Plan is limited to TVA employees who are eligible under any of TVA’s other compensation plans to (a) defer compensation earned during a year to a later year or (b) receive deferred compensation credits, in each case as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion (each, a “Participant”).

4.
PLAN GUIDELINES

4.1
Deferred Compensation Plan Credits

4.1.1
There shall be established for each Participant an Account in the name of the Participant. Each Participant’s Account will consist of one or more Sources.

4.1.2
A Participant’s Account shall be credited with any compensation amounts that the Participant earns during any year and properly elects to defer to a later year pursuant to any TVA compensation plan that allows deferral elections.

4.1.3
From time to time the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, award deferred compensation credits to a Participant’s Account. At the time of the award, the Plan Administrator shall designate the manner in which such deferred compensation credits shall be paid out to the Participant. In the absence of such a designation, such deferred compensation credits shall be paid out to the Participant in a lump sum upon Separation from Service in accordance with Section 5 below.

4.1.4
The Plan Administrator may consider such factors as the following in determining whether to award deferred compensation credits to a Participant and the amount of deferred compensation credits to be awarded pursuant to section 4.1.3 above:

Meritorious performance;
Providing Participants with total compensation equivalent to prevailing rates in corporate, professional, and other public organizations;
The need to use deferred compensation credits for recruitment purposes;
Forfeited annual leave; or
Such other factors as may be deemed appropriate.

4




4.1.5
Each Participant’s Account will receive Interest calculated on the ending daily balance in each Participant’s Account and credited to the Account by the Recordkeeper at the end of each month. In lieu of Interest, each Participant may elect to have all or a portion of the Participant’s Account adjusted by the Return tied to one or more mutual funds available to Participants through the Recordkeeper as selected by the Participant. TVA is not responsible for the effect on the Participant’s Account of decisions by any Participant who elects to receive the Return tied to mutual funds as provided herein. Such decisions shall be the sole responsibility of the Participant.

5.
PAYMENT OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The total amount credited to each Participant’s Account shall be paid by TVA to the Participant pursuant to Section 5.1 in connection with the Participant’s Separation from Service, pursuant to Section 5.2 upon the specific date selected, pursuant to Section 5.3 upon the Participant’s death, pursuant to Section 5.4 as subsequently elected, or pursuant to Section 5.5 in the event of an Unforeseeable Emergency, in each case as applicable. To the extent necessary to prevent the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A, each election and payment under the Plan shall be made at a time and in a manner that complies with Section 409A.

5.1
Separation from Service. With respect to amounts elected or designated to be paid in connection with a Participant’s Separation from Service, a Participant must elect (or, with respect to Section 4.1.3, TVA must designate) payments in the form of lump sum, five (5) annual installments or ten (10) annual installments, which shall respectively be paid from the Participant’s Separation Lump Sum Source, Separation 5-Year Source and Separation 10-Year Source.

5.1.1
The balance in the Separation Lump Sum Source shall be paid in a lump sum to the Participant no later than the last day of the first full calendar month following the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service (or, if applicable, the later payment date elected in Section 5.1.3).

5.1.2
The balances in the Separation 5-Year Source and Separation 10-Year Source shall be paid in the following manner:

Not later than the last day of the first full calendar month following the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service (or, if applicable, the later payment commencement date elected in Section 5.1.3), the Participant shall be paid a sum equal to the balance in the Participant’s Separation 5-Year Source or Separation 10-Year Source, as applicable, divided by the applicable number of annual installments.

Subsequent annual installments shall be paid in January of each year following the initial payment in this Section 5.1.2. The amount of each installment shall be determined by dividing the balance in the applicable Source by the number of payments remaining to be made.

5.1.3
Participants shall be permitted to elect a payment date or payment commencement date, as applicable, that is in January following the date of Separation from Service plus a period of whole years not to exceed ten (10) years (example: 5 years from the January following the date of Separation from Service), in which case the payment date or payment commencement date, as applicable, in Sections 5.1.1 or 5.1.2, respectively, shall be adjusted.

5.1.4
Effective January 1, 2009, the option to elect the 15-Year Source was eliminated for deferrals on and after that date. No new Participants have been allowed to elect a 15-Year Source since that date and none will be added.

