UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

Or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                   to                  

Commission File No. 001-37660

 

Avangrid, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

New York

 

14-1798693

( State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization )

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

180 Marsh Hill Road

Orange, Connecticut

 

06477

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (207) 629-1200

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) 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       No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).     Yes       No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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

 

  

Accelerated filer

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

  (Do not check if a small reporting company)

  

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

As of May 1, 2018, the registrant had 309,005,272 shares of common stock, par value $0.01, outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 


 

Avangrid, Inc.

REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2018

INDEX

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

3

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

5

Item 1.

Financial Statements

5

Item 2.

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

43

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

57

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

57

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

59

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

59

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

59

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

59

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

59

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

59

Item 5.

Other Information

59

Item 6.

Exhibits

59

SIGNATURES

60

2


 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “we,” “our” and the “Company” are used to refer to Avangrid, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Consent order refers to the partial consent order issued by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in August 2016.

English Station site refers to the former generation site on the Mill River in New Haven, Connecticut.

Form 10-K refers to Avangrid, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2018.

Ginna refers to the Ginna Nuclear Power Plant, LLC and the R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant.

Iberdrola refers to Iberdrola, S.A., which owns 81.5% of the outstanding shares of Avangrid, Inc.

Iberdrola Group refers to the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A.

Installed capacity refers to the production capacity of a power plant or wind farm based either on its rated (nameplate) capacity or actual capacity.

Joint Proposal refers to the Joint Proposal, filed with the NYPSC on February 19, 2016 by NYSEG, RG&E and certain other signatory parties for a three-year rate plan for electric and gas service at NYSEG and RG&E commencing May 1, 2016.

Klamath Plant refers to the Klamath gas-fired cogeneration facility located in the city of Klamath, Oregon.

Non-GAAP refers to the financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share.

 

AOCI

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

 

ARHI

 

Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

ARP

 

Alternative Revenue Programs

 

 

 

ASC

 

Accounting Standards Codification

 

 

 

AVANGRID

 

Avangrid, Inc.

 

 

 

Bcf

 

One billion cubic feet

 

 

 

BGC

 

The Berkshire Gas Company

 

 

 

Cayuga

 

Cayuga Operating Company, LLC

 

 

 

CfDs

 

Contracts for Differences

 

 

 

CL&P

 

The Connecticut Light and Power Company

 

 

 

CMP

 

Central Maine Power Company

 

 

 

CNG

 

Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation

 

 

 

DEEP

 

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

 

 

 

DIMP

 

Distribution Integrity Management Program

 

 

 

DOE

 

Department of Energy

 

 

 

DPA

 

Deferred Payment Arrangements

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

ESM

 

Earnings sharing mechanism

 

 

 

Evergreen Power

 

Evergreen Power, LLC

 

 

 

Exchange Act

 

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

 

 

 

FASB

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board

 

 

 

FERC

 

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

 

 

 

3


 

FirstEnergy

 

FirstEnergy Corp.

 

 

 

Gas

 

Enstor Gas, LLC

 

 

 

HLBV

 

Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value

 

 

 

ISO

 

Independent system operator

 

 

 

LDCs

 

Local distribution companies

 

 

 

MNG

 

Maine Natural Gas Corporation

 

 

 

MPUC

 

Maine Public Utility Commission

 

 

 

MtM

 

Mark-to-market

 

 

 

MW

 

Megawatts

 

 

 

MWh

 

Megawatt-hours

 

 

 

Networks

 

Avangrid Networks, Inc.

 

 

 

New York

TransCo

 

 

New York TransCo, LLC.

 

 

 

NYPSC

 

New York State Public Service Commission

 

 

 

NYSEG

 

New York State Electric & Gas Corporation

 

 

 

OCC

 

Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel

 

 

 

OCI

 

Other comprehesive income

 

 

 

PURA

 

Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

 

 

 

Renewables

 

Avangrid Renewables, LLC

 

 

 

RDM

 

Revenue Decoupling Mechanism

 

 

 

RG&E

 

Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation

 

 

 

ROE

 

Return on equity

 

 

 

RSSA

 

Reliability Support Services Agreement

 

 

 

SCG

 

The Southern Connecticut Gas Company

 

 

 

SEC

 

United States Securities and Exchange Commission

 

 

 

Tax Act

 

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 enacted by the U.S. federal government on December 22, 2017

 

 

 

TEF

 

Tax equity financing arrangements

 

 

 

UI

 

The United Illuminating Company

 

 

 

UIL

 

UIL Holdings Corporation

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP

 

Generally accepted accounting principles for financial reporting in the United States.

 

 

 

VIEs

 

Variable interest entities

 

 

4


 

PART I. FINANCI AL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

Avangrid, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions, except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

1,865

 

 

$

1,758

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased power, natural gas and fuel used

 

 

576

 

 

 

465

 

Loss from assets held for sale

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Operations and maintenance

 

 

527

 

 

 

522

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

203

 

 

 

197

 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

 

151

 

 

 

147

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

1,462

 

 

 

1,331

 

Operating Income

 

 

403

 

 

 

427

 

Other Income and (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expense

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(16

)

Earnings from equity method investments

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Interest expense, net of capitalization

 

 

(74

)

 

 

(71

)

Income Before Income Tax

 

 

310

 

 

 

342

 

Income tax expense

 

 

72

 

 

 

103

 

Net Income

 

 

238

 

 

 

239

 

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

Net Income Attributable to Avangrid, Inc.

 

$

244

 

 

$

239

 

Earnings Per Common Share, Basic

 

$

0.79

 

 

$

0.77

 

Earnings Per Common Share, Diluted

 

$

0.79

 

 

$

0.77

 

Weighted-average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

309,513,640

 

 

 

309,508,889

 

Diluted

 

 

309,793,064

 

 

 

309,837,442

 

Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share

 

$

0.432

 

 

$

0.432

 

 

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

 

 

 

5


 

Avangrid, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

238

 

 

$

239

 

Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts arising during the period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain during the period on derivatives qualifying

   as cash flow hedges, net of income tax of $1.3

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Reclassification to net income of (gains) losses on cash flow

   hedges, net of income taxes of $(7.5) and $13.6, respectively

 

 

(10

)

 

 

23

 

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

 

 

(10

)

 

 

25

 

Comprehensive Income

 

 

228

 

 

 

264

 

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income Attributable to Avangrid, Inc.

 

$

234

 

 

$

264

 

 

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

 

 

6


 

Avangrid, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

As of

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

40

 

 

$

41

 

Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net

 

 

1,113

 

 

 

1,040

 

Accounts receivable from affiliates

 

 

8

 

 

 

10

 

Derivative assets

 

 

20

 

 

 

18

 

Fuel and gas in storage

 

 

57

 

 

 

99

 

Materials and supplies

 

 

123

 

 

 

115

 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

 

232

 

 

 

273

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

79

 

 

 

357

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

309

 

 

 

307

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

1,981

 

 

 

2,260

 

Total Property, Plant and Equipment ($1,289 and

   $1,303 related to VIEs, respectively)

 

 

22,757

 

 

 

22,669

 

Equity method investments

 

 

348

 

 

 

352

 

Other investments

 

 

63

 

 

 

63

 

Regulatory assets

 

 

2,714

 

 

 

2,738

 

Deferred income taxes regulatory

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

3,127

 

 

 

3,127

 

Intangible assets

 

 

327

 

 

 

328

 

Derivative assets

 

 

63

 

 

 

63

 

Other

 

 

83

 

 

 

71

 

Total Other Assets

 

 

3,600

 

 

 

3,589

 

Total Assets

 

$

31,483

 

 

$

31,671

 

 

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

 

7


 

Avangrid, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

As of

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions, except share information)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of debt

 

$

214

 

 

$

183

 

Tax equity financing arrangements - VIEs

 

 

 

 

 

38

 

Notes payable

 

 

631

 

 

 

757

 

Notes payable to affiliates

 

 

31

 

 

 

29

 

Interest accrued

 

 

65

 

 

 

57

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

928

 

 

 

1,071

 

Accounts payable to affiliates

 

 

65

 

 

 

89

 

Dividends payable

 

 

134

 

 

 

134

 

Taxes accrued

 

 

59

 

 

 

89

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

24

 

 

 

22

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

 

7

 

 

 

137

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

356

 

 

 

330

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

202

 

 

 

178

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

2,716

 

 

 

3,114

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

 

3,287

 

 

 

3,239

 

Deferred income taxes regulatory

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

Other Non-current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,510

 

 

 

1,452

 

Deferred income

 

 

1,429

 

 

 

1,446

 

Pension and other postretirement

 

 

1,044

 

 

 

1,049

 

Tax equity financing arrangements - VIEs

 

 

 

 

 

60

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

103

 

 

 

92

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

199

 

 

 

196

 

Environmental remediation costs

 

 

351

 

 

 

358

 

Other

 

 

365

 

 

 

360

 

Total Other Non-current Liabilities

 

 

5,001

 

 

 

5,013

 

Non-current Debt

 

 

5,160

 

 

 

5,196

 

Total Non-current Liabilities

 

 

13,448

 

 

 

13,461

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

16,164

 

 

 

16,575

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 309,752,140 and

   309,670,932 shares issued; 309,086,480 and 309,005,272 shares outstanding,

   respectively

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

13,654

 

 

 

13,653

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(8

)

Retained earnings

 

 

1,579

 

 

 

1,475

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(57

)

 

 

(46

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

15,171

 

 

 

15,077

 

Non-controlling interests

 

 

148

 

 

 

19

 

Total Equity

 

 

15,319

 

 

 

15,096

 

Total Liabilities and Equity

 

$

31,483

 

 

$

31,671

 

 

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

 

 

8


 

Avangrid, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

238

 

 

$

239

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating

   activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

203

 

 

 

197

 

Loss from assets held for sale

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Accretion expenses

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

Regulatory assets/liabilities amortization

 

 

19

 

 

 

19

 

Regulatory assets/liabilities carrying cost

 

 

2

 

 

 

10

 

Pension cost

 

 

31

 

 

 

28

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Earnings from equity method investments

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

Amortization of debt (premium) discount

 

 

(1

)

 

 

2

 

Unrealized gain on marked-to-market derivative contracts

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(27

)

Deferred taxes

 

 

63

 

 

 

95

 

Other non-cash items

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(22

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues

 

 

(70

)

 

 

11

 

Inventories

 

 

36

 

 

 

11

 

Other assets/liabilities

 

 

96

 

 

 

64

 

Cash distribution from equity method investments

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

(51

)

 

 

(155

)

Taxes accrued

 

 

(29

)

 

 

9

 

Regulatory assets/liabilities

 

 

65

 

 

 

(45

)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

 

597

 

 

 

441

 

Cash Flow from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(399

)

 

 

(525

)

Contributions in aid of construction

 

 

7

 

 

 

6

 

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

67

 

 

 

1

 

Cash distribution from equity method investments

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Other investments and equity method investments, net

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

 

(323

)

 

 

(514

)

Cash Flow from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments of non-current debt

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(4

)

(Repayments) receipts of other short-term debt, net

 

 

(124

)

 

 

205

 

Payments on tax equity financing arrangements

 

 

 

 

 

(27

)

Repayments of capital leases

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(27

)

Issuance of common stock

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(11

)

 

 

 

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

(134

)

 

 

(134

)

Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities

 

 

(275

)

 

 

12

 

Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(61

)

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, Beginning of Period

 

 

46

 

 

 

96

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash, End of Period

 

$

45

 

 

$

35

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized

 

$

49

 

 

$

45

 

Cash (refund)/paid for income taxes

 

$

(17

)

 

$

3

 

 

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

 

 

9


 

Avangrid, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Avangrid, Inc. Stockholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Millions, except for number of shares )

 

Number of

shares (*)

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Additional

paid-in

capital

 

 

Treasury

Stock

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Loss

 

 

Total

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

Non

controlling

Interests

 

 

Total

 

As of December 31, 2016

 

 

308,993,149

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

13,653

 

 

$

(5

)

 

$

1,630

 

 

$

(86

)

 

$

15,195

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

15,208

 

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

239

 

 

 

 

 

 

239

 

 

 

 

 

 

239

 

Other comprehensive loss, net

   of tax of $14.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

264

 

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(134

)

 

 

 

 

 

(134

)

 

 

 

 

 

(134

)

Release of common stock

   held in trust

 

 

5,649

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 

 

70,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

As of March 31, 2017

 

 

309,069,291

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

13,653

 

 

$

(5

)

 

$

1,735

 

 

$

(61

)

 

$

15,325

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

15,338

 

As of December 31, 2017

 

 

309,005,272

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

13,653

 

 

$

(8

)

 

$

1,475

 

 

$

(46

)

 

$

15,077

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

15,096

 

Adoption of accounting

  standards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

140

 

 

 

136

 

Net Income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

244

 

 

 

 

 

 

244

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

238

 

Other comprehensive income,

   net of tax of $(7.5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

(10

)

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

228

 

Dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(134

)

 

 

 

 

 

(134

)

 

 

 

 

 

(134

)

Issuance of common stock

 

 

81,208

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

Distributions to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(11

)

Contributions from

  noncontrolling

  interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

 

309,086,480

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

13,654

 

 

$

(8

)

 

$

1,579

 

 

$

(57

)

 

$

15,171

 

 

$

148

 

 

$

15,319

 

 

(*)

Par value of share amounts is $0.01

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

 

 

 

10


 

Avangrid, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

 

Note 1. Background and Nature of Operations

Avangrid, Inc., formerly Iberdrola USA, Inc. (AVANGRID, we or the Company), is an energy services holding company engaged in the regulated energy distribution business through its principal subsidiary Avangrid Networks, Inc. (Networks) and in the renewable energy generation and gas storage businesses through its principal subsidiary, Avangrid Renewables Holding, Inc. (ARHI). ARHI in turn holds subsidiaries including Avangrid Renewables, LLC (Renewables) and Enstor Gas, LLC (Gas). Iberdrola, S.A. (Iberdrola), a corporation organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Spain, owns 81.5% the outstanding common stock of AVANGRID. The remaining outstanding shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and owned by various shareholders.

In December 2017, management committed to a plan to sell the gas storage and trading businesses because they represent non-core businesses that were not aligned with our strategic objectives. As a result, we determined that the assets and liabilities associated with our gas trading and storage businesses met the criteria for classification as assets held for sale, but did not meet the criteria for classification as discontinued operations. On March 1, 2018, the Company closed a transaction to sell Enstor Energy Services, LLC, which operated AVANGRID’s gas trading business, to CCI U.S. Asset Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Castleton Commodities International, LLC (CCI). On May 1, 2018 the Company closed a transaction to sell Enstor Gas, LLC, which operated AVANGRID’s gas storage business, to Amphora Gas Storage USA, LLC. Additional details on held for sale classification are provided in Note 20 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 2. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements of Avangrid, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the three years ended December 31, 2017 included in AVANGRID’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

The accompanying unaudited financial statements are prepared on a consolidated basis and include the accounts of AVANGRID and its consolidated subsidiaries Networks and ARHI. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the interim periods have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and note disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.

We believe the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly our condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity for the interim periods described herein. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature, except as otherwise disclosed. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2018, are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

 

Note 3. Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements

As of March 31, 2018, the new accounting pronouncements that we have adopted as of January 1, 2018, and reflected in our consolidated financial statements are described below. There have been no other material changes to the significant accounting policies described in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the three years ended December 31, 2017.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

(a) Revenue from contracts with customers

In May 2014 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) replacing the existing accounting standard and industry specific guidance for revenue recognition with a five-step model for recognizing and measuring revenue from contracts with customers. The FASB further amended ASC 606 through various updates issued thereafter. The core principle is for an entity to recognize revenue to represent the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted ASC 606 effective January 1, 2018, and applied the modified retrospective method, for which we did not have a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for initial application of the guidance. Upon adoption, we classify production tax credits as income tax expense (benefit) rather than as operating revenue. Refer to Note 4 for further details.

11


 

(b) Clarifying the scope of asset derecognition guidance and accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets   

The FASB issued amendments in February 2017 concerning asset derecognition and partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The amendments clarify the scope of asset derecognition guidance and accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets, and also define in-substance nonfinancial assets. Those amendments apply to a company that: sells nonfinancial assets (land, buildings, materials and supplies, intangible assets) to noncustomers; sells nonfinancial assets and financial assets (cash, receivables) when the value is concentrated in the nonfinancial assets; or sells partial ownership interests in nonfinancial assets. The amendments do not apply to sales to customers or to sales of businesses. The new guidance in ASC 610-20 on accounting for derecognition of a nonfinancial asset and an in-substance nonfinancial asset applies only when the asset (or asset group) does not meet the definition of a business and is not a not-for-profit activity. An entity must apply the amendments at the same time that it applies the new ASC 606 revenue recognition standard. We adopted ASC 610-20 effective January 1, 2018, and applied the modified retrospective method, which affected the accounting for our tax equity investments. As shown in the table below, we recorded a cumulative adjustment that decreased retained earnings. The cumulative adjustment relates to the reclassification of our tax equity investments to noncontrolling interests. As a result, we recorded our tax equity investments based on the Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value (HLBV) model and we will record changes in the HLBV at each reporting period within net income/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests.

The cumulative effects of the changes to our consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2018, for our adoption of ASC 606 and ASC 610-20 were as follows:

 

Balance Sheet

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

 

Adjustments Due to ASC 606

 

 

Adjustments Due to ASC 610-20

 

 

Balance at

January 1, 2018

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax equity financing arrangements - VIEs

 

$

98

 

 

$

 

 

$

(98

)

 

$

 

Deferred income taxes

 

$

1,452

 

 

$

 

 

$

(40

)

 

$

1,412

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained earnings

 

$

1,475

 

 

$

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

1,473

 

Non-controlling interests

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

140

 

 

$

159

 

We also adopted the following standards as of their effective date of January 1, 2018, none of which had a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows, and disclosures.

(c) Classifying and measuring financial instruments

In January 2016 the FASB issued final guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. As a result of our adoption we reclassified immaterial amounts from AOCI to retained earnings.

(d) Certain classifications in the statement of cash flows

In August 2016 the FASB issued amendments to address existing diversity in practice concerning the classification of certain cash receipts and payments on the statement of cash flows, which must be applied on a full retrospective basis. Upon adoption, we had no changes to our cash flow classifications and disclosures in our consolidated financial statements.

(e) Improving the presentation of net periodic benefit costs

In March 2017 the FASB issued amendments to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the financial statements. We retrospectively adopted the amendments that require us to present the service cost component separately from the other (non-service) components of net benefit cost, to report the service cost component in the income statement line item where we report the corresponding compensation cost, and to present all non-service components outside of operating cost. As a result, we have reclassified the non-service components – interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost (benefit), amortization of net loss, and settlement charge – from Operations and maintenance to Other income/(expense) within the statement of income. Prospectively, upon adoption, we will capitalize only the service cost component when applicable (for example, as a cost of a self-constructed asset). We elected to apply the practical expedient that allows us to retrospectively apply the amendments on adoption to net benefit costs for comparative periods by using the amounts disclosed in our notes to financial statements for Post-retirement and Similar Obligations as the basis for those periods. In addition to those amounts, we included amortization of net benefit costs recorded as regulatory deferrals as a result of purchase accounting in a prior year. In connection with applying the practical expedient, in periods after adoption we will continue to include in operating income all legacy net benefit costs previously capitalized as a cost of self-constructed assets and other deferred regulatory costs. Our adoption of the amendments did not affect net income attributable to AVANGRID.

The effect of the change in retrospective presentation related to the net periodic cost of our defined benefit pension and other postretirement employee benefits plans on our consolidated statement of income was as follows:

 

12


 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 

Statement of Income

 

As Revised

 

 

As Previously Reported

 

 

Effect of Change Higher/(Lower)

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and maintenance

 

$

522

 

 

$

551

 

 

$

(29

)

Other income / (expense)

 

$

(16

)

 

$

13

 

 

$

(29

)

The segment information related to our Networks reportable segment provided in Note 13 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 has also been revised to reflect the change as a result of the adoption of these amendments.

Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

The following are new accounting pronouncements issued since December 31, 2017, that we have evaluated or are evaluating to determine their effect on our consolidated financial statements.

(a) Land easement practical expedient

In January 2018 the FASB issued amendments to clarify the application of the new leases guidance to land easements (also commonly called rights of way) and provide relief concerning adoption efforts for existing land easements that are not accounted for as leases under current GAAP. The updated guidance is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early application is permitted. We are currently reviewing our contracts and are in the process of determining the proper application of the lease standard, including the land easement practical expedient, in order to determine the impact that the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements. We expect our adoption of the new guidance will materially affect our financial position through the recording of operating leases on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets, along with the corresponding liabilities.

(b) Reclassification of certain tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income

In February 2018 the FASB issued amendments to address a narrow-scope financial reporting issue that arose as a consequence of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the Tax Act) enacted on December 22, 2017, by the U.S. federal government. Under current guidance, the adjustment of deferred taxes for the effect of a change in tax laws or rates is required to be included in income from continuing operations, thus the associated tax effects of items within AOCI (referred to as stranded tax effects) do not reflect the appropriate tax rate. The amendments allow a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act. As a result, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. The amendments only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Act, and do not affect the underlying guidance that requires the effect of a change in tax laws or rates to be included in income from continuing operations. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted including, for public entities, adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not been issued. An entity has the option to apply the amendments either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which it recognizes the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Act. An entity is required to disclose its accounting policy election, including its policy for reclassifying material stranded tax effects in AOCI to earnings (specific identification or portfolio method). We have not early adopted the amendments as of March 31, 2018. We expect our adoption of the amendments will not materially affect our consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows, and disclosures.

 

Note 4. Revenue

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 and all related amendments using the modified retrospective method, which we applied only to contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. For reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018, we present revenue in accordance with ASC 606, and have not adjusted comparative prior period information, which we continue to report under the legacy accounting standards in effect for those prior periods. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the effect of applying ASC 606 to recognize revenue as compared to applying the legacy accounting standards was not material.

We recognize revenue when we have satisfied our obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer, which generally occurs when the control of promised goods or services transfers to the customer. We measure revenue as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for providing those goods or services. Contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such contracts, we allocate revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. We generally determine standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers. Certain revenues are not within the scope of ASC 606, such as revenues from leasing, derivatives, other revenues that are not from contracts with customers and other contractual rights or obligations, and we account for such revenues in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. We exclude from revenue amounts collected on behalf of third parties, including any such taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities. We do not have any material significant payment terms because we receive payment at or shortly after the point of sale.

13


 

The following describes the principal activities, by reportable segment, from which we generate revenue. For more detailed information about reportable segments, refer to Note 13.

 

Networks Segment

Networks derives its revenue primarily from tariff-based sales of electricity and natural gas service to customers in New York, Connecticut, Maine and Massachusetts, with no defined contractual term. For such revenues, we recognize revenues in an amount derived from the commodities delivered to customers. Other major sources of revenue are electricity transmission and wholesale sales of electricity and natural gas.

Tariff-based sales are subject to the corresponding state regulatory authorities, which determine prices and other terms of service through the ratemaking process. Maine State law prohibits the utility from providing the electricity commodity to customers. In New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, customers have the option to obtain the electricity or natural gas commodity directly from the utility or from another supplier. For customers that receive their commodity from another supplier, the utility acts as an agent and delivers the electricity or natural gas provided by that supplier. Revenue in those cases is only for providing the service of delivery of the commodity. Networks entities calculate revenue earned but not yet billed based on the number of days not billed in the month, the estimated amount of energy delivered during those days and the estimated average price per customer class for that month. Differences between actual and estimated unbilled revenue are immaterial.

Transmission revenue results from others’ use of the utility’s transmission system to transmit electricity and is subject to FERC regulation, which establishes the prices and other terms of service. Long-term wholesale sales of electricity are based on individual bilateral contracts. Short-term wholesale sales of electricity are generally on a daily basis based on market prices and are administered by the NE-ISO, NYISO, or PJM as applicable. Wholesale sales of natural gas are generally short-term based on market prices through contracts with the specific customer.

The performance obligation in all arrangements is satisfied over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as Networks delivers or sells the electricity or natural gas or provides the transmission service. We record revenue for all of those sales based upon the regulatory-approved tariff and the volume delivered or transmitted, which corresponds to the amount that we have a right to invoice. There are no material initial incremental costs of obtaining a contract in any of the arrangements. Networks does not adjust the promised consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if it expects, at contract inception, that the time between the delivery of promised goods or service and customer payment will be one year or less. Networks does not have any material significant payment terms because it receives payment at or shortly after the point of sale. For its New York utilities, Networks assesses its deferred payment arrangements at each balance sheet date for the existence of significant financing components, but has had no material adjustments as a result.

Certain Networks entities record revenue from Alternative Revenue Programs (ARPs), which is not ASC 606 revenue. Such programs represent contracts between the utilities and their regulators. The Networks ARPs include revenue decoupling mechanisms, other ratemaking mechanisms, annual revenue requirement reconciliations, and other demand side management programs. The Networks entities recognize and record only the initial recognition of “originating” ARP revenues (when the regulatory-specified conditions for recognition have been met). When they subsequently include those amounts in the price of utility service billed to customers, they record such amounts as a recovery of the associated regulatory asset or liability. When they owe amounts to customers in connection with ARPs, they evaluate those amounts on a quarterly basis and include them in the price of utility service billed to customers and do not reduce ARP revenues.

Networks also has various other sources of revenue including billing, collection, other administrative charges, sundry billings, rent of utility property, and miscellaneous revenue. It classifies such revenues as other ASC 606 revenues to the extent they are not related to revenue generating activities from leasing, derivatives, or ARPs.

Renewables Segment

Renewables derives its revenue primarily from the sale of energy, transmission, capacity and other related charges from its renewable wind, solar, and thermal energy generating sources. For such revenues, we will recognize revenues in an amount derived from the commodities delivered and from services as they are made available. Renewables has bundled power purchase agreements consisting of electric energy, transmission, capacity and/or renewable energy credits (RECs). The related contracts are generally long-term with no stated contract amount, that is, the customer is entitled to all of the unit’s output. Renewables also has unbundled sales of electric energy and capacity, RECs and natural gas, which are generally for periods of less than a year. The performance obligations in substantially all of both bundled and unbundled arrangements for electricity and natural gas are satisfied over time, for which we record revenue based on the amount invoiced to the customer for the actual energy delivered. The performance obligation for stand-alone RECs is satisfied at a point in time, for which we record revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied upon delivery of the REC. Renewables does not have any material significant payment terms because it receives payment at or shortly after the point of sale. There are no material initial incremental costs of obtaining a contract or significant financing elements in any of the arrangements.

14


 

Renewables classifies certain contracts for the sale of electricity as either leases or derivatives, in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. Ren ewables also has revenue from its energy trading operations, which it generally classifies as derivative revenue. However, trading contracts not classified as derivatives are within the scope of ASC 606, with the performance obligation of the delivery of e nergy (electricity, natural gas) and settlement of the contracts satisfied at a point in time at which time we recognize the revenue. Renewables also has other ASC 606 revenue, which we recognize based on the amount invoiced to the customer .

Certain customers may receive cash credits, which we account for as variable consideration. Renewables estimates those amounts based on the expected amount to be provided to customers and reduces revenues recognized. We believe that there will not be significant changes to our estimates of variable consideration.

Other

Other, which does not represent a segment, derives its revenues primarily from providing natural gas storage services to customers, gas trading operations generally classified as derivative revenue in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, gas trading contracts not classified as derivatives, and other miscellaneous revenues including intersegment eliminations.

Contract Costs and Practical Expedient

We recognize an asset for incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer when we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. Renewables has an origination sharing bonus plan that meets the requirements for capitalization. Costs incurred prior to 2018 were insignificant and not capitalized. Costs capitalized to date in 2018 are also insignificant, with amortization on a straight-line basis over the term of the related contract for which the terms may be from three years to 20 years. We apply a practical expedient to expense as incurred costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period is one year or less. We record costs incurred to obtain a contract within operating expenses, including amortization of capitalized costs.

Revenues disaggregated by major source for our reportable segments are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Other (b)

 

 

Total

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulated operations – electricity

 

$

926

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

926

 

Regulated operations – natural gas

 

 

572

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

572

 

Nonregulated operations – wind

 

 

 

 

 

168

 

 

 

 

 

 

168

 

Nonregulated operations – solar

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Nonregulated operations – thermal

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

Nonregulated operations – gas storage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

Other (a)

 

 

25

 

 

 

(23

)

 

 

15

 

 

 

17

 

    Revenue from contracts with customers

 

 

1,523

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

1,702

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leasing revenue

 

 

9

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

 

 

 

90

 

Derivative revenue

 

 

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

53

 

Alternative revenue programs

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

Other revenue

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

    Total operating revenues

 

$

1,552

 

 

$

284

 

 

$

29

 

 

$

1,865

 

 

(a)

Primarily includes certain intra-month trading activities, billing, collection, and administrative charges, sundry billings, and other miscellaneous revenue.

 

(b)

Does not represent a segment. Includes Corporate, Gas and intersegment eliminations.

As of March 31, 2018, accounts receivable balances related to contracts with customers were approximately $1,076 million, which are included in “ Accounts receivable and unbilled revenues, net” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

As of March 31, 2018, for contracts with durations greater than one year (1) the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied), and (2) when we expect to recognize the revenue, were as follows:

15


 

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Total

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue expected to be recognized on multiyear capacity and carbon-free energy sale contracts

 

$

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

32

 

Revenue expected to be recognized on multiyear renewable energy credit sale contracts

 

 

25

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

53

 

    Total operating revenues

 

$

25

 

 

$

29

 

 

$

15

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

85

 

 

We did not include disclosures for unsatisfied performance obligations for Gas in the table above due to the expected sale of the Gas business in the second quarter of 2018. We do not disclose information about remaining performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue in the amount to which we have the right to invoice (e.g., usage-based pricing terms).

 

Note 5. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

Pursuant to the requirements concerning accounting for regulated operations, our utilities capitalize, as regulatory assets, incurred and accrued costs that are probable of recovery in future electric and natural gas rates. We base our assessment of whether recovery is probable on the existence of regulatory orders that allow for recovery of certain costs over a specific period, or allow for reconciliation or deferral of certain costs. When costs are not treated in a specific order, we use regulatory precedent to determine if recovery is probable. Our operating utilities also record, as regulatory liabilities, obligations to refund previously collected revenue or to spend revenue collected from customers on future costs. The primary items that are not included in the rate base or accruing carrying costs are the regulatory assets for qualified pension and other postretirement benefits, which reflect unrecognized actuarial gains and losses, debt premium, environmental remediation costs, which is primarily the offset of accrued liabilities for future spending, unfunded future income taxes, which are the offset to the unfunded future deferred income tax liability recorded , asset retirement obligations, hedge losses and contracts for differences. The total net amount of these items is approximately $1,867 million.

The regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities shown in the tables below result from various regulatory orders that allow for the deferral and/or reconciliation of specific costs. Regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities are classified as current when recovery or refund in the coming year is allowed or required through a specific order or when the rates related to a specific regulatory asset or regulatory liability are subject to automatic annual adjustment.

On June 15, 2016, the New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC) approved the Joint Proposal filed with the NYPSC by New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) and by certain other signatory parties on February 19, 2016, in connection with a three-year rate plan for electric and gas service at NYSEG and RG&E effective May 1, 2016. Following the approval of the Joint Proposal most of these items related to NYSEG are amortized over a five-year period, except the portion of storm costs to be recovered over ten years, unfunded deferred taxes being amortized over a period of fifty years and plant related tax items which are amortized over the life of associated plant. Annual amortization expense for NYSEG is approximately $16.5 million per rate year. RG&E items that are being amortized are plant related tax items, which are amortized over the life of associated plant, and unfunded deferred taxes being amortized over a period of fifty years. A majority of the other items related to RG&E, which net to a regulatory liability, remain deferred and will not be amortized until future proceedings.

The approved Joint Proposal provides for annual rate increases and an allowed rate of return on common equity is 9.0% for the NYSEG and RG&E. The equity ratio for each company is 48%; however, the equity ratio is set at the actual up to 50% for earnings sharing calculation purposes. The customer share of any earnings above allowed levels increases as the return on equity (ROE) increases, with customers receiving 50%, 75% and 90% of earnings over 9.5%, 10.0% and 10.5% ROE, respectively, in the first rate year covering the period May 1, 2016 – April 30, 2017.  The earnings sharing levels increase in rate year two (May 1, 2017 – April 30, 2018) to 9.65%, 10.15% and 10.65% ROE, respectively. The earnings sharing levels further increase in rate year three (May 1, 2018 – April 30, 2019) to 9.75%, 10.25% and 10.75% ROE, respectively. The rate plans also include the implementation of a rate adjustment mechanism designed to return or collect certain defined reconciled revenues and costs, new depreciation rates, and continuation of the existing revenue decoupling mechanisms (RDM) for each business.

In December 2016, the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approved new distribution rate schedules for The United Illuminating Company (UI) for three years, which became effective January 1, 2017, and which, among other things, provides for annual tariff increases and an ROE of 9.10% based on a 50% equity ratio, continued UI’s existing earnings sharing mechanism (ESM) pursuant to which UI and its customers share on a 50/50 basis all distribution earnings above the allowed ROE in a calendar year, continued the existing decoupling mechanism, and approved the continuation of the requested storm reserve. Any dollars due to

16


 

customers from the ESM continue to be first applied against any storm regulatory asset balance (if one exis ts at that time) or refunded to customers through a bill credit if such storm regulatory asset balance does not exist.

On June 30, 2017, The Southern Connecticut Gas Company (SCG) filed an application with PURA for new tariffs to become effective January 1, 2018.  SCG requested a three-year rate plan for calendar years 2018, 2019 and 2020 and a proposed ROE of 9.95%.  SCG also requested to implement a RDM and Distribution Integrity Management Program (DIMP) mechanism similar to the mechanisms authorized for Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation (CNG). On October 16, 2017, SCG, Prosecutorial Staff from PURA, and the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) filed an amended settlement agreement with PURA for approval, which included among other items, the implementation of an RDM, ESM and the DIMP as proposed by SCG, the amortization of certain regulatory liabilities (most notably accumulated hardship deferral balances and certain accumulated deferred income taxes) and tariff increases based on an ROE of 9.25% and approximately 52% equity level. Any dollars due to customers from the ESM will be first applied against any environmental regulatory asset balance as defined in the settlement agreement (if one exists at that time) or refunded to customers through a bill credit if such environmental regulatory asset balance does not exist. The parties also agreed on a three-year rate plan with rate increases of $1.5 million, $4.7 million and $5.0 million in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. PURA approved the amended rate case settlement agreement on December 13, 2017, and new tariffs became effective on January 1, 2018.

Current and non-current regulatory assets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, consisted of:

17


 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

As of

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefits cost deferrals

 

$

24

 

 

$

24

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

 

 

11

 

 

 

7

 

Storm costs

 

 

46

 

 

 

46

 

Temporary supplemental assessment surcharge

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Reliability support services

 

 

27

 

 

 

27

 

Revenue decoupling mechanism

 

 

19

 

 

 

21

 

Transmission revenue reconciliation mechanism

 

 

3

 

 

 

8

 

Electric supply reconciliation

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

Hedges losses

 

 

11

 

 

 

3

 

Contracts for differences

 

 

8

 

 

 

9

 

Hardship programs

 

 

13

 

 

 

14

 

Deferred property tax

 

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

Plant decommissioning

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

Deferred purchased gas

 

 

2

 

 

 

31

 

Deferred transmission expense

 

 

38

 

 

 

37

 

Environmental remediation costs

 

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Other

 

 

54

 

 

 

51

 

Total Current Regulatory Assets

 

 

309

 

 

 

307

 

Non-current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefits cost deferrals

 

 

111

 

 

 

110

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

 

 

1,116

 

 

 

1,162

 

Storm costs

 

 

284

 

 

 

254

 

Deferred meter replacement costs

 

 

29

 

 

 

29

 

Unamortized losses on reacquired debt

 

 

17

 

 

 

17

 

Environmental remediation costs

 

 

280

 

 

 

283

 

Unfunded future income taxes

 

 

376

 

 

 

376

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

 

19

 

 

 

18

 

Deferred property tax

 

 

10

 

 

 

14

 

Federal tax depreciation normalization adjustment

 

 

154

 

 

 

155

 

Merger capital expense target customer credit

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Debt premium

 

 

128

 

 

 

131

 

Reliability support services

 

 

4

 

 

 

10

 

Plant decommissioning

 

 

7

 

 

 

9

 

Contracts for differences

 

 

95

 

 

 

84

 

Hardship programs

 

 

10

 

 

 

13

 

Deferred income taxes regulatory

 

 

20

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

72

 

 

 

71

 

Total Non-current Regulatory Assets

 

$

2,734

 

 

$

2,738

 

 

“Pension and other post-retirement benefits” represent the actuarial losses on the pension and other post-retirement plans that will be reflected in customer rates when they are amortized and recognized in future pension expenses. “Pension and other post-retirement benefits cost deferrals” include the difference between actual expense for pension and other post-retirement benefits and the amount provided for in rates for certain of our regulated utilities. The recovery of these amounts will be determined in future proceedings.

“Storm costs” for Central Maine Power (CMP), NYSEG and RG&E are allowed in rates based on an estimate of the routine costs of service restoration. The companies are also allowed to defer unusually high levels of service restoration costs resulting from major storms when they meet certain criteria for severity and duration. Storm costs in the amount of $123 million at NYSEG are being recovered over ten-year period and the remaining portion is being amortized over five years following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC. UI is allowed to defer costs associated with any storm totaling $1 million or greater for future recovery. UI’s storm regulatory asset balance was $0 as of March 31, 2018.

“Deferred meter replacement costs” represent the deferral of the book value of retired meters that were replaced by advanced metering infrastructure meters. This amount is being amortized over the initial depreciation period of related retired meters.

18


 

“Unamortized losses on reacquired debt” represent deferred losses on debt reacquisitions that will be recovered over the remaining original amortization per iod of the reacquired debt.

“Unfunded future income taxes” represent unrecovered federal and state income taxes primarily resulting from regulatory flow through accounting treatment and are the offset to the unfunded future deferred income tax liability recorded. The income tax benefits or charges for certain plant related timing differences, such as removal costs, are immediately flowed through to, or collected from, customers. This amount is being amortized as the amounts related to temporary differences that give rise to the deferrals are recovered in rates. Following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC, these amounts will be collected over a fifty-year period, and the NYPSC Staff has initiated an audit, as required, of the unfunded future income taxes and other tax assets to verify the balances.

“Asset retirement obligations” (ARO) represent the differences in timing of the recognition of costs associated with our AROs and the collection of such amounts through rates. This amount is being amortized at the related depreciation and accretion amounts of the underlying liability.

“Deferred property taxes” represents the customer portion of the difference between actual expense for property taxes and the amount provided for in rates. The amount for NYSEG and RG&E is being amortized over a five year period following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC.

“Federal tax depreciation normalization adjustment” represents the revenue requirement impact of the difference in the deferred income tax expense required to be recorded under the IRS normalization rules and the amount of deferred income tax expense that was included in cost of service for rates years covering 2011 forward. The recovery period in New York is from 27 to 39 years and for CMP this will be determined in future Maine Public Utility Commission (MPUC) rate proceedings.

“Hardship Programs” represent hardship customer accounts deferred for future recovery to the extent they exceed the amount in rates.

“Deferred Purchased Gas” represents the difference between actual gas costs and gas costs collected in rates.

“Environmental remediation costs” includes spending that has occurred and is eligible for future recovery in customer rates. Environmental costs are currently recovered through a reserve mechanism whereby projected spending is included in rates with any variance recorded as a regulatory asset or a regulatory liability. The amortization period will be established in future proceedings and will depend upon the timing of spending for the remediation costs. It also includes the anticipated future rate recovery of costs that are recorded as environmental liabilities since these will be recovered when incurred. Because no funds have yet been expended for the regulatory asset related to future spending, it does not accrue carrying costs and is not included within rate base.

“Contracts for Differences” (CfDs) represent the deferral of unrealized gains and losses on contracts for differences derivative contracts.  The balance fluctuates based upon quarterly market analysis performed on the related derivatives. The amounts, which do not earn a return, are fully offset by a corresponding derivative asset/liability.

“Debt premium” represents the regulatory asset recorded to offset the fair value adjustment to the regulatory component of the non-current debt of UIL Holdings Corporation (UIL) at the acquisition date. This amount is being amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the related outstanding debt instruments.

“Deferred Transmission Expense” represents deferred transmission income or expense and fluctuates based upon actual revenues and revenue requirements.

“Reliability support services” represents the difference between actual expenses for reliability support services and the amount provided for in rates.

“Other” includes post term amortization deferrals and various items subject to reconciliation including rate change levelization, loss on re-acquired debt and power tax deferral.

Current and non-current regulatory liabilities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

19


 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

As of

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non by-passable charges

 

$

8

 

 

$

5

 

Energy efficiency portfolio standard

 

 

46

 

 

 

37

 

Gas supply charge and deferred natural gas cost

 

 

13

 

 

 

4

 

Transmission revenue reconciliation mechanism

 

 

15

 

 

 

14

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefits

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefits cost deferrals

 

 

14

 

 

 

14

 

Carrying costs on deferred income tax bonus depreciation

 

 

23

 

 

 

21

 

Carrying costs on deferred income tax - Mixed Services

   263(a)

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

Yankee DOE Refund

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Merger related rate credits

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Revenue decoupling mechanism

 

 

5

 

 

 

4

 

Stranded costs

 

 

13

 

 

 

17

 

Other

 

 

59

 

 

 

51

 

Total Current Regulatory Liabilities

 

 

202

 

 

 

178

 

Non-current

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued removal obligations

 

 

1,143

 

 

 

1,132

 

Tax Act - remeasurement

 

 

1,562

 

 

 

1,515

 

Asset sale gain account

 

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

Carrying costs on deferred income tax bonus depreciation

 

 

66

 

 

 

72

 

Economic development

 

 

32

 

 

 

32

 

Merger capital expense target customer credit account

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefits cost deferrals

 

 

70

 

 

 

74

 

Positive benefit adjustment

 

 

38

 

 

 

39

 

New York state tax rate change

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

Theoretical reserve flow thru impact

 

 

18

 

 

 

19

 

Deferred property tax

 

 

21

 

 

 

19

 

Net plant reconciliation

 

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

Variable rate debt

 

 

35

 

 

 

33

 

Carrying costs on deferred income tax - Mixed Services

   263(a)

 

 

19

 

 

 

20

 

Rate refund – FERC ROE proceeding

 

 

27

 

 

 

27

 

Transmission congestion contracts

 

 

20

 

 

 

19

 

Merger-related rate credits

 

 

20

 

 

 

20

 

Accumulated deferred investment tax credits

 

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

 

13

 

 

 

13

 

Earning sharing provisions

 

 

15

 

 

 

22

 

Middletown/Norwalk local transmission network service collections

 

 

18

 

 

 

19

 

Excess generation service charge

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Low income programs

 

 

39

 

 

 

42

 

Non-firm margin sharing credits

 

 

12

 

 

 

8

 

Deferred income taxes regulatory

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

Other

 

 

74

 

 

 

67

 

Total Non-current Regulatory Liabilities

 

$

3,287

 

 

$

3,252

 

“Non by-passable charges” represent the non by-passable charge paid by all customers. An asset or liability is recognized resulting from differences between actual revenues and the underlying cost being recovered. This liability will be refunded to customers within the next year.

20


 

“Energy efficiency portfolio standard” represents the difference between revenue billed to customers through an energy efficiency charge and the costs of our energy efficiency programs as approved by the state authorities. This may be refunded to customers within the next year.

“Accrued removal obligations” represent the differences between asset removal costs recorded and amounts collected in rates for those costs. The amortization period is dependent upon the asset removal costs of underlying assets and the life of the utility plant.

“Asset sale gain account” represents the gain on NYSEG’s 2001 sale of its interest in Nine Mile Point 2 nuclear generating station located in Oswego, New York. The net proceeds from the Nine Mile Point 2 nuclear generating station were placed in this account and will be used to benefit customers. The amortization period is five years following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC.

“Carrying costs on deferred income tax bonus depreciation” represent the carrying costs benefit of increased accumulated deferred income taxes created by the change in tax law allowing bonus depreciation. The amortization period is five years following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC.

“Economic development” represents the economic development program which enables NYSEG and RG&E to foster economic development through attraction, expansion, and retention of businesses within its service territory. If the level of actual expenditures for economic development allocated to NYSEG and RG&E varies in any rate year from the level provided for in rates, the difference is refunded to ratepayers. The amortization period is five years following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC.

“Merger capital expense target customer credit” account was created as a result of NYSEG and RG&E not meeting certain capital expenditure requirements established in the order approving the purchase of AVANGRID (formerly Energy East Corporation) by Iberdrola. The amortization period is five years following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC.

“Pension and other postretirement benefits” represent the actuarial gains on other postretirement plans that will be reflected in customer rates when they are amortized and recognized in future expenses. Because no funds have yet been received for this, a regulatory liability is not reflected within rate base. They also represent the difference between actual expense for pension and other postretirement benefits and the amount provided for in rates. Recovery of these amounts will be determined in future proceedings.

“Positive benefit adjustment” resulted from Iberdrola’s 2008 acquisition of AVANGRID (formerly Energy East Corporation). This is being used to moderate increases in rates. The amortization period is five years following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC and included in the Ginna RSSA settlement.

“New York state tax rate change” represents excess funded accumulated deferred income tax balance caused by the 2014 New York state tax rate change from 7.1% to 6.5%. The amortization period is five years following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC.

“Post term amortization” represents the revenue requirement associated with certain expired joint proposal amortization items. The amortization period is five years following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC.

“Theoretical reserve flow thru impact” represents the differences from the rate allowance for applicable federal and state flow through impacts related to the excess depreciation reserve amortization. It also represents the carrying cost on the differences. The amortization period is five years following the approval of the Joint Proposal by the NYPSC.

“Tax Act - remeasurement” represents the impact from remeasurement of deferred income tax balances as a result of the Tax Act enacted by the U.S. federal government on December 22, 2017. Reductions in accumulated deferred income tax balances due to the reduction in the corporate income tax rates from 35% to 21% under the provisions of the Tax Act will result in amounts previously collected from utility customers for these deferred taxes to be refundable to such customers, generally through reductions in future rates. The NYPSC, MPUC, PURA and DPU have instituted separate proceedings in New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts to review and address the implications associated with the Tax Act on the utilities providing service in those states.

“Merger-related rate credits” resulted from the acquisition of UIL. This is being used to moderate increases in rates. In the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, $1 and $2 million of rate credits was applied against customer bills.

“Excess generation service charge” represents deferred generation-related and non by-passable federally mandated congestion costs or revenues for future recovery from or return to customers. The amount fluctuates based upon timing differences between revenues collected from rates and actual costs incurred.

21


 

“Low Income Programs” represent various hardship and payment plan programs approv ed for recovery.

“Other” includes cost of removal being amortized through rates and various items subject to reconciliation including variable rate debt, Medicare subsidy benefits and stray voltage collections.

 

 

Note 6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

We determine the fair value of our derivative assets and liabilities and available for sale non-current investments associated with Networks’ activities utilizing market approach valuation techniques:

We measure the fair value of our noncurrent investments using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and include the measurements in Level 1. The available for sale investments, which are Rabbi Trusts for deferred compensation plans, primarily consist of money market funds and are included in Level 1 fair value measurement.

NYSEG and RG&E enter into electric energy derivative contracts to hedge the forecasted purchases required to serve their electric load obligations. They hedge their electric load obligations using derivative contracts that are settled based upon Locational Based Marginal Pricing published by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO). NYSEG and RG&E hedge approximately 70% of their electric load obligations using contracts for a NYISO location where an active market exists. The forward market prices used to value the companies’ open electric energy derivative contracts are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities with no adjustment required and therefore we include the fair value in Level 1.