5.2
Set Payment Date. With respect to amounts elected or designated to be paid in connection with the occurrence of a set date (example: January 1, 2025), a Participant must elect (or, with respect to Section 4.1.3, TVA must designate) (a) a set payment date or payment commencement date, as applicable, that is in January and no more than ten (10) years following such election date, and (b) payments in the form of lump sum, five (5) annual installments or ten (10) annual installments, which shall respectively be paid from the

5



Participant’s Set Date Lump Sum Source, Set Date 5-Year Source and Set Date 10-Year Source.

5.2.1
The balance in the Set Date Lump Sum Source shall be paid in a lump sum to the Participant no later than the last day of January in the year elected for payment.

5.2.2
The balances in the Set Date 5-Year Source and Set Date 10-Year Source shall be paid in the following manner:

No later than the last day of January starting in the year elected for payment commencement, the Participant shall be paid a sum equal to the balance in the Participant’s Set Date 5-Year Source or Set Date 10-Year Source, as applicable, divided by the applicable number of annual installments.

Subsequent annual installments shall be paid in January of each year following the initial payment in this Section 5.2.2. The amount of each installment shall be determined by dividing the balance in the applicable Source by the number of payments remaining to be made.

5.2.3
If a Participant so elects at the time of the underlying set date deferral election, then upon the Participant’s Separation from Service prior to the commencement of payments under this Section 5.2, the balances in the Participant’s Set Date Lump Sum Source, Set Date 5-Year Source and Set Date 10-Year Source shall be paid in the time and form set forth in Section 5.1.1 (i.e., in lump sum in connection with such Separation from Service).

5.3
Death. Upon receipt of proper proof of death of a Participant who has died in service, or a former Participant who has been receiving payments under Sections 5.1 or 5.2 above, notwithstanding any contrary elections or designations pursuant to Sections 5.1 or 5.2 the balance in the Participant’s Account shall be paid in a lump sum to the Participant’s Beneficiary. Payment shall be made by the last day of the first full calendar month following the receipt of proper proof of the Participant’s death.

5.4
Subsequent Elections. With the consent of the Plan Administrator, a Participant may change the form and timing of payment for the balance in each Source within the Participant’s Account; provided that such subsequent election complies with Section 409A(a)(4)(C) of the Code and any other applicable rules or regulations, as determined by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion, which shall, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A, include the following requirements:

The new election may not take effect until at least twelve months after the date on which the new election is made;
The date on which the new election is made must be at least twelve months before the payment is scheduled to commence; and
The new election must provide for the deferral of the payment for a period of at least five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made.

In the event a Participant makes a subsequent election pursuant to this Section 5.4, the Plan Administrator may reallocate the Sources of such Participant’s Account accordingly.

5.5
Unforeseeable Emergency. In the event of an Unforeseeable Emergency, a Participant may apply to the Plan Administrator for a distribution of all or part of the total amount credited to the Participant’s Account. The distribution may be granted in the Plan Administrator’s sole discretion upon a determination by the Plan Administrator that the amount distributed is reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need based on the relevant facts and circumstances of the case. Under Section 409A, an Unforeseeable Emergency means a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from any of the following:

Illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, the Participant’s Beneficiary, or the Participant’s dependent;
Loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty (including the need to rebuild a home following damage to a home not otherwise covered by insurance); or
Other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.


6



Section 409A states that the purchase of a home and the payment of college tuition are not unforeseeable emergencies. Under Section 409A, a distribution on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency may not be made to the extent that such emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation from insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of the Participant’s assets, to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not cause severe financial hardship, or by cessation of deferrals under the Plan. In other words, Participants will not be eligible for consideration of distributions from the Plan for an Unforeseeable Emergency if the Participant has or through his or her or own ability has access to any funds to help take care of the financial issues related to the Participant’s Unforeseeable Emergency.

Unforeseeable Emergency distributions will be deducted from the Sources within the Participant’s Account until exhausted in the following order of precedence: Separation Lump Sum Source, Set Date Lump Sum Source, Separation 5-Year Source, Set Date 5-Year Source, Separation 10-Year Source, Set Date 10-Year Source.