NYSEG and RG&E enter into natural gas derivative contracts to hedge their forecasted purchases required to serve their natural gas load obligations. The forward market prices used to value open natural gas derivative contracts are exchange-based prices for the identical derivative contracts traded actively on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Because we use prices quoted in an active market we include the fair value measurements in Level 1.

NYSEG, RG&E and CMP enter into fuel derivative contracts to hedge their unleaded and diesel fuel requirements for their fleet vehicles. Exchange-based forward market prices are used but because an unobservable basis adjustment is added to the forward prices we include the fair value measurement for these contracts in Level 3.

CfDs entered into by UI are marked-to-market based on a probability-based expected cash flow analysis that is discounted at risk-free interest rates and an adjustment for non-performance risk using credit default swap rates. We include the fair value measurement for these contracts in Level 3 (See Note 7 for further discussion of CfDs).

We determine the fair value of our derivative assets and liabilities associated with Renewables and Gas activities utilizing market approach valuation techniques. Exchange-traded transactions, such as NYMEX futures contracts, that are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical product with no adjustment are included in the Level 1 fair value. Contracts with delivery periods of two years or less which are traded in active markets and are valued with or derived from observable market data for identical or similar products such as over-the-counter NYMEX, foreign exchange swaps, and fixed price physical and basis and index trades are included in Level 2 fair value. Contracts with delivery periods exceeding two years or that have unobservable inputs or inputs that cannot be corroborated with market data for identical or similar products are included in Level 3 fair value. The unobservable inputs include historical volatilities and correlations for tolling arrangements and extrapolated values for certain power swaps. The valuation for this category is based on our judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists.

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable and interest accrued approximate their estimated fair values and are considered as Level 1.

Restricted cash was $5 million as of both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, which is included in “Other Assets” on the balance sheet.

22


 

The financial instruments measured at fair value as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Netting

 

 

Total

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities portfolio (available for sale)

 

$

41

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

41

 

Derivative assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments - power

 

 

4

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

(40

)

 

76

 

Derivative financial instruments - gas

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

(52

)

 

-3

 

Contracts for differences

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

Total

 

4

 

 

46

 

 

125

 

 

 

(92

)

 

83

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments - power

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(16

)

 

 

46

 

 

 

(7

)

Derivative financial instruments - gas

 

 

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

13

 

 

 

(7

)

Contracts for differences

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(113

)

 

 

 

 

 

(113

)

Derivative financial instruments - other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

(16

)

 

$

(36

)

 

$

(134

)

 

$

59

 

 

$

(127

)

 

As of December 31, 2017

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Netting

 

 

Total

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Securities portfolio (available for sale)

 

$

41

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

40

 

Derivative assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments - power

 

 

14

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

74

 

 

 

(49

)

 

 

69

 

Derivative financial instruments - gas

 

 

89

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

(146

)

 

 

25

 

Contracts for differences

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

Total

 

 

103

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

(195

)

 

 

106

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative financial instruments - power

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(17

)

 

 

(15

)

 

 

37

 

 

 

(9

)

Derivative financial instruments - gas

 

 

(80

)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(25

)

 

 

110

 

 

 

(15

)

Contracts for differences

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(104

)

 

 

 

 

 

(104

)

Total

 

$

(94

)

 

$

(37

)

 

$

(144

)

 

$

147

 

 

$

(128

)

 

Included in the derivative financial instruments – gas are derivative assets and liabilities of Gas segment classified as held for sale on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. See Note 20 – Assets Held For Sale for further discussion.

The reconciliation of changes in the fair value of financial instruments based on Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, is as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

(Millions)

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Fair Value Beginning of Period,

 

$

6

 

 

$

31

 

Gains recognized in operating revenues

 

 

5

 

 

 

12

 

(Losses) recognized in operating revenues

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(2

)

Total gains recognized in operating revenues

 

 

1

 

 

 

10

 

Gains recognized in OCI

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

(Losses) recognized in OCI

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(1

)

Total gains recognized in OCI

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

Net change recognized in regulatory assets and liabilities

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(5

)

Purchases

 

 

(2

)

 

 

3

 

Settlements

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(6

)

Fair Value as of March 31,

 

$

(9

)

 

$

33

 

Gains for the period included in operating revenues

   attributable to the change in unrealized gains

   relating to financial instruments still held at the reporting date

 

$

1

 

 

$

10

 

 

For assets and liabilities that are recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis, we determine whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing categorization based on the lowest level of

23


 

input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole at the end of each reporting period. There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the periods reported.

Level 3 Fair Value Measurement

The tables below illustrate the significant sources of unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of our Level 3 derivatives, and the variability in prices for those transactions classified as Level 3 derivatives.

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instruments

 

Instrument

Description

 

Valuation

Technique

 

Valuation

Inputs

 

Index

 

Avg.

 

 

Max.

 

 

Min.

 

Fixed price power

and gas swaps

 

Transactions   with

delivery   periods

 

Transactions   are

valued   against

forward

market   prices

 

Observable   and

extrapolated

forward   gas   and

power   prices

not   all   of   which

can   be

 

NYMEX   ($/MMBtu)

 

$

3.02

 

 

$

3.93

 

 

$

2.35

 

with delivery

 

exceeding two

 

on a

 

corroborated by

 

Indiana hub   ($/MWh)

 

$

31.32

 

 

$

65.55

 

 

$

18.53

 

period > two

 

years

 

discounted

 

market data for

 

Mid C   ($/MWh)

 

$

23.68

 

 

$

46.50

 

 

$

(0.50

)

years

 

 

 

basis

 

identical or

 

Minn hub   ($/MWh)

 

$

25.90

 

 

$

62.33

 

 

$

9.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

similar   products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Level 3 valuations primarily consist of NYMEX gas and fixed price power swaps with delivery periods extending through 2024 and 2032, respectively. The gas swaps are used to hedge both gas inventory in firm storage and merchant wind positions. The power swaps are used to hedge merchant wind production in the West and Midwest.

We performed a sensitivity analysis around the Level 3 gas and power positions to changes in the valuation inputs. Given the nature of the transactions in Level 3, the only material input to the valuation is the market price of gas or power for transactions with delivery periods exceeding two years. The fixed price power swaps are economic hedges of future power generation, with decreases in power prices resulting in unrealized gains and increases in power prices resulting in unrealized losses. The gas swaps are economic hedges of gas storage inventory and merchant generation, with decreases in gas prices resulting in unrealized gains and increases in gas prices resulting in unrealized losses. As all transactions are economic hedges of the underlying position, any changes in the fair value of these transactions will be offset by changes in the anticipated purchase/sales price of the underlying commodity.

Two elements of the analytical infrastructure employed in valuing transactions are the price curves used in calculation of market value and the models themselves. We maintain and document authorized trading points and associated forward price curves, and we develop and document models used in valuation of the various products.

Transactions are valued in part on the basis of forward price, correlation, and volatility curves. We maintain and document descriptions of these curves and their derivations. Forward price curves used in valuing the transactions are applied to the full duration of the transaction.

The determination of fair value of the CfDs (see Note 7 for further discussion of CfDs) was based on a probability-based expected cash flow analysis that was discounted at risk-free interest rates, as applicable, and an adjustment for non-performance risk using credit default swap rates. Certain management assumptions were required, including development of pricing that extended over the term of the contracts. We believe this methodology provides the most reasonable estimates of the amount of future discounted cash flows associated with the CfDs. Additionally, on a quarterly basis, we perform analytics to ensure that the fair value of the derivatives is consistent with changes, if any, in the various fair value model inputs. Significant isolated changes in the risk of non-performance, the discount rate or the contract term pricing would result in an inverse change in the fair value of the CfDs. Additional quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements of the CfDs is as follows:

 

 

 

Range at

Unobservable Input

 

March 31, 2018

Risk of non-performance

 

0.66% - 0.69%

Discount rate

 

2.27% - 2.74%

Forward pricing ($ per MW)

 

$4.30 - $9.55

24


 

Fair Value of Debt

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, debt consisted of first mortgage bonds, fixed and variable unsecured pollution control notes, other various non-current debt securities and obligations under capital leases. The estimated fair value of debt amounted to $5,625 million and $5,799 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The estimated fair value was determined, in most cases, by discounting the future cash flows at market interest rates. The interest rates used to make these calculations take into account the risks associated with the electricity industry and the credit ratings of the borrowers in each case. The fair value hierarchy pertaining to the fair value of debt is considered as Level 2, except for unsecured pollution control notes-variable with a fair value of $61 million as of both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, which are considered Level 3. The fair value of these unsecured pollution control notes-variable are determined using unobservable interest rates as the market for these notes is inactive.

 

Note 7. Derivative Instruments and Hedging

Our Networks, Renewables and Gas activities are exposed to certain risks, which are managed by using derivative instruments. All derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets in accordance with the accounting requirements concerning derivative instruments and hedging activities.

(a) Networks activities

NYSEG and RG&E each have an electric commodity charge that passes through rates costs for the market price of electricity. They use electricity contracts, both physical and financial, to manage fluctuations in electricity commodity prices in order to provide price stability to customers. We include the cost or benefit of those contracts in the amount expensed for electricity purchased when the related electricity is sold. We record changes in the fair value of electric hedge contracts to derivative assets and / or liabilities with an offset to regulatory assets and / or regulatory liabilities, in accordance with the accounting requirements concerning regulated operations.

The amount recognized in regulatory assets for electricity derivatives was a loss of $11.5 million and $0.2 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The amount reclassified from regulatory assets and liabilities into income, which is included in electricity purchased, was a gain of $5.8 million and a loss of $10.9 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

NYSEG and RG&E each have purchased gas adjustment clauses that allow them to recover through rates any changes in the market price of purchased natural gas, substantially eliminating their exposure to natural gas price risk. NYSEG and RG&E use natural gas futures and forwards to manage fluctuations in natural gas commodity prices to provide price stability to customers. We include the cost or benefit of natural gas futures and forwards in the commodity cost that is passed on to customers when the related sales commitments are fulfilled. We record changes in the fair value of natural gas hedge contracts to derivative assets and / or liabilities with an offset to regulatory assets and / or regulatory liabilities in accordance with the accounting requirements for regulated operations.

The amount recognized in regulatory assets for natural gas hedges was a loss of $0.2 million and $2.5 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The amount reclassified from regulatory assets and liabilities into income, which is included in natural gas purchased, was a loss of $1.7 million and a gain of $0.6 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Pursuant to PURA order, UI and Connecticut’s other electric utility, The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P), each executed two long-term CfDs with certain incremental capacity resources, each of which specifies a capacity quantity and a monthly settlement that reflects the difference between a forward market price and the contract price. The costs or benefits of each contract will be paid by or allocated to customers and will be subject to a cost-sharing agreement between UI and CL&P pursuant to which approximately 20% of the cost or benefit is borne by or allocated to UI customers and approximately 80% is borne by or allocated to CL&P customers.

PURA has determined that costs associated with these CfDs will be fully recoverable by UI and CL&P through electric rates, and UI has deferred recognition of costs (a regulatory asset) or obligations (a regulatory liability), including carrying costs. For those CfDs signed by CL&P, UI records its approximate 20% portion pursuant to the cost-sharing agreement noted above. As of March 31, 2018, UI has recorded a gross derivative asset of $10 million ($0 of which is related to UI’s portion of the CfD signed by CL&P), a regulatory asset of $103 million, a gross derivative liability of $113 million ($100 million of which is related to UI’s portion of the CfD signed by CL&P) and a regulatory liability of $0. As of December 31, 2017, UI had recorded a gross derivative asset of $12 million ($0 of which is related to UI’s portion of the CfD signed by CL&P), a regulatory asset of $93 million, a gross derivative liability of $104 million ($90 million of which is related to UI’s portion of the CfD signed by CL&P) and a regulatory liability of $0.

25


 

The unrealized gains and losses from fair value adjustments to these derivative s, which are recorded in regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

 

$

(2

)

 

$

5

 

Derivative liabilities

 

$

(9

)

 

$

1

 

 

The net notional volumes of the outstanding derivative instruments associated with Networks activities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

As of

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale electricity purchase contracts (MWh)

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

3.9

 

Natural gas purchase contracts (Dth)

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

6.1

 

Fleet fuel purchase contracts (Gallons)

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

The offsetting of derivatives, location in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and amounts of derivatives associated with Networks activities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

Current

Assets

 

 

Noncurrent

Assets

 

 

Current

Liabilities

 

 

Noncurrent

Liabilities

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

 

$

9

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

1

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(28

)

 

 

(101

)

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(100

)

Designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives before offset of cash collateral

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(100

)

Cash collateral receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

1

 

Total derivatives as presented in the balance sheet

 

$

6

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

(14

)

 

$

(99

)

 

As of December 31, 2017

 

Current

Assets

 

 

Noncurrent

Assets

 

 

Current

Liabilities

 

 

Noncurrent

Liabilities

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

 

$

20

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

(13

)

 

 

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(88

)

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(88

)

Designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives before offset of cash collateral

 

 

7

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(88

)

Cash collateral receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives as presented in the balance sheet

 

$

7

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

(16

)

 

$

(88

)

 

The effect of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) and income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

 

26


 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(Loss) Recognized

in OCI on Derivatives

 

 

Location of

Loss Reclassified

from Accumulated

OCI into Income

 

Loss

Reclassified

from Accumulated

OCI into Income

 

(Millions)

 

Effective Portion (a)

 

 

Effective Portion (a)

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

2

 

Commodity contracts

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

Total

 

$

 

 

 

 

$

2

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate contracts

 

$

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

2

 

Commodity contracts

 

 

(1

)

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

Total

 

$

(1

)

 

 

 

$

2

 

 

(a) Changes in OCI are reported on a pre-tax basis. The reclassified amounts of commodity contracts are included within “Purchase power, natural gas and fuel used” line item within operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The net loss in accumulated OCI related to previously settled forward starting swaps and accumulated amortization is $66.8 million and $68.8 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. We recorded $2.0 million and $2.0 million in net derivative losses related to discontinued cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We will amortize approximately $8.0 million of discontinued cash flow hedges in 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, there was no ineffective portion for cash flow hedges.

The unrealized loss of $0.2 million on hedge activities is reported in OCI because the forecasted transaction is considered to be probable as of March 31, 2018. We expect that $0.2 million of those losses will be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months. The maximum length of time over which we are hedging our exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted fleet fuel transactions is twelve months.

(b) Renewables and Gas activities

The below presented information includes derivative financial instruments associated with Gas activities, which were classified as held for sale in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 (see Note 20 - Assets Held for Sale).

We sell fixed-price gas and power forwards to hedge our merchant wind assets from declining commodity prices for our Renewables business. We also purchase fixed-price gas and basis swaps and sell fixed-price power in the forward market to hedge the spark spread or heat rate of our merchant thermal assets. We also enter into tolling arrangements to sell the output of our thermal generation facilities.

Our gas business purchases and sells both fixed-price gas and basis swaps to hedge the value of contracted storage positions. The intent of entering into these swaps is to fix the margin of gas injected into storage for subsequent resale in future periods. We also enter into basis swaps to hedge the value of our contracted transport positions. The intent of buying and selling these basis swaps is to fix the location differential between the price of gas at the receipt and delivery point of the contracted transport in future periods.

Both Renewables and Gas have proprietary trading operations that enter into fixed-price power and gas forwards in addition to basis swaps. The intent is to speculate on fixed-price commodity and basis volatility in the U.S. commodity markets.

Renewables will periodically designate derivative contracts as cash flow hedges for both its thermal and wind portfolios. To the extent that the derivative contracts are effective in offsetting the variability of cash flows associated with future power sales and gas purchases, the fair value changes are recorded in OCI. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded in current period earnings. For thermal operations, Renewables will periodically designate both fixed price NYMEX gas contracts and natural gas basis swaps that hedge the fuel requirements of its Klamath Plant in Klamath, Oregon. Renewables will also designate fixed price power swaps at various locations in the U.S. market to hedge future power sales from its Klamath facility and various wind farms.

Gas also periodically designates NYMEX fixed price derivative contracts as cash flow hedges related to its firm storage trading activities. To the extent that the derivative contracts are effective in offsetting the variability of cash flows associated with future gas sales and purchases, the fair value changes are recorded in OCI. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded in current period earnings. Derivative contracts entered into to hedge the gas transport trading activities are not designated as cash flow hedges, with all changes in fair value of such derivative contracts recorded in current period earnings.

27


 

The net notional volumes of outstanding derivative instruments associated with Renewables and Gas activities as of March 31, 2018 and December 3 1, 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

As of

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(MWh/Dth in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale electricity purchase contracts

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

Wholesale electricity sales contracts

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

Natural gas and other fuel purchase contracts

 

 

19

 

 

 

285

 

Financial power contracts

 

 

12

 

 

 

12

 

Basis swaps – purchases

 

 

33

 

 

 

68

 

Basis swaps – sales

 

 

5

 

 

 

62

 

 

The fair values of derivative contracts associated with Renewables and Gas activities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

As of

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale electricity purchase contracts

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(3

)

Wholesale electricity sales contracts

 

 

9

 

 

 

8

 

Natural gas and other fuel purchase contracts

 

 

(1

)

 

 

19

 

Financial power contracts

 

 

62

 

 

 

55

 

Basis swaps – purchases

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(13

)

Basis swaps – sales

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Total

 

$

59

 

 

$

70

 

 

The effect of trading derivatives associated with Renewables and Gas activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale electricity purchase contracts

 

$

1

 

 

$

(3

)

Wholesale electricity sales contracts

 

 

1

 

 

 

7

 

Financial power contracts

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(3

)

Financial and natural gas contracts

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

 

Total Gain

 

$

4

 

 

$

5

 

 

The effect of non-trading derivatives associated with Renewables and Gas activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wholesale electricity purchase contracts

 

$

1

 

 

$

(6

)

Wholesale electricity sales contracts

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

Financial power contracts

 

 

3

 

 

 

16

 

Financial and natural gas contracts

 

 

5

 

 

 

(4

)

Total Gain

 

$

9

 

 

$

17

 

 

Such gains and losses are included in “Operating revenues” and in “Purchased power, natural gas and fuel used” operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income, depending upon the nature of the transaction.

28


 

The offsetting of derivatives, location in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and amounts of derivatives associated with Renewables and Gas activities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

Current

Assets

 

 

Noncurrent

Assets

 

 

Current

Liabilities

 

 

Noncurrent

Liabilities

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

 

$

43

 

 

$

100

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

5

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(13

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(7

)

Designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

Total derivatives before offset of cash collateral

 

 

26

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(9

)

Cash collateral receivable (payable)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(37

)

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

Total derivatives as presented in the balance sheet

 

$

14

 

 

$

59

 

 

$

(10

)

 

$

(4

)

 

As of December 31, 2017

 

Current

Assets

 

 

Noncurrent

Assets

 

 

Current

Liabilities

 

 

Noncurrent

Liabilities

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

 

$

111

 

 

$

99

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

4

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

(82

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(51

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

94

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(6

)

Designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative assets

 

 

24

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(1

)

Total derivatives before offset of cash collateral

 

 

53

 

 

 

97

 

 

 

(23

)

 

 

(7

)

Cash collateral receivable (payable)

 

 

(17

)

 

 

(39

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

Total derivatives as presented in the balance sheet,

    including assets and liabilities held for sale

 

$

36

 

 

$

58

 

 

$

(20

)

 

$

(4

)

 

The effect of derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships on OCI and income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(Loss) Gain Recognized

in OCI on Derivatives

 

 

Location of Loss

(Gain) Reclassified

from Accumulated

OCI into Income

 

(Gain) Loss

Reclassified

from Accumulated

OCI into Income

 

(Millions)

 

Effective Portion (a)

 

 

Effective Portion (a)

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

 

$

(1

)

 

Revenues

 

$

(19

)

Total

 

$

(1

)

 

 

 

$

(19

)

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

 

$

4

 

 

Revenues

 

$

33

 

Total

 

$

4

 

 

 

 

$

33

 

 

(a)

Changes in OCI are reported on a pre-tax basis.

Amounts are reclassified from accumulated OCI into income in the period during which the transaction being hedged affects earnings or when it becomes probable that a forecasted transaction being hedged would not occur. Notwithstanding future changes in prices, approximately $3.7 million of gain included in accumulated OCI at March 31, 2018, is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded a net gain of $0.1 million and a net loss of $0.3 million, respectively, in earnings as a result of ineffectiveness from cash flow hedges. The net loss in accumulated OCI related to a discontinued cash flow hedge is $0.5 million as of March 31, 2018, out of which $0.2 million will be amortized in 2018.

29


 

(c) Counterparty credit risk management

NYSEG and RG&E face risks related to counterparty performance on hedging contracts due to counterparty credit default. We have developed a matrix of unsecured credit thresholds that are dependent on the counterparty’s or the counterparty’s guarantor’s applicable credit rating, normally Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s. When our exposure to risk for a counterparty exceeds the unsecured credit threshold, the counterparty is required to post additional collateral or we will no longer transact with the counterparty until the exposure drops below the unsecured credit threshold.

The wholesale power supply agreements of UI contain default provisions that include required performance assurance, including certain collateral obligations, in the event that UI’s credit rating on senior debt were to fall below investment grade. If such an event had occurred as of March 31, 2018, UI would have had to post an aggregate of approximately $15 million in collateral.

We have various master netting arrangements in the form of multiple contracts with various single counterparties that are subject to contractual agreements that provide for the net settlement of all contracts through a single payment. Those arrangements reduce our exposure to a counterparty in the event of default on or termination of any single contract. For financial statement presentation purposes, we offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim or the obligation to return cash collateral arising from derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty under a master netting arrangement. The amounts of cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against net derivative positions were $2 million and $30 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Derivative instruments settlements and collateral payments are included in “Other assets/liabilities” of operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Certain of our derivative instruments contain provisions that require us to maintain an investment grade credit rating on our debt from each of the major credit rating agencies. If our debt were to fall below investment grade, we would be in violation of those provisions and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing full overnight collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit risk related contingent features that are in a liability position as of March 31, 2018 is $11.7 million, for which we have posted collateral.

 

Note 8. Contingencies

We are party to various legal disputes arising as part of our normal business activities. We assess our exposure to these matters and record estimated loss contingencies when a loss is likely and can be reasonably estimated. We do not provide for accrual of legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency.

Transmission - ROE Complaint – CMP and UI

On September 30, 2011, the Massachusetts Attorney General, Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Vermont Department of Public Service, numerous New England consumer advocate agencies and transmission tariff customers collectively filed a complaint (Complaint I) with the FERC pursuant to sections 206 and 306 of the Federal Power Act. The filing parties sought an order from the FERC reducing the 11.14% base return on equity used in calculating formula rates for transmission service under the ISO-New England Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) to 9.2%. CMP, MEPCO and UI are New England Transmission Owners (NETOs) with assets and service rates that are governed by the OATT and will thereby be affected by any FERC order resulting from the filed complaint.

On June 19, 2014, the FERC issued its decision in Complaint I, establishing an ROE methodology and setting an issue for a paper hearing.  On October 16, 2014, FERC issued its final decision in Complaint I setting the base ROE at 10.57% and a maximum total ROE of 11.74% (base plus incentive ROEs) for the October 2011 – December 2012 period as well as prospectively from October 16, 2014, and ordered the NETOs to file a refund report. On November 17, 2014, the NETOs filed the requested refund report.

On March 3, 2015, the FERC issued an order on requests for rehearing of its October 16, 2014 decision. The March order upheld the FERC’s June 19, 2014 decision and further clarified that the 11.74% ROE cap will be applied on a project specific basis and not on a transmission owner’s total average transmission return. In June 2015 the NETOs and complainants both filed an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia of the FERC’s final order. On April 14, 2017, the Court of Appeals (the Court) vacated FERC’s decision on Complaint I and remanded it to FERC. The Court held that FERC, as directed by statute, did not determine first that the existing ROE was unjust and unreasonable before determining a new ROE. The Court ruled that FERC should have first determined that the then existing 11.14% base ROE was unjust and unreasonable before selecting the 10.57% as the new base ROE. The Court also found that FERC did not provide reasoned judgment as to why ROE of 10.57% at the midpoint of the upper end of the zone of reasonableness, is a just and reasonable ROE. Instead, FERC had only explained in its order that the midpoint of 9.39% was

30


 

not just and reasonable and a higher base ROE was warranted. On June 5, 2017, the NETOs made a filing with FERC se eking to reinstate transmission rates to the status quo ante (effect of the Court vacating order is to return the parties to the rates in effect prior to FERC Final decision) as of June 8, 2017, the date the Court decision became effective. In that filing, the NETOs stated that they will not begin billing at the higher rates until 60 days after FERC has a quorum of commissioners. On October 6, 2017, FERC issued an order rejecting the NETOs request to collect transmission revenue requirements at the higher ROE of 11.14%, pending FERC order on remand.  In reaching this decision, FERC stated that it has broad remedial authority to ma ke whatever ROE it eventually determines to be just and reasonable effective for the Complaint I refund period and prospectively from October 2014, the effective date of the Complaint I Order. Therefore FERC reasoned that the NETOs will not be harmed finan cially by not immediately returning to their pre-Complaint I ROE.  We anticipate FERC to address the Court decision during 2018. We cannot predict the outcome of action by FERC .

On December 26, 2012, a second ROE complaint (Complaint II) for a subsequent rate period was filed requesting the then effective ROE of 11.14% be reduced to 8.7%. On June 19, 2014, FERC accepted Complaint II, established a 15-month refund effective date of December 27, 2012, and set the matter for hearing using the methodology established in Complaint I.

On July 31, 2014, a third ROE complaint (Complaint III) was filed for a subsequent rate period requesting the then effective ROE of 11.14% be reduced to 8.84%. On November 24, 2014, FERC accepted the Complaint III, established a 15-month refund effective date of July 31, 2014, and set this matter consolidated with Complaint II for hearing in June 2015. Hearings relating to the refund periods and going forward period were held in June 2015 on Complaints II and III before a FERC Administrative Law Judge. On July 29, 2015, post-hearing briefs were filed by parties and on August 26, 2015 reply briefs were filed by parties. On July 13, 2015, the NETOs filed a petition for review of FERC’s orders establishing hearing and consolidation procedures for Complaints II and III with the U.S. Court of Appeals. The FERC Administrative Law Judge issued an Initial Decision on March 22, 2016. The Initial Decision determined that: (1) for the 15-month refund period in Complaint II, the base ROE should be 9.59% and that the ROE Cap (base ROE plus incentive ROEs) should be 10.42% and (2) for the 15-month refund period in Complaint III and prospectively, the base ROE should be 10.90% and that the ROE Cap should be 12.19%. The Initial Decision is the Administrative Law Judge’s recommendation to the FERC Commissioners. The FERC is expected to make its final decision in 2018.

CMP and UI reserved for refunds for Complaints I, II and III consistent with the FERC’s March 3, 2015 final decision in Complaint I. Refunds were provided to customers for Complaint I. The CMP and UI total reserve associated with Complaints II and III is $22.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2018, which has not changed since December 31, 2017, except for the accrual of carrying costs. If adopted as final, the impact of the initial decision would be an additional aggregate reserve for Complaints II and III of $17.1 million, which is based upon currently available information for these proceedings. We cannot predict the outcome of the Complaint II and III proceedings.

On April 29, 2016, a fourth ROE complaint (Complaint IV) was filed for a rate period subsequent to prior complaints requesting the then existing base ROE of 10.57% be reduced to 8.61% and the ROE Cap be set at 11.24%.  The NETOs filed a response to the Complaint IV on June 3, 2016. On September 20, 2016, FERC accepted the Complaint IV, established a 15-month refund effective date of April 29, 2016, and set the matter for hearing and settlement judge procedures. In April 2017, the NETOs filed for a stay in the hearings pending FERC on the Court order described above. That request was denied by the Administrative Law Judge. On November 21, 2017, the parties submitted updates to their ROE analyses and recommendations just prior to hearings with the NETOs continuing to advocate that the existing base ROE of 10.57% should remain in effect. Hearings were held in December 2017 and on March 27, 2018, the Administrative Law Judge issued a decision rejecting Complaint IV, finding the currently-filed base ROE of 10.57%, which with incentive adders may reach a maximum ROE of 11.74%, is not unjust and unreasonable, and hence is not unlawful. We cannot predict the outcome of the Complaint IV proceeding.

On October 5, 2017, the NETOs filed a Motion for Dismissal of Pancaked Return on Equity Complaints in light of the decision by the Court in April 2017 that became effective on June 8, 2017.  The NETOs assert that all four complaints should be dismissed because the complainants have not shown that the existing ROE of 11.14% is unjust and unreasonable as the Court decision requires. In addition, the NETOs assert that Complaints II, III and IV should also be dismissed because the Court decision implicitly found that FERC’s acceptance of Pancaked FPA Section 206 complaints was statutorily improper as Congress intended that the 15-month refund period under Section 206 applies whenever FERC does not complete its review of a complaint within the 15-month period. In the event FERC chooses not to dismiss the complaints, the NETOs request that FERC consolidate the complaints for decision as the evidentiary records are either closed or advanced enough for FERC to address the requirements of the Court decision and expeditiously issue a final order. FERC has not yet ruled on this Motion. We cannot predict the outcome of action by FERC.

31


 

New York State Department of Public Service Investigation of the Preparation for and Response to the March 2017 Windstorm

On March 11, 2017 the New York State Department of Public Service (the “Department”) commenced an investigation of NYSEG’s and RG&E’s preparation for and response to the March 2017 windstorm, which affected more than 219,000 customers. The Department investigation included a comprehensive review of NYSEG’s and RG&E’s preparation for and response to the windstorm, including all aspects of the companies’ filed and approved emergency plan. The Department held public hearings on April 12 and 13, 2017.

On November 16, 2017, the NYPSC announced that the Department Staff had completed their investigation into the March 2017 Windstorm and the NYPSC issued an Order Instituting Proceeding and to Show Cause. The Staff’s investigation found that RG&E and NYSEG violated certain parts of their emergency response plans, which makes them subject to possible financial penalties.  NYSEG and RG&E responded to the order in a timely manner and have entered into settlement discussions with the Department Staff. We cannot predict the outcome of this regulatory action.

California Energy Crisis Litigation

Two California agencies brought a complaint in 2001 against a long-term power purchase agreement entered into by Renewables, as seller, to the California Department of Water Resources, as purchaser, alleging that the terms and conditions of the power purchase agreement were unjust and unreasonable. FERC dismissed Renewables from the proceedings; however, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed FERC's dismissal of Renewables.

Joining with two other parties, Renewables filed a petition for certiorari in the United States Supreme Court on May 3, 2007. In an order entered on June 27, 2008, the Supreme Court granted Renewables’ petition for certiorari, vacated the appellate court's judgment, and remanded the case to the appellate court for further consideration in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in a similar case. In light of the Supreme Court's order, on December 4, 2008, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated its prior opinion and remanded the complaint proceedings to the FERC for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court's rulings. In 2014 FERC assigned an administrative law judge to conduct evidentiary hearings. Following discovery, the FERC Trial Staff recommended that the complaint against Renewables be dismissed .

A hearing was held before an administrative law judge of FERC in November and early December 2015. A preliminary proposed ruling by the administrative law judge was issued on April 12, 2016.  The proposed ruling found no evidence that Renewables had engaged in any unlawful market contract that would justify finding the Renewables power purchase agreements unjust and unreasonable. However, the proposed ruling did conclude that price of the power purchase agreements imposed an excessive burden on customers in the amount of $259 million.  Renewables position, as presented at hearings and agreed by FERC Trial Staff, is that Renewables entered into bilateral power purchase contracts appropriately and complied with all applicable legal standards and requirements. The parties have submitted to FERC briefs on exceptions to the administrative law judge’s proposed ruling. In April 2018 Renewables requested, based on the nearly two years of delay from the preliminary proposed ruling and the Supreme Court precedent, that FERC issue a final decision expeditiously. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding.

Class Action Regarding LDC Gas Transportation Service on Algonquin Gas Transmission

On November 16, 2017, a class action lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts on behalf of customers in New England against the Company and Eversource alleging that certain of their respective subsidiaries that take gas transportation service over the Algonquin Gas Transmission, AGT, which for AVANGRID would be its indirect subsidiaries SCG and CNG, engaged in pipeline capacity scheduling practices on AGT that resulted in artificially increased electricity prices in New England. These allegations were based on the conclusions of a White Paper issued by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), an environmental advocacy organization, on October 10, 2017, purporting to analyze the relationship between the New England electricity market and the New England local gas distribution companies. The plaintiffs assert claims under federal antitrust law, state antitrust, unfair competition and consumer protection laws, and under the common law of unjust enrichment.  They seek damages, disgorgement, restitution, injunctive relief, and attorney fees and costs. The Company filed a Motion to Dismiss all of the claims on January 29, 2018.  On February 27, 2018, the FERC released the results of a FERC staff inquiry into the pipeline capacity scheduling practices on the AGT. The inquiry arose out of the allegations made by the EDF in its White Paper. FERC announced that, based on an extensive review of public and non-public data, it had determined that the EDF study was flawed and led to incorrect conclusions. FERC also stated that the staff inquiry revealed no evidence of anticompetitive withholding of natural gas pipeline capacity on the AGT and that it would take no further action on the matter. On March 28, 2018, the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint, repeating the prior claims, except omitting the common law claim of unjust enrichment. On April 27, 2018, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss all of the claims based on federal preemption and lack of any evidence of antitrust behavior, citing, among other reasons, the results of the FERC staff inquiry conclusion. Nevertheless, we cannot predict the outcome of this class action lawsuit.

32


 

Guarantee Commitments to Third Parties

As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately $2.2 billion of standby letters of credit, surety bonds, guarantees and indemnifications outstanding. These instruments provide financial assurance to the business and trading partners of AVANGRID and its subsidiaries in their normal course of business.  The instruments only represent liabilities if AVANGRID or its subsidiaries fail to deliver on contractual obligations. We therefore believe it is unlikely that any material liabilities associated with these instruments will be incurred and, accordingly, as of March 31, 2018, neither we nor our subsidiaries have any liabilities recorded for these instruments.

 

Note 9. Environmental Liabilities

Environmental laws, regulations and compliance programs may occasionally require changes in our operations and facilities and may increase the cost of electric and natural gas service. We do not provide for accruals of legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with loss contingencies.

Waste sites

The Environmental Protection Agency and various state environmental agencies, as appropriate, have notified us that we are among the potentially responsible parties that may be liable for costs incurred to remediate certain hazardous substances at twenty-five waste sites, which do not include sites where gas was manufactured in the past. Fifteen of the twenty-five sites are included in the New York State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites; six sites are included in Maine’s Uncontrolled Sites Program and one site is included on the Massachusetts Non- Priority Confirmed Disposal Site list. The remaining sites are not included in any registry list. Finally, nine of the twenty-five sites are also included on the National Priorities list. Any liability may be joint and severable for certain sites.

We have recorded an estimated liability of $5 million related to ten of the twenty-five sites. We have paid remediation costs related to the remaining fifteen sites and do not expect to incur additional liabilities. Additionally, we have recorded an estimated liability of $8 million related to another ten sites where we believe it is probable that we will incur remediation costs and or monitoring costs, although we have not been notified that we are among the potentially responsible parties or that we are regulated under State Resource Conservation and Recovery Act programs. We recorded a corresponding regulatory asset because we expect to recover these costs in rates. It is possible the ultimate cost to remediate these sites may be significantly more than the accrued amount. Our estimate for costs to remediate these sites ranges from $12 million to $21 million as of March 31, 2018. Factors affecting the estimated remediation amount include the remedial action plan selected, the extent of site contamination, and the allocation of the clean-up costs.

Manufactured Gas Plants

We have a program to investigate and perform necessary remediation at our fifty-three sites where gas was manufactured in the past (Manufactured Gas Plants, or MGPs). Eight sites are included in the New York State Registry; twelve sites are included in the New York Voluntary Cleanup Program; three sites are part of Maine’s Voluntary Response Action Program and with two of such sites being part of Maine’s Uncontrolled Sites Program. The remaining sites are not included in any registry list. We have entered into consent orders with various environmental agencies to investigate and where necessary remediate forty-nine of the fifty-three sites.

Our estimate for all costs related to investigation and remediation of the fifty-three sites ranges from $213 million to $442 million as of March 31, 2018. Our estimate could change materially based on facts and circumstances derived from site investigations, changes in required remedial actions, changes in technology relating to remedial alternatives, and changes to current laws and regulations.

Certain Connecticut and Massachusetts regulated gas companies own or have previously owned properties where MGPs had historically operated. MGP operations have led to contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum hydrocarbons, benzene and metals, among other things, at these properties, the regulation and cleanup of which is regulated by the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as well as other federal and state statutes and regulations. Each of the companies has or had an ownership interest in one or more such properties contaminated as a result of MGP-related activities. Under the existing regulations, the cleanup of such sites requires state and at times, federal, regulators’ involvement and approval before cleanup can commence. In certain cases, such contamination has been evaluated, characterized and remediated. In other cases, the sites have been evaluated and characterized, but not yet remediated. Finally, at some of these sites, the scope of the contamination has not yet been fully characterized; no liability was recorded in respect of these sites as of March 31, 2018 and no amount of loss, if any, can be reasonably estimated at this time. In the past, the companies have received approval for the recovery of MGP-related remediation expenses from customers through rates and will seek recovery in rates for ongoing MGP-related remediation expenses for all of their MGP sites.

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the liability associated with other MGP sites in Connecticut, the remediation costs of which could be significant and will be subject to a review by PURA as to whether these costs are recoverable in rates, was $99 million and $100 million, respectively.

33


 

The total liability to investigate and perform remediation at the known inactive MGP sites and other sites was $3 87 million and $389 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. We recorded a corresponding regulatory asset, net of insurance recoveries and the amount collected from FirstEnergy, as described below, because we expect to recover the net costs in rates. Our environmental liability accruals are recorded on an undiscounted basis and are expected to be paid through the year 2054.

FirstEnergy

NYSEG sued FirstEnergy under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to recover environmental cleanup costs at sixteen former manufactured gas sites, which are included in the discussion above. In July 2011, the District Court issued a decision and order in NYSEG’s favor. Based on past and future clean-up costs at the sixteen sites in dispute, FirstEnergy would be required to pay NYSEG approximately $60 million if the decision were upheld on appeal. On September 9, 2011, FirstEnergy paid NYSEG $30 million, representing their share of past costs of $27 million and pre-judgment interest of $3 million.

FirstEnergy appealed the decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. On September 11, 2014, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s decision in NYSEG’s favor, but modified the decision for nine sites, reducing NYSEG’s damages for incurred costs from $27 million to $22 million, excluding interest, and reducing FirstEnergy’s allocable share of future costs at these sites. NYSEG refunded FirstEnergy the excess $5 million in November 2014.

FirstEnergy remains liable for a substantial share of clean up expenses at nine MGP sites. Based on current projections, FirstEnergy’s share is estimated at approximately $22 million. This amount is being treated as a contingent asset and has not been recorded as either a receivable or a decrease to the environmental provision. Any recovery will be flowed through to NYSEG ratepayers.

Century Indemnity and OneBeacon

On August 14, 2013, NYSEG filed suit in federal court against two excess insurers, Century Indemnity and OneBeacon, who provided excess liability coverage to NYSEG. NYSEG seeks payment for clean-up costs associated with contamination at 22 former manufactured gas plants. Based on estimated clean-up costs of $282 million, the carriers’ allocable share could equal or exceed approximately $89 million, excluding pre-judgment interest, although this amount may change substantially depending upon the determination of various factual matters and legal issues during the case.

Century Indemnity and OneBeacon have answered admitting issuance of the excess policies, but contesting coverage and providing documentation proving they received notice of the claims in the 1990s. On March 31, 2017, the District Court granted motions filed by Century Indemnity and One Beacon dismissing all of NYSEG’s claims against both defendants on the grounds of late notice.  NYSEG filed a motion with the District Court on April 14, 2017 seeking reconsideration of the Court’s decision, which was denied by an order dated March 27, 2018. NYSEG filed a notice appealing the District Court’s dismissal on April 9, 2018. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter; however, any recovery will be flowed through to NYSEG ratepayers.

English Station

In January 2012, Evergreen Power, LLC (Evergreen Power) and Asnat Realty LLC (Asnat), then and current owners of a former generation site on the Mill River in New Haven (the English Station site) that UI sold to Quinnipiac Energy in 2000, filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Connecticut against UI seeking, among other things: (i) an order directing UI to reimburse the plaintiffs for costs they have incurred and will incur for the testing, investigation and remediation of hazardous substances at the English Station site and (ii) an order directing UI to investigate and remediate the site. This proceeding had been stayed in 2014 pending resolutions of other proceedings before the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) concerning the English Station site. In December 2016, the court administratively closed the file without prejudice to reopen upon the filing of a motion to reopen by any party. In December 2013, Evergreen Power and Asnat filed a subsequent lawsuit in Connecticut state court seeking among other things: (i) remediation of the English Station site; (ii) reimbursement of remediation costs; (iii) termination of UI’s easement rights; (iv) reimbursement for costs associated with securing the property; and (v) punitive damages. This lawsuit had been stayed in May 2014 pending mediation. Due to lack of activity in the case, the court terminated the stay and scheduled a status conference for July 6, 2017. On July 5, 2017, Asnat filed a pretrial memorandum claiming damages of $10 million for “environmental remediation activities” and lost use of the property. In December 2017 Plaintiffs filed a Request for Leave to Amend Complaint and Motion to Cite-In Additional Parties, including former UIL officers and employees and other UI officers, which motion was approved in February 2018. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

On April 8, 2013, DEEP issued an administrative order addressed to UI, Evergreen Power, Asnat and others, ordering the parties to take certain actions related to investigating and remediating the English Station site. Mediation of the matter began in the fourth quarter of 2013 and concluded unsuccessfully in April 2015. This proceeding was stayed while DEEP and UI continue to work through the remediation process pursuant to the consent order described below. Status reports are periodically filed with the DEEP.

34


 

On August 4, 2016, DEEP issued a partial consent order (the consent order), that, subject to its terms and conditions, requires UI to investigate and remediate certain environmental conditions within the perimeter o f the English Station site. Under the consent order, to the extent that the cost of this investigation and remediation is less than $30 million, UI will remit to the State of Connecticut the difference between such cost and $30 million to be used for a pub lic purpose as determined in the discretion of the Governor of the State of Connecticut, the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut, and the Commissioner of DEEP. UI is obligated to comply with the terms of the consent order even if the cost of such compliance exceeds $30 million. Under the terms of the consent order, the State will discuss options with UI on recovering or funding any cost above $30 million such as through public funding or recovery from third parties; however, it is not bound to agre e to or support any means of recovery or funding . UI has initiated its process to investigate and remediate the environmental conditions within the perimeter of the English Station site pursuant to the consent order.      

As of December 31, 2017, we reserved $25 million for this matter. As of March 31, 2018, the reserve amount remained unchanged. We cannot predict the outcome of this matter.

 

Note 10. Post-retirement and Similar Obligations

We made $2 million of pension contributions for the three months ended March 31, 2018. We expect to make additional contributions of $46 million for the remainder of 2018.

The components of net periodic benefit cost for pension benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

11

 

 

$

11

 

Interest cost

 

 

32

 

 

 

35

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(50

)

 

 

(50

)

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial loss

 

 

38

 

 

 

32

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

$

31

 

 

$

28

 

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for postretirement benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

Interest cost

 

 

4

 

 

 

5

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service costs

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

Actuarial loss

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

 

$

2

 

 

$

3

 

 

Beginning in 2018, in the condensed consolidated statement of income, we include the service cost component in other operating expenses net of capitalized portion, and include the components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component in the line item “Other income / (expense).”

 

Note 11. Equity

As of March 31, 2018, our share capital consisted of 500,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, 309,752,140 shares issued and 309,086,480 shares outstanding, 81.5% of which is owned by Iberdrola, each having a par value of $0.01, for a total value of common stock capital of $3 million and additional paid in capital of $13,654 million. As of December 31, 2017, our share capital consisted of 500,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, 309,670,932 shares issued and 309,005,272 shares outstanding, 81.5% of which was owned by Iberdrola, each having a par value of $0.01, for a total value of common stock capital of $3 million and additional paid in

35


 

capital of $13,653 million. We had 485,810 shares of common stock held in trust and no convertible preferred s hares outstanding as of both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we issued 81,208 shares of common stock each having a par value of $0.01 and released no shares of common stock held in trust. Du ring the three months ended March 31, 2017, we issued 70,493 shares of common stock and released 5,649 shares of common stock held in trust each having a par value of $0.01.

On April 28, 2016, we entered into a repurchase agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC. (JPM), pursuant to which JPM will, from time to time, acquire, on behalf of AVANGRID, shares of common stock of AVANGRID. The purpose of the stock repurchase program is to allow AVANGRID to maintain the relative ownership percentage by Iberdrola at 81.5%. The stock repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time upon notice. Out of a total of 179,850 treasury shares of common stock of AVANGRID as of March 31, 2018, 115,831 shares were repurchased during 2016 and 64,019 shares were repurchased in May 2017, all in the open market. The total cost of repurchases, including commissions, was $8 million as of March 31, 2018.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

Adoption of

new accounting

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

As of March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

standard

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on revaluation of defined benefit plans

 

$

(14

)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(14

)

 

$

(14

)

 

$

 

 

$

(14

)

Loss for nonqualified pension plans

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

 

 

 

(7

)

Unrealized gain (loss) during period on derivatives

   qualifying as cash flow hedges, net of income tax

   expense of $1.3 for 2017

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

7

 

Reclassification to net income of losses (gains) on

   cash flow hedges, net of income tax (benefit) expense

   of $(7.5) for 2018 and $13.6 for 2017(a)

 

 

(56

)

 

 

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(66

)

 

 

(70

)

 

 

23

 

 

 

(47

)

Gain (loss) on derivatives qualifying as cash flow

   hedges

 

 

(26

)

 

 

 

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(36

)

 

 

(65

)

 

 

25

 

 

 

(40

)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Gain

 

$

(46

)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(10

)

 

$

(57

)

 

$

(86

)

 

$

25

 

 

$

(61

)

 

(a)

Reclassification is reflected in the operating expenses line item in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

 

Note 12. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to AVANGRID by the weighted-average number of shares of our common stock outstanding. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, while we did have securities that were dilutive, these securities did not result in a change in our earnings per share calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to AVANGRID, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions, except for number of shares and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to AVANGRID

 

$

244

 

 

$

239

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic

 

 

309,513,640

 

 

 

309,508,889

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted

 

 

309,793,064

 

 

 

309,837,442

 

Earnings per share attributable to AVANGRID

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings Per Common Share, Basic

 

$

0.79

 

 

$

0.77

 

Earnings Per Common Share, Diluted

 

$

0.79

 

 

$

0.77

 

 

 

36


 

Note 13. Segment Information

Our segment reporting structure uses our management reporting structure as its foundation to reflect how AVANGRID manages the business internally and is organized by type of business. We report our financial performance based on the following two reportable segments:

Networks: including all the energy transmission and distribution activities, and any other regulated activity originating in New York and Maine, and regulated electric distribution, electric transmission and gas distribution activities originating in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Networks reportable segment includes eight rate regulated operating segments. These operating segments generally offer the same services distributed in similar fashions, have the same types of customers, have similar long-term economic characteristics and are subject to similar regulatory requirements, allowing these operations to be aggregated into one reportable segment.