5.6
Account Liquidation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5, a Participant with an Account balance not greater than the applicable dollar amount under Section 402(g)(1)(B) of the Code at the time of Separation from Service shall be paid that balance in a lump sum not later than the last day of the first full calendar month following the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service, provided that the payment results in the termination and liquidation of the entirety of the Participant’s interest under the Plan.

6.
PLAN ADMINISTRATION

6.1
Plan Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the Plan Administrator. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall have the power, authority, and sole and exclusive discretion to construe, interpret and administer the Plan, including without limitation, the power and authority to make factual determinations relating to, and correct mistakes in, awards, and to take such other action in the administration and operation of the Plan as the Plan Administrator deems appropriate under the circumstances, including but not limited to the following:

6.1.1
The Plan Administrator may, from time to time, prescribe forms and procedures for carrying out the purposes and provisions of the Plan.

6.1.2
The Plan Administrator shall have the authority to prescribe the terms of any communications made under the Plan, to interpret and construe the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan, and the terms and conditions of any award, and to answer all questions arising under the Plan, including questions on the proper construction and interpretation of the Plan.

6.1.3
The Plan Administrator may (a) notify each Participant that he or she has been selected as a Participant and (b) obtain from each Participant such agreements and powers and designations of Beneficiaries as the Plan Administrator shall reasonably deem necessary for the administration of the Plan.

6.1.4
To the extent permitted by law, the Plan Administrator may at any time delegate such powers and duties to one or more other executives or managers, whether ministerial or discretionary, as the Plan Administrator may deem appropriate, including but not limited to, authorizing the Plan Administrator’s delegate to execute documents on the Plan Administrator’s behalf.

6.2
Determinations by Plan Administrator. All decisions, determinations and interpretations by the Plan Administrator regarding the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan, and the terms and conditions of or operation of any Plan award, shall be final and binding on all Participants, Beneficiaries, heirs, assigns, or other persons holding or claiming rights under the Plan or any award. The Plan Administrator shall consider such factors as it deems relevant, in its sole and absolute discretion, in making such decisions, determinations, and interpretations including, without limitation, the recommendations or advice of the Board, CEO or any other employee of TVA and such consultants and accountants as it deems appropriate.

7.
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

The Board, the CEO, or Plan Administrator may at any time amend or terminate the Plan without the consent of any Participant, Beneficiary or other person; provided, that TVA and the Plan Administrator, after any such termination, shall continue to have full administrative powers to take any and all action

7



contemplated by the Plan which is necessary or desirable and to make payment of any outstanding balances earned by Participants in accordance with the terms of the Plan. No amendment or termination of the Plan may adversely affect, other than as specified in the Plan, any right acquired by any Participant or any Beneficiary of a Participant’s Account established before the effective date of such amendment or termination without such Participant’s consent. Upon termination of the Plan, distribution of Account balances shall be made to Participants and Beneficiaries in the manner and at the time described herein, unless the Plan Administrator determines in its sole discretion that all such amounts shall be distributed upon termination of the Plan.

8.
GENERAL PROVISIONS

8.1
TVA Compensation Plan. Approvals regarding awards under the Plan for each Participant will be made in accordance with the TVA Compensation Plan as in effect from time to time and the delegations thereunder.

8.2
Non-Transferability of Rights and Interests. Neither a Participant nor a Beneficiary may alienate, assign, transfer, or otherwise encumber his or her rights and interests under the Plan. No such interest or right to receive a distribution may be taken, either voluntarily or involuntarily, for the satisfaction of the debts of, or other obligations or claims against, such person, and any attempt to do so shall be null and void. In the event of a Participant’s death, the Plan Administrator shall authorize payment of any award due a Participant under the Plan to the Participant’s Beneficiary.