Renewables: activities relating to renewable energy, mainly wind energy generation and trading related with such activities.

Based on the quantitative assessment and due to the disposition of gas trading and storage businesses (see Note 20 – Assets Held For Sale for further discussion) Gas segment no longer meets the reportable segment criteria effective in the first quarter of 2018. As a result, the prior period segment information has been restated to conform to the 2018 presentation.

Products and services are sold between reportable segments and affiliate companies at cost. The chief operating decision maker evaluates segment performance based on segment adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) defined as net income adding back net income attributable to other non-controlling interests, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization and interest expense net of capitalization, and then subtracting other income and (expense) and earnings from equity method investments per segment. Segment income, expense, and assets presented in the accompanying tables include all intercompany transactions that are eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Segment information as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018, consisted of:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Other (a)

 

 

AVANGRID

Consolidated

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue - external

 

$

1,549

 

 

$

283

 

 

$

33

 

 

$

1,865

 

Revenue - intersegment

 

 

3

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

Loss from assets held for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

118

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

 

 

 

203

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

344

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

403

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

462

 

 

 

129

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

611

 

Earnings (losses) from equity method investments

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Interest expense, net of capitalization

 

 

60

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

74

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

64

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

16

 

 

 

72

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

282

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

399

 

As of March 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

13,996

 

 

 

8,754

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

22,757

 

Equity method investments

 

 

144

 

 

 

204

 

 

 

 

 

 

348

 

Total assets

 

$

21,481

 

 

$

11,427

 

 

$

(1,425

)

 

$

31,483

 

 

(a)

Includes Corporate, Gas and intersegment eliminations.

Included in revenue-external for the three months ended March 31, 2018, are: $955 million from regulated electric operations, $600 million from regulated gas operations and $(6) million amounts from other operations of Networks; $283 million from renewable energy generation of Renewables.

37


 

Segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2017, consisted of:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Other (a)

 

 

AVANGRID

Consolidated

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue - external

 

$

1,460

 

 

$

285

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

1,758

 

Revenue - intersegment

 

 

(1

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

113

 

 

 

78

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

197

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

365

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

427

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

478

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

624

 

Earnings (losses) from equity method investments

 

 

4

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Interest expense, net of capitalization

 

 

63

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

71

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

116

 

 

 

(21

)

 

 

8

 

 

 

103

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

267

 

 

 

257

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

525

 

As of December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

13,876

 

 

 

8,786

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

22,669

 

Equity method investments

 

 

147

 

 

 

205

 

 

 

 

 

 

352

 

Total assets

 

$

21,411

 

 

$

11,308

 

 

$

(1,048

)

 

$

31,671

 

 

(a)

Includes Corporate, Gas and intersegment eliminations.

Included in revenue-external for the three months ended March 31, 2017, are: $921 million from regulated electric operations, $537 million from regulated gas operations and $2 million amounts from other operations of Networks; $285 million from renewable energy generation of Renewables.

Reconciliation of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to the AVANGRID consolidated Net Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, is as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

611

 

 

$

624

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from assets held for sale

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

203

 

 

 

197

 

Interest expense, net of capitalization

 

 

74

 

 

 

71

 

Income tax expense

 

 

72

 

 

 

103

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other expense

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(16

)

Earnings from equity method investments

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Consolidated Net Income

 

$

238

 

 

$

239

 

 

 

Note 14. Related Party Transactions

We engage in related party transactions that are generally billed at cost and in accordance with applicable state and federal commission regulations.

Related party transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

Sales To

 

 

Purchases

From

 

 

Sales To

 

 

Purchases

From

 

Iberdrola Canada Energy Services, Ltd

 

$

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

 

 

$

(10

)

Iberdrola Renovables Energía, S.L.

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

Iberdrola, S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

Iberdrola Energia Monterrey, S.A. de C.V.

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

38


 

In addition to the statements of income items above, we made purchases of turbines for wind farms from Siemens-Gamesa, in which Iberdrola has an 8.1% ownership. The amounts capitalized for these transactions were $ 0 a nd $266 million for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Related party balances as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, consisted of:

 

As of

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

(Millions)

 

Owed By

 

 

Owed To

 

 

Owed By

 

 

Owed To

 

Iberdrola Canada Energy Services, Ltd.

 

$

 

 

$

(31

)

 

$

 

 

$

(31

)

Siemens-Gamesa

 

 

1

 

 

 

(47

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(51

)

Iberdrola, S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(32

)

Iberdrola Renovables Energía, S.L.

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iberdrola Energia Monterrey, S.A. de C.V.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

7

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

6

 

 

 

(4

)

Transactions with Iberdrola, our majority shareholder, relate predominantly to the provision and allocation of corporate services and management fees. All costs that can be specifically allocated, to the extent possible, are charged directly to the company receiving such services. In situations when Iberdrola corporate services are provided to two or more companies of AVANGRID any costs remaining after direct charge are allocated using agreed upon cost allocation methods designed to allocate those costs. We believe that the allocation method used is reasonable.

Transactions with Iberdrola Canada Energy Services (ICES) predominantly relate to the purchase of gas for ARHI’s gas-fired cogeneration facility in Klamath, Oregon. Included in the amounts owed to ICES is the balance of notes payable of $31 million and $29 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Transactions with Iberdrola Energia Monterrey predominantly relate to the sale of gas by Enstor Gas for the power generation plant in Monterrey, Mexico.

There have been no guarantees provided or received for any related party receivables or payables. These balances are unsecured and are typically settled in cash. Interest is not charged on regular business transactions but is charged on outstanding loan balances. There have been no impairments or provisions made against any affiliated balances.

Networks holds an approximate 20% ownership interest in the regulated New York TransCo, LLC (New York TransCo). Through New York TransCo, Networks has formed a partnership with Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, Consolidated Edison, Inc., National Grid, plc and Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. to develop a portfolio of interconnected transmission lines and substations to fulfill the objectives of the New York energy highway initiative, which is a proposal to install up to 3,200 MW of new electric generation and transmission capacity in order to deliver more power generated from upstate New York power plants to downstate New York. As of both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the amount receivable from New York TransCo was $6 million.

AVANGRID manages its overall liquidity position as part of the broader Iberdrola Group and is a party to a liquidity agreement with a financial institution, along with certain members of the Iberdrola Group. Cash surpluses remaining after meeting the liquidity requirements of AVANGRID and its subsidiaries may be deposited at the financial institution. Deposits, or credit balances, serve as collateral against the debit balances of other parties to the liquidity agreement. The balance at both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, was zero.

 

 

Note 15. Supplemental Balance Sheet Information

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable include amounts due under deferred payment arrangements (DPA). A DPA allows the account balance to be paid in installments over an extended period of time, which generally exceeds one year, by negotiating mutually acceptable payment terms and not bearing interest. The utility company generally must continue to serve a customer who cannot pay an account balance in full if the customer (i) pays a reasonable portion of the balance; (ii) agrees to pay the balance in installments; and (iii) agrees to pay future bills within 30 days until the DPA is paid in full. Failure to make payments on a DPA results in the full amount of a receivable under a DPA being due. These accounts are part of the regular operating cycle and are classified as current.

We establish provisions for uncollectible accounts for DPAs by using both historical average loss percentages to project future losses and by establishing specific provisions for known credit issues. Amounts are written off when reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted. DPA receivable balances were $59 million and $55 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts for DPAs at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, was $31 million and $30 million, respectively. Furthermore, the provision for bad debts associated with the DPAs for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $1 million for both periods.

 

39


 

Prepayments and other current assets

Included in “Prepayments and other current assets” are $151 million and $194 million of prepaid other taxes as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

The accumulated depreciation and amortization as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, were as follows :

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

As of

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

$

7,767

 

 

$

7,497

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization

 

$

280

 

 

$

276

 

 

 

Note 16. Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate, inclusive of federal and state income tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, was 23.2%, which is higher than the 21% statutory federal income tax rate, applicable in 2018, predominantly due to discrete tax adjustments recorded during the period offset by the recognition of production tax credits associated with wind production. The effective tax rate, inclusive of federal and state income tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, was 30.1%, which was lower than the 35% statutory federal income tax rate, applicable in 2017, predominantly due to the recognition of production tax credits associated with wind production. Additionally, $14 million in income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017, is due to unfunded future income tax to reflect the change from a flow through to normalization method, which was recorded as an increase to revenue, with an offsetting and equal increase to income tax expense. This was offset by other discrete tax adjustments during the period.

 

Note 17. Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Pursuant to the 2016 Avangrid, Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan 21,532 additional performance stock units (PSUs) were granted to certain officers and employees of AVANGRID in March 2018. The PSUs will vest upon achievement of certain performance- and market-based metrics related to the 2016 through 2019 plan and will be payable in three equal installments in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The fair value on the grant date was determined based on $31.80 per share.

The total stock-based compensation (credit) expense, which is included in operations and maintenance of the condensed consolidated statements of income, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $(0.1) million and $1.3 million, respectively.

Before 2016, AVANGRID’s historical stock-based compensation expense and liabilities were based on shares of Iberdrola and not on shares of AVANGRID. These Iberdrola shares-based awards were early terminated at the end of 2015, and the remaining liability was settled in March 2018. The total liability relating to those awards, which was included in other current liabilities, was $5.5 million as of December 31, 2017.

 

Note 18. Variable Interest Entities

We participate in certain partnership arrangement that qualify as variable interest entities (VIEs). These arrangements consist of tax equity financing arrangements (TEFs) and partnerships in which an investor holds a noncontrolling interest and the investor does not have substantive kick-out or participating rights.

The sale of a membership interest in the TEFs represents the sale of an equity interest in a structure that is considered a sale of non-financial assets. Under the sale of non-financial assets, the membership interests in the TEFs we sell to third-party investors are reflected as noncontrolling interest in the condensed consolidated balance sheets valued based on a HLBV model. Earnings from the TEFs are recognized in earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in the condensed consolidated statements of income. We consolidate the entities that have TEFs based on being the primary beneficiary for these VIEs.

The assets and liabilities of the VIEs totaled approximately $1,432 million and $91 million, respectively, at March 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2017, the assets and liabilities of VIEs totaled approximately $1,441 million and $185 million, respectively. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the assets and liabilities of the VIEs consisted primarily of property, plant and equipment, equity method investments and TEF liabilities. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, equity method investments of VIEs were approximately $106 million and $107 million, respectively.

40


 

At March 31, 2018 we consider Aeolus Wind Power II LLC and Aeolus Wind Power IV LLC, (collectively, Aeolus) to be TEFs and El Cabo Wind, LLC to be a VIE.

We retain a class of membership interest and day-to-day operational and management control of Aeolus, subject to investor approval of certain major decisions. The third-party investors do not receive a lien on any Aeolus assets and have no recourse against us for their upfront cash payments

Wind power generation is subject to certain favorable tax treatments in the U.S. In order to monetize the tax benefits generated by Aeolus, we have entered into the Aeolus structured institutional partnership investment transactions related to certain wind farms. Under the Aeolus structures, we contribute certain wind assets, relating both to existing wind farms and wind farms that are being placed into operation at the time of the relevant transaction, and other parties invest in the share equity of the Aeolus limited liability holding company. As consideration for their investment, the third parties make either an upfront cash payment or a combination of upfront cash and issuance of fixed and contingent notes.

The third party investors receive a disproportionate amount of the profit or loss, cash distributions and tax benefits resulting from the wind farm energy generation until the investor recovers its investment and achieves a cumulative annual after-tax return. Once this target return is met, the relative sharing of profit or loss, cash distributions and taxable income or loss between the Company and the third party investor flips, with the Company taking a disproportionate share of such amounts thereafter. We also have a call option to acquire the third party investors’ membership interest within a defined time period after this target return is met.

Our Aeolus interests are not subject to any rights of investors that may restrict our ability to access or use the assets or to settle any existing liabilities associated with the interests.

 

Note 19. Restructuring and Severance Related Expenses

In 2017, we announced initial targeted voluntary workforce reductions, predominantly within the Networks segment. Those actions primarily include: reducing our workforce through voluntary programs in various other areas to better align our people resources with business demands and priorities; reorganizing our human resources function to substantially consolidate in Connecticut, as well as related costs to vacate a lease and relocate employees; and reducing our information technology (IT) workforce to make increasing use of external services for operations, support, and development of systems. Those decisions and transactions resulted in restructuring charges recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2018 for severance expenses of $1.2 million, which are included in “Operations and maintenance” in the condensed consolidated statements of income. The remaining costs for severance agreements are being accrued ratably over the remaining service periods, which span intermittent periods through December 2018. Accordingly, the Company expects additional costs to be incurred in 2018 related to the remaining employee service periods under the severance plans. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the severance and lease restructuring charges reserves, which are recorded in “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities”, consisted of:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

 

(Millions)

 

Beginning Balance

 

$

5

 

  Restructuring and severance

    related expenses

 

 

1

 

  Payments

 

 

 

Ending Balance

 

$

6

 

 

Note 20. Assets Held For Sale

In December 2017, our management committed to a plan to sell the gas trading and storage businesses because they represent non-core businesses that were not aligned with our strategic objectives. As a result, we determined that the assets and liabilities associated with our gas trading and storage businesses met the criteria for classification as assets held for sale, but did not meet the criteria for classification as discontinued operations.  On March 1, 2018, the Company closed a transaction to sell Enstor Energy Services, LLC, which operated AVANGRID’s gas trading business, to CCI U.S. Asset Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Castleton Commodities International, LLC (CCI) for $66 million, subject to working capital, cash, and other adjustments. The transaction price did not differ materially from the estimated fair value of our gas trading business at December 31, 2017, but is subject to adjustment based on closing and other contract provisions, including certain transition services. On May 1, 2018, the Company closed a transaction to sell Enstor Gas, LLC, which operated AVANGRID’s gas storage business, to Amphora Gas Storage USA, LLC for $66 million, subject to working capital, cash, and other adjustments. The transaction price was lower than the estimated fair value of our gas storage business at March 31, 2018 by approximately $9 millio n due to initial working capital and other adjustments. The agreement to sell Enstor Gas,

41


 

LLC contains, among other things, a transition services agreement which ob ligates ARHI to provide certain transition services for up to one year after the closing date, along with representations, warranties, and covenants customary for a transaction of this nature. In connection with the held for sale classification, we recorde d a loss from held for sale measurement of $ 5.3 million, which is included in “ Loss from assets held for sale” in the condensed consolidated statements of income in the three months ended March 31, 2018. Income before income tax, adjusted for corporate ove rhead, attributed to the gas businesses was $ 18.3 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The current assets and current liabilities held for sale relating to our gas trading and storage businesses consisted of the following as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

As of

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

$

1

 

 

$

137

 

Derivative assets

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

Fuel and gas in storage

 

 

1

 

 

 

77

 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

 

6

 

 

 

19

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

71

 

 

 

71

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

28

 

   Assets held for sale

 

$

79

 

 

$

357

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

2

 

 

 

107

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

Other liabilities

 

 

5

 

 

 

16

 

   Liabilities held for sale

 

$

7

 

 

$

137

 

 

The fair values of the assets held for sale were determined using Level 3 inputs and were estimated based on recent market analysis studies, recent offers, and management has performed its own fair valuation modeling using discounted cash flows updated for market participant assumptions as completed by third party valuation firms. Unobservable inputs obtained from third parties were adjusted as necessary for the condition and attributes of the specific assets.

 

Note 21. Subsequent Events

On April 25, 2018, the board of directors of AVANGRID declared a quarterly dividend of $0.432 per share on its common stock. This dividend is payable on July 2, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 8, 2018 .

On May 1, 2018, pursuant to the stock repurchase program, we repurchased 81,208 shares of AVANGRID common stock in the open market. The total cost of repurchase, including commissions, was $4 million .

42


 

Item 2 . Mana gement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the three years ended December 31, 2017, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on March 26, 2018, which we refer to as our “Form 10-K.” In addition to historical condensed consolidated financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. The foregoing and other factors are discussed and should be reviewed in our Form 10-K and other subsequent filings with the SEC.

Overview

AVANGRID is a leading sustainable energy company with approximately $31 billion in assets and operations in 26 states. The AVANGRID has two primary lines of business - Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.2 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates 7.1 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, with a presence in 22 states across the United States. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainability Development Goals, received a CDP climate score of “A-”, the top score received in the utilities sector, and has been recognized for two consecutive years by Ethical Boardroom as North American utility with the “best corporate governance practices.” AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. Iberdrola S.A., a corporation (sociedad anónima) organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Spain, a worldwide leader in the energy industry, directly owns 81.5% of outstanding shares of AVANGRID common stock. Our primary business is ownership of our operating businesses, which are described below.

Our direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries include Avangrid Networks, Inc., or Networks, and Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc., or ARHI. ARHI in turn holds subsidiaries including Avangrid Renewables LLC, or Renewables, and Enstor Gas, LLC, or Gas. Networks, owns and operates our regulated utility businesses through its subsidiaries, including electric transmission and distribution and natural gas distribution, transportation and sales. Renewables operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities primarily using onshore wind power and also solar, biomass and thermal power. Gas operates our natural gas storage business through Enstor Inc.  

In December 2017, our management committed to a plan to sell the gas storage and trading businesses because they represent non-core businesses that are not aligned with our strategic objectives. As a result, we determined that the assets and liabilities associated with our gas trading and storage businesses met the criteria for classification as assets held for sale, but did not meet the criteria for classification as discontinued operations. On March 1, 2018, the Company closed a transaction to sell Enstor Energy Services, LLC, which operated AVANGRID’s gas trading business, to CCI U.S. Asset Holdings LLC, a subsidiary of Castleton Commodities International, LLC (CCI). On May 1, 2018, the Company closed a transaction to sell Enstor Gas, LLC, which operated the AVANGRID’s gas storage business, to Amphora Gas Storage USA, LLC. The agreement included, among other things, a transition services agreement which obligates ARHI to provide certain transition services for up to one year after the closing date and includes a guarantee the Company will release certain obligations to Amphora Gas Storage USA, LLC. Additional details on held for sale classification are provided in Note 20 to our condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Through Networks, we own electric generation, transmission and distribution companies and natural gas distribution, transportation and sales companies in New York, Maine, Connecticut and Massachusetts, delivering electricity to approximately 2.2 million electric utility customers and delivering natural gas to approximately 1 million natural gas public utility customers as of March 31, 2018.

Networks, a Maine corporation, holds our regulated utility businesses, including electric transmission and distribution and natural gas distribution, transportation and sales. Networks serves as a super-regional energy services and delivery company through eight regulated utilities it owns directly:

 

New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, or NYSEG, which serves electric and natural gas customers across more than 40% of the upstate New York geographic area;

 

Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation, or RG&E, which serves electric and natural gas customers within a nine-county region in western New York, centered around Rochester;

 

The United Illuminating Company, or UI, which serves electric customers in southwestern Connecticut;

 

Central Maine Power Company, or CMP, which serves electric customers in central and southern Maine;

43


 

 

The Southern Connecticut Gas Company, or SCG, which serves natural gas customers in Connecticut;

 

Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, or CNG, which serves natural gas customers in Connecticut;

 

The Berkshire Gas Company, or BGC, which serves natural gas customers in western Massachusetts; and

 

Maine Natural Gas Corporation, or MNG, which serves natural gas customers in several communities in central and southern Maine.

Through Renewables, we had a combined wind, solar and thermal installed capacity of 7,129 megawatts, or MW, as of March 31, 2018, including Renewables’ share of joint projects, of which 6,387 MW was installed wind capacity. Approximately 73% of the capacity was contracted as of March 31, 2018, for an average period of 9.4 years. Being among the top three largest wind operators in the United States based on installed capacity as of March 31, 2018, Renewables strives to lead the transformation of the U.S. energy industry to a competitive, clean energy future. Renewables currently operates 58 wind farms in 21 states across the United States.

Through Gas, as of March 31, 2018, we owned approximately 67.5 billion cubic feet, or Bcf, of net working gas storage capacity.

Summary of Results of Operations

Our operating revenues increased by 6%, from $1.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $1.9 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The Networks business revenues increased on the impact of higher average rates and increase in degree days from colder weather. Renewables had a slight decrease in revenue mainly due to unfavorable MtM changes on energy derivative transactions and lower average prices.

Net income attributable to Avangrid increased by 2% from $239 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, to $244 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Networks net income improved due to impacts from the implementation of rate plans. Renewables net income decreased as a result of higher unfavorable MtM changes on energy derivatives and decline in average prices which was partially offset by increased production.

Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, or adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure), before adjustments to reflect the classification of revenues and expenses by nature and before excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business, decreased by 2% from $624 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, to $611 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Adjusted gross margin (a non-GAAP financial measure) before adjustments to reflect the classification of revenues and expenses by nature and before excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business, decreased by 1%, from $1,229 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $1,219 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease in the non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP adjusted gross margin is primarily driven by the adverse impact of the tax reform on regulated revenue with an offsetting decrease to income tax expense along with an increase in average prices and overall units of electricity and gas procured in the period at Networks.

Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) after adjustments to reflect the classification of revenues and expenses by nature and after excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business, increased by 2% from $598 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, to $608 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Adjusted gross margin (a non-GAAP financial measure) after adjustments to reflect the classification of revenues and expenses by nature and after excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business, increased by 1%, from $1,117 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $1,129 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase in the non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP adjusted gross margin is primarily driven by increased capacity and higher production tax credits offset by unfavorable changes in prices in the period at Renewables.

For additional information and reconciliation of the non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA to net income and the non-GAAP adjusted gross margin to net income, see “— Non-GAAP Financial Measures ”.

See “— Results of Operations ” for further analysis of our operating results for the quarter.

Legislative and Regulatory Update

We are subject to complex and stringent energy, environmental and other laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels as well as rules within the independent system operator, or ISO, markets in which we participate. Federal and state legislative and regulatory actions continue to change how our business is regulated. We are actively participating in these debates at the federal,

44


 

regional, state and ISO levels. Significant updates a re discussed below. For a further discussion of the environmental and other governmental regulations that affect us, see our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Transmission - ROE Complaint IV

On November 21, 2017, the parties to the Complaint IV submitted updates to their ROE analyses and recommendations just prior to hearings with the NETOs continuing to advocate that the existing base ROE of 10.57% should remain in effect. Hearings were held in December 2017 and on March 27, 2018, the Administrative Law Judge issued a decision rejecting Complaint IV, finding the currently-filed base ROE of 10.57%, which with incentive adders may reach a maximum ROE of 11.74%, is not unjust and unreasonable, and hence is not unlawful. We cannot predict the outcome of the Complaint IV proceeding.

Tax Act proceedings

The “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”, or the Tax Act, changed significantly the federal taxation of business entities, including among other things, a federal corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Reductions in accumulated deferred income tax balances due to the reduction in the corporate income tax rates will result in amounts previously collected from utility customers for these deferred taxes to be refundable to such customers, generally through reductions in future rates. The NYPSC, MPUC, PURA, DPU and FERC have instituted separate proceedings in New York, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts and FERC to review and address the implications associated with the Tax Act on the utilities providing service in those states.

In New York, the NYPSC Staff issued a proposal on March 29, 2018, whereby the Staff recommends Tax Act benefits be returned to customers beginning October 1, 2018.  Comments on the Staff proposal will be submitted by all parties and our NY utility companies, NYSEG and RG&E, by June 27, 2018. The companies have indicated to the NYPSC that they believe Tax Act benefits should not be entirely immediately flowed back to customers, but utilized for other utility programs for the benefit of customers, including for new projects such as Automated Metering Infrastructure, or AMI, other future resiliency investments and to recover deferred regulatory assets. We expect a NYPSC decision in the third quarter of 2018.  In Connecticut, UI and SCG expect Tax Act savings to be deferred until they are reflected in tariffs in a future rate case unless PURA determines otherwise.  CNG and Berkshire anticipate Tax Act savings to be included in rate cases expected to be filed in the second quarter of 2018. In Maine, CMP has proposed to utilize the income statement Tax Act savings as an offset to the recovery of deferred 2017 storm costs. At FERC, CMP transmission and UI transmission expect the income statement value of Tax Act savings to be reflected in tariffs beginning June 2018. 

 

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth financial information by segment for each of the periods indicated. Based on the quantitative assessment and due to the disposition of gas trading and storage businesses (see Note 20 – Assets Held For Sale for further discussion) Gas segment no longer meets the reportable segment criteria effective in the first quarter of 2018. As a result, the prior period segment information has been restated to conform to the 2018 presentation. Additionally, as a result of the adoption of the amendments issued by the FASB in March 2017 to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost, we have reclassified the non-service components of those costs from Operations and maintenance to Other income/(expense) within the condensed consolidated statement of income and applied these amendment retrospectively to prior periods. For further details, refer to Note 3 of our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

45


 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

March 31, 2017

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Other(1)

 

 

Total

 

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Other(1)

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Operating Revenues

 

$

1,865

 

 

$

1,552

 

 

$

284

 

 

$

29

 

 

$

1,758

 

 

$

1,459

 

 

$

287

 

 

$

12

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased power, natural gas

   and fuel used

 

 

576

 

 

 

518

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

465

 

 

 

418

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

(11

)

Loss from assets held for sale

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations and maintenance

 

 

527

 

 

 

436

 

 

 

86

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

522

 

 

 

433

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

7

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

203

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

 

 

 

197

 

 

 

113

 

 

 

78

 

 

 

6

 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

 

151

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

147

 

 

 

130

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

4

 

Total Operating Expenses

 

 

1,462

 

 

 

1,208

 

 

 

240

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

1,331

 

 

 

1,094

 

 

 

231

 

 

 

6

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

403

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

427

 

 

 

365

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

6

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(22

)

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(18

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

Earnings (losses) from equity

   method investments

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of capitalization

 

 

(74

)

 

 

(60

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(71

)

 

 

(63

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(1

)

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax

 

 

310

 

 

 

264

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

342

 

 

 

288

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

5

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

72

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

16

 

 

 

103

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

(21

)

 

 

8

 

Net Income (Loss)

 

 

238

 

 

 

200

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

239

 

 

 

172

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

(3

)

Less: Net loss attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) Attributable

  to Avangrid, Inc.

 

$

244

 

 

$

200

 

 

$

50

 

 

$

(6

)

 

$

239

 

 

$

172

 

 

$

70

 

 

$

(3

)

 

 

(1) Other amounts represent C orporate, Gas and intersegment eliminations.

 

Comparison of Period to Period Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

The following table sets forth our operating revenues and expenses by segment for each of the periods indicated and as a percentage of the consolidated total of operating revenues and operating expenses, respectively:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

Total

 

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Other(1)

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Operating revenues

 

$

1,865

 

 

$

1,552

 

 

$

284

 

 

$

29

 

Operating revenues %

 

 

 

 

 

 

83

%

 

 

15

%

 

 

2

%

Operating expenses

 

$

1,462

 

 

$

1,208

 

 

$

240

 

 

$

14

 

Operating expenses %

 

 

 

 

 

 

83

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

1

%

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 

Total

 

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Other(1)

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Operating revenues

 

$

1,758

 

 

$

1,459

 

 

$

287

 

 

$

12

 

Operating revenues %

 

 

 

 

 

 

83

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

1

%

Operating expenses

 

$

1,331

 

 

$

1,094

 

 

$

231

 

 

$

6

 

Operating expenses %

 

 

 

 

 

 

83

%

 

 

17

%

 

 

 

 

(1)

Other amounts represent Corporate, Gas and intersegment eliminations.

Operating Revenues

Our operating revenues increased by $94 million, or 5%, from $1.8 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $1.9 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as detailed by segment below:

46


 

Networks

Operating revenues increased by $93 million, or 6%, from $1,552 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $1,459 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Electricity and gas revenues increased by $18 million and $10 million, respectively, due to primarily the impact of higher average rates in the three months period ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period of 2017. Electricity and gas revenues for the same period increased by $29 million and $43 million due to higher volumes largely driven by increase in degree days from colder weather. The wholesale electricity revenue increased by $9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period of 2017 due to an increase in average prices. In the three months ended March 31, 2018, Networks also had a n increase of $18 million from other revenues, including mainly revenue generated from the Puerto Rico mutual aid with offsetting associated costs included in operations and maintenance. Revenue related regulatory activities in the period decreased by $34 million primarily due to an adjustment of $14 million, to unfunded future income tax to reflect the change from a flow through to normalization method, which was recorded in the three month period ended March 31, 2017 as an increase to revenue, with an offsetting and equal increase to income tax expense, decreases in recoveries on the Ginna RSSA of $26 million, non by-passable charges of $14 million, revenue decoupling mechanism of $2 million, property tax of $3 million and a decrease of $42 million from deferrals of excess of deferred income taxes due to the changes in federal tax rates as a result of the tax reform, offset by increases in energy supply reconciliation of $42 million, stranded cost of $12 million and an increase of $13 million in other regulatory adjustments.

Renewables

Operating revenues decreased by $3 million, or 1%, from $287 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $284 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease in operating revenues was primarily due to an increase of $36 million from wind production with output increasing 673GWh, increase in thermal revenue of $4 million driven by colder weather, offset by decrease of $12 million in average prices due to large reduction in REC sales and expiry of PTCs in the period and unfavorable MtM changes of $31 million on energy derivative transactions entered into for economic hedging purposes .

Purchased Power, Natural Gas and Fuel Used

Our purchased power, natural gas and fuel used increased by 24%, from $465 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $576 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as detailed by segment below:

Networks

Purchased power, natural gas and fuel used increased by $100 million, or 24%, from $418 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $518 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase is primarily driven by $63 million and $46 million increases in average prices and overall units of electricity and gas, respectively, procured due to increase in degree days and colder weather combined with $4 million increase in other power supply purchases.

Renewables

Purchased power, natural gas and fuel used decreased by $2 million, or 3%, from $58 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $56 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease is primarily driven by increase of $7 million in power purchases and $8 million of transmission cost due to mainly addition of new capacities, increase of $1 million in RECs purchases, offset by MtM changes on derivatives of $19 million that were favorable due to market price changes in the current period.

Operations and Maintenance

Our operations and maintenance increased by $5 million, or 1%, from $522 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $527 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 , as detailed by segment below:

Networks

Operations and maintenance increased by $3 million, or 1% from $433 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $436 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase is primarily due to an increase of $16 million in purchases of external services, $8 million in purchases of renewable and zero-emission energy certificates related to a new program to adopt clean energy standards and $6 million from increase in uncollectibles, offset by a decrease of $27 million in the Ginna RSSA driven by its completion.

47


 

Renewables

Operations and maintenance expenses increased by $4 million, or 5%, from $82 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $86 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase is primarily due to increased costs from increased capacity, which is driving higher salary costs of $2 million related to headcount increases, $1 million higher maintenance costs and $1 million higher corporate charges in the three month period ended March 31, 2018 compared with the same period of 2017.

Depreciation and Amortization and Loss From Assets Held for Sale

Depreciation and amortization and loss from assets held for sale for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $208 million compared to $197 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $11 million. The increase is primarily due to a loss of $5 million from remeasurement of assets held for sale, increase of $4 million and $7 million in depreciation expense as a result of net plant additions in Networks and new capacities in Renewables, respectively, in the period, offset by $6 million lower depreciation expense in Other driven by cessation of depreciation for assets held for sale.

Other Income (Expense) and Earnings (Losses) from Equity Method Investments

Other income (expense) and equity earnings (losses) increased by $6 million from $14 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $19 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to increase of $3 million in non-service component of pension and other post-retirement cost and $1 million in allowance for funds used during construction in Networks in the period combined with $1 million lower capitalized interest in renewables due to less construction projects in the period.

Interest Expense, Net of Capitalization

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were $74 million and $71 million, respectively. Networks and Other added $3 million and $5 million of interest expense from new debts issued in 2017. In addition, Networks had $5 million of lower interest expense on regulatory deferrals in the current period .

Income Tax Expense

The effective tax rate, inclusive of federal and state income tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, was 23.2%, which is higher than the 21% statutory federal income tax rate, applicable in 2018, predominantly due to discrete tax adjustments recorded during the period offset by the recognition of production tax credits associated with wind production. The effective tax rate, inclusive of federal and state income tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, was 28.1%, which is lower than the 35% statutory federal income tax rate, applicable in 2017, predominately due to the recognition of production tax credits associated with wind production. Additionally, $14 million in income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017, is due to unfunded future income tax to reflect the change from a flow through to normalization method, which was recorded as an increase to revenue, with an offsetting and equal increase to income tax expense. This was partially offset by other discrete tax adjustments during the period.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we consider certain non-GAAP financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including adjusted gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, or adjusted EPS. The non-GAAP financial measures we use are specific to AVANGRID and the non-GAAP financial measures of other companies may not be calculated in the same manner. We use these non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to U.S. GAAP measures, to establish operating budgets and operational goals to manage and monitor our business, evaluate our operating and financial performance and to compare such performance to prior periods and to the performance of our competitors. We believe that presenting such non-GAAP financial measures is useful because such measures can be used to analyze and compare profitability between companies and industries because it eliminates the impact of financing and certain non-cash charges. In addition, we present non-GAAP financial measures because we believe that they and other similar measures are widely used by certain investors, securities analysts and other interested parties as supplemental measures of performance.

We define adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to AVANGRID, adding back net income attributable to noncontrolling interests , income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, impairment and interest expense, net of capitalization, and then subtracting other income and earnings from equity method investments. We define adjusted net income as net income adjusted to exclude restructuring charges, mark-to-market adjustments to reflect the effect of mark-to-market changes in the fair value of derivative instruments used by AVANGRID to economically hedge market price fluctuations in related underlying physical transactions for the purchase and sale of electricity, loss from held for sale measurement, and adjustments for the non-core Gas storage business. We believe adjusted net income is more useful in understanding and evaluating actual and projected financial performance and contribution of AVANGRID core lines of business and to more fully compare and explain our results. Additionally, we evaluate the nature of our revenues and expenses and adjust to reflect classification by nature for evaluation of our non-GAAP financial measures

48


 

as opposed to by function. The most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income is net income. We also define adjusted gross margin as adjusted EBITDA adding back operations and maintenance and taxes other than income taxes and then subtracting transmission wheeling. We also define adjusted earnings per share, or adjusted EPS, as adjusted net income converted to an earnings per share amount.  

The use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, AVANGRID’s U.S. GAAP financial information, and investors are cautioned that the non-GAAP financial measures are limited in their usefulness, may be unique to AVANGRID, and should be considered only as a supplement to AVANGRID’s U.S. GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies and have limitations as analytical tools.

Non-GAAP financial measures are not primary measurements of our performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to operating income, net income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Reconciliation of the Net Income attributable to AVANGRID to adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) and adjusted gross margin (non-GAAP) before adjustments to reflect the classification of revenues and expenses by nature and before excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, is as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income Attributable to Avangrid, Inc.

 

$

244

 

 

$

239

 

Add: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

72

 

 

 

103

 

Loss from assets held for sale

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

203

 

 

 

197

 

Interest expense, net of capitalization

 

 

74

 

 

 

71

 

Less:  Other expense

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(16

)

Earnings from equity method investments

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

 

$

611

 

 

$

624

 

Add: Operations and maintenance (1)

 

 

527

 

 

 

522

 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

 

151

 

 

 

147

 

Less: Transmission wheeling (1)

 

 

70

 

 

 

64

 

Adjusted gross margin (2)

 

$

1,219

 

 

$

1,229

 

 

(1)

Transmission wheeling is a component of operations and maintenance and is considered a component of adjusted gross margin since it is directly associated with the power supply costs included in the cost of sales.

(2)

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted gross margin are non-GAAP financial measures and are presented before adjustments to reflect the classification of revenues and expenses by nature and before excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business. For additional details of these adjustments and reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted gross margin that reflect these adjustments see the table on page 49 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

The following table sets forth our adjusted EBITDA and adjusted gross margin before adjustments to reflect the classification of revenues and expenses by nature and before excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business by segment for each of the periods indicated and as a percentage of operating revenues:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

Total

 

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Other(1)

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Adjusted gross margin (2)

 

$

1,219

 

 

$

964

 

 

$

228

 

 

$

27

 

Adjusted gross margin %

 

 

 

 

 

 

62

%

 

 

80

%

 

 

93

%

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

 

$

611

 

 

$

462

 

 

$

129

 

 

$

20

 

Adjusted EBITDA %

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

%

 

 

45

%

 

 

69

%

49


 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 

Total

 

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Other(1)

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Adjusted gross margin (2)

 

$

1,229

 

 

$

977

 

 

$

228

 

 

$

24

 

Adjusted gross margin %

 

 

 

 

 

 

67

%

 

 

79

%

 

 

200

%

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

 

$

624

 

 

$

478

 

 

$

133

 

 

$

13

 

Adjusted EBITDA %

 

 

 

 

 

 

33

%

 

 

46

%

 

 

108

%

 

(1)

Other amounts represent Corporate, Gas and intersegment eliminations.

(2)

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted gross margin are non-GAAP financial measures and are presented before adjustments to reflect the classification of revenues and expenses by nature and before excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business. For additional details of these adjustments and reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted gross margin that reflect these adjustments see the table on page 49 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Our adjusted gross margin decreased by $10 million, or 1%, from $1,229 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $1,219 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Our adjusted EBITDA decreased by $13 million, or 2%, from $624 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $611 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Details of the period to period comparison are described below at the segment level.

Networks

Adjusted gross margin decreased by $13 million, or 1%, from $977 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $964 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease is primarily driven by the adverse impact of the tax reform on regulated revenue with an offsetting decrease to income tax expense along with an increase in average prices and overall units of electricity and gas procured in the period.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $16 million, or 3%, from $478 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $462 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was due to the same reasons discussed above for adjusted gross margin.

Renewables

Adjusted gross margin stayed at the same level of $228 million for the three month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2018.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $4 million, or 3%, from $133 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $129 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to unfavorable MtM changes on energy derivatives driven by market price changes in the current period.

The following tables provide a reconciliation between Net Income attributable to AVANGRID and adjusted gross margin (non-GAAP) and adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) by segment after adjustments to reflect the classification of revenues and expenses by nature and after excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact of mark-to-market activity in Renewables and Gas storage business for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively:

 

 

50


 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Corporate*

 

 

Gas Storage

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Net Income Attributable to Avangrid, Inc.

 

$

244

 

 

$

200

 

 

$

50

 

 

$

(5

)

 

$

(1

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Mark-to-market adjustments - Renewables

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Restructuring charges

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Loss from held for sale measurement

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

    Income tax impact of adjustments (1)

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

 

    Gas Storage, net of tax

 

 

(13

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13

)

Adjusted Net Income

 

$

243

 

 

$

201

 

 

$

47

 

 

$

(5

)

 

$

 

Add: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Income tax expense (2)

 

 

81

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization (3)

 

 

255

 

 

 

147

 

 

 

108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of capitalization (4)

 

 

38

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Less: Earnings from equity method investments

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (6)

 

$

608

 

 

$

433

 

 

$

176

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

 

Add: Operations and maintenance (5)

 

 

380

 

 

 

316

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

 

141

 

 

 

131

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted gross margin (6)

 

$

1,129

 

 

$

880

 

 

$

249

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Networks

 

 

Renewables

 

 

Corporate*

 

 

Gas Storage

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Net Income Attributable to Avangrid, Inc.

 

$

239

 

 

$

172

 

 

$

70

 

 

$

(5

)

 

$

2

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Mark-to-market adjustments - Renewables

 

 

(17

)

 

 

 

 

 

(17

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Income tax impact of adjustments (1)

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Gas Storage, net of tax

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

Adjusted Net Income

 

$

227

 

 

$

172

 

 

$

59

 

 

$

(5

)

 

$

 

Add: Income tax expense (2)

 

 

96

 

 

 

102

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization (3)

 

 

240

 

 

 

139

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net of capitalization (4)

 

 

36

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

Less: Earnings (losses) from equity

      method investments

 

 

1

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (6)

 

$

598

 

 

$

443

 

 

$

155

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Add: Operations and maintenance (5)

 

 

382

 

 

 

326

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

Taxes other than income taxes

 

 

137

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Adjusted gross margin (6)

 

$

1,117

 

 

$

893

 

 

$

224

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

(1)

Income tax impact of adjustments: 2018 - $1 million from MtM adjustment, $(0.3) million from restructuring charges, $11 million from gain from held for sale measurement for the three months ended March 31, 2018; 2017 - $6 million from MtM adjustment for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

 

(2)

Adjustments have been made for production tax credit adjustments for the amount of $28 million and $12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, as they have been included in operating revenues in Renewables, and $14 million of unfunded future income taxes in Networks have been reclassified from revenues to reflect classification by nature, as discussed above, for the three months ended March 31, 2017. After reflecting these by nature classification adjustments the calculated effective income tax rates are impacted for both periods presented under this by nature classification presentation

 

 

(3)

Adjustments have been made for the inclusion of vehicle depreciation and bad debt provision within depreciation and amortization from operations and maintenance based on the by nature classification. Vehicle depreciation was $4 million and $5 million and bad debt provision was $17 million and $12 million in Networks, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Additionally, government grants and investment tax credits amortization have been presented within other operating income and not within depreciation and amortization based on the by nature classification as follows: government grants of $1.0 million and $1.6 million in Networks and investment tax credits of $22 million and $22 million in Renewables, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

 

(4)

Adjustments have been made for allowance for funds used during construction, debt portion, to reflect these amounts within other income and expenses in Networks for the periods presented.  

 

 

(5)

Adjustments have been made for regulatory amounts to reflect amounts in revenues based on the by nature classification of these items for the periods presented.  In addition, the vehicle depreciation and bad debt provision have been reflected within depreciation and amortization in Networks for the periods presented.  

 

 

(6)

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted gross margin are non-GAAP financial measures and are presented after adjustments to reflect the classification of revenues and expenses by nature and after excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business explained in notes (1)-(5) above.

 

 

* Includes corporate and other non-regulated entities as well as intersegment eliminations.

Our adjusted gross margin increased by $12 million, or 1%, from $1,117 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $1,129 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

51


 

Our adjusted EBITDA increased by $10 million, or 2%, from $598 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $608 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Details of the period to period comparison are described below at the segment level.

Networks

Adjusted gross margin decreased by $13 million, or 1%, from $893 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $880 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease is primarily driven by the adverse impact of the tax reform on regulated revenue with an offsetting decrease to income tax expense along with an increase in average prices and overall units of electricity and gas procured in the period.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $10 million, or 2%, from $443 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $433 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was due to the same reasons discussed above for adjusted gross margin.

Renewables

Adjusted gross margin increased by $25 million, or 11%, from $224 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $249 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to increased capacity and higher production tax credits offset by unfavorable changes in prices in the period.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by $21 million, or 13%, from $155 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to $176 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was due to the same reasons discussed above for adjusted gross margin.

The following tables provides a reconciliations between Net Income attributable to AVANGRID and Adjusted Net Income (non-GAAP), and EPS attributable to AVANGRID and adjusted EPS (non-GAAP) after excluding restructuring charges , loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Networks

 

$

200

 

 

$

172

 

Renewables

 

 

50

 

 

 

70

 

Corporate (1)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(5

)

Gas Storage

 

 

(1

)

 

 

2

 

   Net Income

 

$

244

 

 

$

239

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charges (2)

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

Mark-to-market adjustments - Renewables (3)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(17

)

Loss from held for sale measurement (4)

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Income tax impact of adjustments

 

 

10

 

 

 

6

 

Gas Storage, net of tax

 

 

(13

)

 

 

(2

)

  Adjusted Net Income (5)

 

$

243

 

 

$

227

 

 

 

52


 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Networks

 

$

0.65

 

 

$

0.56

 

Renewables

 

 

0.16

 

 

 

0.23

 

Corporate (1)

 

 

(0.02

)

 

 

(0.02

)

Gas Storage

 

 

 

 

 

0.01

 

   Net Income

 

 

0.79

 

 

 

0.77

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charges (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mark-to-market adjustments - Renewables (3)

 

 

(0.01

)

 

 

(0.05

)

Loss from held for sale measurement (4)

 

 

0.02

 

 

 

 

Income tax impact of adjustments

 

 

0.03

 

 

 

0.02

 

Gas Storage, net of tax

 

 

(0.04

)

 

 

(0.01

)

  Adjusted Earnings Per Share (5)

 

$

0.78

 

 

$

0.73

 

 

(1)

Includes corporate and other non-regulated entities as well as intersegment eliminations.

 

(2)

Restructuring and severance related charges relate to costs resulted from restructuring actions involving initial targeted voluntary workforce reductions and related costs in our plan to vacate a lease, predominantly within the Networks segment

 

(3)

Mark-to-market adjustments relate to changes in the fair value of derivative instruments used by AVANGRID to economically hedge market price fluctuations in related underlying physical transactions for the purchase and sale of electricity and gas.

 

(4)

Represents loss from measurement of assets and liabilities held for sale in connection with the committed plan to sell the gas trading and storage businesses.

 

(5)

Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures and are presented after excluding restructuring charges, loss from held for sale measurement, the impact from mark-to-market activities in Renewables and Gas storage business.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our operations, capital investment and business development require significant short-term liquidity and long-term capital resources. Historically, we have used cash from operations, and borrowings under our credit facilities and commercial paper program as our primary sources of liquidity. Our long-term capital requirements have been met primarily through retention of earnings and borrowings in the investment grade debt capital markets. Continued access to these sources of liquidity and capital are critical to us. Risks may increase due to circumstances beyond our control, such as a general disruption of the financial markets and adverse economic conditions.

We and our subsidiaries are required to comply with certain covenants in connection with our respective loan agreements. The covenants are standard and customary in financing agreements, and we and our subsidiaries were in compliance with such covenants as of March 31, 2018.

Liquidity Position

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, available liquidity was approximately $909 million and $784 million, respectively.

We manage our overall liquidity position as part of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, or the Iberdrola Group, and are a party to a liquidity agreement with Bank of America, N.A. along with certain members of the Iberdrola Group. The liquidity agreement aids the Iberdrola Group in efficient cash management and reduces the need for external borrowing by the pool participants. Parties to the agreement, including us, may deposit funds with, or borrow from the financial institution, provided that the net balance of funds deposited or borrowed by all pool participants in the aggregate is not less than zero. The balance at March 31, 2018 was zero. Any deposit amounts would be reflected in our consolidated balance sheet under cash and cash equivalents because our deposited surplus funds under the cash pooling agreement are highly-liquid short-term investments. We also have a bi-lateral demand note agreement with a Canadian affiliate of the Iberdrola Group under which we had notes payable balance outstanding of $31 million at March 31, 2018.

We optimize our liquidity within the United States through a series of arms-length intercompany lending arrangements with our subsidiaries and among the regulated utilities to provide for lending of surplus cash to subsidiaries with liquidity needs, subject to the limitation that the regulated utilities may not lend to unregulated affiliates. These arrangements minimize overall short-term funding costs and maximize returns on the temporary cash investments of the subsidiaries. We have the capacity to borrow up to $1.5 billion from the lenders committed to the facility.

53


 

The following table provides the components of our liquidity position as of March 31, 2018 and Decemb er 31, 2017, respectively:

 

 

 

As of    March 31,

 

 

As of     December 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

40

 

 

$

41

 

AVANGRID Credit Facility

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

1,500

 

Less: borrowings

 

 

(631

)

 

 

(757

)

Total

 

$

909

 

 

$

784

 

AVANGRID Commercial Paper Program

On May 13, 2016, AVANGRID established a commercial paper program with a limit of $1 billion that is backstopped by the AVANGRID Credit Facility (described below). As of March 31, 2018 and May 1, 2018, there was $631 million and $677 million of commercial paper outstanding, respectively.

AVANGRID Credit Facility

On April 5, 2016, AVANGRID and its subsidiaries, NYSEG, RG&E, CMP, UI, CNG, SCG and BGC entered into a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks, or the AVANGRID Credit Facility, that provides for maximum borrowings of up to $1.5 billion in the aggregate.  Since the facility is a backstop to the AVANGRID commercial paper program, the amounts available under the facility at March 31, 2018 and May 1, 2018, were $869 million and $823 million, respectively.

Capital Requirements

We expect to fund our capital requirements, including, without limitation, any quarterly shareholder dividends and capital investments primarily from the cash provided by operations of our businesses and through the access to the capital markets in the future. We have a revolving credit facility, as described above, to fund short-term liquidity needs and we believe that we will have access to the capital markets should additional, long-term growth capital be necessary.

We expect to accrue approximately $1.6 billion in capital expenditures through the remainder of 2018.

Cash Flows

Our cash flows depend on many factors, including general economic conditions, regulatory decisions, weather, commodity price movements, and operating expense and capital spending control.

The following is a summary of the cash flows by activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

597

 

 

$

441

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(323

)

 

 

(514

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(275

)

 

 

12

 

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(61

)

 

Operating Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, net cash provided by operating activities was $597 million. During three months ended March 31, 2018, Renewables contributed $127 million of operating cash flow associated with wholesale sales of energy and Networks contributed $318 million of operating cash as the result of regulated transmission and distribution sales of electricity and natural gas. Additionally, $1 million in cash was used associated with corporate operating expenses in support of the operating segments and changes in working capital provided $153 million in cash. The cash from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased by $156 million, primarily attributable to increased operating revenues. The $50 million net change in operating assets and liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was

54


 

p rimarily attributable to a net increase of $ 1 2 1 million in accounts receivable and payable due to impacts from sales and purchases, decrease in inventories and other assets/liabilities of $ 36 million and $9 6 million, respectively, taxes accrued of $ 2 9 mill ion, offset by cash distribution received from equity metho d investment of $3 million and increase of $65 million in regulatory assets/liabilities in the period .

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $441 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, Renewables contributed $121 million of operating cash flow associated with wholesale sales of energy and Networks contributed $286 million of operating cash as the result of regulated transmission and distribution sales of electricity and natural gas. Additionally, $3 million in cash was provided associated with corporate operating expenses in support of the operating segments and changes in working capital provided $31 million in cash. The cash from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased by $45 million, primarily attributable to the increased operating revenues. The $102 million net change in operating assets and liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily attributable to a net decrease of $144 million in accounts receivable and payable due to impacts from sales and purchases, decrease in inventories and other assets of $11 million and $64 million, respectively, offset by $3 million of cash distribution from equity method investments, increase in taxes accrued and regulatory assets/liabilities of $9 million and $45 million, respectively .

Investing Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, net cash used in investing activities was $323 million, which was comprised of $282 million associated with capital expenditures at Networks and $116 million of capital expenditures at Renewables primarily associated with payments in support of the construction projects. This was offset by $7 million of contributions in aid of construction, $2 million of cash distributions from equity method investments and proceeds from sale of assets of $67 primarily related to the sale of assets held for sale .

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash used in investing activities was $514 million, which was comprised of $267 million associated with capital expenditures at Networks and $257 million of capital expenditures at Renewables primarily associated with payments in support of the El Cabo construction project. This was offset by $6 million of contributions in aid of construction and $2 million of cash distributions from equity method investments .

Financing Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, financing activities used $275 million in cash reflecting primarily a net decrease in non-current debt and current notes payable of $126 million, distributions to non-controlling interests of $11 million, payments on capital lease of $8 million and dividends of $134 million.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, financing activities provided $12 million in cash reflecting primarily a net increase in non-current debt and current notes payable of $201 million, payments on the tax equity financing arrangements of $27 million, capital lease of $27 million and dividends of $134 million .

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There have been no material changes in the off-balance sheet arrangements during the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to those reported for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 in our Form 10-K.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes in contractual and contingent obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2018  as compared to those reported for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 in our Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The accompanying financial statements provided herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In preparing the accompanying financial statements, our management has applied accounting policies and made certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, shareholder’s equity, revenues and expenses, and the disclosures thereof. While we believe that these policies and estimates used are appropriate, actual future events can and often do result in outcomes that can be materially different from these estimates. The accounting policies and related risks described in our Form 10-K are those that depend most heavily on these judgments and estimates. As of March 31, 2018, the only notable changes to the significant accounting policies described in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the three years ended December 31, 2017, are with respect to our adoption of the new accounting pronouncements described in the Note 3 of our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

55


 

New Accounting Standards

We review new accounting standards to determine the expected financial impact, if any, that the adoption of each such standard will have. As of March 31, 2018, the new accounting pronouncements that we have adopted as of January 1, 2018, and reflected in our consolidated financial statements are described in Note 3 of our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2018 . There have been no other material changes to the significant accounting policies described in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the three years ended December 31, 2017.

 

56


 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains a number of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “can,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “assumes,” “guides,” “targets,” “forecasts,” “is confident that” and “seeks” or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives and intentions, outlooks or expectations for earnings, revenues, expenses or other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations, or the impact of legal or regulatory matters on business, results of operations or financial condition of the business and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. The foregoing and other factors are discussed and should be reviewed in our Form 10-K and other subsequent filings with the SEC. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include statements relating to:

 

future financial performance, anticipated liquidity and capital expenditures;

 

actions or inactions of local, state or federal regulatory agencies;

 

success in retaining or recruiting, our officers, key employees or directors;

 

changes in levels or timing of capital expenditures;

 

adverse developments in general market, business, economic, labor, regulatory and political conditions;

 

fluctuations in weather patterns;

 

technological developments;

 

the impact of any cyber breaches or other incidents, grid disturbances, acts of war or terrorism or natural disasters; and

 

the impact of any change to applicable laws and regulations affecting operations, including those relating to environmental and climate change, taxes, price controls, regulatory approval and permitting; and

 

other presently unknown unforeseen factors.

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

There have been no material changes in our market risk during the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to those reported for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 in our Form 10-K.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and our Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a- 15(e) and 15d- 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act)), as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on such evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, as a result of the material weakness that exist in our internal control over financial reporting as previously described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Previously Identified Material Weaknesses

As of December 31, 2017, management concluded that certain deficiencies rose to the level of a material weakness in controls related to the measurement and disclosure of income taxes. As a result of the identified material weakness, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Notwithstanding such material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, our management concluded that our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this report fairly present, in all material respects, the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of the dates, and for the periods presented, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

57


 

Remediation Plans and Other Information

Our management, with oversight from the Audit and Compliance Committee of the Board of Directors, is actively engaged in remediation efforts to address the 2017 material weakness. The remediation plans for the 2017 material weakness include the following:

 

-

Further acceleration of the deadline of key activities to allow sufficient time for the execution of consolidated deferred income tax controls that were newly designed during the third and fourth quarter of 2017 that management has determined through testing are more precise;

 

-

Further increase of the capabilities of income tax accounting resources to devote additional time and internal control resources to consolidated income tax accounting and reporting processes and controls; and

 

-

Enhancing the automation of certain income tax processes and controls to allow for the more timely completion and enhanced review of internal controls surrounding consolidated deferred income tax financial information and disclosures.

These improvements are targeted at strengthening the Company's internal control over financial reporting and remediating the material weakness. The Company remains committed to an effective internal control environment and management believes that these actions, and the improvements management expects to achieve as a result, will remediate the material weakness. However, the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting will not be considered remediated until the controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing that these controls operate effectively. We currently expect that the remediation of this material weakness will be completed by December 31, 2018.

Changes in Internal Control

Except for the control deficiencies discussed above that have been assessed as a material weakness as of December 31, 2017, and the remediation as described within “Remediation Plans and Other Information” above, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation pursuant to Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

 

58


 

PART II. OTHE R INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

Please read “Note 8—Contingencies” and “Note 9—Environmental Liabilities” to the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements under Part I, Item 1of this report for a discussion of legal proceedings that we believe could be material to us.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Shareholders and prospective investors should carefully consider the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. There have been no material changes to such risk factors.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.  Other Information

None.

Item 6.  Exhibits

The following documents are included as exhibits to this Form 10-Q:

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

Purchase agreement, dated January 31, 2018, between Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc. and CCI U.S. Asset Holdings LLC. *

 

 

 

10.2

 

Purchase agreement, dated February 16, 2018, between Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc. and Amphora Gas Storage USA, LLC. *

 

 

 

31.1

  

Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

 

 

31.2

  

Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

 

 

32

  

Certification pursuant to 18 United States Code Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

 

 

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance Document.*

 

 

 

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.*

 

 

 

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.*

 

 

 

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.*

 

 

 

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.*

 

 

 

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.*

 

 

 

 

* Filed herewith.

 

59


 

SIGNAT URES

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

 

 

 

Avangrid, Inc.

 

 

 

Date: May 3, 2018

By:

/s/ James P. Torgerson

 

 

James P. Torgerson

 

 

Director and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: May 3, 2018

By:

/s/ Richard J. Nicholas

 

 

Richard J. Nicholas

 

 

Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer

 

 

60

Exhibit 10.1

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and between

AVANGRID RENEWABLES HOLDINGS, INC.

and

CCI U.S. ASSET HOLDINGS LLC

Dated as of January 31, 2018  

 

 

 

 

 

 

US-DOCS\94780731.33


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

 

1

 

 

 

Section 1.1

 

Definitions

 

1

Section 1.2

 

Rules of Construction

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II. PURCHASE AND SALE; CLOSING

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

Section 2.1

 

Purchase and Sale of Interests

 

15

Section 2.2

 

Consideration

 

16

Section 2.3

 

Closing Payment

 

16

Section 2.4

 

Adjustments to Base Purchase Price

 

16

Section 2.5

 

The Closing

 

20

Section 2.6

 

Deliveries by Seller

 

20

Section 2.7

 

Deliveries by Buyer

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES  RELATING TO SELLER

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

Section 3.1

 

Organization of Seller

 

22

Section 3.2

 

Authorization; Enforceability

 

22

Section 3.3

 

No Conflict; Consents

 

22

Section 3.4

 

Ownership of Interests

 

23

Section 3.5

 

Litigation

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE COMPANY

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

Section 4.1

 

Organization of the Company

 

23

Section 4.2

 

No Conflict; Consents

 

24

Section 4.3

 

Capitalization

 

24

Section 4.4

 

Litigation

 

25

Section 4.5

 

Financial Statements

 

26

Section 4.6

 

No Undisclosed Liabilities

 

26

Section 4.7

 

Taxes

 

26

Section 4.8

 

Absence of Certain Changes

 

28

Section 4.9

 

Contracts

 

28

Section 4.10

 

Employee Plans

 

29

Section 4.11

 

Environmental Matters

 

30

Section 4.12

 

Compliance with Laws; Permits

 

31

Section 4.13

 

Insurance

 

31

Section 4.14

 

Labor Relations; Employment Matters

 

32

Section 4.15

 

Properties and Related Matters

 

32

i


 

Section 4.16

 

Intellectual Property

 

33

Section 4.17

 

Title to Properties

 

34

Section 4.18

 

Condition and Sufficiency of Assets

 

34

Section 4.19

 

Bank Accounts

 

34

Section 4.20

 

Officers and Managers

 

35

Section 4.21

 

Affiliated Party Transactions

 

35

Section 4.22

 

Brokers’ Fees

 

35

Section 4.23

 

Gas Inventory

 

35

Section 4.24

 

FERC Compliance

 

35

Section 4.25

 

Bankruptcy

 

36

Section 4.26

 

Trade Data

 

36

Section 4.27

 

Exclusive Representations and Warranties

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO BUYER

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

Section 5.1

 

Organization of Buyer

 

36

Section 5.2

 

Authorization; Enforceability

 

36

Section 5.3

 

No Conflict; Consents

 

37

Section 5.4

 

Litigation

 

37

Section 5.5

 

Brokers’ Fees

 

37

Section 5.6

 

Financial Ability

 

37

Section 5.7

 

Securities Law Compliance

 

37

Section 5.8

 

Buyer’s Independent Investigation

 

38

Section 5.9

 

Exclusive Representations and Warranties

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS

 

38

 

 

 

 

 

Section 6.1

 

Conduct of Business

 

38

Section 6.2

 

Access

 

41

Section 6.3

 

Third Party Approvals

 

42

Section 6.4

 

Employee Matters

 

43

Section 6.5

 

Books and Records

 

43

Section 6.6

 

Use of Names, Trademarks, Etc

 

44

Section 6.7

 

Confidentiality

 

46

Section 6.8

 

Termination of Affiliated Party Contracts

 

46

Section 6.9

 

Intercompany Debt

 

47

Section 6.10

 

Replacement of Support Obligations

 

47

Section 6.11

 

Insurance

 

53

Section 6.12

 

Director and Officer Indemnification

 

53

Section 6.13

 

Settlements

 

54

Section 6.14

 

Financing

 

54

Section 6.15

 

IT Migration

 

55

Section 6.16

 

Bank Accounts

 

56

Section 6.17

 

Notice of Certain Events

 

56

ii


 

Section 6.18

 

Inventory Testing Procedure; Gas Inventory Schedule Update

 

56

Section 6.19

 

Exclusivity

 

56

Section 6.20

 

R&W Insurance Policy

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII. TAX MATTERS

 

57

 

 

 

 

 

Section 7.1

 

Intended Tax Treatment; Purchase Price Allocation

 

57

Section 7.2

 

Responsibility for Filing Tax Returns and Paying Taxes

 

57

Section 7.3

 

Responsibility for Tax Audits and Contests

 

58

Section 7.4

 

Mutual Cooperation

 

59

Section 7.5

 

Tax Refunds

 

60

Section 7.6

 

Transfer Taxes

 

60

Section 7.7

 

Tax Sharing Agreements

 

60

Section 7.8

 

Upstream Distribution

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

Section 8.1

 

Conditions to Obligations of Buyer

 

60

Section 8.2

 

Conditions to the Obligations of Seller

 

61

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX. INDEMNIFICATION

 

62

 

 

 

 

 

Section 9.1

 

Survival

 

62

Section 9.2

 

Indemnification

 

63

Section 9.3

 

Limitations on Liability

 

64

Section 9.4

 

Procedures

 

65

Section 9.5

 

Waiver of Certain Damages

 

67

Section 9.6

 

Waiver of Other Representations

 

67

Section 9.7

 

Exclusive Remedy and Release

 

67

Section 9.8

 

No Duplication of Recovery

 

68

Section 9.9

 

Treatment of Payments

 

68

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE X. TERMINATION

 

68

 

 

 

 

 

Section 10.1

 

Termination

 

68

Section 10.2

 

Effect of Termination

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

Section 11.1

 

Notices

 

70

Section 11.2

 

Assignment

 

71

Section 11.3

 

Rights of Third Parties

 

72

Section 11.4

 

Expenses

 

72

iii


 

Section 11.5

 

Counterparts

 

72

Section 11.6

 

Entire Agreement

 

72

Section 11.7

 

Disclosure Schedule

 

72

Section 11.8

 

Amendments

 

73

Section 11.9

 

Publicity

 

73

Section 11.10

 

Severability

 

73

Section 11.11

 

Governing Law

 

73

Section 11.12

 

Dispute Resolution

 

73

Section 11.13

 

Consent to Jurisdiction

 

74

Section 11.14

 

Specific Performance

 

75

 

iv


 

LIST OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

 

Accounting Principles

Exhibit B

 

Calculation of Derivatives Value

Exhibit C

 

Calculation of Working Gas Value

Exhibit D

 

Form of Transition Services Agreement

Exhibit E  

 

Form of Assignment

Exhibit F-1

 

Form of Buyer Parent Guarantee for benefit of Seller

Exhibit F-2

 

Form of Buyer Parent Guarantee for benefit of Support Obligation Counterparties

Exhibit G

 

Form of Buyer Letter of Credit

 


v


 

LIST OF SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.1(a)

 

CapEx Budget

Schedule 1.1(b)

 

Seller Knowledge Persons

Schedule 1.1(c)

 

Buyer Knowledge Persons

Schedule 1.1(d)

 

OpEx Budget

Schedule 1.1(e)

 

Permitted Liens

Schedule 2.3

 

Wiring Instructions

Schedule 2.6(g)

 

Books and Records

Schedule 3.4

 

Ownership of Interests

Schedule 4.1

 

Organization

Schedule 4.2

 

No Conflict; Consents

Schedule 4.4

 

Litigation

Schedule 4.5

 

Financial Statements

Schedule 4.6

 

No Undisclosed Liabilities

Schedule 4.7

 

Tax Matters

Schedule 4.8

 

Absence of Certain Changes

Schedule 4.9(a)

 

Material Contracts

Schedule 4.9(b)

 

Material Contracts Exceptions

Schedule 4.10

 

Company Plans

Schedule 4.11(a)

 

Environmental Matters

Schedule 4.11(a)(i)

 

Environmental Permits

Schedule 4.12(b)

 

Permits

Schedule 4.13(a)

 

Insurance Policies

Schedule 4.13(b)

 

Insurance Claims

Schedule 4.15(b)

 

Property Use Agreements

Schedule 4.15(e)

 

Real Property Interest Rights

Schedule 4.16

 

Intellectual Property

Schedule 4.17

 

Title to Properties

Schedule 4.18

 

Condition and Sufficiency of Assets

Schedule 4.19

 

Bank Accounts

Schedule 4.20

 

Officers and Managers

Schedule 4.21

 

Affiliated Party Transactions

Schedule 4.23

 

Gas Inventory

Schedule 4.26

 

Trade Data

Schedule 6.1(b)

 

Conduct of Business

Schedule 6.8

 

Certain Affiliate Contracts

Schedule 6.10

 

Support Obligations

Schedule 6.10(j)

 

Specified Outstanding Support Obligations

Schedule 6.10(k)

 

Credit Support Managers

Schedule 6.15(b)

 

IT Migration Deliverables

Schedule 6.20

 

R&W Insurance Policy

 

 

 

vi


 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of January 31, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), is entered into by and between Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Seller ”), and CCI U.S. Asset Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Buyer ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, (i) Seller is the record and beneficial owner of one hundred percent (100%) of the limited liability company interests in Enstor Gas, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Enstor Gas ”) and (ii) Enstor Gas is the record and beneficial owner of one hundred percent (100%) of the limited liability company interests (the “ Interests ”) in Enstor Energy Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”);

WHEREAS, prior to and as a condition precedent to the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Enstor Gas shall transfer and convey all of its right, title and interest in the Interests to Seller (the “ Upstream Distribution ”); and

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, Seller desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, all of the Interests.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Buyer and Seller agree as follows:

Article I.

DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

Section 1.1 Definitions.   As used herein, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

Accountants ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(b)(iii).

Accounting Principles ” means the accounting practices, policies, judgments and methodologies described in Exhibit A or, to the extent not described in Exhibit A , the accounting practices, policies, judgments and methodologies used in the preparation of the Financial Statements; provided , that for purposes of determining Net Working Capital, trade accounts receivable greater than 60 days past due shall be excluded.

Action ” means any claim, audit, examination, demand, investigation, action, suit, arbitration, appeal, petition, plea, charge, complaint, mediation, hearing, inquiry or similar proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority.

Additional Transaction” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(d) .

Additional Transaction Value ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(d)

 


Additional Support Obligations ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.10(i) .

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified Person through one or more intermediaries or otherwise. For the purposes of this definition, “control” means, where used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have correlative meanings.

Affiliated Party Contracts ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.9(a)(v) .

Aggregate Estimated Adjustment Amount ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(c)(i) .

Aggregate Final Adjustment Amount ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(c)(i) .

Agreement ” has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Allocation ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 7.1.

Arbitration Notice ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 11.12(a) .

Assignment ” means a form of assignment in respect of the transfer of the Interests, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit E hereto.

Balance Sheet Date ” means December 31, 2017.

Base Purchase Price ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.2 .

Break-Up Fee ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 10.2(c).

Btu ” means one British Thermal Unit, and shall be the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one (1) pound of water from fifty-eight and five-tenths (58.5) degrees Fahrenheit to fifty-nine and five-tenths (59.5) degrees Fahrenheit.

Business ” means the natural gas trading business and related activities and other business activities conducted by the Company.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of New York and that is not otherwise a day on which banking institutions the State of New York are authorized by applicable Law or other governmental action to close.

Buyer ” has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Buyer Closing Certificate ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 8.2(a)(iii) .

Buyer Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.2(a) .

2


Buyer Letter of Credit ” means a letter of credit made or issued by or on behalf of Buyer or its Affiliates, as applicable, for the benefit of Seller, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G .

Buyer Parent Guarantee ” means (x) with respect to Seller, a guarantee issued on the Closing Date by Castleton Commodities International LLC for the benefit of Seller in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F-1 and (y) with respect to Support Obligation counterparties, a guarantee made or issued by or on behalf of Buyer or its Affiliates for the benefit of such Support Obligation counterparties, an example of which is attached hereto as Exhibit F-2 .

Buyer Requested Amount ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.10(b) .

CapEx Budget ” means the amount of capital expenditures planned as of the date hereof to be made by the Company, as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) for the periods set forth therein.

Cash Amount ” means, as of any given date, the aggregate amount of Cash and Cash Equivalents as of such date, in each case, determined in accordance with GAAP and the Accounting Principles.

Cash and Cash Equivalents ” means the (i) sum of restricted and unrestricted cash, cash deposits, cash equivalents and liquid investments of the Company (but excluding cash margin and deposit accounts set forth on Exhibit A ), plus (ii) all deposited but uncleared bank deposits and cash held by counterparties of the Company minus (iii) all outstanding checks and cash posted by counterparties of the Company.

CERCLA ” means the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., as amended.

Claim Notice ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.4(a)(ii).

Closing ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.5.

Closing Date ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.5.

Closing Payment ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.3 .

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company ” has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

Confidentiality Agreement ” means the confidentiality agreement, dated June 19, 2017, between Iberdrola, S.A. and Castleton Commodities International LLC.

Constituents of Concern ” means any substance defined as a hazardous substance, hazardous waste, hazardous material, waste, contaminant or pollutant or words of similar import by any Environmental Law, any petroleum hydrocarbon or fraction thereof, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, radioactive materials, lead or PCBs, or any other substance to the extent the handling, storage, treatment or disposal of which is regulated under any Environmental Law.

3


Contract ” means any legally binding oral or written agreement, commitment, lease, guaranty, license or contract, but excluding ERISA Plans.

Credit Exposure Excess ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.10(d) .

Credit Support Managers ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.10(k) .

Current Assets ” means the current assets of the Company set forth in the Financial Statement balance sheet asset accounts listed on Exhibit A, determined in accordance with GAAP and the methodology, policies and procedures set forth on Exhibit A .

Current Liabilities ” means the current liabilities of the Company set forth in the Financial Statement balance sheet liability accounts listed on Exhibit A, determined in accordance with GAAP and the methodology, policies and procedures set forth on Exhibit A .

Data Site ” means the electronic data site as of the date of this Agreement provided by Seller via Merrill Corporation and made available to Buyer and its Representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Day One Plan ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.15(a).

Derivative Accounts ” means the accounts maintained by the Company with respect to the Derivative Contracts, which accounts are listed on Exhibit B under the heading “ Derivative Accounts ”.

Derivative Contract ” means (i) any agreement, contract, or arrangement that is a swap, forward, future or option thereon, as such terms are defined under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act (“ CEA ”) and related U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“ CFTC ”) rules, regulations, and interpretive guidance, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter,” or otherwise and (ii) to the extent not included in clause (i) , physically settled commodity contracts.

Derivatives Value ” means the aggregate balance of the Derivative Accounts, which may be positive or negative, as of a given date and time, determined in accordance with the methodologies set forth in Exhibit B .

Direct Claim ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.4(d).

Disclosure Schedule ” means the schedules attached hereto.

Dispute ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 11.12(a).

Dollars ” and “ $ ” mean the lawful currency of the United States.

Effective Date ” has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Employee Plans ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.10(a).

Enstor Gas ” has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

4


Environmental Law ” means all Laws of any Governmental Authority relating to the protection of the environment, pollution, natural resources, wildlife, endangered or threatened species or human health (as it relates to exposure to Constituents of Concern), including CERCLA, the Federal Clean Water Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Solid Waste Disposal Act (which includes the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal Endangered Species Act, as amended as of the date hereof, any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and any state or local counterparts or equivalents.

Environmental Permits ” means all Permits required by Environmental Laws for the conduct of the Business of the Company as such business is conducted as of the date hereof.

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

ERISA Affiliate ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.10(b).

ERISA Plan ” means any (i) nonqualified deferred compensation plan (as described in Section 409A of the Code), (ii) Employee Pension Benefit Plan (as described in Section 3(2) of ERISA), (iii) Employee Welfare Benefit Plan (as described in Section 3(1) of ERISA), (iv) bonus, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock option, severance or termination pay arrangement, or (v) other material employee compensation or benefit plan, program, arrangement, Contract or scheme.

Escrow Agent ” means Citibank, N.A. or such other Person as mutually agreed by Buyer and Seller.

Escrow Agreement ” means the Escrow Agreement effective immediately prior to the Closing, between Seller, Buyer, and the Escrow Agent.  

Estimated Cash Adjustment ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(a)(ii) .

Estimated Cash Amount ” means the estimated Cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date, as determined by Seller for purposes of Section 2.4(a)(ii) .

Estimated Derivatives Adjustment ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(a)(iv) .

Estimated Derivatives Value ” means the estimated Derivatives Value of the Company as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date, as determined by Seller for purposes of Section 2.4(a)(iv) .

Estimated Working Capital ” means the estimated Net Working Capital of the Company as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date, as determined by Seller for purposes of Section 2.4(a)(i) .

Estimated Working Capital Adjustment ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(a)(i) .

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Excluded Representations ” shall mean representations of Seller under Article IV relating to (i) asbestos or Polychlorinated Biphenyls, (ii) the monetary amount by which any unfunded or underfunded defined benefit pension, retiree medical or multiemployer plan is unfunded or underfunded, and (iii) environmental matters, in each case, solely to the extent such matters are excluded from coverage under the R&W Insurance Policy and set forth in Section III.B. of such R&W Insurance Policy.

Estimated Working Gas Adjustment ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(a)(iii) .

Estimated Working Gas Value ” means the estimated Working Gas Value of the Company as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date, as determined by Seller for purposes of Section 2.4(a)(iii) .

FERC ” means the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Final Allocation ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 7.1 .

Final Cash Amount ” means the Cash Amount of the Company as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date.

Final Closing Date Calculations ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(b)(i) .

Final Derivatives Value ” means the Derivatives Value of the Company as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date, whether or not such transactions were included in the Trade Data Extract delivered at the Closing.

Final Working Capital ” means the Net Working Capital of the Company as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date.

Final Working Gas Value ” means the Working Gas Value of the Company as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date.

Financial Statements ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.5 .

Fundamental Representations ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.1(a) .

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States, consistently applied.

Governmental Authority ” means any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local or similar governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency, court or arbitral body.

Group Tax Return ” means any Tax Return that includes Seller (or any of its Affiliates other than the Company) and the activities or operations of the Company, including, but not limited to, the Tax Return for the federal consolidated group of which Avangrid, Inc. is the common parent, and any Tax Return filed on a consolidated or combined basis for state or local Tax purposes which includes Seller (or any of its Affiliates other than the Company) and the activities or operations of the Company.

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Income Taxes ” means any Tax based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to (i) net income or profits (including, but not limited to, any capital gains, excess profits, minimum Tax and any Tax on items of tax preference, but not including sales, use, real property gains, real or personal property, gross or net receipts, transfer or similar Taxes) or (ii) multiple bases (including, but not limited to, corporate franchise, doing business or occupation Taxes) if one or more of the bases upon which such Tax may be based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to, is described in clause (i) above.

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to the Company, all (i) indebtedness for money borrowed from any Person, purchase money obligations, capitalized lease obligations, obligations to pay deferred purchase price of assets, services or securities and reimbursement obligations for letters of credit or similar instruments that have been drawn, in each case of the Company ( provided that the foregoing shall not include trade accounts payable and other accrued current liabilities, in each case, arising in the ordinary course), (ii) indebtedness of the type described in clause (i) above guaranteed, directly or indirectly, in any manner by such Person or for which the Company may be liable, (iii) interest expense accrued but unpaid on or relating to any of such indebtedness, (iv) prepayment penalties, premiums, late charges, penalties and collection fees relating to any of such indebtedness, and (v) obligations for the deferred purchase price of property or services, conditional sale obligations and obligations under any title retention agreement (including “earn-outs” and similar arrangements but excluding trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and obligations under Derivative Contracts).

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.4(a) .

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.4(a)(i).

Insurance Policies ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.13 .

“Intellectual Property” shall mean all intellectual property rights of every kind, including all:  (i) patents, patent applications, patent disclosures and inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice); (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names, logos and corporate names (in each case, whether registered or unregistered) and registrations and applications for registration thereof; (iii) copyrights (registered or unregistered), and registrations and applications for registration thereof, including trading procedure materials, business operational materials, and other process flow instructional materials, whether electronic or hard copy; (iv) computer software, data, databases and documentation thereof; (v) trade secrets and other confidential or proprietary information (including, without limitation, ideas, know-how, scheduling and trading processes and techniques, development information, drawings, specifications, designs, plans, proposals, technical data, works (whether or not copyrightable), customer and supplier lists and information, pricing and cost information, and business and marketing plans and proposals); (vi) URLs and domain name registrations; (vii) works of authorship including, without limitation, computer programs, source code and executable code, whether embodied in software, firmware or otherwise, documentation, designs, files, records, data and mask works and any rights in semiconductor masks, layouts, architectures or topography; and (viii) goodwill associated with any of the foregoing.

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Interests ” has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

Inventory Certificate ” means, as of a given date and time, with respect to all natural gas inventory described in Section 4.23(i) , either (a) a written acknowledgement from the counterparty holding natural gas for the account of the Company stating the total MMBtus of natural gas held in inventory for the account of the Company at such counterparty’s storage facilities or (b) a copy of the electronic bulletin board from the relevant storage operator indicating the total MMBtus of natural gas held in inventory for the account of the Company by such storage operator.

IRS ” means Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

IT Migration Deliverables ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.15(b) .

JAMS ” means Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc.

Knowledge ” means with respect to (i) Seller, the actual knowledge, after reasonable due inquiry, of the individuals set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) and (ii) Buyer, the actual knowledge, after reasonable due inquiry, of the individuals set forth on Schedule 1.1(c) .

Law ” means any applicable statute, law, code, rule, regulation, ordinance, Order, or determination of a Governmental Authority, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

Liens ” means any liens, charges, pledges, options, rights of first refusal, revisionary rights, mortgages, deeds of trust, security interests, leases, licenses, restrictions (whether on voting, sale, transfer, disposition or otherwise), easements, encroachments, hypothecations and other encumbrances or limitations of every type and description (including limitations on fee simple title to any interest in real property), whether imposed by law, agreement, understanding or otherwise.

Losses ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.2(a).

Material Adverse Effect ” means any circumstance, change, event, effect or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, (x) has had or would reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on the business, operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of the Company, but shall exclude any circumstance, change, event, effect or occurrence to the extent resulting or arising from:

(a) any change in general economic conditions in the United States natural gas trading industry or any of the markets in which the Company operates;

(b) any adverse change, event or effect on the global, national or any regional energy industry as a whole, including those globally, nationally or regionally impacting oil, gas or energy prices or the value of oil and gas assets;

(c) any engagement in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any military or terrorist attack;

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(d) changes in Law, changes in GAAP, or changes in the interpretation of any such Law or GAAP;

(e) the entry into or announcement of this Agreement, actions contemplated by this Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, vendors, lenders or employees;

(f) earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters, in each case involving any jurisdiction in which the Company operates;

(g) any action taken by Seller or the Company at the written request, or with the express written consent of, Buyer;

(h) the loss of any Site Employee; or

(i) changes or developments in U.S. or global financial or securities markets or the world or national economy in general;

other than, with respect to each of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (ix), any such circumstance, change, event, effect or occurrence that disproportionately affects the Company, relative to other natural gas trading companies in the regions in which the Company operates; or (y) prevents, materially delays or materially impairs the ability of Seller to perform its material obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

Material Contracts ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.9(a) .

MMBtu ” means one million (1,000,000) Btu.

Net Additional Transaction Payments ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(d)

Net Working Capital ” means, as of any given date, an amount (which may be positive or negative) equal to (i) Current Assets as of such date minus (ii) Current Liabilities as of such date; provided, however , that in no event shall the calculation of Net Working Capital include any amounts or items included in the calculation of Cash Amount, Working Gas Value, Derivatives Value; provided , further , that, for purposes of calculating Net Working Capital, none of the following shall be included in either Current Assets or Current Liabilities: (i) assets or liabilities of the Company relating to Taxes (including any deferred Tax assets or liabilities); (ii) any assets or liabilities of the Company relating to intercompany accounts (other than intercompany accounts in respect of commodities transactions); and (iii) deferred premiums on financial Spread Options.

Objection Notice ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(b)(ii).

OpEx Budget ” means the amount of expenditures planned as of the date hereof to be made by the Company during the first calendar quarter of 2018, as set forth on Schedule 1.1(d) .

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Order ” means any order, judgment, injunction, ruling, decree, sentence, subpoena, writ or award issued, made, entered or rendered by any court, administrative agency or other Governmental Authority or by any arbitrator.

Organizational Documents ” means any charter, certificate of incorporation, articles of association, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, bylaws, operating agreement or similar formation or governing documents and instruments.

Outside Date ” has the meaning provided to such term in Section 10.1(e) .

Outstanding Affiliated Party Contracts ” has the meaning provided to such term in Section 6.8 .

Outstanding Support Obligations ” has the meaning provided to such term in Section 6.10(b) .

PAL Inventory Certificate ” means, as of a given date and time, a written acknowledgement from the Seller stating the total MMBtus of natural gas held in inventory for the account of the Company with respect to all natural gas inventory described in Section 4.23(ii) .

Park and Loan Contracts ” means those Contracts described in clause (ii) of Schedule 4.23 .

Parties ” means Seller and Buyer.

Pension Plan ” means the Iberdrola Renewables Retirement Plan.

Permits ” means authorizations, licenses, permits, certificates or approvals of Governmental Authorities; provided , however , that rights-of-way, easements and similar agreements governing real property rights are not included in the definition of Permits.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(a) Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves under GAAP have been established in the Financial Statements;

(b) statutory Liens (including materialmen’s, warehousemen’s, mechanic’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s, and other similar Liens) arising in the ordinary course of business securing payments being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or not yet delinquent and for which adequate reserves under GAAP have been established in the Financial Statements;

(c) purchase money Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and by virtue of purchases made on open account and without any writing evidencing a grant of a Lien;

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(d) restrictive covenants, easements and defects, imperfections or irregularities of title or Liens, if any, that do not, individually or in the aggregate, interfere materially with, or adversely affect in any material respect, the ownership or operation of the applicable property;

(e) preferential purchase rights and other similar arrangements, if any, specifically identified in Schedule 4.2 and with respect to which consents or waivers are obtained for this transaction;

(f) Liens created by Buyer, or its successors and assigns;

(g) all easements, surface rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, licenses, leases, other similar rights to use real property, zoning, planning and other similar conditions and restrictions and all rights of Governmental Authorities to regulate properties, in each case, affecting or pertaining to, but not included in, the assets and properties of the Company that do not, individually or in the aggregate, interfere materially with, or adversely affect in any material respect, the ownership or operation of the applicable property or the Company’s business;

(h) Liens created by the express terms of any Material Contract; and

(i) Liens (if any) set forth on Schedule 1.1(e) .

Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, Governmental Authority (or any department or agency thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Pre-Closing Tax Period ” means any Tax period ending on or before the Closing Date.

Property Taxes ” means all real property Taxes, personal property Taxes and similar ad valorem Taxes.

Property Use Agreements ” means all of the Company’s material agreements (including documents conveying or creating and granting real property interests to the Company), with respect to ownership interests in, and rights to use, real property (including surface, sub-surface and mineral rights) relating to the operation of the Business as currently conducted.

Proposal ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.19.

Purchase Price ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.2 .

Real Property Interests ” means the Company’s rights in the Property Use Agreements.

Registered Intellectual Property ” has meaning provided such term in Section 4.16(a) .

Release ” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, discharging, injecting, escaping, migrating, leaching, placing, discarding, dumping or disposing into the environment.

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Representatives ” means a Person’s directors, officers, members, managers, employees, agents or advisors (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, and financial advisors).

Restricted Information ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.7(b) .

R&W Insurance Policy ” means that certain “representations and warranties” (or similar) insurance policy obtained by the Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and issued as of the Closing Date by the R&W Insurance Provider.  Buyer will cause the R&W Insurance Policy to include customary and standard “no subrogation” language that waives the insurance carrier’s rights of subrogation against the Seller except in the case of fraud claims.

R&W Insurance Provider ” means Euclid Transactional.

Retained Names ” means the names, trademarks, trade names, domain names and service marks containing or including “Enstor,” “Iberdrola,” “Iberdrola Renewables,” “Avangrid,” “Avangrid Renewables,” and any corporate symbols and logos related thereto, all other names, trademarks, trade names, domain names, service marks and other marks of Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Company), whether or not registered or pending, and all derivatives thereof, names and marks confusingly similar thereto and all corporate symbols and logos related thereto.  

Schedule Update ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 11.7 .

Seller ” has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Seller Closing Certificate ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 8.1(a)(iii) .

Seller Financial Advisors ” means BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

Seller Group ” means the affiliated group of entities filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return of which Seller and the Company are members (with Avangrid, Inc. being the common parent of the Seller Group).

Seller Guaranties ” means the guaranties made or issued by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Company) for the benefit of the Company listed on Schedule 6.10 under the heading “ Guaranties ”, including for the avoidance of doubt, guarantees made or issued in connection with Material Contracts.

Seller Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.2(b) .

Seller LCs ” means the letters of credit made or issued by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Company) for the benefit of the Company listed on Schedule 6.10 under the heading “ Letters of Credit ”.

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Seller Surety Bonds ” means the surety bonds made or issued by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Company) for the benefit of the Company listed on Schedule 6.10 under the heading “ Surety Bonds ”.

Site Employees ” means employees who are employed by the Company prior to the Closing.

Specified Outstanding Support Obligations ” means, as of any date of determination, (i) all Support Obligations as of such date with respect to which there is any obligation or liability as the result of a trade or transaction under a Material Contract and (ii) any other Support Obligations designated as Specified Outstanding Support Obligations in Schedule 6.10(j) ; provided, that, following the Closing Date, Specified Outstanding Support Obligations shall exclude any Outstanding Support Obligations that Buyer notifies Seller in writing (or the Buyer Credit Support Manager notifies the Seller Credit Support Manager in writing) are no longer Specified Outstanding Support Obligations.

Spread Options ” means any spread options, including transactions of the type identified on Exhibit B and identified by a “  *  ”.

Straddle Period ” means any Tax period that commences on or before the Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date.  For the avoidance of doubt, the margin measurement period shall be the Tax period for Texas franchise tax, and not the privilege period.

Support Obligations ” means any and all obligations or liabilities relating to the guaranties, letters of credit, bonds and other credit assurances of a comparable nature made or issued by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Company) for the benefit of the Company, in each case, as listed or described on Schedule 6.10 , including the Seller Guaranties, the Seller LCs and the Seller Surety Bonds.

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any and all federal, state, local, or foreign taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies, imposts or other similar charges, in each case, imposed by a Governmental Authority, including all income, franchise, profits, margins, capital gains, capital stock, transfer, gross receipts, sales or other business activity, use, service, occupation, ad valorem, real or personal property, recordation, bulk transfer, excise, severance, windfall profits, customs, premium, stamp, license, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, disability, environmental, alternative minimum, add-on, value-added, withholding and other taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies, imposts or other similar charges of any kind (whether payable directly or by withholding and whether or not requiring the filing of a Tax Return), and all estimated taxes, deficiency assessments, additions to tax, penalties and interest with respect to taxes and shall include any liability for such amounts as (i) a transferee or successor or (ii) a result either of being a member of a combined, consolidated, unitary or affiliated group or of a contractual obligation to indemnify any person or other entity.

Tax Returns ” means any report, return, election, document, estimated tax filing, declaration, disclosure, claim for refund, information returns, or other filing provided to any Governmental Authority reporting or relating to Taxes, including any schedules or attachments thereto and any amendment thereof.

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Tax Sharing Agreement ” means any Tax indemnity agreement, Tax sharing agreement or Tax allocation agreement which obligates any Person to indemnify another party to any such agreement for Tax obligations, other than (i) credit agreements, other debt documents and other commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business not primarily about Taxes and (ii) provisions of employment agreements, compensating employees for any increase in taxation of such employee’s income resulting from the performance of work outside of such employee’s country of residence.

Third Party Claim ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.4(a) .

Trade Data ” means, as of a given date and time, the following data (to the extent such data is applicable to the relevant Contract and is populated in the applicable system application in the ordinary course of business): (i) quantity as entered, (ii) price unit, (iii) per period, (iv) deal first delivery, (v) deal last delivery, (vi) trade price, (vii) currency, (viii) commodity, (ix) aggregate location, (x) buy / sell, (xi) counterparty, (xii) instrument, (xiii) instrument breakdown, (xiv) traded location, (xv) trade date FR, (xvi) ZKey, (xvii) delivery days, (xviii) delivery schedule, (xix) fixing method, (xx) input date, (xxi) broker name, (xxii) premium, (xxiii) premium pay type, (xxiv) exercise frequency, (xxv) put / call, (xxvi) strike, (xxvii) strategy, (xxviii) trader, (xxix) calendar, (xxx) broker commission, (xxxi) MktSide1, (xxxii) CompSide1, (xxxiii) MktSide2, (xxxiv) CompSide2, (xxxv) MultSide2, (xxxvi) Memo1, (xxxvii) Memo2, (xxxviii) execution venue, (xxxix) block trade ind., (xl) historic swap, (xli) exchange code, (xlii) exchange description, (xliii) confirmation date, (xliv) confirmation time, (xlv) priority, (xlvi) time zone, (xlvii) market description, (xlviii) Contract, (xlix) Contract Attr1, (l) Contract Begin and (li) Contract End.

Trade Data Extract ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.15(c).

Trading Cut-Off Date” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.10(c) .

Transfer Taxes ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 7.6 .

Transition Services Agreement ” means the Transition Services Agreement between Seller and Buyer, to be entered into on or prior to the Closing Date, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit D hereto.

Treasury Regulations ” means the final and temporary regulations under the Code, as promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

United States ” means United States of America.

Upstream Distribution ” has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

Upstream Distribution Taxes ” means any Taxes arising from the Upstream Distribution.

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Working Gas Inventory ” means, as of a given date and time, the total MMBtus of natural gas held for the account of the Company as described in Section 4.23 (excluding natural gas held by the Company pursuant to Park and Loan Contracts).

Working Gas Value ” has the meaning provided such term in Exhibit C .

Section 1.2 Rules of Construction.

(a) All article, section, schedule and exhibit re ferences used in this Agreement are to articles and sections of, and schedules and exhibits to, this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement constitute a part of this Agreement and are incorporated herein for all purposes.

(b) If a term is defined as one part of speech (such as a noun), it shall have a corresponding meaning when used as another part of speech (such as a verb). Terms defined in the singular have the corresponding meanings in the plural, and vice versa. Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise, words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neutral genders and vice versa. The word “or” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive. The words “includes” or “including” shall mean “including without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or article in which such words appear.

(c) Each Party acknowledges that such Party and its attorney have reviewed this Agreement and that any rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting Party, or any similar rule operating against the drafter of an agreement, shall not be applicable to the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

(d) The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

(e) All references to currency herein shall be to, and all payments required hereunder shall be paid in, Dollars.

(f) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to them under GAAP.

Article II.

PURCHASE AND SALE; CLOSING

Section 2.1 Purchase and Sale of Interests .  At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller shall sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Buyer, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable securities Laws), and Buyer shall purchase and acquire from Seller, all of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the Interests.

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Section 2.2 Consideration . In consideration for the purchase of the Interests contemplated by Section 2.1 , Buyer agrees to pay to Seller an amount equal to $64,500,444 (the “ Base Purchase Price ”), as adjusted:

(a) on the Closing Date as described in Section 2.4(a) ; and

(b) following the Closing as described in Section 2.4(b) and Section 2.4(c) .

The Base Purchase Price, as so adjusted under clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 2.2 is referred to herein as the “ Purchase Price .”

Section 2.3 Closing Payment .  Immediately prior to the Closing, Buyer shall deliver to the Escrow Agent, in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds into the account designated in the Escrow Agreement, a total amount (such amount, in the aggregate, the “ Closing Payment ”) equal to the Base Purchase Price, as adjusted by (i) the Estimated Working Capital Adjustment, (ii) the Estimated Cash Adjustment, (iii) the Estimated Working Gas Adjustment, and (iv) the Estimated Derivatives Adjustment, in each case, as provided in Section 2.4(a) to be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement and this Agreement. If the transactions contemplated herein are consummated in accordance with the terms hereof, the Closing Payment shall be disbursed to Seller pursuant to joint written instructions executed by Seller and Buyer and delivered to the Escrow Agent at Closing.  If this Agreement is terminated by Buyer or Seller in accordance with Section 10.1 , the Closing Payment shall be disbursed to Buyer pursuant to joint written instructions executed by Seller and Buyer .   

Section 2.4 Adjustments to Base Purchase Price.

(a) Estimated Working Capital, Estimated Cash Amount, Estimated Working Gas Value, and Estimated Derivatives Value . At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall prepare and deliver to Buyer a worksheet setting forth, in reasonable detail, Seller’s good faith written calculations of the Estimated Working Capital Adjustment (including Estimated Working Capital), the Estimated Cash Adjustment (including Estimated Cash Amount), the Estimated Working Gas Adjustment (including Estimated Working Gas Value), and the Estimated Derivatives Adjustment (including Estimated Derivatives Value), in each case, including reasonably detailed back-up calculations, related financial statements, and supporting documentation (including, Inventory Certificates setting forth all natural gas inventory described in Section 4.23(i) as of the close of business on a date not more than three (3) Business Day prior to the Closing Date and PAL Inventory Certificates setting forth all natural gas inventory described in Section 4.23(ii) as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Effective Date).  At the Closing, the Base Purchase Price shall be adjusted as follows:

(i) If the Estimated Working Capital is less than $55,308,271 then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such deficiency. If the Estimated Working Capital is greater than $55,308,271 then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be increased dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such excess. Such decrease or increase, if any, in the Base Purchase Price is referred to herein as the “ Estimated Working Capital Adjustment .”

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(ii) If the Estimated Cash Amount is greater than zero, then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be increased dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such excess. Such increase, if any, in the Base Purchase Price is referred to herein as the “ Estimated Cash Adjustment .”

(iii) If the Estimated Working Gas Value is less than $20,097,539, then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such deficiency. If the Estimated Working Gas Value is greater than $20,097,539, then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be increased dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such excess. Such decrease or increase, if any, in the Base Purchase Price is referred to herein as the “ Estimated Working Gas Adjustment .”

(iv) If the Estimated Derivatives Value is less than $10,218,977, then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such deficiency. If the Estimated Derivatives Value is greater than $10,218,977, then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be increased dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such excess. Such decrease or increase, if any, in the Base Purchase Price is referred to herein as the “ Estimated Derivatives Adjustment .”

(b) Calculation of Final Working Capital, Final Cash Amount, Final Working Gas Value, and Final Derivatives Value .

(i) Within one-hundred twenty (120) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Seller a worksheet setting forth, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Final Working Capital, the Final Cash Amount, the Final Working Gas Value, and the Final Derivatives Value, in each case, as of the Closing Date, including reasonably detailed back-up calculations and financial statements (such calculations, collectively, the “ Final Closing Date Calculations ”).