8.3
Compliance with Section 409A. At all times, to the extent Section 409A applies to amounts deferred under this Plan: (a) this Plan shall be operated in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A; (b) any action that may be taken (and, to the extent possible, any action actually taken) by the Board or the Plan Administrator, or the Participants or their Beneficiaries, shall not be taken (or shall be void and without effect) if such action violates the requirements of Section 409A; (c) any provision in this Plan that is determined to violate the requirements of Section 409A shall be void and without effect; and (d) any provision that is required by Section 409A to appear in this Plan that is not expressly set forth shall be deemed to be set forth herein, and this Plan shall be administered in all respects as if such provision were expressly set forth herein. To the extent necessary to prevent the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A, (i) amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to this Plan during the six-month period immediately following a Separation from Service shall instead be paid on the first business day after the date that is six (6) months following such Separation from Service (or death, if earlier), (ii) each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided under this Plan shall be construed as a separately identified payment for purposes of Section 409A, and (iii) any payments that are due within the “short term deferral period” as defined in Section 409A shall not be treated as deferred compensation unless applicable law requires otherwise.

8.4
Severability. In the event that any provision or portion of the Plan shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions and portions of the Plan shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

8.5
Limitation of Rights. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any employee any right to be selected as a Participant or to receive an award or to be granted an award other than as is provided in this document. During the lifetime of a Participant, only the Participant (or the Participant’s legal representative) may exercise the rights and receive the benefits of any award.

8.6
Titles. The titles of the articles and sections herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not be construed as part of the Plan or have any effect upon the meaning of the provisions hereof. Unless the context requires otherwise, the singular shall include the plural and the masculine shall include the feminine. Such words as “herein,” “hereafter,” “hereof,” and “hereunder” shall refer to this instrument as a whole and not merely to the subdivision in which such words appear.

8.7
Governing Law. TVA is a corporate agency and instrumentality of the United States, and the Plan shall be governed by and construed under federal law. In the event federal law does not provide a rule of decision for any matter or issue under the Plan, the law of the State of Tennessee shall apply; provided, however, in no event shall Tennessee’s choice of law provisions apply.


8



8.8
Authorized Representatives. Whenever TVA under the terms of the Plan is permitted or required to do or to perform any act or matter or thing, it shall be done and performed by a duly authorized representative of TVA.

8.9
Certain Rights and Limitations. Nothing in the Plan or any award issued pursuant to the Plan shall be construed as conferring any legal rights upon any employee or other person for a continuation of employment, nor shall it interfere with the rights of TVA to discharge any employee and to treat any employee without regard to the effect that such treatment might have upon that employee as a Participant in the Plan.

8.10
Tax Withholding. TVA is authorized to withhold from any payment under the Plan taxes due or potentially payable in connection with any transactions involving the Plan, and to take any other actions TVA may deem advisable to allow TVA to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations related to payments under the Plan.

8.11
No Trust Is Created. No trust in favor of any Participant is created by this Plan, and Participants shall have the rights of general unsecured creditors of TVA with respect to amounts credited their Accounts established by this Plan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this instrument has been executed as of the 4th day of May, 2020.

Tennessee Valley Authority

By: /s/ Jeffrey J. Lyash    
Jeffrey J. Lyash
President and Chief Executive Officer


9



 

EXHIBIT 31.1


RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION

I, Jeffrey J. Lyash, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Tennessee Valley Authority;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date:
May 4, 2020
 /s/ Jeffrey J. Lyash
 
Jeffrey J. Lyash
 
President and Chief Executive Officer


 





 

EXHIBIT 31.2

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATION
I, John M. Thomas, III, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Tennessee Valley Authority;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
 
Date:
May 4, 2020
 /s/ John M. Thomas, III
 
John M. Thomas, III

 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial Officer)

 





 

EXHIBIT 32.1
 

CERTIFICATION FURNISHED PURSUANT TO
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(b)
 OR RULE 15d-14(b) AND 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Tennessee Valley Authority (the “Company”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jeffrey J. Lyash, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, for the purposes of complying with Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
 
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 /s/ Jeffrey J. Lyash
Jeffrey J. Lyash
President and Chief Executive Officer
May 4, 2020

 





 

EXHIBIT 32.2
 

CERTIFICATION FURNISHED PURSUANT TO
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(b)
 OR RULE 15d-14(b) AND 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Tennessee Valley Authority (the “Company”) for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, John M. Thomas, III, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, for the purposes of complying with Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
 
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 /s/ John M. Thomas, III
John M. Thomas, III
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
May 4, 2020