(ii) Seller shall have the right to review and dispute the Final Closing Date Calculations. Buyer shall provide Seller and its Representatives reasonable access to the records and employees of the Company and shall cooperate and cause the Company to cooperate in all reasonable respects with Seller in connection with its review of the Final Closing Date Calculations and its review of such work papers and other documents and information relating to the Final Closing Date Calculations as Seller shall reasonably request and that are available to Buyer and the Company or their independent public accountants.  If within sixty (60) days after Seller’s receipt of the Final Closing Date Calculations, Seller shall not have given written notice to Buyer of objection thereto (or any portion thereof), then Seller shall be deemed to have accepted the Final Closing Date Calculations (or such portion thereof for which an objection was not given), which shall then be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes hereunder. In the event that Seller gives written notice of any objection to the Final Closing Date Calculations (or any portion thereof) (an “ Objection Notice ”) within such sixty (60)-day period, then Buyer and Seller will use all commercially reasonable efforts to resolve the disputed matter(s) within the thirty (30)-day period following the delivery of such Objection Notice, and any resolution by them agreed to in writing as to any disputed amounts shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Parties.

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(iii) If, at the end of the thirty (30)-day resolution period, the Parties are unable to resolve any disagreement between them with respect to the preparation of the Final Closing Date Calculations (or portion thereof), then each Party shall deliver simultaneously to PricewaterhouseCoopers (or if such firm is unwilling or unable to serve, another nationally recognized accounting firm mutually agreed on by the Parties) (such accounting firm, the “ Accountants ”) the Objection Notice and such work papers and other reports and information relating to the remaining disputed matter(s) as the Accountants may request and shall be afforded the opportunity to discuss the disputed matter(s) with the Accountants. The Accountants shall have forty-five (45) days to carry out a review and prepare a written statement of its determination regarding the disputed matter(s) (including a statement regarding the Accountants’ determination of the prevailing Party in any such disputed matter). The determination of the Accountants will be, for all purposes, conclusive, non-appealable, final and binding upon Seller and Buyer. Such decision will be subject to specific performance pursuant to Section 11.14 , and judgment may be entered thereon as an arbitration award pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16, in any court of competent jurisdiction. Any fees and expenses of the Accountants incurred in resolving the disputed matter(s) shall be borne by Seller, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, in the same proportion that the dollar amount of disputed matters lost by Seller, on the one hand, or Buyer, on the other hand, bears to the total dollar amount in dispute resolved by the Accountants. Each Party will bear its own fees, costs and expenses in connection with matters contemplated by this Section 2.4(b) .

(c) Aggregate Final Adjustment Amount . Upon determination of the Final Working Capital, the Final Cash Amount, the Final Working Gas Value, and the Final Derivatives Value in accordance with Section 2.4(b) :

(i) if (x) the amount (the “ Aggregate Final Adjustment Amount ”) equal to (A) the Final Working Capital plus (B) the Final Cash Amount plus (C) the Final Working Gas Value plus (D) the Final Derivatives Value is less than (y) the amount (the “ Aggregate Estimated Adjustment Amount ”) equal to (A) the Estimated Working Capital plus (B) the Estimated Cash Amount, plus (C) the Estimated Working Gas Value plus (D) the Estimated Derivatives Value, then Seller shall promptly pay to Buyer the difference on a dollar-for-dollar basis to such account(s) as directed by Buyer, by wire transfer of immediately available funds; or

(ii) if the Aggregate Final Adjustment Amount is greater than the Aggregate Estimated Adjustment Amount, then Buyer shall promptly pay the amount of the excess to Seller on a dollar-for-dollar basis to the account set forth in Schedule 2.3 , by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

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(d) Additional Transaction Adjustment . In addition to the adjustments set forth in Section 2.4(b) and Section 2.4(c) , in the event that Buyer identifies, during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending one hundred twenty (120) days after the Closing Date, (A) any Contract that (x) was in effect immediately prior to Closing but that was not disclosed to Buyer in the Disclosure Schedule or the Schedule Update as of the Closing Date and (y) would have been required to be disclosed in Schedule 4.9 or (B) solely to the extent that such inaccuracy has an impact (whether positive or negative) on the Derivatives Value of $25,000 or greater, any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.26 as of the Closing Date (each, an “ Additional Transaction ”):

(i) Buyer shall deliver written notice to Seller of the existence and, to the extent known to Buyer or its Affiliates at such time, the counterparty, nature and material terms of such Additional Transaction, which notice shall be delivered within two (2) Business Day after Buyer becoming aware of the existence of such Additional Transaction;

(ii) Buyer and Seller shall cooperate in good faith for a period of five (5) Business Days following the delivery of the notice described in Section 2.4(d)(i) to mutually agree on (A) the value of such Additional Transaction as of the date that the Buyer became aware of the existence of such Additional Transaction (the “ Additional Transaction Value ”), which Additional Transaction Value may be positive or negative and shall be determined using a methodology consistent with that used by Buyer to determine the value of similar contracts and transactions for purposes of formulating the Base Purchase Price and the Final Derivatives Value, as applicable, and (B) the Losses or gains realized by Buyer and its Affiliates in respect of such Additional Transaction during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that the Additional Transaction Value is determined in accordance with this Section 2.4(d) less any payments or other consideration received by Buyer and its Affiliates in respect of such Additional Transaction during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that the Additional Transaction Value is determined in accordance with this Section 2.4(d) (the aggregate amount of such Losses, payments and other consideration, which may be positive or negative, the “ Net Additional Transaction Payments ”); provided , that if Buyer and Seller are unable to mutually agree on the Additional Transaction Value or the Net Additional Transaction Payments within five (5) Business Days following the delivery of the notice described in Section 2.4(d)(i) , then each Party shall deliver simultaneously to the Accountants written notice of each Party’s proposed Additional Transaction Value and Net Additional Transaction Payments, as applicable, and the Accountants shall determine such Additional Transaction Value and Net Additional Transaction Payments in accordance with Section 2.4(b)(iii) , which shall apply to this Section 2.4(d) mutatis mutandis ; and

(iii) within five (5) Business Days following final determination of both Additional Transaction Value and Net Additional Transaction Payments pursuant to this Section 2.4(d) , (A) if the sum of the Additional Transaction Value and the Net Additional Transaction Payments is greater than zero, then Buyer shall promptly pay such amount in cash to Seller to the account set forth in Schedule 2.3 by wire transfer of immediately available funds or (B) if the sum of the Additional Transaction Value and the Net

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Additional Transaction Payments is less than zero, then Seller shall promptly pay the absolute value of such amount in cash to Buyer, as directed by Buyer in writing, by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

Buyer’s right to receive a payment, if applicable, under this Section 2.4(d) shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Buyer and its Affiliates against Seller and its Affiliates for any losses, liabilities, damages, obligations, payments, costs and expenses suffered as a result of any Additional Transaction; provided, that nothing in this Section 2.4(d) shall prevent or otherwise limit Buyer from (a) seeking injunctive or equitable relief for claims of breach or failure to perform covenants under this Section 2.4(d) by Seller or (b) pursuing, and recovering in respect of, any claim based on fraud by Seller.

(e) Withholding Taxes . Buyer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payment to any Person under this Agreement such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment or any other Tax withholding obligation with respect to this Agreement under the Code or any provision of applicable Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld or deducted and timely paid to the relevant Governmental Authority by Buyer, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to such Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. Buyer shall advise Seller of any such deduction and withholding Buyer expects to make and reasonably cooperate with Seller to mitigate any such deduction and withholding to the extent permissible under applicable Law.

Section 2.5 The Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at the offices of Latham & Watkins LLP, 885 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, on (a) the first Business Day of the month immediately following the month in which all conditions to the obligations of the Parties set forth in Article VIII have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to occur on the Closing Date); provided , that the Closing Date shall not occur prior to March 1, 2018, or (b) such other date as Buyer and Seller may mutually determine (the date on which the Closing occurs is referred to herein as the “ Closing Date ”). The Closing shall be effective for all purposes as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date.

Section 2.6 Deliveries by Seller.   At the Closing, Seller shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Buyer the following:

(a) the Assignment, duly executed by Seller, and a certificate or certificates representing the Interests, duly and validly endorsed in favor of Buyer or accompanied by a separate stock power duly and validly executed by Seller or otherwise sufficient to vest in Buyer good title to the Interests, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable securities Laws);

(b) the Seller Closing Certificate;

(c) a certificate as to the good standing (or existence) of the Company, certified dated as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or equivalent) of such entity’s jurisdiction of organization;

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(d) the Transition Services Agreement, duly executed by Seller;

(e) a certificate in the form prescribed by Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(b)(2) certifying that Seller is not a “foreign person” for purposes of Section 1445 of the Code;

(f) written resignations of the directors and officers (or persons holding similar offices) of the Company, in each case effective at or prior to the Closing;

(g) copies (unless otherwise indicated) of the books, records, original minute books and other materials (in any form) in the possession of Seller or any of its Affiliates relating to the Company, including copies of (x) the documents described on Schedule 2.6(g) for the time periods set forth therein and (y) financial and accounting records, intellectual property records, service and warranty records, equipment logs, employee records, litigation files and any additional similar documents;

(h) the joint written instruction to the Escrow Agent for release of the Closing Payment, duly executed by Seller; and

(i) such other agreements, documents, instruments and writings as are expressly required to be delivered by Seller on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement.

Section 2.7 Deliveries by Buyer.   At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Seller the following:

(a) the Closing Payment, in accordance with the terms of Section 2.3 ;

(b) the Assignment, duly executed by Buyer;

(c) the Buyer Closing Certificate;

(d) the Transition Services Agreement, duly executed by Buyer;

(e) an updated Schedule 6.10(j) setting forth the Specified Outstanding Support Obligations as of the Closing Date;

(f) the Buyer Parent Guarantee and, in the event that any Seller LC remains outstanding on the Closing Date, the Buyer Letter of Credit, in each case, in accordance with the terms of Section 6.10(c) ;

(g) the joint written instruction to the Escrow Agent for release of the Closing Payment, duly executed by Buyer, and

(h) such other agreements, documents, instruments and writings as are expressly required to be delivered by Buyer on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement.

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Article III.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

RELATING TO SELLER

Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date unless otherwise specified in the applicable representation and warranty, as follows:

Section 3.1 Organization of Seller .  Seller is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite corporate authority to carry on its business as now being conducted and to own and use the properties and assets owned and used by it.

Section 3.2 Authorization; Enforceability .  Seller has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or other entity action on the part of Seller and no other action on the part of Seller is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement or the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement and, as of the Closing Date, the Transition Services Agreement have been duly and validly executed and delivered by Seller and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement by Buyer, constitute valid and binding obligations of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

Section 3.3 No Conflict; Consents .  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement by Seller, the compliance by Seller with any of the provisions hereof or thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and shall not:

(a) violate any Law applicable to Seller or require any filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to, any Governmental Authority;

(b) violate or conflict with any Organizational Document of Seller;

(c) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, violate, breach or conflict with, or require any consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to, any Person under, any Contract or Permit to which Seller is a party or by which Seller or its properties or assets are bound, constitute a default or give any third party any additional right (including a termination right) under, permit cancellation of, result in the termination of or any forfeiture or loss of a material right, or result in or constitute a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing, under any Contract or Permit to which Seller is a party or by which Seller or its properties or assets are bound or the acceleration of performance of Seller’s obligations thereunder;

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(d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the Interests; or

(e) breach or conflict with any Order binding on Seller or its assets.

Section 3.4 Ownership of Interests .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4 :

(a) Seller holds of record and owns beneficially all of the Interests in the Company, free and clear of any Liens (other than restrictions under federal and state securities Laws) ;

(b) Seller is not a party to any option, warrant, purchase right, or other Contract (other than this Agreement) that could require Seller to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the Interests ; and

(c) Seller is not a party to any voting trust, proxy, or other agreement or understanding with respect to the voting of the Interests.

Section 3.5 Litigation.

(a) There are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened in writing against Seller that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.

(b) There are no Orders binding upon Seller that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein.

Article IV.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
RELATING TO THE COMPANY

Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date unless otherwise specified in the applicable representation and warranty, as follows:

Section 4.1 Organization of the Company .

(a) The Company is a limited liability company and is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to own or lease and operate its properties and assets and to conduct its portion of the Business as it is now being conducted. The Company is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the ownership or operation of its assets or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All such jurisdictions in which the Company is organized and qualified to do business are listed in Schedule 4.1 .

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(b) Seller has made available to Buyer in the Data Site true and complete copies of all existing Organizational Documents, as amended to date, of the Company, and such Organizational Documents, as so amended, are in full force and effect. The Company is not in default under, or in violation of, any provision of its Organizational Documents.

Section 4.2 No Conflict; Consents.   Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2 , the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement by Seller, the compliance by Seller with any of the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by Seller do not and will not:

(a) violate any Law applicable to the Company or require any filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to, any Governmental Authority;

(b) violate or conflict with any Organizational Document of the Company;

(c) (i) violate, breach or conflict with, or require any consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to, any Person under, any Material Contract or Permit to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or its properties or assets are bound, constitute a default or give any third party any additional right (including a termination right) under, permit cancellation of, result in the termination of or any forfeiture or loss of a material right, or result in or constitute a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing, under any Material Contract or Permit or the acceleration of performance of Seller’s obligations thereunder or (ii) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, violate, breach or conflict with, or require any consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to, any Person under, any other Contract to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(d) result in the creation of any Lien on the assets or properties of the Company (other than a Permitted Lien); or

(e) breach or conflict with any Order binding on the Company or any of the assets of the Company.

Section 4.3 Capitalization.

(a) The Interests held by Seller constitute all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Company. The Interests are duly authorized, validly issued and (to the extent applicable) fully paid and nonassessable, and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights.

(b) Neither Seller nor the Company, nor any of their Affiliates with respect to any Support Obligations, is party to a Contract containing any transfer restrictions, rights of first refusal, or other rights or obligations triggered upon a change of control of Company.

(c) There are no:

(i) outstanding membership interests, equity interests or other equity or equity-based securities of the Company other than the Interests;

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(ii) outstanding securities of the Company convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for membership interests, equity interests or other securities of the Company;

(iii) authorized or outstanding options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, conversion rights or other rights, commitments, agreements, arrangement or undertakings of any kind to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound obligating the Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional equity interests or shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company or obligating the Company to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking;

(iv) outstanding obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any equity securities of the Company;

(v) voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company is a party or is bound with respect to the voting of the equity interest of the Company;

(vi) outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights with respect to the Company; or

(vii) authorized or outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness that entitles the holders to vote (or convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into securities that entitle the holders to vote) with holders of shares, units or interests of the Company on any matter.

(d) The Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other equity interests of any Person.

Section 4.4 Litigation.   Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4 :

i. there is no pending Action:

(i) that has been commenced by or against the Company or that otherwise relates to or may adversely affect the business of, or any of the assets owned or used by, the Company; or

(ii) that challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, materially delaying, making illegal, or otherwise materially interfering with, any of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement;

(iii) to the Knowledge of Seller, (1) no Action described in Section 4.4(a)(i) or ( ii) has been threatened, and (2) no Action that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company has been threatened, in the case of clauses (1) and (2), against the Company within the past three (3) years;

ii. no officer, director, agent, or employee of the Company is subject to any Order that prohibits such officer, director, agent, or employee from engaging in or continuing any conduct, activity, or practice relating to the business of the Company ; and

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iii. there is no Order to which the Company, or any of the assets owned or used by the Company, is subject.

Section 4.5 Financial Statements.    Schedule 4.5 sets forth the unaudited balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017, and the related unaudited income statements of the Company for the years then ended (collectively, the “ Financial Statements ”).  The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and the results of operations of the Company as of, and for the periods ended on, such dates, except for normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes with respect to unaudited Financial Statements.

Section 4.6 No Undisclosed Liabilities.   Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6 , the Company does not have any Indebtedness or liabilities of a nature required by GAAP to have an amount set forth on a balance sheet, other than:

(a) liabilities disclosed in the Financial Statements;

(b) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of the operations of the Business, consistent with past practices, since the Balance Sheet Date; and

(c) liabilities that will be included in the calculation of Final Working Capital, Final Cash Amount, Final Working Gas Value, Final Derivatives Value or (with respect to Park and Loan Contracts) the Base Purchase Price.

Section 4.7 Taxes.   Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7 :

(a) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to the Company have been properly and timely filed with the appropriate Taxing authority and are correct and complete in all material respects;

(b) all Taxes and Tax liabilities due by, or with respect to, the income, assets or operations of the Company or for which the Company is otherwise liable, have been timely paid;

(c) there are no Liens other than Permitted Liens on any of the assets of the Company that arose in connection with the failure to pay any Tax;

(d) there are no Actions pending or in progress for the assessment or collection of Taxes against the Company by any Taxing authority, no adjustment relating to any Tax Return of the Company has been proposed, and the Company has not received a ruling or determination from a Tax authority regarding a past or prospective transaction, in each case for a taxable year remaining open under the applicable statute of limitations;

(e) no Tax Returns of the Company are under audit or examination by any Taxing authority, nor has the Company received any written notice of any pending audit or examination from any Taxing authority;

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(f) there are no agreements or waivers currently in effect that provide for an extension of time with respect to the filing of any Tax Return of the Company or the assessment or collection of any Tax from the Company;

(g) no claim has been made in writing by any Taxing authority in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file a Tax Return that it is or may be subject to Taxation in that jurisdiction, and the Company does not have a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable income Tax treaty) or otherwise maintain an office or fixed place of business in a country other than the United States;

(h) the Company qualifies, and has since the date of its formation qualified, as an entity that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, the Company has not taken a position inconsistent with such treatment, and no election has been made under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3 to have the Company taxed as a corporation;

(i) the Company is not, and has not at any time been, a member of a consolidated, combined, affiliated or similar group of companies provided for under the Law of the United States, any non-U.S. jurisdiction or any state or locality with respect to Taxes for any Tax period (other than the Seller Group) within the past six (6) years, nor does the Company have any liability for Taxes of any Person (other than a member of the Seller Group) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any analogous provision of state or local Law);

(j) the Company has delivered or made available to Buyer correct and complete copies of all income Tax Returns with respect to the Company for the year 2014 and each year thereafter, and of any examination reports and any written statements of deficiencies proposed to be assessed against the income or asset base of the Company that have not yet been resolved;

(k) the Company is not and has not been a party to any “reportable transaction,” as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4, or any transaction that lacks economic substance for purposes of Section 7701(o) of the Code;

(l) Within the past two (2) years, the Company has not been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in connection with a distribution described in Section 355 of the Code;

(m) the Company has not agreed to make nor is it required to make any adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise;

(n) the Company has collected or withheld all Taxes required to have been collected or withheld (including from payments made to employees, independent contractors, creditors, stockholders and other third parties) and such collected and withheld Taxes have been or will be timely paid to the proper Governmental Authority;

(o) the Company will not be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) “closing agreement” as described

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in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) entered into prior to the Closing, (ii) installment sale or open transaction disposition made prior to the Closing, (iii) prepaid amount received prior to the Closing, (iv) change in method of accounting of the Company made prior to the Closing, or (v) election under Section 108(i) of the Code made prior to the Closing;

(p) the Company is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable transfer pricing laws and regulations and, including to the extent required by applicable Law, the execution and maintenance of contemporaneous documentation substantiating the transfer pricing practices and methodology of the Company;

(q) no indebtedness of the Company consists of “corporate acquisition indebtedness” within the meaning of Section 279 of the Code;

(r) neither the Seller, nor any of its Affiliates, is a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or plan that has resulted or would result, separately or in the aggregate, as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in the payment of any “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law) with respect to a Site Employee; and

(s) the Company has not granted a power of attorney to any Person relating to Tax matters for any taxable year remaining open under the applicable statute of limitations.

Section 4.8 Absence of Certain Changes .  Since the Balance Sheet Date, except as set forth on Schedule 4.8 , the Business has been conducted, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, and there has not been any Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.9 Contracts .  

(a) Schedule 4.9(a) lists all of the following types of Contracts to which the Company is a party or to which the Company’s assets or the Business are subject (all Contracts that are required to be listed on Schedule 4.9(a) , together with all Property Use Agreements, being “ Material Contracts ”):

(i) each Contract for or related to Indebtedness;

(ii) each Contract for natural gas storage, “park and loan” (including Park and Loan Contracts), wheeling, transportation, gathering and processing services, or management of natural gas;

(iii) each Contract involving a remaining commitment by the Company to undertake capital expenditures with respect to the Business that involve aggregate payments of at least $100,000;

(iv) each Contract for lease of personal property involving aggregate payments  of at least $100,000;

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(v) each Contract between Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Company), on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand (collectively, “Affiliated Party Contracts” );

(vi) gas pipeline interconnection agreements, construction agreements (excluding repair and maintenance agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice), and operational balancing agreements;

(vii) Derivative Contracts;

(viii) each Contract creating or evidencing a partnership or joint venture;

(ix) each Contract constituting or evidencing a guaranty or suretyship or performance bond or other Support Obligation;

(x) each Contract with a Governmental Authority;

(xi) each Contract that includes a non-compete covenant or otherwise limits or restricts the Company from engaging in any business or competing in any geographic area or freely setting prices for products or services or that includes a “most favored nation” or similar covenant;

(xii) each Contract for the purchase or sale of any business, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business organization to the extent that rights or obligations of the Company survive as of the date hereof;

(xiii) each Contract related to any Action, including settlement thereof, entered into in the past three (3) years; and

(xiv) each other Contract that (x) involves aggregate payments to or from the Company of at least $100,000 and (y) is not terminable by its terms, without penalty, on thirty (30) days or less notice.

(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.9(b) , each Material Contract is in full force and effect and represents the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, represents the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other parties thereto, in each case enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.9(b) , neither the Company, nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other party, is in material breach of any Material Contract. Seller has made available to Buyer in the Data Site true and complete copies of all Material Contracts.

Section 4.10 Employee Plans .

(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.10 , the Company does not maintain, sponsor or have an obligation to contribute to any ERISA Plans. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in any material liability to the Company, (i) each ERISA Plan maintained or

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sponsored by Seller and its Affiliates to date for the benefit of the Site Employees (collectively, the “ Employee Plans ”) has been administered in accordance with its terms and all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code, and all contributions required to be made with respect to any such Employee Plans on or before the date hereof have been made or properly accrued, and (ii) there is no pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened proceeding relating to any Employee Plan (other than ordinary course claims for benefits).

(b) Except for the Pension Plan and ERISA Plans, in each case, with respect to which the Company will have no obligation or liability following the Closing Date, neither Seller nor any entity that is under common control and treated as a single employer with Seller for purposes of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (an “ ERISA Affiliate ”) is contributing to, is required to contribute to, or has, within the last six years, contributed to (i) any multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or Section 414(f) of the Code, (ii) any plan that is subject to Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (iii) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA or (iv) any multiple employer plan within the meaning of Sections 4063 or 4064 of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code. After the Closing, the Company will not have any material liability (direct or indirect) solely as the result of having previously been under common control and treated as a single employer for purposes of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code with the Seller and its other ERISA Affiliates.

Section 4.11 Environmental Matters .

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11(a) :

(i) the Company and its operations are in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws, and the Company possesses and is in compliance with all material Environmental Permits. Schedule 4.11(a)(i) sets forth a list of all such Environmental Permits that have been obtained by the Company as of the date hereof, as well as those for which the Company has applied as of the date hereof. All such Environmental Permits are in full force and effect, and there are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened seeking to revoke, cancel, suspend, or adversely modify any such Environmental Permit or challenge the validity or enforceability thereof;

(ii) the Company is not subject to any outstanding Order from, or any written agreement with, any Governmental Authority or other Person under any Environmental Laws requiring remediation or removal of any known past or ongoing Release of Constituents of Concern or the payment of any material cost, expense, fine or penalty in connection with any past or ongoing Release of Constituents of Concern;

(iii) the Company is not subject to any Action that is pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened in writing, alleging that the Company has failed to comply with or is subject to liability under any Environmental Law;

(iv) there has been no Release of any Constituents of Concern by the Company within the past five (5) years at, in, on or from the Real Property Interests or at any other location owned or operated by the Company, and no other Constituents of Concern are

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present at the Real Property Interests or at any other location owned or operated by the Company, except in compliance with all Environmental Laws or in a manner that has not resulted, and could not reasonably be expected to result, in material liabilities for investigation, removal, treatment, remediation or any other response under Environmental Laws; and

(v) the Company has not received notice in the past five (5) years that the Company is, or may be, a potentially responsible party for a federal or state environmental cleanup site or for corrective action under any Environmental Law, including receipt of (A) any written request for information in connection with any federal or state environmental cleanup site or (B) any request to undertake any response or remedial actions or cleanup action of any kind at the request of any Governmental Authority, or at the request of any other person. 

(b) Seller has made available in the Data Site all material environmental reports concerning the Company that have been prepared within the last five (5) years and which are in the possession of Seller or the Company as of the date of this Agreement.

Section 4.12 Compliance with Laws; Permits.

(a) The Company and the Business is, and has been at all times during the three (3)-year period ending on the Closing Date, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws. None of Seller or its Affiliates has received written notification of violation with respect to any Laws applicable to the Company or the Business. Notwithstanding any provision in this Section 4.12 (or any other provision of this Agreement) to the contrary, Section 4.7 and Section 4.11 shall be the exclusive representations and warranties with respect to those matters set forth in such sections, respectively, and no representations and warranties are made with respect to such matters pursuant to this Section 4.12 .

(b) The Company possesses, and is in compliance in all material respects with all terms and conditions of, all material Permits necessary for the Company to own its assets and operate the Business as it is currently conducted, all of which are in full force and effect, true and complete copies of which have previously been made available to Buyer in the Data Site. Schedule 4.12(b) lists all such Permits possessed by the Company. No suspension, cancellation or materially adverse modification of any such Permit is pending or, to the best of Seller’s Knowledge, threatened. All applications required to have been filed for the renewal of all such Permits have been duly filed on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Authority, and all other filings required to have been made with respect to each such Permit have been duly made on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Authority.

Section 4.13 Insurance .   Schedule 4.13(a) lists and contains a summary description of all material current policies of property, fire and casualty, general liability, title, workers’ compensation and other forms of insurance held by or for the benefit of the Company as of the date of this Agreement (the “ Insurance Policies ”). As of the date of this Agreement, all of the Insurance Policies are in full force and effect, all premiums with respect thereto covering all periods up to and including the date of this Agreement have been paid, and no written notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy which was not

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replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13(b) , there are no current or pending claims under any Insurance Policy. The Insurance Policies are sufficient for compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws and the Material Contracts.  

Section 4.14 Labor Relations; Employment Matters.

(a) The Company:

(i) is not a party to, and no Site Employees are covered by, any collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there are no organizational campaigns, petitions or other unionization activities involving Site Employees seeking recognition of a collective bargaining unit;

(ii) is not subject to any strikes, material slowdowns or material work stoppages pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened between the Company and any Person or involving Site Employees; or

(iii) has not taken any action with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that would reasonably be expected to constitute a “mass layoff” or “plant closing” within the meaning of the Workers Adjustment Retraining Notification (WARN) Act of 1989.

(b) Seller and each of its Affiliates, including the Company: (i) is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws with respect to employment, employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, in each case, with respect to Site Employees; (ii) has withheld and reported all material amounts required by Law or by agreement to be withheld and reported with respect to the wages, salaries and other payments to the Site Employees by virtue of employment, the transactions specifically contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise; (iii) is not liable for any material arrears of wages or any Taxes or any material penalty for failure to comply with any of the foregoing; and (iv) is not liable for any material payment to any trust or other fund or to any Governmental Authority, with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security or other benefits or obligations for the Site Employees (other than routine payments to be made in the normal course of business and consistent with past practice). There are no pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, material threatened claims or actions against Seller or any of its Affiliates, including the Company, under any worker’s compensation policy or long term disability policy with respect to any Site Employees

Section 4.15 Properties and Related Matters.

(a) The Company does not own any real property.

(b) Schedule 4.15(b) sets forth a complete and accurate list of Property Use Agreements. Each Property Use Agreement is in full force and effect in accordance with its terms and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and, to Seller’s Knowledge, of the counterparties to such Property Use Agreement, except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance,

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arrangement or other similar Laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, or by general equitable principles. There are no proceedings pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened, against the Company that affect any Property Use Agreement, and neither the Company nor, to Seller’s Knowledge, any counterparty thereto, is in or has received written notice that it is in material default or material breach under the terms of any Property Use Agreement. As of the Effective Date, the Company is not participating in any discussions or negotiations regarding termination of any Property Use Agreement. The Company has the valid right to a leasehold interest in each Property Use Agreement that is a lease.   

(c) Seller has made available to Buyer in the Data Site true, complete and correct copies of (i) all Property Use Agreements and all leases, assignments and other instruments by which the Company has acquired the Real Property Interests and (ii) and all other reports and surveys that are in the possession of the Company or Seller and that relate to any of the Real Property Interests.

(d) No claim has been made, and to the Knowledge of Seller, no claim has been threatened or asserted, by any third party that the Company does not possess the legal right to use any material real property currently used in connection with the Business in the manner or for the purpose for which it is being used.

(e) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.15(e) , the Company has not granted any assignment, lease, license, sublease, easement, concession or other legally binding agreement granting to any Person the right to possess, use or occupy the Real Property Interests, except (i) Permitted Liens, (ii) as may be granted or reserved pursuant to any instrument creating its interest in such Real Property Interest or (iii) pursuant to the terms of any Property Use Agreement or Material Contract.

Section 4.16 Intellectual Property.   

(a) Schedule 4.16(a) hereto contains a complete and accurate list of all Intellectual Property owned by the Company that has been registered with or is the subject of a pending application for registration with a Governmental Authority (“ Registered Intellectual Property ”).  

(b) Schedule 4.16(b) hereto contains a complete and accurate list of material software and subscriptions, in each case, used in the Business (other than those primarily used in performing human resources, legal and tax functions) but that are not owned or licensed by the Company.

(c) To the Knowledge of Seller, the Company owns or possesses sufficient legal rights to use all Intellectual Property used in the Business; provided , however , that it is understood that the Company receives certain information technology-related services and licenses from other Persons and the foregoing will not be deemed to be a representation that the Company be entitled to such services or licenses after Closing.  To the Knowledge of Seller, during the last five (5) years, the Company has not violated or infringed, and is not violating or infringing any Intellectual Property of any other Person, and the Company does not have any knowledge of a violation or infringement by any Person of any Intellectual Property owned by the Company.  During the last five (5) years, the Company has not received any written notice from any Person claiming a violation or infringement of a Person’s Intellectual Property rights.

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(d) Each item of Registered Intellectual Property owned by the Company is subsisting, and to the Knowledge of Seller, valid, and all necessary registration, maintenance and renewal fees in connection with such Registered Intellectual Property have been paid and all necessary documents and certificates in connection with such Registered Intellectual Property have been filed with the relevant governmental body for the purposes of maintaining such Registered Intellectual Property, except in each case as would not be expected to have a material effect on the Company.  There is no threatened or reasonably foreseeable loss or expiration of any Registered Intellectual Property that is not apparent from publicly available records maintained by intellectual property offices of Governmental Authorities in the jurisdictions where such Registered Intellectual Property is registered or where applications for such registration are pending.  The Company’s rights in and to the Registered Intellectual Property are free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens.

(e) The Company has used reasonable efforts to protect the confidentiality of the confidential information and trade secrets belonging to the Company or provided by any other Person to the Company.  

Section 4.17 Title to Properties .  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17 , the Company has good and valid record and marketable title to, are the lawful owners of, or have a valid leasehold interest in, all of the material rights, properties and assets (other than the Real Property Interests, which are addressed by the representations and warranties in Section 4.15 ), tangible or intangible, used or held for use in connection with their respective Businesses, in each case, free and clear of all Liens, except for (a) properties and assets sold or otherwise disposed of, and rights expiring or terminating, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and not in violation of this Agreement during the period from the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, and (b) Permitted Liens.

Section 4.18 Condition and Sufficiency of Assets .  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18 , all of the tangible material assets used or held for use by the Company (other than the Real Property Interests, which are addressed by the representations and warranties in Section 4.15 ), whether owned or leased, (i) have been reasonably maintained consistent in all material respect with standards generally followed in the industry and are in a condition sufficient for the current operating business of the Company, and (ii) are adequate and suitable for their present and currently intended uses and are free from material defects other than such defects as do not interfere with the intended use thereof in the conduct of normal operations in any material respect. The assets and properties owned or leased by the Company, or that they otherwise have the right to use, constitute all the assets and properties that are required or necessary in connection with the conduct of the Business as it is presently conducted; provided, however, that it is understood that the Company requires for the conduct of the Business as presently conducted certain services which it is entitled to receive under the Transition Services Agreement as well as certain other services (e.g., information technology services) that it is not entitled to receive under the Transition Services Agreement.

Section 4.19 Bank Accounts .   Schedule 4.19 lists and identifies by bank, account number and authorized signatories all bank accounts, safety deposit boxes and lock boxes maintained by the Company.

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Section 4.20 Officers and Managers .   Schedule 4.20 lists by name and title all directors, managers and officers of the Company.

Section 4.21 Affiliated Party Transactions.   Except as evidenced by the Affiliated Party Contracts listed on Schedule 4.9 or on Schedule 4.21 :

(a) there are no Contracts relating to any transaction for the provision of services (or otherwise providing for the payment of monies), excepting ordinary employment and related compensation arrangements between the Company, on the one hand, and any of its officers, managers, directors, employees, on the other hand;

(b) the Company is not indebted (excluding compensatory and expense reimbursement arrangements), directly or indirectly, to any of its officers, managers, directors, employees or Seller or to any of its Affiliates in any amount whatsoever;

(c) none of the officers, directors, managers, employees of the Company or Seller, nor any of their respective Affiliates, are indebted to the Company; and

(d) the Company is not otherwise bound by any Contract to which Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Company) or any of their respective officers, directors, managers or employees is a party.

Section 4.22 Brokers’ Fees.   Except for the Seller Financial Advisors, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement either from or based upon arrangements made by the Company. All fees of the Seller Financial Advisors shall be paid by Seller, and no portion thereof shall be charged to or paid by the Company or Buyer.

Section 4.23 Gas Inventory. The Company owns natural gas (in each case, measured on an MMBtu basis) equal to (i) the natural gas in leased storage facilities under Contracts with storage operators, plus (ii) the natural gas in storage facilities with which the Company has engaged in “park” or “loan” transactions that occurred prior to the Closing Date, but expire subsequent to the Closing Date, plus (iii) the natural gas in pipelines leased by the Company.  Attached as Schedule 4.23 is an accurate and complete list of the natural gas (measured on an MMBtu basis) described in the immediately preceding sentence and listed as “inventory” of the Company in the Financial Statements as of the close of business on the date indicated in Schedule 4.23 .  The PAL Inventory Certificate as of (x) 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Effective Date, and (y) 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date, shall, in each case, be true, accurate, and complete in all respects.

Section 4.24 FERC Compliance.

(a) The Company meets, and at all times during the three (3)-year period ending on the Closing Date has met, all material applicable regulatory conditions relating to FERC.  

(b) The Company has at all times had in place the proper policies to comply with all applicable requirements relating to FERC, and has caused each of its Representatives, as applicable, to be trained to comply with such requirements.

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Section 4.25 Bankruptcy .  The Company is not subject to any pending bankruptcy Action and, to the Knowledge of Seller, no Action is contemplated in which the Company would be declared insolvent or subject to the protection of any bankruptcy or reorganization Laws or procedures.

Section 4.26 Trade Data.    Schedule 4.26 sets forth the Trade Data with respect to all trading obligations under each Derivative Contract, as applicable, as of the close of business on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Effective Date.  The Trade Data (x) as of the close of business on the second Business Day immediately preceding the Effective Date, and (y) as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date, shall, in the case of each of the preceding clauses (x) and (y), be true, accurate, and complete in all respects.  

Section 4.27 Exclusive Representations and Warranties.   Except for the representations and warranties contained in Article III and this Article IV (in each case, as modified by the Disclosure Schedules), the Transition Services Agreement, and any certificate or written statement furnished or to be furnished to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, neither Seller nor any other Person on its behalf makes any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Seller or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and Seller disclaims any other representations or warranties, express or implied, whether made by Seller or any other Person.

Article V.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO BUYER

Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date unless otherwise specified in the applicable representation and warranty, as follows:

Section 5.1 Organization of Buyer. Buyer is a limited liability company and is duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Section 5.2 Authorization; Enforceability.   Buyer has all requisite corporate limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement and to perform all obligations to be performed by it hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized and approved by Buyer, and no other action on the part of Buyer is necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement. This Agreement and, as of the Closing Date, the Transition Services Agreement have been duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement by Seller, constitute valid and binding obligations of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

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Section 5.3 No Conflict; Consents . The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement by Buyer, the compliance by Buyer with any of the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and shall not:

(a) violate any Law applicable to Buyer or require any filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to, any Governmental Authority;

(b) violate or conflict with any Organizational Document of Buyer;

(c) except as would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer to complete the transactions contemplated herein, breach or conflict with any Contract to which Buyer is a party or by which it is bound; or

(d) breach or conflict with any Order binding on Buyer or its assets.

Section 5.4 Litigation .

(a) There are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, threatened in writing against Buyer that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer to complete the transactions contemplated herein.

(b) There are no Orders binding upon Buyer that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer to complete the transactions contemplated herein.

Section 5.5 Brokers’ Fees.   No broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by Buyer or any of its Affiliates.

Section 5.6 Financial Ability. Buyer has, through a combination of its cash balances and funds readily and unconditionally available to it, funds sufficient to fund the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement and to satisfy all other costs and expenses of Buyer arising in connection therewith. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, Buyer and its Affiliates have sufficient creditworthiness to satisfy their respective obligations under Section 6.10 and otherwise meet the credit support obligations of the Company required under the Material Contracts.

Section 5.7 Securities Law Compliance.   Buyer:

(a) is acquiring the Interests for its own account and not with a view to their distribution;  

(b) has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be able to evaluate the merits and risk of an investment in the Interests and is able financially to bear the risks thereof; and

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(c) understands that the Interests will, upon purchase, be characterized as “restricted securities” under state and federal securities Laws and that under such Laws the Interests may be resold without registration under such laws only in certain circumstances.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, an assignment by Buyer of the Interest to an Affiliate after the Closing will not be a breach of this Section 5.7 and no such assignment shall in any manner limit, affect, or release Buyer from its obligations to Seller under this Agreement.

Section 5.8 Buyer’s Independent Investigation.   Buyer and its Representatives have undertaken an independent investigation and verification of the business, operations and financial condition of the Company. Except for the representations and warranties made by Seller relating to the Company in this Agreement or in any certificate or written statement furnished or to be furnished to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, Buyer acknowledges that:

(a) Buyer has been afforded access to and the opportunity to inspect the Company, the Business, and all other due diligence materials; and

(b) Buyer has inspected the Company and its Business and all other due diligence materials, in each case to the extent Buyer deems necessary or advisable in connection with its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 5.9 Exclusive Representations and Warranties .  Buyer acknowledges that except for the representations and warranties contained in Article III with respect to Seller, Article IV with respect to the Company (in each case, as modified by the Disclosure Schedules), the Transition Services Agreement, and any certificate or written statement furnished or to be furnished to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, none of Seller, the Company or any other Person on their behalf makes any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Seller, the Company or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and Seller disclaims any other representations or warranties, whether made by Seller or any other Person.

Article VI.

COVENANTS

Section 6.1 Conduct of Business.   Except as set forth in Schedule 6.1(b) or specifically permitted by this Agreement:

(a) From the date of this Agreement through the Closing, Seller shall cause the Company to operate the Business in the ordinary course, consistent with past practices. Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, from the date of this Agreement through the Closing, Seller shall cause the Company to (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain its properties and assets, (ii) comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws, Orders and Permits and use commercially reasonable efforts to perform all of its obligations under all Material Contracts, (iii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact the Business and its relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business relationships with it, in each case in all material respects, and (iv) operate the Business in the ordinary course, consistent with past practices.

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(b) Without limiting the generality or effect of Section 6.1(a) , prior to the Closing, without the prior written consent of Buyer, which consent (other than as set forth in Section 6.1(b)(vii) and Section 6.1(b)(viii) ) shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (provided, that (other than as set forth in Section 6.1(b)(vii) and Section 6.1(b)(viii) ) if Buyer does not respond affirmatively granting or denying such approval in writing, which may be provided via email, within (x) with respect to trade or risk-related matters, three (3) Business Days after a written request from Seller for such approval and (y) with respect to any other matters, seven (7) Business Days after a written request from Seller for such approval, Buyer shall be deemed to have approved such action), Seller shall not (with respect to the Company) and shall not permit the Company to:

(i) (A) amend its Organizational Documents, (B) split, combine or reclassify its outstanding equity interests, (C) declare, set aside or pay any distribution payable in stock or property (other than Cash and Cash Equivalents) in respect of any equity interests, or (D) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its equity interests, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of such equity interests, in each case other than as permitted by Section 6.1(b)(vi) ;

(ii) liquidate, dissolve, recapitalize or otherwise wind up its business;

(iii) (A) make any settlement or compromise with respect to any Tax audit, examination or other proceeding relating to material Taxes, (B) change any material Tax election or method of Tax accounting, (C) make any new material Tax election, (D) adopt any new material method of Tax accounting or (E) file any amended material Tax Return;

(iv) change its accounting methods, policies or practices in any material respect, except as required by applicable Law or GAAP;

(v) sell, assign, transfer, lease, sublease or otherwise dispose of or subject to any Lien (other than any Permitted Lien) (A)  any properties or assets (other than (x) excess or obsolete inventory and equipment or immaterial interests in real property, in each case, sold, assigned, leased, subleased or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices and (y) for the avoidance of doubt, any distribution of Cash and Cash Equivalents prior to the Closing) or (B) the Interests;

(vi) issue or sell any equity interests (other than in the connection with the conversion of intercompany debt into equity) in, or any notes, bonds or other securities of, the Company, or any option, warrant or right to acquire same;

(vii) amend, terminate, renew, modify or extend any existing Material Contract, in each case, other than any amendment , termination, renewal, modification or extension in the ordinary course of business; provided , that with respect to any such Material Contract relating to (A) storage, transportation, management of natural gas, or “park and loan” (including Park and Loan Contracts), Buyer’s prior written consent shall be required to the extent that the terms, conditions or provisions of such amendment, termination, renewal, modification or extension of such Material Contract apply to or affect any period on or after the Closing Date, or (B) Spread Options, Buyer’s prior written consent shall be required;

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(viii) enter into any new Contract that would have been required to be disclosed in Schedule 4.9 , other than renewals or extensions permitted under Section 6.1(b)(vii) ; provided , that Buyer’s prior written consent shall be required to enter into any new Contract relating to storage, transportation, management of natural gas, “park and loan” (including Park and Loan Contracts), and Spread Options;

(ix) sell, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any natural gas held in inventory for the account of the Company with respect to all natural gas inventory described in Section 4.23(ii) ;

(x) (A) amend, terminate, renew, modify, extend, or renegotiate (other than by completion thereof) any Specified Outstanding Support Obligations or (B) enter into any Additional Support Obligations that would have been required to be disclosed in Section 6.10 , in the case of clauses (A) and (B), other than (x) non-material amendments in the ordinary course of business, (y) in the event of any increase in an index price and solely to the extent required under the terms and conditions of any Material Contact supported by such Specified Outstanding Support Obligations, posting of additional collateral with respect to such Specified Outstanding Support Obligations, and (z) amendments, terminations, renewals, modifications, extensions, or renegotiations of such Specified Outstanding Support Obligations contemplated by Section 6.10 ;

(xi) change the credit, operating or risk policies or procedures currently in place in respect of the Company, except in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice;

(xii) make any single capital expenditure in excess of $100,000, other than (A) in accordance with the CapEx Budget and the OpEx Budget, as applicable, or (B) reasonable capital expenditures in connection with any emergency or force majeure events affecting the Company;

(xiii) incur any Indebtedness, other than (A) intercompany debt in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, that is to be converted to equity prior to Closing and (B) Current Liabilities included in the determination of Net Working Capital, or (C) any Additional Support Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices;

(xiv) initiate, commence or settle any lawsuit, arbitration or claim related to the Company, other than with respect to any lawsuit, arbitration or claim that would not reasonably be expected to result in payments to or from the Company in excess of $100,000;

(xv) merge or consolidate with, or purchase substantially all of the assets or business of, or equity interests in, or make an investment in or advance any credit or make any loans to any Person (other than investments by the Company and extensions of credit to customers in the ordinary course of the business consistent with past practices);

(xvi) hire or materially increase the compensation or severance entitlements of any employee of the Company that will be retained by the Company after Closing;

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(xvii) cancel any debts (other than intercompany debt in the connection with the transactions contemplated hereby) or waive any material claims or rights pertaining to the Business;

(xviii) amend or modify in any material respect, or fail to renew, allow to lapse or terminate any material Permit; or

(xix) agree, whether in writing or otherwise, to do any of the foregoing.

Section 6.2 Access .

(a) (i) From the date hereof through the Closing, Seller shall afford to Buyer and its authorized Representatives reasonable access, during normal business hours and in such manner as not to unreasonably interfere with normal operation of the Business, to the properties, books, contracts, records and appropriate officers and employees of the Company and shall furnish such authorized Representatives with all financial and operating data and other information concerning the affairs of the Company as Buyer and such Representatives may reasonably request. Seller shall have the right to have a Representative present at all times during any such inspections, interviews and examinations that take place on site, at the offices of Seller. Additionally, unless and until the Closing occurs, Buyer shall hold in confidence all such information on the terms, to the extent and subject to the conditions contained in the Confidentiality Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall have no right of access to, and Seller shall have no obligation to provide to Buyer, information relating to bids received from others in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (or similar transactions) and information and analyses (including financial analyses) relating to such bids. Buyer acknowledges that all such information being provided pursuant to this Section 6.2 is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

(iii) (ii) Buyer shall have no right to perform or conduct any environmental sampling or other invasive environmental investigations on or about any property, real or personal, of the Company.

(iv) Buyer shall not contact or have access to any customer, supplier, contractor or consultant of any of the Company without the prior written consent of Seller and without a representative of Seller being present.

(b) Buyer shall indemnify the Seller Indemnified Parties and their Representatives, and save them harmless, effective as and from the date hereof, from and against any claims, demands, actions, causes of action, damages, losses, costs, liabilities, or expenses that the Seller Indemnified Parties or any of their Representatives may suffer or incur, or that may be made or brought against any of them, as a result of, in respect of, or arising out of any injury to the person or property of Buyer or its Representatives as a result of, or in connection with any site visits or inspections of the assets or properties of the Company conducted under this Section 6.2 . THE INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS IN THIS SECTION 6.2(b) AND THE RECIPROCAL PROVISIONS OF SECTION 6.5(c) SHALL BE ENFORCEABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY PERSON (INCLUDING THE PERSON FROM WHOM INDEMNIFICATION IS SOUGHT) ALLEGES OR PROVES THE SOLE, CONCURRENT,

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CONTRIBUTORY OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE OF THE PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION OR THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED UPON THE PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION.

Section 6.3 Third Party Approvals.

(a) Each of Buyer, with respect to itself and its Affiliates, and Seller, with respect to itself and its Affiliates, including the Company, shall (and shall cause its respective Affiliates to) (i) provide all notices required to be provided in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to (A) obtain all consents and approvals of third parties, including from Governmental Authorities and the counterparties to the Contracts listed on Schedule 4.2 , as applicable, that are required to be obtained in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and (B) cause each of the other conditions to its respective obligations specified in Article VIII to be satisfied at or before the Closing. Each of Buyer and Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the other Party as may be reasonably requested by such other Party in connection with this Section 6.3(a) .  In addition, Seller shall cooperate with Buyer to (x) file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as promptly as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date (and in any event prior to the Closing), a Joint Petition of the Company and Castleton Commodities Merchant Trading L.P. for Temporary Waivers of Capacity Release Regulations and Policies, and Request for Shortened Comment Period and Expedited Treatment in connection with Buyer’s proposed restructuring of the Company following the Closing, and (y) provide assistance, as promptly as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date (and in any event prior to the Closing), as may be requested by Buyer for the transition of any accounts of futures commission merchants to the name of Buyer or its Affiliates and delivering any additional documentation as may be required with respect to such accounts.    

(b) The obligations of the Parties under this Section 6.3 shall include (i) preparing and filing as soon as practicable all such filings or consents with or from any Governmental Authority or other Person that are required to be filed or obtained in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) assuring that all such filings are in material compliance with the requirements of applicable Law, (iii) making available to the other Party such information as the other Party may reasonably request in order to complete such filings or to respond to information requests by any relevant Governmental Authorities, (iv) keeping each other apprised of the status of matters relating to the completion of the transactions contemplated thereby, including promptly furnishing the other with copies of notices or other communications, filings or correspondence between the Parties or their Affiliates, on the one hand, and any Governmental Authority (or members of their respective staffs), on the other hand, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (v) responding to and complying with, as promptly as reasonably practicable, any request for information or documentary material regarding the transactions from any relevant Governmental Authority, (vi) ensuring the prompt expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period and clearance or approval by any relevant Governmental Authority, (vii) executing and delivering any additional instruments necessary to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement, (viii) negotiating in good faith, and in consultation with the other Party, any condition or requirement proposed or communicated any Governmental Authority and (ix)  taking, or causing to be taken, all other actions and do, or cause to be done, all other things advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated hereby.  

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Section 6.4 Employee Matters .

(a) As of the Closing Date, Seller shall notify each Site Employee of his/her termination from employment with the Company and shall, in accordance with the Company’s policies and applicable federal and state laws, provide all notices, compensation, and benefits owed to each Site Employee (including, for the avoidance of doubt, liabilities attributable to accrued and unused vacation, sick days and personal days and liabilities under or in relation to Seller’s or Company’s Employee Plans, if any).  

(b) Buyer is under no obligation to hire any Site Employees.  In the event Buyer chooses to consider one or more Site Employees for employment, Seller agrees to provide, as may be requested  by Buyer, access to the Site Employees and copies of any and all information and documentation pertaining to the Site Employees’ employment with the Company.

(c) Seller shall indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Parties and their Representatives, and save them harmless, effective as of and from the date hereof, from and against any claims, demands, actions, causes of action, damages, losses, costs, liabilities, judgments, assessments, penalties, settlements, and expenses that the Buyer Indemnified Parties or any of their Representatives may suffer or incur, or that may be made or brought against any of them, as a result of, in respect of, or arising out of the employment of any Site Employee by the Company prior to or as of the Closing Date.

(d) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall (i) confer upon any Site Employee any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company, Buyer or any of its Affiliates, nor shall anything herein interfere with the right of the Company, Buyer or any such Affiliate to terminate the employment of any Site Employee at any time after Closing, with or without cause, or (ii) create any third party beneficiary rights in any current or former employee, director or consultant, any beneficiary or dependents thereof, or any collective bargaining representative thereof, with respect to the compensation, terms and conditions of employment and benefits that may be provided to any current or former employee, director or consultant by Buyer or any of its Affiliates or under any benefit plan which Seller, Buyer or any of their Affiliates may maintain.

Section 6.5 Books and Records .  From and after the Closing:

(a) Subject to Section 6.7 , Seller may retain a copy of any or all of the Data Site materials and other books and records relating to the Business of the Company on or before the Closing Date.

(b) Buyer shall preserve and keep a copy (which may be an electronic copy) of all books and records in Buyer’s possession relating to the Business or operations of the Company on or before the Closing Date for a period of at least seven (7) years after the Closing Date. After such seven (7)-year period, before Buyer disposes of any books and records, Buyer shall give Seller at least thirty (30) days’ prior notice to such effect, and Seller shall be given an opportunity, at Seller’s cost and expense, to remove and retain all or any part of the books and records as Seller may select.  Buyer shall make available to Seller, at Seller’s cost and expense, reasonable access to such books and records as remain in Buyer’s possession in connection with matters relating to the business or operations of the Company on or before the Closing Date.

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(c) Seller shall indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Parties and their Representatives, and save them harmless, effective as and from the date hereof, from and against any claims, demands, actions, causes of action, damages, losses, costs, liabilities, or expenses that the Buyer Indemnified Parties or any of their Representatives may suffer or incur, or that may be made or brought against any of them, as a result of, in respect of, or arising out of any injury to the person or property of Seller or its Representatives as a result of, or in connection with any site visits or inspections of the assets or properties of the Company conducted under this Section 6.5 .

Section 6.6 Use of Names, Trademarks, Etc.   

(a) From and after the Closing, except as permitted in Section 6.6(b) , neither Buyer nor its Affiliates (including the Company after the Closing) will use or have any rights to any of the Retained Names and neither Buyer nor its Affiliates (including the Company after the Closing) will hold itself out as having any affiliation with Seller or any of its Affiliates.

(b) Seller hereby grants, or, as applicable, shall cause its Affiliates to grant, to the Company a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to utilize, without obligation to pay royalties to Seller or any of its Affiliates, the Retained Names in connection with stationery, supplies, labels, catalogs, vehicles, signs and products of the Company described in sections (i) through (iv) of this Section 6.6(b) , subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 6.6(b) and Section 6.6(c) , in each case, solely in connection with the operation of the Business and in all material respects in the same manner and to the same extent as such names, trademarks, trade names, corporate symbols or logos were used by the Company immediately prior to the Closing; provided that such use is in all material respects in accordance with the Company’ usage of such Seller trademarks prior to the Closing and such license shall cease immediately upon expiration of the periods identified below. Buyer agrees that the nature and quality of all goods and services rendered by the Company in connection with such names, trademarks, trade names, corporate symbols or logos shall be advertised, offered and provided in a manner consistent in all material respects with the nature and quality of the goods and services and the quality control standards previously associated with or used by the Company, and that the Company will use such names, trademarks, trade names, corporate symbols or logos in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations.

(i) All stationery, business cards, outside forms such as packing lists, labels, and cartons, forms for internal use only and product literature constituting assets of the Company as of the Closing may be used for a period of ninety (90) days following the Closing or until the supply is exhausted, whichever is the first to occur.

 

(ii) All invoices, purchase orders and other similar documents of a transactional nature constituting assets of the Company as of the Closing may be used for a period of two (2) years following the Closing, or until the supply is exhausted, or until the Company is wound up or dissolved, whichever is the first to occur; provided , that this clause (ii) shall not permit Buyer to continue using invoices, purchase orders or other similar documents that use the name “Iberdrola”, “Iberdrola Renewables”, “Avangrid,” “Avangrid Renewables” and any corporate symbols and logos related thereto for a period longer than ninety (90) days following the Closing.

 

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(iii) All vehicles (if any) constituting assets of the Company as of the Closing may continue to be used without remarking (except as to legally required permit numbers, license numbers, etc.) for a period of ninety (90) days following the Closing or until the date of disposition of the vehicle, whichever is the first to occur.

 

(iv) Within ninety (90) days following the Closing, Buyer will cause the Company to remove from display at all owned and leased facilities constituting assets of the Company all displays or signage which contain the names, trademarks or trade names “Iberdrola,” “Iberdrola Renewables,” “Avangrid,” “Avangrid Renewables” or any corporate symbol or logo related thereto.

 

(v) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in Section 6.6 , until the earlier to occur of (i) the winding up and dissolution of the Company and (ii) the two (2)-year anniversary of the Closing Date, Buyer may continue to use “Enstor Energy” and “Enstor Energy Services”, for business purposes in a similar manner as used by the Company prior to Closing, with such modifications in written communications as reasonably necessary to make clear that the Company is an Affiliate of Buyer (for example, such as including the phrase “a CCI company” on Company letterhead).  In addition, Seller will coordinate prior to Closing directing Internet traffic for Persons seeking Enstor Energy using any domain names owned by Seller or its Affiliates to Buyer’s website (including www.iberdrolaens.com ), and directing Internet communications through email and blogs and other social media to Buyer.  Buyer agrees that it will use its reasonable best efforts to wind up and dissolve the Company as soon as practicable following the twelve (12)-month anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

(c) (i)Apart from the rights granted under Section 6.6(b) , neither Buyer nor any of its Affiliates (including, after the Closing Date, the Company) shall have any right, title or interest in, or to the use of, any of the Retained Names, either alone or in combination with any other word, name, symbol, device, trademarks, or any combination thereof. Buyer will not, and will cause each of its Affiliates (including the Company) not to, challenge or contest the validity of any of the Retained Names, the registration thereof or the ownership thereof by Seller. Buyer will not, and will cause each of its Affiliates (including the Company) not to, apply anywhere at any time for any registration as owner or exclusive licensee of any of the Retained Names. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including the Company) develops, adopts or acquires, directly or indirectly, any right, title or interest in, or to the use of, any of the Retained Names in any jurisdiction, or any goodwill incident thereto, Buyer will, upon the request of Seller, and for a nominal consideration of one dollar, assign or cause to be assigned to Seller or any designee of Seller, all right, title and interest in, and to the use of, such Retained Names in any and all jurisdictions, together with any goodwill incident thereto.

(ii) Seller will have the right to terminate the license granted in Section 6.6(b) in the event of a material breach of Section 6.6(b) or this Section 6.6(c) by Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including the Company) that has not been cured within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof by Seller to Buyer.

 

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Section 6.7 Confidentiality .

(a) Buyer acknowledges that the information being provided to it in connection with this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. The Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree that from the Effective Date until the earlier of termination of this Agreement or the Closing Date, Buyer shall not be in breach of the last sentence of Section 8 of the Confidentiality Agreement, in each case, to the extent that it has obtained prior written approval (which may be by email) from Seller to directly or indirectly contact any Affiliate, customer, supplier, director, officer or employee of the Company in relation to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If the Closing occurs, the Parties agree that the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate solely with respect to information relating to the Company.

(b) From and after the Closing Date, Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and their respective Representatives to, keep confidential and not disclose any information relating to the Company (whether in the possession of Seller, its Affiliates or such Representative at the time of the Closing or subsequently obtained by Seller, any Affiliate of Seller or any such Representative from Buyer pursuant to this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement) (collectively, “ Restricted Information ”), and shall not directly or indirectly use such Restricted Information for any purpose, except as and to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement. The obligation to keep such Restricted Information confidential shall not apply to any information that: (i) at the time of disclosure to Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives is in the public domain other than as a result of a breach of any obligation of confidentiality by Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives; (ii) after disclosure to Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives, enters the public domain other than through an unauthorized disclosure by Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives; (iii) Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives is required to disclose by Law, including oral questions, written interrogatories, request for information or documents, subpoena, or similar process, or the requirements of any stock exchange or other regulatory organization to which Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their Representatives are subject; or (iv) that was independently developed by Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives prior to the disclosure of such Restricted Information by the Company and without use of the Restricted Information.

Section 6.8 Termination of Affiliated Party Contracts.   Except as (x) set forth on Schedule 6.8 or (y) otherwise agreed to in writing by Seller and Buyer (clauses (x) and (y), as applicable, the “ Outstanding Affiliated Party Contracts ”), Seller shall take (or cause to be taken) all action necessary such that all Affiliated Party Contracts terminate prior to, or simultaneously with, the Closing without any further action or liability on the part of the parties thereto or Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including the Company).  Following the Effective Date, Buyer and Seller will use reasonable best efforts to ensure that, effective as of the Closing Date, (A) Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Company), as applicable, are fully and unconditionally released from all obligations and liabilities relating to, arising under or out of, or in connection with any Support Obligations supporting any Outstanding Affiliated Party

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Contracts and (B) credit support arrangements with respect to any Outstanding Affiliated Party Contracts are in effect, including, as applicable, by providing (or causing to be provided), subject to the approval of the counterparty (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), a letter of credit, cash collateral or a Buyer Parent Guarantee (in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F-2 ) (in each case, pursuant to terms and conditions as would reasonably be expected to be provided in the ordinary course in the marketplace for market participants in a similar position as Buyer or its Affiliates, as applicable; provided , however , in no event shall Buyer or its Affiliates, as applicable, be obligated to provide a Buyer Parent Guarantee for which the total liability is uncapped or unlimited or which is governed by and construed in accordance with the law of any state other than the State of New York).

Section 6.9 Intercompany Debt.   All intercompany accounts, whether payables or receivables, between Seller and any of its Affiliates (other than the Company), on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, as of the Closing shall be settled (in cash or through cash capital contributions, cash distributions or cancellations) at or prior to the Closing. Subject to the occurrence of the Closing and effective as of the Closing Date, Seller, on its behalf and on behalf of its Affiliates, knowingly, voluntarily and unconditionally releases, forever discharges (and agrees not to sue, and to cause Seller’s Affiliates not to sue) the Company or any of its officers, directors and Representative or the heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns of any of the foregoing, from or for any and all Actions (including with respect to intercompany accounts or other obligations) of Seller or any of Seller’s Affiliates (except for rights or obligations of Buyer arising under this Agreement) that arise out of acts, events, conditions or omissions occurring or existing prior to the Closing.

Section 6.10 Replacement of Support Obligations.

(a) Following the Effective Date, Buyer will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that:

(i) effective as of the Closing Date, Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Company), as applicable, shall be fully and unconditionally released from all obligations and liabilities relating to, arising under or out of, or in connection with the Seller LCs (which release shall be evidenced by Seller’s receipt at or prior to the Closing of the original Seller LC), and substitute arrangements with respect thereto shall be in effect, including by providing (or causing to be provided) a Buyer Parent Guarantee (in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F-2 ), a letter of credit, or surety bond issued by or on behalf of Buyer or its Affiliates (in each case, pursuant to terms and conditions as would reasonably be expected to be provided in the ordinary course in the marketplace for market participants in a similar position as Buyer or its Affiliates, as applicable; provided , however , in no event shall Buyer or its Affiliates, as applicable, be obligated to provide a Buyer Parent Guarantee for which the total liability is uncapped or unlimited or which is governed by and construed in accordance with the law of any state other than the State of New York), and

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(ii) at or as soon as possible following the Closing Date, Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Company), as applicable, shall be fully and unconditionally released from all obligations and liabilities relating to, arising under or out of, or in connection with the Specified Outstanding Support Obligations, and substitute arrangements with respect thereto shall be in effect, including by providing (or causing to be provided) to counterparties (x) (except in the case of Outstanding Affiliated Party Contracts, which are addressed under   Section 6.8 ) a form of release reasonably acceptable to Seller, which provides for the full and unconditional release of Seller and its Affiliates (other than Company), as applicable, from such Specified Outstanding Support Obligation, and (y) a Buyer Parent Guarantee (in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F-2 ) issued by or on behalf of Buyer or its Affiliates (in each case, pursuant to terms and conditions as would reasonably be expected to be provided in the ordinary course in the marketplace for market participants in a similar position as Buyer or its Affiliates, as applicable; provided , however , in no event shall Buyer or its Affiliates, as applicable, be obligated to provide a Buyer Parent Guarantee for which the total liability is uncapped or unlimited or which is governed by and construed in accordance with the law of any state other than the State of New York).   

Seller and Buyer shall cooperate in good faith in the development of joint communications with counterparties relating to the activities contemplated by this Section 6.10(a) .  

(b) To the extent Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Company), as applicable, are not fully and unconditionally released, as of the Closing Date:

(i) from any Seller LC, Buyer shall (A) provide to Seller a Buyer Letter of Credit (in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G ) issued by a U.S. commercial bank (or the U.S. branch of a foreign commercial bank) that has a long-term unsecured debt rating of “A-” or higher by Standard and Poor’s Corporation and “A3” or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Seller shall be entitled to draw, subject to the terms thereof, at any time following a draw on any Seller LC, an amount under such Buyer Letter of Credit equal to the aggregate amount of all draws on all Seller LCs (to the extent Seller and its Affiliates have not been reimbursed by Buyer under the first sentence of Section 6.10(c) and without duplication of any previous draw under such Buyer Letter of Credit), which Buyer Letter of Credit shall at all times be in an amount equal to the aggregate face amount of such Seller LCs and (B) pay to Seller, no later than the tenth (10 th ) day of each calendar month following the one (1) month anniversary of the Closing Date, an amount equal to (x) the aggregate daily weighted-average face amount of all Seller LCs that remain outstanding during the immediately preceding calendar month (or any portion thereof), multiplied by (y) 50 basis points per annum, provided , however , each of Buyer’s obligations set forth in subclauses (A) and (B) of this Section 6.10(b)(i) (including any obligation to maintain any such Buyer Letter of Credit) shall cease upon the acceptance by the counterparty to such applicable Seller LC of Buyer’s substitute credit support arrangement as contemplated by Section 6.10(a)(i) and delivery of reasonable evidence thereof to Seller, and

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(ii) from any other Support Obligations (any such Support Obligations being referred to herein as “ Outstanding Support Obligations ”), Buyer shall pay Seller, no later than the tenth (10 th ) day of each calendar month following the one (1) month anniversary of the Closing, an amount equal to (x) the aggregate daily weighted-average Buyer Requested Amounts multiplied by (y) 50 basis points per annum.  

For the avoidance of doubt, following the Closing Date, an expired or terminated Seller Guaranty shall be deemed to be an Outstanding Support Obligation to the extent that Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Company) remains liable for any payment obligation thereunder (whether such payment obligation arises before or after the expiration or termination of such Seller Guaranty).  Buyer may, in its sole discretion, request that the face amount of any Specified Outstanding Support Obligations (including any Seller Guaranties), as applicable, be reduced to an amount prescribed by Buyer (each, a “ Buyer Requested Amount ”); provided , that in no event shall the Buyer Requested Amount be less than the aggregate exposure then outstanding under such Specified Outstanding Support Obligations, and Seller shall use its reasonable best efforts to effectuate such request with respect to such Specified Outstanding Support Obligations.  At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Buyer shall deliver to Seller written notice of the Buyer Requested Amount with respect to each Specified Outstanding Support Obligation set forth on Schedule 6.10(j) as of the Closing Date.

(c) To the extent that Seller or its Affiliates is liable for any draw or demand under any Specified Outstanding Support Obligations on or after the Closing Date, Buyer shall promptly (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) after receipt from Seller of written notice of such draw or demand and reasonable supporting documentation thereof, pay to Seller an amount in cash equal to such draw or demand amount by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Seller in writing; provided , that Buyer’s obligation under this sentence shall be reduced by the amount of any draw by Seller on a Buyer Letter of Credit as the result of such draw or demand under any Specified Outstanding Support Obligations.  Without limiting Buyer’s obligations under Section 6.10(a) or Section 6.10(b) :

(i) at the Closing, Buyer shall cause to be executed and delivered to Seller a Buyer Parent Guarantee (in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F-1 ) guaranteeing Buyer’s obligations under the first sentence of this Section 6.10(c) , which shall be in an amount (x) at the Closing, equal to the aggregate face amount of all Specified Outstanding Support Obligations (determined based on the maximum credit support provided under such Specified Outstanding Support Obligations), and (y) following the Closing, at all times equal to the aggregate face amount of all Specified Outstanding Support Obligations (determined based on the maximum credit support provided under such Specified Outstanding Support Obligations) less the face amount of any Buyer Letter of Credit contemplated by Section 6.10(d) , and

(ii) on or before the six (6)-month anniversary of the Closing Date (the “ Trading Cut-Off Date ”), Buyer shall provide to Seller a Buyer Letter of Credit (in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G ) issued by a U.S. commercial bank (or the U.S. branch of a foreign commercial bank) that has a long-term unsecured debt rating of “A-” or higher by Standard and Poor’s Corporation and “A3” or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Seller shall be entitled to draw, subject to the terms thereof, at

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any time following a draw or demand on any Specified Outstanding Support Obligation after the Trading Cut-Off Date, an amount under such Buyer Letter of Credit equal to the aggregate amount for which Seller and its Affiliates is liable for such draw or demand on any Specified Outstanding Support Obligation after the Trading Cut-Off Date (to the extent Seller and its Affiliates have not been reimbursed by Buyer under the first sentence of this Section 6.10(c) and without duplication of any previous draw under such Buyer Letter of Credit) , which Buyer Letter of Credit at all times shall be i n an amount equal to the Buyer Requested Amounts .

(d) To the extent Buyer or its Affiliates (including the Company) has executed any trade or transaction after the Closing that results in any obligation or liability covered by (i) any Specified Outstanding Support Obligations in an amount in excess of the Buyer Requested Amount or (ii) any Outstanding Support Obligation that is not a Specified Outstanding Support Obligation (the aggregate amount of such excess obligations and liabilities under subclauses (i) and (ii), the “ Credit Exposure Excess ”), (A) to the extent that Seller or any of its Affiliates is liable for any draw or demand thereunder on or after the Closing Date, Buyer shall promptly (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) after receipt from Seller of written notice of such draw or demand and reasonable supporting documentation thereof, pay to Seller an amount in cash equal to such draw or demand amount by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Seller in writing; provided that Buyer’s obligation under this sentence shall be reduced by the amount of any draw by Seller on a Buyer Letter of Credit issued under this Section 6.10(d) as a result of such draw or demand, and (B) Buyer shall provide to Seller as soon as practicable (but in no event more than two (2) Business Days) following such trade or transaction a Buyer Letter of Credit (in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit G ) issued by a U.S. commercial bank (or the U.S. branch of a foreign commercial bank) that has a long-term unsecured debt rating of “A-” or higher by Standard and Poor’s Corporation and “A3” or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Seller shall be entitled to draw, subject to the terms thereof, at any time following a draw or demand under (x) any Specified Outstanding Support Obligations in an amount in excess of the Buyer Requested Amount or (y) any Outstanding Support Obligation that is not a Specified Outstanding Support Obligation, an amount under such Buyer Letter of Credit equal to the Credit Exposure Excess (to the extent Seller and its Affiliates have not been reimbursed by Buyer under the first sentence of Section 6.10(c) and without duplication of any previous draw under such Buyer Letter of Credit), which Buyer Letter of Credit shall at all times be in an amount equal to the Credit Exposure Excess.  With respect to any Buyer Letter of Credit issued pursuant to Section 6.10 , Buyer and Seller shall cooperate in good faith to notify and instruct the applicable issuing bank of such Buyer Letter of Credit to amend or modify the amount by which Seller may make a draw or demand thereunder to an amount at all times equal to (A) in the case of Section 6.10(b)(i) , the aggregate face amount of any Seller LCs, (B) in the case of Section 6.10(c)(ii) , the Buyer Requested Amounts, and (C) in the case of Section 6.10(d) , the Credit Exposure Excess.

(e) Without limiting Seller’s obligations under Section 6.10(a) , following the Effective Date:

(i) Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, maintain, renew, extend, or replace, as applicable, through the Trading Cut-Off Date any Specified Outstanding Support Obligations (in each case, on terms and conditions substantially similar

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(including the maximum credit exposure thereunder) to those existing as of the Effective Date); provided , however , in no event shall the amount of such Specified Outstanding Support Obligations (as renewed, extended or replaced, as applicable) be less than the Buyer Requested Amounts; provided , further , Seller shall be under no obligation to, or to cause its Affiliates to, maintain, renew, extend, or replace such Specified Outstanding Support Obligations, as applicable, after the Trading Cut-Off Date, and

(ii) Seller shall reasonably cooperate with Buyer to enable Buyer to satisfy its obligations under Section 6.10(a) .  

For the avoidance of doubt, Seller and its Affiliates shall not have any obligation to renew, extend or replace any Support Obligations (including any Seller Guaranties) that expire or terminate after the Trading Cut-Off Date.

(f) With respect to any Material Contract that is supported by:

(i) a Specified Outstanding Support Obligation, from the Closing through the Trading Cut-Off Date, Seller shall (and shall cause its Affiliates to) permit the Company to incur additional obligations and liabilities under such Material Contract;

(ii) an Outstanding Support Obligation that is not a Specified Outstanding Support Obligation, after the Closing, Buyer agrees that it will not, and will cause the Company not to, incur any obligations or liabilities under such Material Contract until earlier to occur of (A) the termination or expiration of any such Outstanding Support Obligation and (B) the effective date of an amendment to such Material Contract or Buyer’s substitute credit support arrangements with respect thereto, in each case, that results in such Outstanding Support Obligation no longer being a Support Obligation with respect to any obligations or liabilities under such Material Contract; and

(iii) an Outstanding Support Obligation, after the Trading Cut-Off Date, Buyer agrees that it will not, and will cause the Company not to, incur additional obligations or liabilities under such Material Contract until the earlier to occur of (A) the termination or expiration of any such Support Obligation and (B) the effective date of an amendment to such Material Contract or Buyer’s substitute credit support arrangements with respect thereto, in each case, that results in such Outstanding Support Obligation no longer being a Support Obligation with respect to any obligations or liabilities under such Material Contract.

(g) Except with respect to Specified Outstanding Support Obligations, at and after the Closing, Seller and its Affiliates shall have the right in their sole discretion to terminate, cancel, or otherwise withdraw all or any portion of any Outstanding Support Obligations at any time (and shall have the right to seek consent to such termination, cancellation or withdrawal directly from the beneficiary of such Outstanding Support Obligations) ; provided , however , Seller and its Affiliates shall have the right in their sole discretion to terminate, cancel, or otherwise withdraw all or any portion of any such Outstanding Support Obligations on or after the earlier to occur of (A) the date that Buyer notifies Seller in writing (or the Buyer Credit Support Manager notifies the Seller Credit Support Manager in writing) that such Outstanding Support Obligation no

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longer constitutes an Outstanding Support Obligation, (B) the effective date of Buyer’s substitute arrangements with respect thereto pursuant to Section 6.10(a) or (C) the twelve (12) month anniversary of the Closing Date.

(h) So long as any Specified Outstanding Support Obligations remain outstanding, Buyer shall (i) promptly notify Seller upon replacement of any Specified Outstanding Support Obligation, (ii) promptly provide any release documents obtained from counterparties, and (iii) provide to Seller not less than weekly a report describing the status of Buyer’s replacement of Specified Outstanding Support Obligations.  So long as any Outstanding Support Obligations remain outstanding, Buyer shall provide to Seller not less than weekly a report describing, in reasonable detail, the aggregate credit exposure under such Outstanding Support Obligations (and related trade data regarding trade date, delivery date, volume and price) as the result of trades executed, confirmed, or conducted after the Closing Date that are supported by such Outstanding Support Obligations.  

(i) In the event that following the date hereof Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Company) is obligated to provide any guarantees, letters of credit, bonds, and other credit assurances of a comparable nature for the benefit of the Company not listed as Specified Outstanding Support Obligations on Schedule 6.10(j) as of the Effective Date (“ Additional Support Obligations ”), Seller shall promptly provide Buyer with notice thereof and shall consult with Buyer in good faith and mutually agree upon the terms and conditions thereof; provided, that the foregoing obligations shall not apply to (x) ordinary course margining or clearing relating to activities authorized under Section 6.1 and (y) in the event of any increase in an index price and solely to the extent required under the terms and conditions of any Material Contact supported by Support Obligations, posting of additional collateral with respect to such Support Obligations.  Such Additional Support Obligations shall be deemed Support Obligations for all purposes hereunder.  Seller shall provide to Buyer not less than weekly a report describing in reasonable detail any Additional Support Obligations issued under this Section 6.10(i) .

(j) Schedule 6.10(j) (which has been mutually agreed by Buyer and Seller) sets forth the Specified Outstanding Support Obligations as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Effective Date.  At least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Buyer and Seller shall mutually agree on an updated Schedule 6.10(j) that takes into consideration (x) any reductions or additions to the Specified Outstanding Support Obligations between the Effective Date and the Closing Date (including any Specified Outstanding Support Obligations under clause (ii) of the definition thereof, as determined by Buyer in its sole discretion), and (y) any Additional Support Obligations permitted under Section 6.10(i) that satisfy clause (i) of the definition of Specified Outstanding Support Obligations or that Buyer determines in its sole discretion constitute Specified Outstanding Support Obligations.  

(k) Buyer and Seller shall each appoint one or more credit support managers (the “ Credit Support Managers ”) who will (i) have responsibility for performing, coordinating and facilitating (on behalf of the Party that appointed such Credit Support Manager) the Parties’ respective obligations under this Section 6.10 and (ii) serve as such Party’s primary liaison with the other Party’s Credit Support Manager.  The Credit Support Managers shall initially be the individuals set forth on Schedule 6.10(k) . The Credit Support Managers will make themselves available to meet (by telephone) at such times as determined by such Credit Support Managers to

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discuss the matters described in this Section 6.10 , but in no event less often than once per week prior to the Closing Date and in no event less often than once per month thereafter.  Each Party may from time to time change its Credit Support Manager by providing written notice thereof to the other Party.

Section 6.11 Insurance.   Buyer shall be solely responsible for providing insurance to the Company for any event or occurrence after the Closing.  Seller shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, in full force and effect the Insurance Policies until the Closing, except for renewals or expirations thereof in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice. If any claims are (or have been) made or losses are suffered by the Company prior to the Closing Date or after the Closing Date for actions occurring prior to the Closing Date, then such claims, or claims associated with such losses, may be made against any applicable Insurance Policies that are occurrence-based policies, and Seller shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that after the Closing Date that Buyer can file, provide notice and otherwise continue to pursue such claims and recover proceeds under the terms of such Insurance Policies, and Seller agrees to otherwise cooperate with Buyer and the Company after the Closing Date to make the benefits of such Insurance Policies available to the Company, at the sole expense of Buyer or its Affiliates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the Closing Date, the Company shall cease to be insured by Seller’s or its Affiliates’ (other than the Company’s) Insurance Policies or by any of their self-insured programs, and all deductibles or retentions under any Insurance Policies with respect to claims made or losses suffered by the Company shall be borne solely by the Company.  

Section 6.12 Director and Officer Indemnification .  

(a) From and after the Closing, Buyer shall cause the Company to indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director, manager and officer of the Company against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred in connection with any Action, arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Closing, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Closing, to the fullest extent that the Company would have been permitted under applicable Law and its Organizational Documents in effect on the date hereof to indemnify such Person (including promptly advancing expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law); provided that Buyer’s obligations under this Section 6.12(a) shall not exceed (and shall be subject to any limitations applicable to) the corresponding obligations of the Company under the Company’s Organizational Documents in effect on the date hereof.  Without limiting the foregoing, Buyer shall cause the Company (i) to maintain for a period of not less than six (6) years from the Closing, provisions in its Organizational Documents concerning the indemnification and exculpation (including relating to expense advancement) of the Company’s former and current directors, managers and officers that are no less favorable to those Persons than the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Company, in each case, as of the date hereof and (ii) not to amend, repeal or otherwise modify such provisions in any respect that would adversely affect the rights of those Persons thereunder, in each case, except as required by Law.

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(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 6.12 shall survive the Closing. In the event that Buyer or the Company or any of their respective successors or assigns consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, Buyer shall use commercially best efforts to ensure that the successors and assigns of Buyer or the Company, as the case may be, shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section 6.12 .

Section 6.13 Settlements. Seller and Buyer shall reasonably cooperate to deliver notice to all counterparties to the Material Contracts directing such counterparties to make all payments from and after the Closing Date to accounts established by the Company or Buyer (rather than accounts held by Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Company)).

Section 6.14 Financing.   Subject to Section 6.2 and Section 6.7 , Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and its and their respective Representatives to, use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with Buyer, at Buyer’s sole cost and expense, in connection with the arrangement of any financing in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as may be reasonably requested by Buyer, including (a) assisting Buyer and its Representatives in preparing any materials for presentations to prospective financing sources and in obtaining any consents to assignment, (b) furnishing information for the preparation of financial statements, pro forma statements and other financial data, and borrowing base reports under the existing credit facility of an Affiliate of Buyer, (c) reasonably cooperating with prospective financing sources in performing their due diligence, and (d) negotiating account control agreements; provided , that in no event shall Buyer or its representatives (including financing sources) contact any of the Company’s employees, vendors, customers or suppliers without receiving prior written authorization from Seller. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer agrees that (i) this Section 6.14 will not require Seller, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates to agree to any contractual obligation relating to such financing that is not conditioned upon the Closing and that does not terminate without liability to Seller, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates upon the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (ii) on the Closing Date or following the termination of this Agreement, Buyer shall promptly reimburse Seller for all reasonable documented out-of-pocket third party costs incurred by Seller and its Affiliates (including, in the event of a termination, the Company) in connection with such cooperation; and (iii) Buyer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Seller, its Affiliates (including, in the event of termination, the Company) and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses, interest, awards, judgments and penalties suffered or incurred in connection with the arrangement of such financing or any assistance or activities provided in connection therewith (other than arising from fraud or willful misconduct by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Parties acknowledge and agree that obtaining such financing is not a condition precedent to any of the Parties obligations under this Agreement and that a breach of this Section 6.14 shall not result in the failure of a condition precedent to Buyer’s obligations under Section 8.1 .  Buyer shall use reasonable best efforts to do, or cause to be done, all things that are within the Buyer’s or any of its Affiliates’ control necessary to arrange the financing contemplated by this Section 6.14 as promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement and to consummate such financing on or prior to the Closing Date.

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Section 6.15 IT Migration .

(a) As promptly as reasonably practicable following the Effective Date (and in any event prior to Closing), Buyer and Seller shall cooperate in good faith to develop an information technology migration plan (the “ Day One Plan ”) for the operation, beginning on the Closing Date, of the information technology systems of the Business (including with respect to the provision of Transition Services (as defined in the Transition Services Agreement) pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement).  The Parties agree that the intended purpose of the Day One Plan is, to the extent reasonably practicable, to minimize disruption to, and ensure continuity of, the information technology systems of the Business. Buyer and Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take such actions mutually agreed to in writing by Buyer and Seller to accomplish the intended purpose of the Day One Plan and each of Buyer and Seller will pay its own costs and expenses in connection with the Day One Plan.

(b) During the period between the Effective Date and the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver to Buyer weekly and, beginning fifteen days prior to the anticipated Closing Date, once per Business Day the data detail, feeds and extract files set forth on Schedule 6.15(b) , including any passwords or other keys, if any, to enable use of such data detail, feeds and extract files (as the same may be updated from time to time by mutual agreement in writing by Buyer and Seller) (collectively, the “ IT Migration Deliverables ”) (it  being understood that  such  data feeds and extracts may continue to be updated and modified as part of testing until the Closing Date).  The IT Migration Deliverables shall be delivered to Buyer in the form and format specified on Schedule 6.15(b) (or, if no such form and format is specified, in a form and format mutually agreed in writing by Buyer and Seller).   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Buyer acknowledges and agrees that the IT Migration Deliverables are being provided prior to the Closing Date solely for implementation and testing purposes with Buyer’s information technology systems and shall not be incorporated or implemented into Buyer’s production environment prior to the Closing Date without Seller’s prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Subject to compliance with any legal and regulatory requirements, security and risk concerns and obtaining any required third party consents, Buyer and Seller shall work together in good faith to provide Buyer with access to, and delivery of, market data and reference data related to market data (including any reference data that ties counterparty names to accounts, positions and transactions) included in the IT Migration Deliverables prior to the Closing Date; provided that, such market data and reference data shall be (i) deemed Restricted Information of Seller and subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, (ii) accessible only to Buyer’s information technology and senior management team responsible for implementing and testing the IT Migration Deliverables, and (iii) segregated by Buyer from any other data or information contained within Buyer’s information technology systems.

(c) In addition, for purposes of facilitating testing and post-Closing integration of Trade Data with Buyer’s systems, between the Effective Date and the Closing Date, Seller shall provide Buyer with Trade Data, to the extent applicable, with respect to all trading obligations under each Derivative Contract, as applicable (the “ Trade Data Extract ”), (x) commencing on the Effective Date and continuing each seventh (7 th ) day thereafter, once per week, and (y) beginning fifteen (15) days prior to the Closing Date, once per Business Day; in each case under clauses (x) and (y), setting forth the Trade Data as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the date it is delivered to Buyer pursuant to this Section 6.15(c) .  At or

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prior to the Closing, Seller shall provide Buyer with an electronic file containing an updated Schedule 4.26 setting forth the Trade Data Extract as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date. At Closing, Seller shall provide Buyer with a Trade Data Extract as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date.  

Section 6.16 Bank Accounts.   For those bank accounts, safety deposit boxes and lock boxes set forth on Schedule 4.19 , Seller shall cooperate and provide assistance as may be requested by Buyer, for the removal of the current signatories and delivering any additional documentation as may be required with respect to those accounts listed on Schedule 4.19 .

Section 6.17 Notice of Certain Events.   During the period after the Effective Date and prior to the Closing, Seller shall promptly notify Buyer in writing of any circumstance, change, event or effect that, to Seller’s Knowledge, the existence or occurrence of which is a Material Adverse Effect. Buyer’s receipt of information pursuant to this Section 6.17 will not operate as a waiver or otherwise affect any representation, warranty or covenant given or made by Seller in this Agreement and will not be deemed to amend or supplement the Disclosure Schedule.

Section 6.18 Gas Inventory Update. At or prior to Closing, Seller shall provide Buyer with an updated Schedule 4.23 setting forth an accurate and complete list of the natural gas (measured on an MMBtu basis) described in the first sentence of Section 4.23 as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date.  Seller shall provide Buyer with a PAL Inventory Certificate (x) at or prior to the Effective Date, setting forth the total MMBtus of natural gas held in inventory for the account of the Company with respect to all natural gas inventory described in Section 4.23(ii) as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Effective Date, and (y) at or prior to Closing, setting forth the total MMBtus of natural gas held in inventory for the account of the Company with respect to all natural gas inventory described in Section 4.23(ii) as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date.

Section 6.19 Exclusivity. Except with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, Seller shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates and its and their respective Representatives (including any investment banking, legal or accounting firm retained by any of the foregoing) not to: (a) initiate, solicit or seek, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or the making or implementation of any proposal or offer with respect to a merger, acquisition, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, equity investment or similar transaction involving, or any purchase of all or any substantial portion of the assets or any equity interests of, Seller or the Company (any such proposal or offer being hereinafter referred to as a “ Proposal ”); (b) engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential information or data to, or have any substantive discussions with, any Person relating to a Proposal; or (c) enter into a Contract with any Person relating to a Proposal. The obligations set forth in this Section 6.18 shall expire upon the earlier of (y)  the termination of this Agreement and (z) the Closing Date.

Section 6.20 R&W Insurance Policy .  Buyer has obtained a “buyer’s form” conditional binder to the R&W Insurance Policy with the R&W Insurance Provider, and Buyer has provided a true and correct copy of such binder to the Seller prior to the date hereof, in the form attached hereto as Schedule 6.20 .  At or in connection with Closing, (i) Seller shall deliver to Buyer a copy of a CD or DVD-ROM containing a true, complete and correct copy of the Data Site and (ii) Buyer shall deliver to Seller a true and correct copy of the bound R&W Insurance Policy in effect at Closing.   

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Article VII.

TAX MATTERS

Section 7.1 Intended Tax Treatment; Purchase Price Allocation.   Buyer and Seller shall, for federal income Tax purposes (and any applicable provision of state or local income Tax purposes), treat the purchase of the Interests as a purchase of the Company’s assets and an assumption of the Company’s liabilities. Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Seller a draft of a statement setting forth a proposed allocation (the “ Allocation ”) of the Purchase Price as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.4 (as well as liabilities assumed or deemed assumed for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to the extent relevant) among the various assets of the Company in a manner consistent with Section 1060 of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and any similar provision of state or local Law, as appropriate), together with reasonable supporting information and calculations within sixty (60) days after the determination of the final Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.4 .  Seller shall inform Buyer in writing within forty-five (45) days of the receipt of such draft of any objection by Seller to the Allocation. To the extent that any such objection is received, Buyer and Seller shall attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute within fifteen (15) days following the receipt of such objection but shall have no obligation to resolve any disagreement.  If Seller does not timely object to the Allocation, or upon resolution of the disputed items by Buyer and Seller, the Allocation shall become the “ Final Allocation .” If Buyer and Seller cannot resolve any disputed item, the item in question shall be resolved by the Accountants. Buyer and Seller shall act in good faith to cause the Accountants to deliver the Final Allocation within thirty (30) days after such submission, and the fees and expenses of the Accountants shall be borne equally by Buyer and Seller. Any Allocation delivered by the Accountants shall be the Final Allocation. Buyer and Seller shall (i) be bound by the Final Allocation for purposes of determining any Taxes and (ii) prepare and file all Tax Returns in a manner consistent with the Final Allocation and otherwise take no position (and cause its Affiliates to take no position) inconsistent with the Final Allocation, unless required by applicable Law; provided , however , that nothing in this Section 7.1 shall prohibit any Party (or any of its respective Affiliates) from settling any proposed deficiency or adjustment by any Governmental Authority based upon or arising out of the Final Allocation and the Parties (and any of their respective Affiliates) shall not be required to litigate before any court any proposed deficiency or adjustment by any Governmental Authority challenging the Final Allocation and (y) the Final Allocation shall be adjusted as mutually agreed by Buyer and Seller to account for any adjustments to the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 9.9 .

Section 7.2 Responsibility for Filing Tax Returns and Paying Taxes.

(a) Seller shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns required to be filed (and withhold, or cause to be withheld, all amounts required to be withheld) by or with respect to the Company for each Pre-Closing Tax Period. Seller shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Taxes due with respect to each Pre-Closing Tax Period with respect to the Compan y, including, but not limited to, the assessed but protested Taxes by Harrison County, Texas if the same become due and payable.

(b) Buyer shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to the Company for each Tax period ending after the Closing Date (other than a Straddle Period). Buyer shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Taxes

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shown as due with respect to each Tax period ending after the Closing Date (other than with respect to a Straddle Period) with respect to the Company.    Seller shall not be liable for or pay for any Taxes with regards to Section 4.7 that are imposed on Seller, any Affiliate of Seller, or the Company as result of actions taken or elections made by Buyer, any Buyer Affiliate, or the Company after the Closing that are outside the ordinary course of business .

(c) Buyer shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns with respect to any Straddle Period by or with respect to the Company. Seller shall be liable for the payment of Taxes relating to that portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date and Buyer shall be liable for the payment of Taxes relating to that portion of any Straddle Period starting after the Closing Date. For this purpose, Taxes for a Straddle Period shall be apportioned as follows: Property Taxes shall be apportioned on a ratable daily basis based on the current year’s Taxes. All Income Taxes (however denominated and whether assessed on a consolidated or combined Tax Return), sale and use Taxes, employment Taxes, withholding Taxes and value added Taxes, shall be apportioned based on an interim closing of the books of the Company as of the end of the Closing Date. Seller will pay directly to Buyer, within thirty (30) days of request of such payment but not earlier than five (5) days before the due date for filing a Straddle Period Tax Return, its share of Taxes to which any such Straddle Period Tax Return relates.

(d) Unless Buyer and Seller otherwise agree in writing, all Tax Returns (excluding all Group Tax Returns), including amendments thereto, in respect of the Company for Pre-Closing Tax Periods that are filed after the Closing Date and for any Straddle Period, in the absence of a change in or conflict with controlling Law, shall be prepared on a basis consistent with the elections, accounting methods, conventions and principles of taxation used for the most recent Tax periods for which Tax Returns involving similar matters have been filed. Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, shall provide the other Party with a draft of any Pre-Closing Tax Period or Straddle Period Tax Return (excluding all Group Tax Returns) no less than thirty (30) days prior to the due date for filing such Tax Return and such Party shall provide Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, with its comments (if any) to the draft Tax Return within fifteen (15) days of receipt of such draft Tax Return, which comments shall be taken into account in good faith, and such Tax Returns shall not be filed without the written consent of the other Party, not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Seller shall not file an amended Tax Return (excluding all Group Tax Returns) after the Closing Date with respect to the Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period without the written consent of Buyer, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Unless otherwise required by applicable Law, Buyer shall not file, and shall not cause the Company to file, an amended Tax Return with respect to the Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period or for a Straddle Period without the written consent of Seller, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

Section 7.3 Responsibility for Tax Audits and Contests.

(a) With respect to any audit or contest relating to Taxes or Tax Returns in respect of the Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period, Seller will control all proceedings, may make all decisions (including selection of counsel) and, without limiting the foregoing, may in its sole discretion, pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearing and conferences with any Governmental Authority taken in connection thereof.

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(b) With respect to any audit or contest relating to Taxes or Tax Returns in respect of the Company for any Tax period ending after the Closing Date (other than a Straddle Period), Buyer will control all proceedings, may make all decisions (including selection of counsel) and, without limiting the foregoing, may in its sole discretion, pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearing and conferences with any Governmental Authority taken in connection thereof.

(c) Seller and Buyer shall jointly control any audit, contest or proceeding with respect to the Taxes or Tax Returns in respect of the Company for any Straddle Period; provided , however , that Buyer will have the ultimate authority to determine settlement terms or any other resolution of such matter.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, neither Buyer nor Seller shall settle any audit or contest in a way that would adversely affect the other Party in any material respect, without the other Party’s written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld.

(e) In the event of any conflict or overlap between the provisions of this Section 7.3 and Article IX , the provisions of this Section 7.3 shall control.

Section 7.4 Mutual Cooperation .

(a) Each Party agrees to provide the other Party (and Buyer shall cause the Company to provide Seller) with such cooperation and information as may reasonably be requested by Seller or Buyer (including Form 2848 solely for purposes of clause (ii) or (iii) of this Section 7.4(a) ), as the case may be, in connection with (i) the preparation or filing of any Tax Return not inconsistent with this Agreement, (ii) pursuing Tax refund claims, (iii) the conduct of any audit, contest or other examination by any Taxing authority or judicial or administrative proceedings in respect to Taxes or Tax Returns, or (iv) otherwise carrying out the provisions of this Agreement.

(b) To the extent necessary to carry out the purpose of this Agreement and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, such cooperation and information shall also include promptly forwarding copies of appropriate notices and forms or other communication received from or sent to any Governmental Authority which relate to Tax Returns or Taxes of the Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period or any Straddle Period and providing copies of all relevant Tax Returns for any Pre-Closing Tax Period or any Straddle Period, together with accompanying schedules and related workpapers, and documents relating to ruling and other determinations relating to Taxes or Tax Returns by Governmental Authorities, including without limitation, foreign Governmental Authorities, which either Party may possess.

(c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Buyer shall retain, and shall cause the Company, to retain, and Seller shall retain, for a period of seven (7) years following the Closing Date, for the Company copies of all Tax Returns, supporting work schedules, and other records or information that may be relevant to such Tax Returns for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods and for any Straddle Period and shall not destroy or otherwise dispose of any such records without first providing the other Party with a reasonable opportunity to review and copy the same.

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Section 7.5 Tax Refunds .   Seller shall be entitled to any refund of Taxes paid with respect to any Pre-Closing Tax Period. Buyer shall be entitled to any refund of Taxes paid with respect to any Tax period ending after the Closing Date (other than a Straddle Period). Tax refunds for any Straddle Period shall be apportioned based on the Taxes that were paid by or on behalf of Buyer and Seller in accordance with Section 7.2(c) above. If a Party receives a Tax refund to which the other Party is entitled pursuant to this Section 7.5 , the Party receiving the Tax refund shall pay it to the Party entitled to the Tax refund within ten (10) Business Days after receipt thereof.

Section 7.6 Transfer Taxes.   All excise, sales, use, value added, transfer (including real property transfer or gains), stamp, documentary, filing, recordation and other similar taxes, levies, assessments, customs, duties, imposts, charges or fees, together with any interest, additions or penalties with respect thereto and any interest in respect of such additions or penalties, resulting directly from the transactions arising under this Agreement (the “ Transfer Taxes ”) shall be borne equally by Buyer and Seller. Buyer shall prepare and timely file, or will cause to be prepared and timely filed, all Tax Returns or other documentation relating to the Transfer Taxes; provided , however , that to the extent required by applicable Law, Seller will join the execution of any such Tax Returns or other documents relating to the Transfer Taxes, in which case, Buyer shall provide Seller with copies of each such Tax Return or other document at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which such Tax Return or other document is required to be filed. Seller shall pay to Buyer or any of Buyer’s Affiliates, as applicable, the amounts shown as due on such Tax Return no later than five (5) days after Buyer has provided a copy of such Tax Return to Seller.

Section 7.7 Tax Sharing Agreements.   Seller shall cause any Tax Sharing Agreement between Seller or any Affiliate of Seller other than the Company, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, to be terminated with respect to the Company prior to the Closing Date. After the Closing Date, the Company shall not have any rights or obligations under any such terminated Tax Sharing Agreement.

Section 7.8 Upstream Distribution.   Seller is responsible for, and shall pay, the Upstream Distribution Taxes to the appropriate Governmental Authority when due.

Article VIII.

CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

Section 8.1 Conditions to Obligations of Buyer.   The obligation of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by Buyer:

(a) Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Seller.

(i) (A) Each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.1 (Organization of Seller), Section 3.2 (Authorization; Enforceability), Section 3.3(b) (No Conflict; Consents), Section 3.4 (Ownership of Interests), Section 4.1 (Organization of the Company), Section 4.2(b) (No Conflict; Consents), Section 4.3 (Capitalization) and Section 4.22 (Brokers’ Fees) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this

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Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are by their express terms made as of an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such date) and (B) each of the other representations and warranties set forth in Article III and Article IV shall be true and correct in all respects (without regard to materiality qualifiers, including Material Adverse Effect) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are by their express terms made as of an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such date), except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(ii) Seller shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of the covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Seller at or before the Closing; and

(iii) Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate (the “ Seller Closing Certificate ”), dated the Closing Date, signed by an authorized executive officer of Seller, certifying that the conditions specified in this Section 8.1(a) have been fulfilled.

(b) No Injunction, Etc. No applicable Law and no Order shall be in effect that prohibits or restricts the consummation of the Closing.

(c) No Action . No Action by any Governmental Authority, pertaining to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to its consummation, shall have been instituted and be pending.

(d) Deliveries . Seller shall have delivered to Buyer the items required by Section 2.6 of this Agreement.

Section 8.2 Conditions to the Obligations of Seller .  The obligation of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by Seller:

(a) Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Buyer .

(i) (A) Each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.1 (Organization of Buyer), Section 5.2 (Authorization; Enforceability), Section 5.3(b) (No Conflict; Consents) and Section 5.5 (Brokers’ Fees) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are by their express terms made as of an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such date) and (B) each of the other representations and warranties set forth in Article V shall be true and correct in all respects (without regard to materiality qualifiers, including Material Adverse Effect) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are by their express terms made as of an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be

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true and correct as of such date), except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of Buyer to perform its material obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

(ii) Buyer shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of the covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Buyer at or before the Closing; and

(iii) Buyer shall have delivered to Seller a certificate (the “ Buyer Closing Certificate ”), dated the Closing Date, signed by an authorized executive officer of Buyer certifying that the conditions specified in this Section 8.2(a) have been fulfilled.

(b) No Injunction, Etc. No applicable Law and no Order shall be in effect that prohibits or restricts the consummation of the Closing.

(c) No Action . No Action by any Governmental Authority, pertaining to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to its consummation, shall have been instituted and be pending.

(d) Deliveries . Buyer shall have delivered to Buyer the items required by Section 2.7 of this Agreement.

Article IX.

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 9.1 Survival .

(a) Each and every representation and warranty of Seller or Buyer contained in Article III , Article IV and Article V and in any closing certificate or other instrument or agreement delivered by any Party pursuant to this Agreement will survive the Closing Date until (and will expire and be of no further force or effect after) the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date; provided , however , that (i) the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.1 (Organization of Seller), Section 3.2 (Authorization; Enforceability), Section 3.3(b) (No Conflict; Consents), Section 3.4 (Ownership of Interests), Section 4.1 (Organization of the Company), Section 4.2(b) (No Conflict; Consents), Section 4.3 (Capitalization), Section 4.22 (Brokers’ Fees), Section 5.1 (Organization of Buyer), Section 5.2 (Authorization, Enforceability), Section 5.3(b) (No Conflict; Consents) and Section 5.5 (Brokers’ Fees) (collectively, the “ Fundamental Representations ”) will survive indefinitely, (ii) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.7 (Taxes) shall survive until the date that is ninety (90) days following expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (including any extensions thereof), (iii) the representations and warranties in Section 4.11 (Environmental Matters) shall survive until the date that is five (5) years after the Closing Date and (iv) the representations and warranties in Section 4.26 (Trade Data) shall survive until the date that is one (1) year after the Closing Date.

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(b) The obligations of each Party to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the applicable Persons (i) pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(i) and Section 9.2(b)(i) will terminate when the applicable representation or warranty expires pursuant to Section 9.1(a) , (ii) pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(ii) and Section 9.2(b)(ii) will terminate upon the expiration of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving effect to any extensions thereof), and (iii) pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(iii) will terminate upon the date that is ninety (90) days following expiration of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving effect to any extensions thereof); provided , however , that as to clauses (i) and (ii) above, such obligations to indemnify, defend and hold harmless will not terminate with respect to any individual item as to which an Indemnified Party shall have, before the expiration of the applicable period, previously made a claim by delivering a notice (stating in reasonable detail the basis of such claim) to the applicable Indemnifying Party.

Section 9.2 Indemnification.

(a) Seller shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer, Buyer’s Representatives and Affiliates (including, following the Closing, the Company) and each of their officers, members, directors and employees (collectively, the “ Buyer Indemnified Parties ”) against any and all Actions, losses, penalties, liabilities, damages, obligations, payments, costs and expenses (including the penalties, costs and expenses of any and all Actions, assessments, judgments and settlements relating thereto and reasonable attorneys’ and consultants’ fees and reasonable disbursements in connection therewith) (collectively, “ Losses ”) that any Buyer Indemnified Party shall suffer as a result of, relating to or arising out of:

(i) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty made by Seller in Article III or Article IV of this Agreement or contained in any certificate delivered in connection herewith; and

(ii) the breach of any covenant or agreement made, or to be performed by, Seller pursuant to this Agreement.

(b) Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller, Seller’s Representatives and Affiliates and each of their respective officers, members, managers, directors and employees (collectively, the “ Seller Indemnified Parties ”) against any and all Losses incurred or suffered as a result of, relating to or arising out of:

(i) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty made by Buyer in Article V of this Agreement or contained in any certificate delivered in connection herewith;

(ii) the breach of any covenant or agreement made, or to be performed by, Buyer pursuant to this Agreement; and

(iii) any and all Taxes of the Company for which Buyer is responsible pursuant to Section 7.2(b) , Section 7.2(c) and Section 7.6 of this Agreement.

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Section 9.3 Limitations on Liability .

(a) Seller will not be responsible for making payments with respect to Losses for any individual items pursuant to Section 9.2(a)(i) , and Buyer will not be responsible for making payments with respect to Losses for any individual items pursuant to Section 9.2(b)(i) , in each case, where the aggregate Losses relating thereto are less than Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000).

(b) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will the aggregate amount for which Seller shall be responsible to indemnify all Buyer Indemnified Parties for all claims under Section 9.2(a)(i) (in each case, other than with respect to (x) claims involving fraud and (y) Excluded Representations) exceed, and Seller’s aggregate liability thereunder shall be limited to, an aggregate amount of $770,000; provided, however, in no event will the aggregate amount for which Seller shall be responsible to indemnify all Buyer Indemnified Parties for all Claims under Excluded Representations exceed, and Seller’s aggregate liability thereunder shall be limited to, an aggregate amount equal to $6,000,000.

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will the aggregate amount for which Seller shall be responsible to indemnify all Buyer Indemnified Parties for a breach of Section 9.2(a)(ii) (other than with respect to claims involving fraud) exceed, and Seller’s aggregate liability thereunder shall be limited to, an aggregate amount equal to (x) $60,000,000 minus (y) the aggregate amount of any liability of Seller for claims under Section 9.2(a)(i) .

(d) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 9.3(d), the amount of any Losses subject to indemnification under this Article IX or any other amount payable by either Party to the other Party under Section 2.4(d) shall be reduced or reimbursed, as the case may be, by any third party insurance proceeds and third party recoveries actually received by the Buyer Indemnified Parties with respect to such Losses or such other amounts. Buyer shall, and shall cause the Buyer Indemnified Parties to, use commercially reasonable efforts to collect any amounts available under such insurance coverage and from such other third party alleged to have responsibility. If a Buyer Indemnified Party receives an amount under insurance coverage or from such third party with respect to Losses that were the subject of indemnification under Section 9.2(a) or other payments required to be made by Seller under Section 2.4(d) at any time subsequent to indemnification therefor or payment thereof, respectively, then such Buyer Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse Seller for such items if and to the extent they were not previously taken into account and applied against Losses or determining such payment amount, respectively. For the avoidance of doubt, Seller shall not be reimbursed pursuant to this Section 9.3(d) for any amounts for which Seller is responsible to indemnify all any Buyer Indemnified Parties under this Section 9.3 if (x) such amounts have not yet been paid by Seller to such Buyer Indemnified Parties or (y) such amounts have already reduced the amount of Losses subject to indemnification under this Article IX .

(e) The amount of Losses for which indemnification is provided under this Agreement will be reduced to take account of any net Tax benefit realized, or realizable, by the Indemnified Party arising from the incurrence or payment of any such Losses. In computing the amount of any Tax benefit, the Indemnified Party shall be deemed to be subject (x) to United

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States federal Income Taxes at the maximum statutory rate then in effect and (y) to state and local Taxes at a combined state and local Tax effected Tax rate of five percent (5%) (which Tax effected amount shall be adjusted from time to time based on the then current maximum federal income Tax rate).

(f) For purposes of this Article IX , the determination of whether a breach of any representation or warranty occurred and the amount of any indemnifiable Losses in respect of the inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty  shall be determined without regard to any materiality, Material Adverse Effect or other similar qualification contained in or otherwise applicable to such representation or warranty.

Section 9.4 Procedures.   Claims for indemnification under this Agreement shall be asserted and resolved as follows:

(a) If any Person who or which is entitled to seek indemnification under Section 9.2 (an “ Indemnified Party ”) receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any claim asserted against an Indemnified Party by a third party (“ Third Party Claim ”) in respect of any matter that is subject to indemnification under Section 9.2 , the Indemnified Party shall promptly:

(i) notify the Party obligated to the Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 9.2 above (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) of the Third Party Claim; and

 

(ii) transmit to the Indemnifying Party a written notice (“ Claim Notice ”) describing in reasonable detail the nature of the Third Party Claim, a copy of all papers served with respect to such claim (if any), the Indemnified Party’s best estimate of the amount of Losses attributable to the Third Party Claim and the basis of the Indemnified Party’s request for indemnification under this Agreement.

Failure to timely provide such Claim Notice shall not affect the right of the Indemnified Party’s indemnification hereunder, except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such delay or omission.

(b) The Indemnifying Party may elect to defend the Indemnified Party against such Third Party Claim. If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the Third Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend such Third Party Claim with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party (who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party), by all appropriate proceedings, to a final conclusion or settlement at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this Section 9.4(b) . The Indemnifying Party shall have full control of such defense and proceedings, including any compromise or settlement thereof; provided that the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into any settlement agreement without the written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided , further , that such consent shall not be required if:

(i) the settlement agreement contains a complete and unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding; and

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(ii) the settlement agreement does not contain any consideration other than the payment of money which the Indemnifying Party agrees to pay.

If requested by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party agrees, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel in contesting any Third Party Claim which the Indemnifying Party elects to contest, including the making of any related counterclaim against the Person asserting the Third Party Claim or any cross complaint against any Person. The Indemnified Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Third Party Claim controlled by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section 9.4(b) , and the Indemnified Party shall bear its own costs and expenses with respect to such participation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party shall have the right, exercisable in its sole discretion, to assume control of the defense of any Third Party Claim if (i) the Indemnifying Party advises such Indemnified Party in writing that the Indemnifying Party does not elect to defend, settle or compromise such Third Party Claim, or (ii) the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Claim Notice that the Indemnifying Party elects to undertake the defense thereof.

(c) If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party elects to defend the Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 9.4(b) , then the Indemnified Party shall have the right to defend, and be reimbursed for its reasonable cost and expense (but only if the Indemnified Party is actually entitled to indemnification hereunder) in regard to the Third Party Claim with counsel selected by the Indemnified Party, by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings shall be prosecuted diligently by the Indemnified Party. In such circumstances, the Indemnified Party shall defend any such Third Party Claim in good faith and have full control of such defense and proceedings; provided , however , that the Indemnified Party may not enter into any compromise or settlement of such Third Party Claim if indemnification is to be sought hereunder, without the Indemnifying Party’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Indemnifying Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement controlled by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 9.4(c) , and the Indemnifying Party shall bear its own costs and expenses with respect to such participation.

(d) Any claim by an Indemnified Party on account of Losses that does not result from a Third Party Claim (a “ Direct Claim ”) will be asserted by giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than thirty (30) days after the Indemnified Party becomes aware of the events that gave rise to such Direct Claim; provided , that failure to provide timely notice shall not affect the Indemnified Party’s indemnification hereunder, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is actually materially prejudiced by such delay or omission. Such notice by the Indemnified Party will describe the Direct Claim in reasonable detail and will indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of Losses that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party will have a period of five (5) Business Days within which to respond in writing to such Direct Claim. If the Indemnifying Party does not so respond within such five (5) Business Day period, the Indemnifying Party will be deemed to have rejected such claim, in which event the Indemnified Party will be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnified Party on the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

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Section 9.5 Waiver of Certain Damages .  EXCEPT FOR CLAIMS INVOLVING FRAUD, NO PARTY SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR SPECIAL DAMAGES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR BASED ON THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED IN THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OTHER LAW OR OTHERWISE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT (a) THIS SECTION SHALL NOT LIMIT A PARTY’S RIGHT TO RECOVER UNDER THIS ARTICLE IX FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS REQUIRED TO PAY SUCH DAMAGES TO A THIRD PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH A MATTER FOR WHICH SUCH PARTY IS OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION UNDER THIS ARTICLE IX AND (b) DAMAGES THAT ARE THE REASONABLY FORESEEABLE RESULT OF THE EVENT THAT GAVE RISE TO SUCH DAMAGES SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES FOR PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT.

Section 9.6 Waiver of Other Representations.

(a) EXCEPT FOR THOSE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ITS EXHIBITS OR ANY CERTIFICATE FURNISHED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER SELLER NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE OR IS MAKING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, IN RESPECT OF THE INTERESTS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE BUSINESSES OR ANY OF THE ASSETS, LIABILITIES OR OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY, INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR FORECASTS RELATING TO THE COMPANY, AND ANY SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.

(b) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, THE COMPANY’S ASSETS ARE BEING INDIRECTLY TRANSFERRED THROUGH THE SALE OF THE INTERESTS “AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS,” AND SELLER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE VALUE OF THE SHARES OR THE CONDITION, VALUE OR QUALITY OF THE COMPANY OR ITS ASSETS OR THE PROSPECTS (FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE) OF OR RISKS ATTENDANT TO THE COMPANY OR THE BUSINESS.

Section 9.7 Exclusive Remedy and Release.   From and after the Closing, the indemnification and remedies set forth in this Article IX and in Section 2.4(d) , Section 6.2(b) , Section 6.4(c) , Section 6.5(c) ,   Section 6.10 , Section 6.12(a) , Section 6.14 and Section 10.2(c) shall constitute the sole and exclusive remedies of the Parties with respect to any breach of representation or warranty or non-performance, partial or total, of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Section 9.7 shall prevent or otherwise limit either Party from (a) seeking injunctive or equitable relief, including specific performance pursuant to Section 11.14 , for claims of breach or failure to perform covenants under this Agreement or (b) pursuing, and recovering in respect of, any claim based on fraud. Effective as

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of the Closing, except with respect to claims described in clause (a) or (b) of the foregoing sentence, and subject to the provisions of Section 9.3 , each Party hereby waives, releases, acquits and forever discharges the other Party, its officers, directors, members, managers, partners, employees or agents, or any other Person acting on behalf of such other Party, of and from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, demands, rights, damages, costs, expenses, Losses or compensation whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, which a Party now has or may have or which may arise in the future directly or indirectly, and which arise under this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder or which relate to the Company or its assets or operations, including any of the foregoing that is from or relating to the possession, use, handling, management, disposal, investigation, remediation, cleanup or Release of, or exposure to, any Constituents of Concern or any Environmental Law applicable thereto .

Section 9.8 No Duplication of Recovery. All indemnifiable Losses hereunder and payments owed under Section 2.4(d) shall be determined without duplication of recovery under other provisions of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the immediately prior sentence, if a set of facts, conditions or events constitutes a breach of more than one representation, warranty, covenant or agreement that is subject to an indemnification obligation under this Article IX , only one recovery of indemnifiable Losses or payment under Section 2.4(d) shall be allowed, and in no event shall there be any indemnification or duplication of payments or recovery under different provisions of this Agreement arising out of the same facts, conditions or events.

Section 9.9 Treatment of Payments .  Any amounts paid under Section 2.4(d) , Section 9.2 , Section 9.3(d) or the indemnification obligations under Section 6.2(b) , Section 6.5(c) and Section 6.10 shall be treated by Buyer and Seller as an adjustment to the Purchase Price, unless otherwise required by a change in Law occurring after the date hereof, a closing agreement with an applicable Taxing authority, or a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

Article X.

TERMINATION

Section 10.1 Termination.   At any time prior to the Closing, this Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby abandoned:

(a) by the mutual consent of Buyer and Seller as evidenced in a writing signed by each of Buyer and Seller;

(b) by Buyer upon written notice to Seller, if there has been a material breach by Seller of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement that has prevented, or if uncured will prevent, the satisfaction of any condition to the obligations of Seller or Buyer at the Closing and such breach has continued without cure for a period of thirty (30) days after Buyer has delivered Seller written notice of such breach; provided that no cure period will be permitted for any such breach that by its nature cannot be cured;

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(c) by Seller upon written notice to Buyer, if there has been a material breach by Buyer of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement that has prevented, or if uncured will prevent, the satisfaction of any condition to the obligations of Seller or Buyer at the Closing and such breach has continued without cure for a period of thirty (30) days after Seller has delivered Buyer notice of such breach; provided that no cure period will be permitted for any such breach that by its nature cannot be cured;

(d) by either Buyer or Seller, upon written notice to the other Party, if any Governmental Authority having competent jurisdiction has issued a final, non-appealable Order or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(e) by either Buyer or Seller upon written notice to the other Party, if the transactions contemplated hereby have not been consummated by April 1, 2018 (or such later date as may be mutually agreed by the Parties in writing) (the “ Outside Date ”); provided that neither Buyer nor Seller will be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.1(e) if such Person’s material breach of this Agreement has prevented the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or

(f) by Seller, upon written notice to Buyer, if (i) the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 are satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing but which are capable of being satisfied at the Closing if the Closing were to occur), and (ii) Seller delivers to Buyer an irrevocable written notice on or after the date that Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 2.5 and Seller is ready, willing and able to proceed with Closing in accordance with Section 2.5 , and (iii) within three (3) Business Days after Seller’s delivery of such notice to Buyer (or, if sooner, the Outside Date), Buyer fails to deliver the payments and other documents required to be made or delivered by Buyer under Section 2.2(a) and Section 2.7 .

Section 10.2 Effect of Termination.

(a) Except for this Section 10.2 (Effect of Termination) and for Section 11.4 (Expenses), Section 11.9 (Publicity), Section 11.11 (Governing Law), Section 11.12 (Dispute Resolution) and Section 11.13 (Consent to Jurisdiction), each of which shall survive any termination of this Agreement, if this Agreement is terminated under Section 10.1 , all further obligations of the Parties under this Agreement will terminate without further liability or obligation of either Party to the other Parties hereunder (except as provided in Section 10.2(a) or Section 10.2(c) , as applicable); provided that nothing herein will relieve either Party from liability for any breach of this Agreement prior to such termination.

(b) [Reserved]

(c) If this Agreement is terminated by Buyer pursuant to Section 10.1(b ), then Seller shall pay to Buyer, by wire transfer of immediately available funds within two (2) Business Days following the date of termination, the amount of $3,000,000 (the “ Break-Up Fee ”). Until such time as Buyer terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(b ) and Seller pays the Break-Up Fee in accordance with this Section 10.2(c) , nothing in this Section 10.2(c) shall prohibit

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Buyer from its right to seek specific performance pursuant to, and on the terms and conditions set forth in, Section 11.14 ; provided , that Buyer shall not be entitled under any circumstances to obtain both (i) a recovery of monetary damages in the form of the Break-Up Fee (and any other amounts recoverable pursuant to this Section 10.2(c) ) or otherwise, and (ii) specific performance of the consummation of the Closing pursuant to this Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, upon termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(b ), Buyer’s right to receive the Break-Up Fee shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Buyer and its Affiliates against Seller and its Affiliates for any losses, liabilities, damages, obligations, payments, costs and expenses suffered as a result of the failure of Closing of this Agreement to be consummated, and upon payment of such amount, neither Seller nor its Affiliates shall have any further rights, liability, or obligations arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby except for any obligations of Seller or its Affiliates under the Confidentiality Agreement and as enumerated in Section 10.2(a) . The Parties agree that (1) damages suffered by Buyer in the event Buyer terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(b ) are incapable or very difficult to accurately estimate and (2) the Break-Up Fee is a reasonable forecast of just compensation for such termination.  The Parties acknowledge that the agreements contained in this Section 10.2(c) are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that, without these agreements, the Parties would not enter into this Agreement.  If Seller fails promptly to pay the Break-Up Fee and, in order to obtain such payment, Buyer commences an Action that results in a judgment against Seller for the Break-Up Fee, then Seller shall pay to Buyer, together with the Break-Up Fee, (A) interest on the Break-Up Fee from the date of termination of this Agreement at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition, in effect on the date of termination of this Agreement plus two percent (2%) and (B) any fees, costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by Buyer and its respective Affiliates in connection with any such Action.

Article XI.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1 Notices.   All notices and other communications between the Parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when:

(a) delivered in person;

(b) five (5) days after posting in the United States mail having been sent registered or certified mail return receipt requested; or

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(c) delivered by telecopy or electronic mail in “pdf” format and promptly confirmed by delivery in person or post as aforesaid in each case, with postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

(i) If to Buyer, to:

CCI U.S. Asset Holdings, Inc.
2200 Atlantic Street, Suite 800
Stamford, CT 06902
Facsimile: 203-564-8217
Email: SarahMullin.Finn@cci.com
Attention: Sarah M. Finn

with copies to :

Jackson Walker LLP
112 E. Pecan St., Suite 2400
San Antonio, Texas 78205
Facsimile:  210-242-4650
Email:
jlotay@jw.com
Attention:  Jesse S. Lotay

(ii) If to Seller, to:

Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc.
1125 NW Couch Street, Suite 700
Portland, OR 97209
Facsimile:  503-796-6901
Email: Benjamin.lackey@avangrid.com
Attention:  W. Benjamin Lackey (General Counsel)

with copies to :

Latham & Watkins LLP
885 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
United States of America
Facsimile: +1.212.751.4864
Email: david.kurzweil@lw.com
Attention: David Kurzweil

or to such other address or addresses as the Parties may from time to time designate in writing.

Section 11.2 Assignment.   No Party shall assign this Agreement, or any rights, interests or obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall have the right to assign its rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement to (a) any of its Affiliates, or (b) a potential financing source or any of its Affiliates as collateral security in connection with such financing; provided that, in each case, no such

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assignment shall in any manner limit, affect, or release Buyer from its obligations to Seller under this Agreement. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

Section 11.3 Rights of Third Parties. Except for the provisions of Article IX , which are intended to be enforceable by the Persons respectively referred to therein, nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the Parties, any right or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 11.4 Expenses.   Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each Party shall bear its own expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, whether or not such transactions shall be consummated, including all fees of its legal counsel, financial advisers and accountants. If the Closing occurs, no such expenses shall be charged to or paid by the Company unless they are paid before the Closing or unless they are included as a current liability in the calculation of Net Working Capital as of the Closing Date.

Section 11.5 Counterparts.   This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Any facsimile or electronic copies hereof or signature hereon shall, for all purposes, be deemed originals.

Section 11.6 Entire Agreement.   This Agreement (together with all schedules, including the Disclosure Schedule, and exhibits hereto), the Transition Services Agreement, the Escrow Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the Parties and supersede any other agreements, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by or among any of the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 11.7 Disclosure Schedule.   Unless the context otherwise requires, all capitalized terms used in the Disclosure Schedule shall have the respective meanings assigned them in this Agreement. No reference to or disclosure of any item or other matter in the Disclosure Schedule shall be construed as an admission or indication that such item or other matter is material or that such item or other matter is required to be referred to or disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule. No disclosure in the Disclosure Schedule relating to any possible breach or violation of any agreement or Law shall be construed as an admission or indication that any such breach or violation exists or has actually occurred. The inclusion of any information in the Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgment by Seller, in and of itself, that such information is material to or outside the ordinary course of the business of the Company or required to be disclosed on the Disclosure Schedule.  The disclosures contained in the Disclosure Schedule shall relate to the representations and warranties in the sections of the Agreement to which they expressly relate and to any other representation or warranty in this Agreement as to which the relevance of such disclosure is reasonably apparent to a reader without independent knowledge of the facts.  From time to time prior to the Closing, Seller may, in its sole discretion, supplement or amend and deliver updates to the Disclosure Schedules (each a “ Schedule Update ”) that are necessary to complete or correct any information in such Disclosure Schedule or in any representation or warranty of Seller with respect to itself or the

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Company that has been rendered inaccurate or incomplete due to any change, event, effect or occurrence since the date of this Agreement.  If (a) Buyer has the right to terminate the Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(b) , Seller delivers a Schedule Update to Buyer with respect to any matter giving rise to such termination right, and Buyer does not exercise its termination right with respect to such matter within ten (10) days after its receipt of such Schedule Update and (b) such Schedule Update relates to events occurring or conditions arising after the date of this Agreement, then such Schedule Update shall be deemed to have amended the Disclosure Schedules and to have qualified the representations and warranties contained in Article III or Article IV and to have cured any misrepresentation or breach of warranty that otherwise might have existed hereunder by reason of the existence of such matter for purposes of Section 10.1(b) only, but not for purposes of Buyer’s right to indemnification under Section 9.2(a) . For the avoidance of doubt, Buyer shall not be permitted to terminate this Agreement and it shall not otherwise be deemed a breach of this Agreement as a result of any Schedule Updates that relate to any actions permitted by or taken in accordance with this Agreement.    

Section 11.8 Amendments.   This Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part, and terms and conditions may be waived, and actions consented to, only by a duly authorized agreement in writing which makes reference to this Agreement and is executed by each Party.

Section 11.9 Publicity.   All press releases or other public communications of any nature whatsoever relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the method of the release for publication thereof, shall be subject to the prior written consent of Buyer and Seller, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed by such Party; provided , however , that nothing herein shall prevent a Party from publishing such press releases or other public communications as is necessary to satisfy such Party’s obligations at Law or under the rules of any stock or commodities exchange after consultation with the other Party.

Section 11.10 Severability.   If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The Parties further agree that if any provision contained herein is, to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the Laws governing this Agreement, they shall take any actions necessary to render the remaining provisions of this Agreement valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and, to the extent necessary, shall amend or otherwise modify this Agreement to replace any provision contained herein that is held invalid or unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision giving effect to the intent of the Parties to the greatest extent legally permissible.

Section 11.11 Governing Law.   This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York, without regard to the Laws that might be applicable under conflicts of laws principles.

Section 11.12 Dispute Resolution .

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.12(c) , in the event that any dispute, claim or controversy arises with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, this Agreement, any provision hereof or the breach, performance, enforcement or validity or invalidity of this

73


Agreement or any provision hereof (collectively, a “ Dispute ”), designees of Seller and Buyer shall attempt a good faith resolution of such Dispute within thirty (30) days after either party notifies the other of a Dispute or such longer period of time as Seller and Buyer may mutually agree upon. Such designees must be either an executive officer or hold a senior management position and have decision making power and authority to resolve the Dispute. If the Dispute is not resolved within thirty (30) days of the notice or such longer period of time as Seller and Buyer may mutually agree upon, either party may make a written demand to the other for formal dispute resolution, which demand will specify the nature of the Dispute (the “ Arbitration Notice ”). All such Disputes shall be finally and exclusively resolved and settled by arbitration administered by JAMS pursuant to its Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures. The place of arbitration shall be New York, New York. The arbitration shall be conducted in the English language. Judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered by a court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three persons appointed in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) Each Party shall appoint one arbitrator within thirty (30) days following the date the Arbitration Notice is received by the other Party. The two arbitrators thus appointed shall choose a third arbitrator, who will act as the chairperson of the arbitral tribunal; and

(ii) if a Party fails to appoint an arbitrator within the period set forth in the foregoing clause (a)(i) or if the two arbitrators appointed pursuant to clause (a)(i) above fail to agree on the third arbitrator within thirty (30) days from the date the last such arbitrator was appointed, JAMS shall make the appointment.

(b) All fees and expenses of the arbitration shall be borne by Seller, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, in the same proportion that the dollar amount of disputed items lost by Seller, on the one hand, or Buyer, on the other hand, bears to the total dollar amount in dispute resolved by the arbitrators; provided that in the event of a Dispute involving non-monetary claims, all fees and expenses of the arbitration shall be borne solely by the non-prevailing Party. Nothing contained herein shall limit the right of a party hereto to seek from any court of competent jurisdiction, pending appointment of an arbitral tribunal, interim relief in aid of arbitration or to protect or enforce its rights hereunder.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, disagreements regarding the determination of Net Working Capital adjustments under Section 2.4 shall be resolved by the Accountants in accordance with the terms of Section 2.4 .

Section 11.13 Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a) Subject to Section 11.12 , Seller and Buyer each irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, Federal or State, within the County of New York, State of New York having subject matter jurisdiction for the purposes of any Action arising out of or relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, this Agreement, any provision hereof or the breach, performance, enforcement or validity or invalidity of this Agreement or any provision hereof (and agrees not to commence any Action relating thereto except in such courts). Seller and Buyer each further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document

74


hand delivered or sent by United States registered mail to such Party’s respective address for notice under Section 11.1 will be effective service of process for any Action in any such courts with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence. Seller and Buyer each irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of or relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, this Agreement, any provision hereof or the breach, performance, enforcement or validity or invalidity of this Agreement or any provision hereof in any court, Federal or State, within the County of New York, State of New York and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Action so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment in any jurisdiction or in any other manner provided in Law or in equity.

(b) SELLER AND BUYER EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THIS AGREEMENT, ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THE BREACH, PERFORMANCE, ENFORCEMENT OR VALIDITY OR INVALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF.

Section 11.14 Specific Performance .  In the event of any actual or threatened breach by any of the Parties of any of the covenants or agreements in this Agreement, the Party who is or is to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to seek specific performance and injunctive relief giving effect to its rights under this Agreement. The Parties agree that any such breach would cause irreparable injury, that the remedies at law for any such breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived.

[ Remainder of Page Left Intentionally Blank; Signature Pages Follow ]

 

75


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Parties as of the date first above written.

 

 

BUYER :

 

CCI U.S. ASSET HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Daniel F. Hines

 

Name:

 

Daniel. F. Hines

 

Title:

 

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 


[ Signature Page to Purchase Agreement ]

 


 

 

 

SELLER:

 

AVANGRID RENEWABLES HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Laura Beane

 

Name:

 

Laura Beane

 

Title:

 

Authorized Representative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Douglas K. Stuver

 

Name:

 

Douglas K. Stuver

 

Title:

 

Authorized Representative

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ Signature Page to Purchase Agreement ]

 

Exhibit 10.2

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and between

AVANGRID RENEWABLES HOLDINGS, INC.

and

AMPHORA GAS STORAGE USA, LLC

Dated as of February 16, 2018

 

 

 

US-DOCS\98345726.25


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

1

 

 

 

Section 1.1

Definitions

1

 

Section 1.2

Rules of Construction

15

 

 

ARTICLE II. PURCHASE AND SALE; CLOSING

16

 

 

 

Section 2.1

Purchase and Sale of Interests

16

 

Section 2.2

Consideration

16

 

Section 2.3

Closing Payment

16

 

Section 2.4

Adjustments to Base Purchase Price

17

 

Section 2.5

The Closing

19

 

Section 2.6

Deliveries by Seller

19

 

Section 2.7

Deliveries by Buyer

20

 

Section 2.8

Withholding Taxes

20

 

 

ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO SELLER

20

 

 

 

Section 3.1

Organization of Seller

20

 

Section 3.2

Authorization; Enforceability

20

 

Section 3.3

No Conflict; Consents

21

 

Section 3.4

Ownership of Interests

21

 

Section 3.5

Litigation

22

 

Section 3.6

Brokers’ Fees

22

 

Section 3.7

Bankruptcy

22

 

 

ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE COMPANY

22

 

 

 

Section 4.1

Organization of the Acquired Companies

22

 

Section 4.2

No Conflict; Consents

23

 

Section 4.3

Capitalization

23

 

Section 4.4

Litigation

24

 

Section 4.5

Financial Statements

25

 

Section 4.6

No Undisclosed Liabilities

25

 

Section 4.7

Taxes

25

 

Section 4.8

Absence of Certain Changes

27

 

Section 4.9

Contracts

27

 

Section 4.10

Employee Matters

29

 

Section 4.11

Environmental Matters

30

 

Section 4.12

Compliance with Laws; Permits

31

 

Section 4.13

Insurance

32

i

 


 

 

Section 4.14

Labor Relations; Employment Matters

32

 

Section 4.15

Properties and Related Matters

32

 

Section 4.16

Intellectual Property

34

 

Section 4.17

Title to Properties

34

 

Section 4.18

Condition and Sufficiency of Assets

34

 

Section 4.19

Bank Accounts and Powers of Attorney

35

 

Section 4.20

Officers and Managers

35

 

Section 4.21

Affiliated Party Transactions

35

 

Section 4.22

Brokers’ Fees

35

 

Section 4.23

Gas Inventory

36

 

Section 4.24

Customers

36

 

Section 4.25

Books and Records

36

 

Section 4.26

Bankruptcy

37

 

Section 4.27

Exclusive Representations and Warranties

37

 

 

ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO BUYER

37

 

 

 

Section 5.1

Organization of Buyer

37

 

Section 5.2

Authorization; Enforceability

37

 

Section 5.3

No Conflict; Consents

37

 

Section 5.4

Litigation

38

 

Section 5.5

Brokers’ Fees

38

 

Section 5.6

Financial Ability

38

 

Section 5.7

Securities Law Compliance

38

 

Section 5.8

Buyer’s Independent Investigation

39

 

Section 5.9

Exclusive Representations and Warranties

39

 

 

ARTICLE VI. COVENANTS

39

 

 

 

Section 6.1

Conduct of Business

39

 

Section 6.2

Access

42

 

Section 6.3

Third Party Approvals

43

 

Section 6.4

Employee Matters

44

 

Section 6.5

Books and Records

47

 

Section 6.6

Use of Names, Trademarks, Etc.

47

 

Section 6.7

Confidentiality

49

 

Section 6.8

Termination of Affiliated Party Contracts

50

 

Section 6.9

Intercompany Debt

50

 

Section 6.10

Replacement of Support Obligations

50

 

Section 6.11

Insurance

54

 

Section 6.12

Director and Officer Indemnification

54

 

Section 6.13

Office Lease

55

 

Section 6.14

Exclusivity

55

ii

 


 

 

Section 6.15

Risk of Loss

55

 

Section 6.16

Change in Gas Inventory

57

 

Section 6.17

Further Assurances

57

 

Section 6.18

Notice of Certain Events

57

 

 

ARTICLE VII. TAX MATTERS

57

 

 

 

Section 7.1

Purchase Price Allocation; Section 336(e) Election

57

 

Section 7.2

Responsibility for Filing Tax Returns and Paying Taxes

58

 

Section 7.3

Responsibility for Tax Audits and Contests

59

 

Section 7.4

Mutual Cooperation

60

 

Section 7.5

Tax Refunds

61

 

Section 7.6

Transfer Taxes

61

 

Section 7.7

Tax Sharing Agreements

62

 

 

ARTICLE VIII. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

62

 

 

 

Section 8.1

Conditions to Obligations of Buyer

62

 

Section 8.2

Conditions to the Obligations of Seller

63

 

 

ARTICLE IX. INDEMNIFICATION

64

 

 

 

Section 9.1

Survival

64

 

Section 9.2

Indemnification

65

 

Section 9.3

Limitations on Liability

66

 

Section 9.4

Procedures

68

 

Section 9.5

Waiver of Certain Damages

70

 

Section 9.6

Waiver of Other Representations

70

 

Section 9.7

Exclusive Remedy and Release

70

 

Section 9.8

No Duplication of Recovery

71

 

Section 9.9

Treatment of Payments

71

 

Section 9.10

Qualifications

71

 

 

ARTICLE X. TERMINATION

71

 

 

 

Section 10.1

Termination

71

 

Section 10.2

Effect of Termination

72

 

 

ARTICLE XI. MISCELLANEOUS

72

 

 

 

Section 11.1

Notices

72

 

Section 11.2

Assignment

73

 

Section 11.3

Rights of Third Parties

74

iii

 


 

 

Section 11.4

Expenses

74

 

Section 11.5

Counterparts

74

 

Section 11.6

Entire Agreement

74

 

Section 11.7

Disclosure Schedule

74

 

Section 11.8

Amendments; Waivers

75

 

Section 11.9

Publicity

75

 

Section 11.10

Severability

75

 

Section 11.11

Governing Law

76

 

Section 11.12

Consent to Jurisdiction

76

 

Section 11.13

Specific Performance

76

 


iv

 


 

LIST OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

Example of Net Working Capital

 

Exhibit B

Form of Transition Services Agreement

 

Exhibit C

Form of Closing Date Guaranty

 

 


v

 


 

LIST OF SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.1(a)

Acquired Companies

 

Schedule 1.1(c)(i)

CapEx Budget

 

Schedule 1.1(c)(ii)

OpEx Budget

 

Schedule 1.1(d)(i)

Seller Knowledge Persons

 

Schedule 1.1(d)(ii)

Buyer Knowledge Persons

 

Schedule 1.1(e)

Permitted Liens

 

Schedule 3.3

No Conflict; Consents

 

Schedule 3.4

Ownership of Interests

 

Schedule 4.1

Organization

 

Schedule 4.2

No Conflict; Consents

 

Schedule 4.3(b)

Subsidiary Interests

 

Schedule 4.3(d)

Securities of the Acquired Companies

 

Schedule 4.3(e)

Other Equity Interests

 

Schedule 4.4

Litigation

 

Schedule 4.5

Financial Statements

 

Schedule 4.7

Taxes

 

Schedule 4.9(a)

Material Contracts

 

Schedule 4.9(b)

Material Contracts Exceptions

 

Schedule 4.10(a)

Company Plans

 

Schedule 4.10(e)

ERISA Plans

 

Schedule 4.10(f)

Employee Payments

 

Schedule 4.10(h)

Site Employees

 

Schedule 4.11

Environmental Matters

 

Schedule 4.11(a)(i)

Environmental Permits

 

Schedule 4.11(b)

Environmental Reports

 

Schedule 4.12(a)

Compliance with Laws

 

Schedule 4.12(b)

Permits

 

Schedule 4.13

Insurance Policies

 

Schedule 4.15(a)

Property Use Agreements

 

Schedule 4.15(b)

Existing Title Opinions

 

Schedule 4.15(d)

Title Exceptions

 

Schedule 4.15(f)

Third Party Rights regarding Real Property

 

Schedule 4.15(g)(ii)

Wells

 

Schedule 4.16(a)

Intellectual Property

 

Schedule 4.16(b)

Liens on Intellectual Property

 

Schedule 4.17

Title to Properties

 

Schedule 4.18(a)

Condition and Sufficiency of Assets

 

Schedule 4.18(b)

Acquired IT

 

Schedule 4.19

Bank Accounts

 

Schedule 4.20

Officers and Managers

 

Schedule 4.21

Affiliated Party Transactions

 

vi

 


 

Schedule 4.23(a)

Gas Inventory

 

Schedule 4.24

Customers

 

Schedule 5.3

No Conflict; Consents

 

Schedule 6.1

Conduct of Business

 

Section 6.4(a)

Assumed PTO

 

Section 6.4(b)

Severance Liabilities

 

Schedule 6.8

Surviving Affiliate Contracts

 

Schedule 6.10

Support Obligations

 

 

 

vii

 


 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of February 16, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), is entered into by and between Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Seller ”), and Amphora Gas Storage USA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Buyer ”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Seller is the record and beneficial owner of one hundred percent (100%) of the limited liability company interests (the “ Interests ”) in Enstor Gas, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”);

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, Seller desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, all of the Interests;

WHEREAS, prior to the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company intends to distribute one hundred percent of the limited liability company interests in Enstor Energy Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Enstor Energy Services ”), to Seller (such transaction, the “ EES Distribution ,” and collectively with any subsequent sale or transfer of the equity in, or the business of, Enstor Energy Services, the “ EES Transactions ”); and

WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, ArcLight Energy Partners Fund VI, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and an Affiliate of Buyer (“ Buyer Parent ”), has delivered to Buyer an Equity Commitment Letter (as defined below) to support Buyer’s payment obligations to Seller at the Closing.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Buyer and Seller agree as follows:

Article I.
DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

Section 1.1 Definitions.  As used herein, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

Accountants ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Acquired Companies ” means the Company and its Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 1.1(a) .

Acquired IT ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Action ” means any claim, audit, examination, demand, investigation, action, suit, litigation, arbitration, appeal, petition, plea, charge, complaint, mediation, hearing, inquiry or similar legal or administrative proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority.

1

 


Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified Person through one or more intermediaries or otherwise.  For the purposes of this definition, “control” means, where used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have correlative meanings.

Affiliated Party Contracts ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .  

Aggregate Estimated Adjustment Amount ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Aggregate Final Adjustment Amount ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Aggregate Severance Liability ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Agreement ” has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.  

Applicable Gas Tariff ” means a FERC Gas Tariff or a State Gas Tariff.

Assumed PTO ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Balance Sheet Date ” means December 31, 2017.

Base Purchase Price ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Budgeted CapEx Amount ” means an amount equal to (i) the aggregate amount set forth in the CapEx Budget multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the year from January 1 through the Closing Date, and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365).

Business ” means the development, construction, operation and maintenance of the Storage Facilities and the Waha Project and related activities conducted by the Acquired Companies.

Business Day ” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of New York and that is not otherwise a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized by applicable Law or other governmental action to close.

Buyer ” has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Buyer 401(k) Plan ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Buyer Cafeteria Plan ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Buyer Closing Certificate ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Buyer Fundamental Representations ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

2

 


Buyer Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Buyer Letter of Credit ” has the meaning set forth in 0(iii) .

Buyer Parent ” has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

Buyer Plans ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Buyer’s Taxes ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.2(a)(iii) .

Cash Amount ” means, as of any given date, the aggregate amount of Cash and Cash Equivalents as of such date, in each case, determined in accordance with GAAP.

Cash and Cash Equivalents ” means (i) the sum of restricted and unrestricted cash, cash deposits, cash equivalents and liquid investments of the Acquired Companies, plus (ii) all deposited but uncleared bank deposits and cash held by counterparties of the acquired companies minus (iii) all outstanding checks and cash posted by counterparties of the Acquired Companies.

Caledonia Storage Facility ” means the natural gas storage facility and related pipelines, wells and equipment known as the Caledonia Storage Facility that is owned and operated by an Acquired Company and located in Lowndes County, Mississippi.

CapEx Amount ” means the amount of capital expenditures made by the Acquired Companies on or after January 1, 2018 and prior to the Closing in accordance with, and solely for the expenditures set forth in, the CapEx Budget.

CapEx Budget ” means the amount of capital expenditures planned as of the Effective Date to be made by the Acquired Companies, as set forth on Schedule 1.1(c)(i) for the periods set forth therein.

CERCLA ” means the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C.  § 9601 et seq., as amended.

Claim Notice ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Closing ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Closing Date ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Closing Date Guaranty ” has the meaning set forth in 0(iii) .

Closing Payment ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company ” has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

Company Plans ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

3

 


Company Replacement Guaranty ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 (ii) .

Condemnation Value ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Confidentiality Agreement ” means the confidentiality agreement, dated June 7, 2017, between Iberdrola, S.A. and ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC.

Constituents of Concern ” means any substance defined as a hazardous substance, hazardous waste, hazardous material, or words of similar import by any Environmental Law, any petroleum hydrocarbon or fraction thereof, friable asbestos, or PCBs, or any other substance to the extent the handling, storage, treatment or disposal of which is regulated under any Environmental Law.

Contract ” means any legally binding oral or written agreement, commitment, lease, guaranty, license or contract, but excluding Company Plans.

Controlled Group Liability ” means any and all Liabilities (a) under Title IV of ERISA, (b) under Sections 206(g), 302 or 303 of ERISA, (c) under Sections 412, 430, 431, 436 or 4971 of the Code, (a) as a result of the failure to comply with the continuation of coverage requirements of Section 601 et seq. of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code, and (d) under corresponding or similar provisions of any applicable foreign Laws.

Current Assets ” means the current assets of the Acquired Companies as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Current Liabilities ” means the current liabilities of the Acquired Companies as determined in accordance with GAAP, including the Assumed PTO to the extent not paid prior to the Closing pursuant to 0 .

Cushion Gas ” means that portion of natural gas in the storage reservoirs of the Storage Facilities needed as permanent inventory that, in each case, provides pressure support to maintain adequate deliverability rates during those periods in which Working Gas is being withdrawn from such storage reservoirs.

Data Site ” means the electronic data site provided by Seller via Merrill Corporation and made available to Buyer and its Representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Derivative Contract ” means any agreement, contract, or arrangement that is a swap, forward, future or option thereon, as such terms are defined under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act (“ CEA ”) and related U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“ CFTC ”) rules, regulations, and interpretive guidance, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter,” or otherwise.

Direct Claim ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Disclosure Schedule ” means the schedules attached hereto.

4

 


Dollars ” and “ $ ” mean the lawful currency of the United States.

EES Distribution ” has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

EES Transactions ” has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

Enstor Energy Services ” has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

Enstor, Inc. ” means Enstor, Inc., an Oregon corporation.

Environmental Law ” means all applicable Laws of any Governmental Authority relating to the protection of the environment, pollution, or human health (as it relates to exposure to Constituents of Concern), including CERCLA, the Federal Clean Water Act, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Solid Waste Disposal Act (which includes the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended as of the Effective Date, any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and any state or local counterparts.

Environmental Permits ” means all Permits required by Environmental Laws for the conduct of the Business as of the Effective Date.

Equity Commitment Letter ” means that certain equity financing commitment letter, dated as of the Effective Date, by and between the Buyer and Buyer Parent, pursuant to which Buyer Parent has committed, subject only to the conditions set forth therein, to provide equity financing to Buyer for the purpose financing the transactions contemplated hereby (including payment by Buyer of the Purchase Price on the Closing Date) and which provides that Seller is an express third-party beneficiary thereof.

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

ERISA Plan ” means any (i) nonqualified deferred compensation plan (as described in Section 409A of the Code, whether or not subject to Section 409A of the Code), (ii) Employee Pension Benefit Plan (as described in Section 3(2) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA), (iii) Employee Welfare Benefit Plan (as described in Section 3(1) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA), (iv) fringe benefit, bonus, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock option or other equity or equity-based compensation, severance, change in control or termination pay arrangement, or (v) other plan or arrangement providing for compensation or benefits, whether or not subject to ERISA, whether formal or informal, oral or written, legally binding or not.

Estimated CapEx Adjustment ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Estimated CapEx Amount ” means the estimated CapEx Amount of the Acquired Companies as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, as determined by Seller for purposes of 0 .

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Estimated Cash Adjustment ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Estimated Cash Amount ” means the estimated Cash and Cash Equivalents of the Acquired Companies as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, as determined by Seller for purposes of 0 .

Estimated Working Capital ” means the estimated Net Working Capital of the Acquired Companies as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, as determined by Seller for purposes of 0 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (which is attached hereto for illustrative purposes only) .

Estimated Working Capital Adjustment ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Event of Loss ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Excess Buyer Guaranty ” has the meaning set forth in 0(iii) .

Existing Title Opinions ” means the original title opinions related to the Real Property Interests of the Company, as listed and described on Schedule 4.15(b) , including all supplements to such opinions.

FERC ” means the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

FERC Gas Tariffs ” means the Acquired Company’s FERC-approved Gas Tariffs relating to the Storage Facilities, as amended from time to time through the Closing Date.

Final CapEx Amount ” means the CapEx Amount of the Acquired Companies as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

Final Cash Amount ” means the Cash Amount of the Acquired Companies as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

Final Closing Date Calculations ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Final Working Capital ” means the Net Working Capital of the Acquired Companies as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

Final Form 8883 ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Financial Statements ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Form 8883 ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Freebird Assets, Inc. ” means Freebird Assets, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Freebird Storage Facility ” means the natural gas storage facility and related pipelines, wells and equipment known as the Freebird Storage Facility that is owned and operated by an Acquired Company and located in Lamar County, Alabama.

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Fundamental Representations ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States, consistently applied.

Gas Inventory ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Governmental Authority ” means any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local, domestic, foreign or similar governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, court or arbitral body.

Grama Ridge Storage Facility ” means the natural gas storage facility and related pipelines, wells and equipment known as the Grama Ridge Storage Facility that is owned and operated by an Acquired Company and located in Lea County, New Mexico.

Group Tax Return ” means any Tax Return that includes Seller (or any of its Affiliates that are not an Acquired Company) and any of the Acquired Companies, including the Tax Return for the federal consolidated group of which Avangrid, Inc. is the common parent, and any Tax Return filed on a consolidated or combined basis for state or local Tax purposes which includes Seller (or any of its Affiliates that are not an Acquired Company) and any of the Acquired Companies.

Guarantor Payment ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Houston Office Lease ” means that certain Lease Agreement between Genesis Capital Partners XVII, L.P. and PPM Energy, Inc., dated July 27, 2007, as subsequently amended, and as assigned to the Company in that certain Lease Assignment between Iberdrola Renewables, LLC, formerly known as PPM Energy, Inc., and the Company, dated May 30, 2014.

Income Taxes ” means any Tax based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to (i) net income or profits (including any capital gains, excess profits, minimum Tax and any Tax on items of tax preference, but not including sales, use, real property gains, real or personal property, gross or net receipts, transfer or similar Taxes) or (ii) multiple bases (including corporate franchise, doing business or occupation Taxes) if one or more of the bases upon which such Tax may be based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to, is described in clause (i) above.

Indebtedness ” of any Person means any obligations of such Person (a ) for borrowed money, (b ) evidenced by notes, bonds, indentures or similar instruments, (c ) for the deferred purchase price of property, goods or services (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business), (d ) under capital leases, (e) under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person, (f) under any acceptance, letter of credit, or similar facility, (g) for interest, prepayment penalties, premiums, late charges, and collection fees relating to any of the foregoing, (h) under any hedging, swap or similar arrangement, or (i) in the nature of guaranties of the obligations described in clauses (a) through (h) above of any other Person.

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

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Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Indemnity Cap ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Interests ” has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.

IRS ” means Internal Revenue Service of the United States.

JAMS ” means Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc.

Katy Hub Storage Facility ” means the natural gas storage facility and related pipelines, wells and equipment known as the Katy Hub Storage Facility that is owned and operated by an Acquired Company and located near Katy, Texas.

Knowledge ” means with respect to (i) Seller, the actual knowledge of the individuals set forth on Schedule 1.1(d)(i) , and (ii) Buyer, the actual knowledge of the individuals set forth on Schedule 1.1(d)(ii) , in each case, without requirement of investigation or inquiry.

Law ” means any applicable statute, law, code, rule, regulation, ordinance, Order, common law or determination of a Governmental Authority.

Liability ” means any Indebtedness, obligation, duty or liability of any nature (whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, due or to become due), regardless of whether such Indebtedness, obligation, duty or liability would be required to be disclosed on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Liens ” means any liens, charges, pledges, options, rights of first refusal, reversionary rights, mortgages, deeds of trust, security interests, leases, licenses, restrictions (whether on voting, sale, transfer, disposition or otherwise), easements, encroachments, hypothecations, servitudes, rights of way and other encumbrances or limitations of every type and description (including limitations on fee simple title to any interest in real property), whether imposed by law, agreement, understanding or otherwise.

Losses ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Major Loss ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Material Adverse Effect ” means any circumstance, change, event or effect that, individually or in the aggregate with all other circumstances, changes, events or effects, (a) is materially adverse to the business, operations, assets, Liabilities, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole or (b) prevents, materially delays or materially impairs the ability of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, but, in each case, shall exclude any circumstance, change, event or effect to the extent resulting or arising from:

(i)

any change in general economic conditions in the United States natural gas storage industry or any of the markets in which the Acquired Companies operate;

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(ii)

any adverse change, event or effect on the global, national or any regional energy industry as a whole, including those globally, nationally or regionally impacting oil, gas or energy prices or the value of oil and gas assets;

(iii)

national or international political conditions, including any engagement in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any military or terrorist attack;

(iv)

changes in Law, changes in GAAP, or changes in the interpretation of any such Law or GAAP;

(v)

the entry into or announcement of this Agreement, actions contemplated by this Agreement (other than any action or inaction taken by an Acquired Company or Seller that is in breach of this Agreement), or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, vendors, lenders or employees;

(vi)

earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or other natural disasters;

(vii)

any action taken by Seller or any Acquired Company at the written request, or with the express written consent of, Buyer;

(viii)

matters to the extent reflected in Net Working Capital or Cash Amount;

(ix)

the loss of any Site Employee; or

(x)

changes or developments in U.S. or global financial or securities markets or the world or national economy in general;

other than (in the case of clause (a)) with respect to each of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (x), any such circumstance, change, event or effect that disproportionately affects the Acquired Companies, taken as a whole, relative to other natural gas storage companies in the regions in which the Acquired Companies operate.

Material Contracts ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Mewbourne Agreements ” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement between Enstor Grama Ridge Storage and Transportation, LLC and Mewbourne Oil Company, dated as of November 9, 2017, as subsequently amended, and any other agreements relating to such transaction.

Net Working Capital ” means, as of any given date, an amount (which may be positive or negative) equal to (i) Current Assets as of such date minus (ii) Current Liabilities as of such date, in each case, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided , however , that in no event shall the calculation of Net Working Capital include the Gas Inventory (or other gas owned by any Acquired Company), except for Gas Inventory held as fuel, or any amounts or items included in the calculation of Cash Amount or CapEx Amount; provided , further , that, for purposes of calculating Net Working Capital, none of the following shall be included in either

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Current Assets or Current Liabilities: (i) assets or liabilities of any Acquired Company relating to Income Taxes (including any deferred Tax assets or liabilities); (ii) any assets or liabilities of any Acquired Company relating to intercompany accounts;(iii) assets or liabilities repaid or eliminated at the Closing; or (iv) amounts set forth in the following Financial Statement balance sheet accounts: short term debt securities, short term interests receivable from loans and debt, current portion of debt, or notes payable.   Exhibit A sets forth an example of the calculation of Net Working Capital, and is provided for illustrative purposes only without intent to modify the terms of this definition of “Net Working Capital” or any of its constituent definitions.

Objection Notice ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

OpEx Budget ” means the amount of expenditures planned as of the Effective Date to be made by the Acquired Companies, as set forth on Schedule 1.1(c)(ii) for the periods set forth therein.

Order ” means any order, judgment, injunction, ruling, decree, sentence, subpoena, writ, settlement, stipulation, determination or award issued, made, entered or rendered by any court, administrative agency or other Governmental Authority or by any arbitrator.

Organizational Documents ” means any charter, certificate of incorporation, articles of association, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, bylaws, operating agreement or similar formation or governing documents and instruments.

Outside Date ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Parties ” means Seller and Buyer.

Permits ” means authorizations, licenses, permits, certificates, waivers or approvals issued by Governmental Authorities; provided , however , that right-of-way and similar agreements are not included in the definition of Permits.

Permitted Liens ” means:

(a) Liens and Title Exceptions set forth in the Existing Title Opinions; provided that such Liens and Title Exceptions do not, individually or in the aggregate, interfere materially with, or adversely affect, the ownership or operation of any of the Storage Facilities in the ordinary course of business as currently conducted;

(b) Liens for Taxes (i) not yet due and payable or delinquent, or (ii) if due, being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (in the case of this clause (ii)) for which adequate reserves under GAAP have been established in the Financial Statements or which are included in Current Liabilities;

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(c) statutory Liens (including materialmen’s, warehousemen’s, mechanic’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s, and other similar Liens) arising in the ordinary course of business securing payments (i) being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and for which adequate reserves under GAAP have been established in the Financial Statements or which are included in Current Liabilities or (ii) not yet delinquent;

(d) purchase money Liens arising by virtue of purchases made on open account and without any writing evidencing a grant of a Lien, and for which adequate reserves under GAAP have been established in the Financial Statements or which are included in Current Liabilities;

(e) restrictive covenants, easements and defects, imperfections or irregularities of title or other similar Liens (other than Liens securing Indebtedness), if any, that do not, individually or in the aggregate, interfere materially with, or adversely affect in any material respect, the ownership or operation of any of the Storage Facilities in the ordinary course of business as currently conducted;

(f) preferential purchase rights and other similar arrangements, if any, specifically identified in Schedule 4.2 and with respect to which written consents or waivers are obtained from the holders thereof for this transaction;

(g) Liens created by Buyer, or its successors and assigns;

(h) (i) all easements, surface rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, licenses, leases, other similar rights to use real property to the extent set forth on the Disclosure Schedules or shown in any title commitments made available to Buyer in the Data Site prior to the Effective Date, (ii) zoning, planning and other similar land use conditions and restrictions and (iii) all rights of Governmental Authorities to regulate properties, in each case, affecting or pertaining to, but not included in, the assets and properties of Acquired Companies or the Storage Facilities and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, interfere materially with, or adversely affect in any material respect, the ownership or operation of any of the Storage Facilities;

(i) Liens created by the express terms of any Material Contract (other than a result of a breach or delinquency); and

(j) Liens (if any) set forth on Schedule 1.1(e) .

Person ” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, Governmental Authority (or any department or agency thereof) or other entity of any kind.

Pre-Closing Tax Period ” means any Tax period ending on or before the Closing Date.

Preliminary Settlement Statement ” has the meaning provided to such term in 0 .

Property Taxes ” means all real property Taxes, personal property Taxes and similar ad valorem Taxes.

Property Use Agreements ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

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Purchase Price ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Real Property Interests ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Release ” means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, discharging, injecting, escaping, migrating, leaching, placing, discarding, dumping or disposing into the environment.

Remaining Restoration Costs ” has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.15(c) .

Representatives ” means a Person’s directors, officers, members, managers, employees, stockholders, partners, owners, agents or advisors (including attorneys, accountants, consultants, bankers, and financial advisors).

Restoration Costs ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Restricted Information ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Retained Names ” means the names, trademarks, trade names, domain names and service marks containing or including “Iberdrola,” “Iberdrola Renewables,” “Avangrid,” “Avangrid Renewables,” and any corporate symbols and logos related thereto, all other names, trademarks, trade names, domain names, service marks and other marks of Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies), whether or not registered or pending, and all derivatives thereof, names and marks confusingly similar thereto and all corporate symbols and logos related thereto.

Schedule Update ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Section 336(e) Election ” shall have the meaning provided such term in Section 7.1(a) .

Seller ” has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.

Seller 401(k) Plan ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Seller Cafeteria Plan ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Seller Closing Certificate ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Seller Financial Advisors ” means BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

Seller Fundamental Representations ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Seller Group ” means the affiliated group of entities filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return of which Seller and the Company are members (with Avangrid, Inc. being the common parent of the Seller Group).

Seller Guaranties ” means the guaranties made or issued by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) for the benefit of the Acquired Companies listed on Schedule 6.10 under the heading “ Guaranties ”.

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Seller Indemnified Parties ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Seller LCs ” means the letters of credit made or issued by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) for the benefit of the Acquired Companies listed on Schedule 6.10 under the heading “ Letters of Credit ”.

Seller Plans ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Seller Surety Bonds ” means the surety bonds made or issued by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) for the benefit of the Acquired Companies listed on Schedule 6.10 under the heading “ Surety Bonds ”.

Site Employees ” means employees whose primary employment obligations are those related to the Business and who are employed by, or whose employment will be transferred prior to the Closing to, any Acquired Company.

State Commission ” means a state agency or commission having jurisdiction over services provided by any Acquired Company from any Storage Facility.

State Gas Tariff ” means the Acquired Companies’ State Commission-approved Gas Tariffs, if any, relating to the Storage Facilities, as amended from time to time through the Closing Date.

Storage Facilities ” means the Katy Hub Storage Facility, the Grama Ridge Storage Facility, the Freebird Storage Facility and the Caledonia Storage Facility.

Straddle Period ” means any Tax period that commences on or before the Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date.

Subsidiary ” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power (or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests) are, as of such date, owned by the Company or one or more of the other Acquired Companies.

Subsidiary Interests ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Support Obligations ” means any and all obligations or liabilities relating to the guaranties, letters of credit, bonds and other credit assurances of a comparable nature made or issued by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) for the benefit of the Acquired Companies, in each case, as listed or described on Schedule 6.10 , including the Seller Guaranties, the Seller LCs and the Seller Surety Bonds.

Taking ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any and all federal, state, local, or foreign taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies, imposts or other similar charges, in each case, imposed by a Governmental Authority, including all income, franchise, profits, margins, capital gains, capital

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stock, transfer, gross receipts, sales or other business activity, use, service, occupation, ad valorem, real or personal property, recordation, bulk transfer, excise, severance, windfall profits, customs, premium, stamp, license, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, disability, environmental, alternative minimum, add-on, value-added, withholding and other taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies, imposts or other similar charges of any kind, and all estimated taxes, deficiency assessments, additions to tax, penalties and interest with respect to taxes.

Tax Abatement Agreements ” means all Contracts between the Company or a Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any state, county, municipal, school or other local Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the levy, assessment or collection of Taxes or authorized to issue industrial revenue bonds, on the other hand, which grant or purport to grant the Company or any Subsidiary any abatement of, exemption from or credit against (whether by way of a substituted fee or otherwise), any state or local income, sales, excise, use, property, ad valorem or other Taxes.

Tax Returns ” means any report, return, election, document, estimated tax filing, declaration, claim for refund, information returns, or other filing provided to any Governmental Authority reporting or relating to Taxes, including any schedules or attachments thereto and any amendment thereof.

Tax Sharing Agreement ” means any Tax indemnity agreement, Tax sharing agreement, Tax allocation agreement or other agreement which obligates any Person to indemnify another party to any such agreement for Tax obligations, other than (i) agreements solely among the Acquired Companies and (ii) commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business not primarily about Taxes.

Third Party Claim ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Title Exceptions ” means any matter, document, instrument or statement burdening, encumbering, placing in question the scope or status of, or title to, or restricting the use or enjoyment of any Real Property Interest (or the underlying real property or any Property Use Agreement associated with any such Real Property Interest), whether or not reflected on an Existing Title Opinion.

Transaction Documents ” means each of this Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement and the other agreements, certificates and instruments to be delivered hereunder.

Transfer Taxes ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Transition Services Agreement ” means the Transition Services Agreement between Seller and Buyer, to be entered into on or prior to the Closing Date, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit B hereto.

Treasury Regulations ” means the final and temporary regulations under the Code, as promulgated from time to time (including corresponding provisions and succeeding provisions) as in effect for the relevant taxable period.

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United States ” means the United States of America.

Waha Project ” means that certain development asset held by Enstor Waha Storage and Transportation, LP, a Texas limited partnership, in respect of a natural gas storage cavern to be located in west Texas.

WARN Act ” has the meaning provided such term in 0 .

Working Gas ” means the natural gas in the storage reservoirs of the Storage Facilities in excess of Cushion Gas.

Section 1.2 Rules of Construction.

(a) All article, section, schedule and exhibit references used in this Agreement are to articles and sections of, and schedules and exhibits to, this Agreement unless otherwise specified.  The schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement constitute a part of this Agreement and are incorporated herein for all purposes.  Any capitalized terms used in any Exhibit or Schedule but not otherwise defined therein shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement.

(b) If a term is defined as one part of speech (such as a noun), it shall have a corresponding meaning when used as another part of speech (such as a verb).  Terms defined in the singular have the corresponding meanings in the plural, and vice versa.  Unless the context of this Agreement clearly requires otherwise, words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neutral genders and vice versa.  The word “or” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive.  The words “includes” or “including” shall mean “including without limitation.”  The words “hereof,” “hereto,” “hereby,” “herein,” “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or article in which such words appear.  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.

(c) Each Party acknowledges that such Party and its attorney have reviewed this Agreement and that any rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting Party, or any similar rule operating against the drafter of an agreement, shall not be applicable to the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

(d) The table of contents, headings and captions in this Agreement or in any Exhibit or Schedule are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

(e) All references to currency herein shall be to, and all payments required hereunder shall be paid in, Dollars.

(f) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to them under GAAP.

(g) References to days shall mean calendar days unless otherwise specified.

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(h) R eference herein to “default under”, “violation of” or other expression of similar import shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “with or without notice or lapse of time, or both”, whether or not so specified.

(i) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, references to statutes shall include all regulations promulgated thereunder and references to statutes or regulations shall be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute or regulation.

(j) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, references to Contracts and other documents shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, other modifications or assignments with respect thereto, or any renewal or replacement thereof.

(k) References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person, including Governmental Authorities.

Article II.
PURCHASE AND SALE; CLOSING

Section 2.1 Purchase and Sale of Interests .  At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller shall sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Buyer, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable securities Laws), and Buyer shall purchase and acquire from Seller, all of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the Interests.

Section 2.2 Consideration .  In consideration for the purchase of the Interests contemplated by 0 , Buyer agrees to pay to Seller the sum of Seventy-Five Million Dollars ($75,000,000) (the “ Base Purchase Price ”), as adjusted:

(a) at the Closing as described in 0 and, to the extent applicable, Section 6.15 ; and

(b) following the Closing as described in 0 and 0 .

The Base Purchase Price, as so adjusted under clauses (a) and (b) of this 0 is referred to herein as the “ Purchase Price .”

Section 2.3 Closing Payment .  At the Closing, Buyer shall pay to or for the account of Seller, in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the payees and accounts designated by Seller, a total amount (such amount, in the aggregate, the “ Closing Payment ”) equal to (a) the Base Purchase Price, as adjusted by (i) the Estimated Net Working Capital Adjustment, (ii) the Estimated Cash Adjustment and (iii) the Estimated CapEx Adjustment, in each case, as provided in 0 , minus (b) the aggregate net proceeds received by the Acquired Companies from the transactions pursuant to the Mewbourne Agreements.  The payees and accounts to receive any portion of the Closing Payment shall be designated by Seller in writing at least two Business Days before the Closing.

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Section 2.4 Adjustments to Base Purchase Price .

(a) Estimated Net Working Capital, Estimated Cash Amount and Estimated CapEx Amount .  At least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall prepare and deliver to Buyer Seller’s good faith written calculations of the Estimated Working Capital Adjustment (including Estimated Working Capital), the Estimated Cash Adjustment (including Estimated Cash Amount) and the Estimated CapEx Adjustment (including Estimated CapEx Amount) (collectively, the “ Preliminary Settlement Statement ”), including reasonably detailed supporting calculations and records.  At the Closing, the Base Purchase Price shall be adjusted as follows:

(i) If the Estimated Working Capital is less than $423,000, then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such deficiency.  If the Estimated Working Capital is greater than $423,000, then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be increased dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such excess.  Such decrease or increase, if any, in the Base Purchase Price is referred to herein as the “ Estimated Working Capital Adjustment .”

(ii) If the Estimated Cash Amount is greater than zero dollars ($0), then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be increased dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such excess.  Such increase, if any, in the Base Purchase Price is referred to herein as the “ Estimated Cash Adjustment .”

(iii) If the Estimated CapEx Amount is less than the Budgeted CapEx Amount, then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such deficiency.  If the Estimated CapEx Amount is greater than the Budgeted CapEx Amount, then the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing will be increased dollar-for-dollar by an amount equal to such excess.  Such decrease or increase, if any, in the Base Purchase Price is referred to herein as the “ Estimated CapEx Adjustment .”

(b) Calculation of Final Working Capital, Final Cash Amount and Final CapEx Amount .

(i) Within one-hundred twenty (120) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Seller a calculation of the Final Working Capital, the Final Cash Amount and the Final CapEx Amount, in each case, as of the Closing Date (such calculations, collectively, the “ Final Closing Date Calculations ”).  Buyer shall provide Seller and its Representatives reasonable access to the records and employees of the Acquired Companies during normal business hours and shall cooperate and cause the Acquired Companies to cooperate in all reasonable respects with Seller in connection with its review of work papers and other documents and information relating to the Final Closing Date Calculations as Seller shall reasonably request and that are available to Buyer and the Acquired Companies or their independent public accountants.

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(ii) Seller shall have the right to review and dispute the Final Closing Date Calculations.  If within sixty (60) days after Seller’s receipt of the Final Closing Date Calculations, Seller shall not have given written notice to Buyer of any objection, specified in reasonable detail and with reasonable supporting documentation, to the Final Closing Date Calculations (or any portion thereof) (an “ Objection Notice ”), then Seller shall be deemed to have accepted the Final Closing Date Calculations (or such portion thereof for which an objection was not given), which shall then be final, binding and conclusive for all purposes hereunder.  In the event that Seller gives an Objection Notice within such sixty (60)-day period, then Seller and Buyer will use all commercially reasonable efforts to resolve the disputed matter(s) within the thirty (30)-day period following the delivery of such Objection Notice, and any resolution by them agreed to in writing as to any disputed amounts shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Parties.

(iii) If, at the end of the thirty (30) day resolution period, the Parties are unable to resolve any disagreement between them with respect to the preparation of the Final Closing Date Calculations, then each Party shall deliver simultaneously to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (or if such firm is unwilling or unable to serve, another nationally recognized accounting firm mutually agreed on by the Parties) (such accounting firm, the “ Accountants ”) the Objection Notice and such work papers and other reports and information relating to the remaining disputed matter(s) as the Accountants may request and shall be afforded the opportunity to discuss the disputed matter(s) with the Accountants.  The Accountants shall have forty-five (45) days to carry out a review and prepare a written statement of its determination regarding only those disputed matter(s) presented to the Accountants (including a statement regarding the Accountants’ determination of the prevailing Party in any such disputed matter).  The determination of the Accountants will be, for all purposes, conclusive, non-appealable, final and binding upon Seller and Buyer.  Such decision will be subject to specific performance pursuant to 0 , and judgment may be entered thereon as an arbitration award pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16, in any court of competent jurisdiction.  Any fees and expenses of the Accountants incurred in resolving the disputed matter(s) shall be borne by Seller, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, in the same proportion that the dollar amount of disputed matters lost by Seller, on the one hand, or Buyer, on the other hand, bears to the total dollar amount in dispute resolved by the Accountants.  Each Party will bear its own fees, costs and expenses in connection with matters contemplated by this 0 .

(c) Aggregate Final Adjustment Amount .  Upon determination of the Final Working Capital, the Final Cash Amount and the Final CapEx Amount in accordance with 0 :

(i) if (x) the amount (the “ Aggregate Final Adjustment Amount ”) equal to (A) the Final Working Capital plus (B) the Final Cash Amount plus (C) the Final CapEx Amount is less than (y) the amount (the “ Aggregate Estimated Adjustment Amount ”) equal to (A) the Estimated Working Capital plus (B) the Estimated Cash Amount plus (C) the Estimated CapEx Amount, then Seller shall promptly, but within no more than five (5) Business Days of determination, pay to Buyer the difference on a dollar-for-dollar basis to such account(s) as directed by Buyer, by wire transfer of immediately available funds; or

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(ii) if the Aggregate Final Adjustment Amount is greater than the Aggregate Estimated Adjustment Amount, then Buyer shall promptly, but within no more than five (5) Business Days of determination, pay the amount of the excess to Seller on a dollar-for-dollar basis to such account(s) as directed by Seller, by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

Section 2.5 The Closing .  The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at the offices of Latham & Watkins LLP, 885 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022, on (a) the later of (i) April 2, 2018 and (ii) the first Business Day of the month immediately following the month in which all conditions to the obligations of the Parties set forth in 0 have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to occur on the Closing Date, but subject to satisfaction or waiver of such conditions) or (b) on such other date as Buyer and Seller may mutually determine (the date on which the Closing occurs is referred to herein as the “ Closing Date ”).  The Closing shall be effective for all purposes as of 12:01 a.m. New York City time on the Closing Date.

Section 2.6 Deliveries by Seller .  At the Closing, Seller shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Buyer the following:

(a) a certificate or certificates representing the Interests, duly and validly endorsed in favor of Buyer or accompanied by a separate stock power duly and validly executed by Seller or otherwise sufficient to vest in Buyer good title to the Interests, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable securities Laws);

(b) to the extent certificated, the original stock or membership interest certificates of each Acquired Company other than the Company;

(c) the Seller Closing Certificate;

(d) a certificate as to the good standing (or existence) of each Acquired Company, certified dated as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or equivalent) of such entity’s jurisdiction of organization;

(e) the Transition Services Agreement, duly executed by Seller;

(f) a certificate in the form prescribed by Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(b)(2) certifying that Seller is not a “foreign person” for purposes of Section 1445 of the Code;

(g) written resignations of the directors and officers (or persons holding similar offices) of each Acquired Company, in each case effective at or prior to the Closing;

(h) original versions (or to the extent originals are not available, copies) of the books, records, minute books and other materials (in any form) in the possession of Seller or any of its Affiliates relating to the Acquired Companies, including payroll, financial and accounting records, intellectual property records, service and warranty records, equipment logs, litigation files and any additional similar documents; and

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(i) such other agreements, documents, instruments and writings as are expressly required to be delivered by Seller on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement.

Section 2.7 Deliveries by Buyer .  At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Seller the following:

(a) the Closing Payment, in accordance with the terms of 0 ;

(b) the Buyer Closing Certificate;

(c) the Transition Services Agreement, duly executed by Buyer; and

(d) such other agreements, documents, instruments and writings as are expressly required to be delivered by Buyer on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement.

Section 2.8 Withholding Taxes .  Buyer shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any amount payable or otherwise deliverable pursuant to this Agreement to Seller or to any other Person such amounts as may be required to be deducted or withheld therefrom under any provision of federal, state, local or foreign Tax Law or under any other applicable Law.  To the extent such amounts are so deducted or withheld and remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement as having been paid to the Person to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid. Buyer shall advise Seller of any such deduction and withholding Buyer expects to make and reasonably cooperate with Seller to mitigate any such deduction and withholding to the extent permissible under applicable Law.

Article III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO SELLER

Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer, as of the Effective Date and as of the Closing Date unless otherwise specified in the applicable representation and warranty, as follows:

Section 3.1 Organization of Seller .  Seller is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite corporate authority to carry on its business as now being conducted and to own and use the properties and assets owned and used by it.

Section 3.2 Authorization; Enforceability .  Seller has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or other entity action on the part of Seller and no other action on the part of Seller is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or the consummation by Seller of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  This Agreement and, as of the Closing Date, the other Transaction Documents have

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been duly and validly executed and delivered by Seller and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by Buyer, constitute valid and binding obligations of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

Section 3.3 No Conflict; Consents .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3 , the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by Seller, the compliance by Seller with any of the provisions hereof or thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and shall not:

(a) violate any Law applicable to Seller or require any filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to, or the obtaining of any Permit or Order from, any Governmental Authority;

(b) violate or conflict with any Organizational Document of Seller;

(c) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, violate, breach or conflict with, or require any consent, notice or approval under, any Contract or Permit to which Seller is a party or by which Seller or its properties or assets are bound, constitute a default or give any third party any additional right (including a termination right) under, permit cancellation of, result in the termination of or any forfeiture or loss of a material right, or result in or constitute a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing, under any Contract or Permit to which Seller is a party or by which Seller or its properties or assets are bound or the acceleration of performance of Seller’s obligations thereunder;

(d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the Interests; or

(e) breach or conflict with any Order binding on Seller or its assets.

Section 3.4 Ownership of Interests .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4 :

(a) Seller holds of record and owns beneficially all of the Interests in the Company, free and clear of any Liens (other than restrictions under federal and state securities Laws);

(b) Seller is not a party to any option, warrant, purchase right, or other Contract (other than this Agreement) that could require Seller to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the Interests; and

(c) Seller is not a party to any voting trust, proxy, or other agreement or understanding with respect to the voting of the Interests.

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Section 3.5 Litigation .

(a) There are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened in writing against Seller or any of its Affiliates that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or prevent Seller from performing its obligations hereunder.

(b) There are no Orders binding upon Seller or any of its Affiliates that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein or prevent Seller from performing its obligations hereunder.

Section 3.6 Brokers’ Fees .  Except for the Seller Financial Advisors, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement either from or based upon arrangements made by Seller or any of its Affiliates.  All fees of the Seller Financial Advisors shall be paid by Seller, and no portion thereof shall be charged to or paid by any Acquired Company or Buyer.

Section 3.7 Bankruptcy .  Seller is not subject to any pending bankruptcy Action and, to Seller’s Knowledge, no Action is contemplated in which Seller would be declared insolvent or subject to the protection of any bankruptcy or reorganization Laws or procedures.

Article IV.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE COMPANY

Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer, as of the Effective Date and as of the Closing Date unless otherwise specified in the applicable representation and warranty, as follows:

Section 4.1 Organization of the Acquired Companies.

(a) Each Acquired Company is a corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, and is duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization or formation and has all requisite corporate or limited liability company power and authority to own, lease, construct, operate and maintain its properties and assets and to conduct its portion of the Business as it is now being conducted.  Each Acquired Company is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the ownership or operation of its assets or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  All such jurisdictions in which the Acquired Companies are organized and qualified to do business are listed in Schedule 4.1 .  The Acquired Companies have no ongoing business activities, and no Liabilities, other than in connection with the Business and, prior to the Closing, the Company’s ownership of the equity interests in Enstor Energy Services.

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(b) Seller has made available to Buyer in the Data Site true and complete copies of all existing Organizational Documents, as amended to date, of the Acquired Companies, and such Organizational Documents, as so amended, are in full force and effect.  No Acquired Company is in default under, or in violation of, any provision of its Organizational Documents.

Section 4.2 No Conflict; Consents .  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by Seller, the compliance by Seller with any of the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by Seller do not and will not:

(a) violate any Law applicable to any Acquired Company or require any filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to, or the obtaining of any Permit or Order from, any Governmental Authority;

(b) violate or conflict with any Organizational Document of any Acquired Company;

(c) (i) violate, breach or conflict with any Material Contract or Permit to which any Acquired Company is a party or by which any Acquired Company or its properties or assets are bound, constitute a default or give any third party any additional right (including any approval right over a “change of control” or any termination right) under, permit cancellation of, result in the termination of or any forfeiture or loss of a material right, or result in or constitute a circumstance that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any of the foregoing, under any Material Contract or Permit or the acceleration of performance of Seller’s obligations thereunder or (ii) except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, violate, breach or conflict with any other Contract to which any Acquired Company is a party or by which it is bound;

(d) result in the creation of any Lien on any of the Subsidiary Interests or any of the assets or properties of any Acquired Company (other than a Permitted Lien); or

(e) breach or conflict with any Order binding on any Acquired Company or any of the assets of any Acquired Company.

Section 4.3 Capitalization.

(a) The Interests held by Seller constitute all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Company.  The Interests are duly authorized, validly issued and (to the extent applicable) fully paid and nonassessable, and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights.

(b) The number and type of authorized capital stock and all other equity interests of each Acquired Company (other than the Company) are set forth on Schedule 4.3(b) .  The number and type of issued and outstanding capital stock and other equity interests of each Acquired Company (other than the Company) (collectively, “ Subsidiary Interests ”) and the holders thereof are set forth on Schedule 4.3(b) , and such issued and outstanding Subsidiary Interests are duly authorized, validly issued and (to the extent applicable) fully paid and nonassessable, and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights.  The Subsidiary Interests represented as being owned by an Acquired Company on Schedule 4.3(b) are held, beneficially and of record, free and clear of any Liens (other than restrictions under federal and state securities Laws)

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(c) Neither Seller nor any Acquired Company is party to a Contract containing any transfer restrictions, rights of first refusal, or other rights or obligations triggered upon a change of control of any Acquired Company (whether direct or indirect), in each case with respect to any Subsidiary Interests.

(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3(d) , there are no:

(i) outstanding membership interests, equity interests or other equity or equity-based securities of any Acquired Company other than the Interests and the Subsidiary Interests;

(ii) outstanding securities of any Acquired Company convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for membership interests, equity interests or other securities of such Acquired Company;

(iii) authorized or outstanding options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, conversion rights or other rights, commitments, agreements, arrangement or undertakings of any kind to which any Acquired Company is a party or by which it is bound obligating such Acquired Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional equity interests or shares of capital stock or other securities of such Acquired Company or obligating such Acquired Company to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking;

(iv) outstanding obligations of any Acquired Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any equity securities of such Acquired Company;

(v) voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which any Acquired Company is a party or is bound with respect to the voting of the equity interest of such Acquired Company;

(vi) outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit participation or similar rights with respect to any Acquired Company; or

(vii) authorized or outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness that entitles the holders to vote (or convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into securities that entitle the holders to vote) with holders of shares, units or interests of any Acquired Company on any matter.

(e) Except for the Subsidiary Interests or as set forth on Schedule 0 , no Acquired Company owns, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other equity interests of any Person.

Section 4.4 Litigation .  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4, no Acquired Company:

(a) is subject to any material Order;

(b) is a party or respondent to any material Action; or

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(c) to the Knowledge of Seller, has been threatened in writing with any material Action within the past two (2) years.

Section 4.5 Financial Statements .  Schedule 4.5 sets forth true and complete copies of the following financial statements (collectively, the “ Financial Statements ”):

(a) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Acquired Companies as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, and the related unaudited consolidated income statements of the Acquired Companies for the years then ended; and

(b) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Acquired Companies as of the Balance Sheet Date, together with the related unaudited consolidated income statement of the Acquired Companies for the twelve-month period then ended.

The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis through the periods involved, and present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and the consolidated results of operations of the Acquired Companies as of, and for the periods ended on, such dates, except for normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

Section 4.6 No Undisclosed Liabilities .  None of the Acquired Companies has any Indebtedness for borrowed money or Liabilities of a nature required by GAAP to have an amount set forth on a balance sheet, except: (a) Liabilities disclosed in the Financial Statements; (b) Liabilities incurred since the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of the operations of the Business, consistent with past practices ; and (c) Liabilities that will be included in the calculation of Final Working Capital, Final Cash Amount or Final CapEx Amount.

Section 4.7 Taxes .  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7 :

(a) all Tax Returns required to be filed by the Company or any Subsidiary have been properly and timely filed and are correct and complete in all material respects;

(b) all Taxes of the Company or any Subsidiary (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) that are due have been paid;

(c) the Financial Statements reflect the Company’s and each Subsidiary’s liabilities for unpaid Taxes (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) for all periods (or portions of periods) through the Balance Sheet Date;

(d) there are no Liens other than Permitted Liens on any of the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary that arose in connection with the failure to pay any Tax;

(e) there are no pending Actions for the assessment or collection of Taxes against the Company or any Subsidiary, and no adjustment relating to any Tax Return of the Company or any Subsidiary has been proposed;

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(f) no Tax Returns of the Company or a Subsidiary are under audit or examination by any taxing authority;

(g) there are no agreements or waivers currently in effect that provide for an extension of time with respect to the filing of any Tax Return of the Company or a Subsidiary or the assessment or collection of any Tax from the Company or a Subsidiary;

(h) no claim has been made in writing by any taxing authority in a jurisdiction where the Company or any Subsidiary does not file a Tax Return that it is or may be subject to taxation in that jurisdiction;

(i) each Acquired Company, other than the Company, Enstor, Inc., and Freebird Assets, Inc., qualifies, and has since the date of its formation qualified, as disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, and no election has been made under Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3 to have any Acquired Company, other than the Company, taxed as a corporation;

(j) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is, nor have they at any time been, a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return for any Tax period for which the statute of limitation remains open (other than the Seller Group), nor does the Company or any Subsidiary have any liability for Taxes of any Person (other than a member of the Seller Group or any Acquired Company) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any analogous provision of state or local Law), as a transferee or successor, under a Tax Sharing Agreement, or otherwise;

(k) the Company has delivered or made available to Buyer in the Data Site correct and complete copies of all income Tax Returns with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary for the year 2014 and each year thereafter, and of any examination reports and any written statements of deficiencies proposed to be assessed against the income or asset base of the Company or any Subsidiary that have not yet been resolved;

(l) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is or has been a party to any “listed transaction,” as defined in Section 6707A(c)(1) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b);

(m) within the past two (2) years, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in connection with a distribution described in Section 355 of the Code;

(n) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has agreed to make nor is it required to make any adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise;

(o) each Acquired Company has collected or withheld all Taxes required to have been collected or withheld (including from payments made to employees, independent contractors, creditors, stockholders and other third parties) and such collected and withheld Taxes have been or will be duly paid to the proper Governmental Authority;

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(p) the Company and each Subsidiary has properly collected and remitted sales, use, value added and similar Taxes with respect to sales or leases made or services provided to its customers and, to the Knowledge of Seller, have properly received and retained any appropriate Tax exemption certificates or other documentation for all such sales, leases or other services made without charging or remitting sales or similar Taxes that qualify as exempt from such Taxes;

(q) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) entered into prior to the Closing, (ii) installment sale or open transaction disposition made prior to the Closing, (iii) prepaid amount received prior to the Closing or (iv) election pursuant to Section 108(i) of the Code made prior to the Closing; and

(r) the Company elected to be classified as corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes effective as of April 5, 2012 and Seller is eligible to make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and any corresponding or similar elections under state or local Tax Law) with respect to the purchase and sale of the Interests in the Company hereunder and with respect to a resulting deemed sale of stock of Enstor, Inc. and Freebird Assets, Inc.

Section 4.8 Absence of Certain Changes .  Since the Balance Sheet Date, (a) the Business has been conducted, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, and (b) there has not been any Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.9 Contracts.

(a) Schedule 4.9(a) lists all of the following types of Contracts in effect on the Effective Date and to which any Acquired Company is a party (all Contracts that are required to be listed on Schedule 4.9(a) , together with all Property Use Agreements, being “ Material Contracts ”):

(i) each Contract under which any Acquired Company has (A ) created, incurred, assumed, or guaranteed (or may create, incur, assume, or guarantee) any Indebtedness (including any letters of credit or similar facilities that are cash collateralized), (B) granted a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on its assets, (C) agreed to any restriction or limitation on distributions, dividends or return on equity, or extended credit to any Person (excluding trade receivables in the ordinary course of business), or (D) any indemnity, any guaranty of performance, or any agreement to provide credit support or otherwise make capital contributions, loans, or advances;

(ii) each natural gas firm storage, “park and loan” service, interruptible storage, wheeling service, firm or interruptible transportation, gathering, processing or other services Contract with customers of any Acquired Company;

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(iii) each Contract involving a remaining commitment by any Acquired Company to undertake capital expenditures with respect to the Business that involve aggregate payments or receipts in excess of $100,000;

(iv) each Contract for lease of personal property involving aggregate payments or receipts in excess of $100,000;

(v) each Contract between Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies), on the one hand, and any Acquired Company, on the other hand (collectively, “ Affiliated Party Contracts ”);

(vi) each gas purchase and sale agreement and gas lease agreement;

(vii) each gas pipeline interconnection agreement, construction agreement, facility operating and operational balancing agreement;

(viii) each Derivative Contract;

(ix) each Contract creating or evidencing a partnership or joint venture;

(x) each Contract that limits or restricts any of the Acquired Companies from (A) engaging in any business in any jurisdiction, (B) freely setting prices for products, services, or technologies (including most-favored customer pricing provisions), or (C) soliciting potential employees, consultants, contracts, or other suppliers or customers;

(xi) each Contract that involves the purchase or sale of any business, equity, or assets (other than natural gas) material to the conduct of the Business in the past five (5) years;

(xii) each Contract with a Governmental Authority;

(xiii) each Contract pursuant to which any Acquired Company assumed Liabilities or agreed to indemnify another Person for Liabilities arising under Environmental Laws, other than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices the primary purpose of which is not the assumption or indemnification of environmental Liabilities;

(xiv) each Contract for operation or maintenance services;

(xv) each Tax Abatement Agreement; and

(xvi) each other Contract that involves aggregate payments to or from the Acquired Companies in excess of $100,000.

(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.9(b) , each Material Contract (other than such Material Contracts with respect to which all performance and payment obligations have been fully performed or otherwise discharged by all parties thereto prior to the Closing) is in full force and effect, other than those Material Contracts which expire by their terms between the Effective

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Date and Closing, and represents the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Acquired Company(ies) party thereto, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, represents the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other parties thereto, in each case enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.9(b) , neither any Acquired Company, nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other party, is in material breach of any Material Contract.   True and complete copies of all Material Contracts have been made available to Buyer in the Data Site.  None of Seller, the Acquired Companies or any of their respective Affiliates has received written notice of any intention to terminate any of the Material Contracts.

(c) All Material Contracts are in compliance with the terms and provisions of the Applicable Gas Tariffs.

Section 4.10 Employee Matters.

(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.10(a) , none of the Acquired Companies maintains any ERISA Plans or other material employee compensation or benefit plans, programs, arrangements, Contracts or schemes with respect to which any Acquired Company has any Liability to contribute or that are maintained, contributed to or sponsored by any Acquired Company (collectively, “ Company Plans ”).

(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in any material Liability to the Acquired Companies, each ERISA Plan maintained or sponsored by Seller and its Affiliates for the benefit of the Site Employees has been administered in accordance with its terms and all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code, and all contributions required to be made with respect to any such ERISA Plans have been made or properly accrued.  There does not now exist, nor do any present circumstances exist with respect to Seller, any Acquired Company or its or their ERISA Affiliates (as defined below) that could result in any Controlled Group Liability of Seller, an Acquired Company or any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is treated as a single employer with an Acquired Company or Seller within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code (each an “ ERISA Affiliate ”) that would be, or could become, a Liability of an Acquired Company or Buyer as of the Effective Date or following the Closing.

(c) No Acquired Company nor any ERISA Affiliate contributes to or has ever contributed to, or been required to contribute to, any multiple employer plan or “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) or has any Liability (including, withdrawal liability) under a multiemployer plan, or has any Liability with respect to a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA) in any case for which an Acquired Company or Buyer will have any Liability after the Closing.

(d) As to any ERISA Plan providing benefits to a Site Employee intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the Code, such plan has received a favorable determination letter or opinion letter, as applicable, from the IRS to such effect (or has applied or has time remaining to apply for such letter) and, to Seller’s Knowledge, no fact, circumstance or event has occurred or exists since the date of such determination or opinion letter that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any such ERISA Plan.

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(e) To Seller’s Knowledge, except as set forth on Schedule  0 , no ERISA Plan or any other arrangement providing benefits to a Site Employee provides any of the following retiree or post-employment benefits: medical, disability (other than disability benefits relating to a disability occurring during relevant employment) or life insurance benefits, except as required by (i) the applicable requirements of Section 4980B of the Code or any similar state Law or (ii) company-paid or subsidized healthcare coverage pursuant to an employment, severance or similar a greement, plan or arrangement.   

(f) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10(f) , neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder will, alone or together with any other event, (i) result in any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any Site Employee; (ii) materially increase any compensation or benefits otherwise payable by an Acquired Company; (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any awards or benefits or give rise to any additional service credits under any Company Plan; or (iv) result in payments or benefits that will be made by an Acquired Company that would not be deductible for federal income tax purposes by virtue of Section 280G of the Code.

(g) Each “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) to which an Acquired Company is a party, or under which a Site Employee has rights, complies with the requirements of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of Section 409A(a) by its terms and has been operated in accordance with such requirements.  The Company is under no obligation to gross up any taxes under Section 409A of the Code.

(h) Schedule 4.10(h) is a true and complete list of the names and positions of all Site Employees.

Section 4.11 Environmental Matters.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11 :

(i) Each of the Acquired Companies is, and has been for the past five (5) years, in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws, and the Acquired Companies possess and are in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Permits required for each Acquired Company to own and operate the Business as it is currently conducted.   Schedule 4.11(a)(i) sets forth a list of all Environmental Permits that have been obtained by the Acquired Companies, or any of them, as of the Effective Date, as well as those for which the Acquired Companies, or any of them, has applied as of the Effective Date.  All such Environmental Permits are in full force and effect, and there are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened seeking to revoke, cancel, suspend, or adversely modify any such Environmental Permit.  All applications required to have been filed for the renewal of all such Environmental Permits have been duly filed on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Authority, the Acquired Companies have met all material applicable regulatory and certificate conditions (including the filing of all annual and other periodic reports) and have complied with and made all material necessary reporting and filings, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, all necessary records pertaining to such Environmental Permits have been retained;

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(ii) None of the Acquired Companies is subject to any outstanding Order from, or any written agreement with, any Governmental Authority under any Environmental Laws requiring remediation or removal of any known past or ongoing Release of Constituents of Concern or the payment of any material fine or penalty in connection with any past or ongoing Release of Constituents of Concern, and to the Knowledge of Seller, no such Order, agreement, fine or penalty is threatened or alleged in writing.  To the Knowledge of Seller, except as would not be material to the Acquired Companies, no Release of Constituents of Concern has occurred at the Storage Facilities that has given or would reasonably be expected to require remediation and removal or result in an Order or a fine or penalty;

(iii) None of the Acquired Companies is subject to any Action that is pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened in writing, alleging that an Acquired Company has failed to comply in any material respect with or is subject to material Liability under any Environmental Law; and

(b) Schedule 4.11(b) lists all Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessment reports and all reports pertaining to violations of or liabilities under Environmental Laws, in each case, prepared by or on behalf of Seller or its Affiliates regarding any Storage Facility which, in each case, are in the possession of Seller or the Acquired Companies, and all of which have been made available in the Data Site.

Section 4.12 Compliance with Laws; Permits.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12(a) , each Acquired Company is, and has been at all times during the past five (5) years, in compliance in all material respects with all Laws, Permits and Orders applicable to the Acquired Companies, their operations and assets and to the Business, and none of Seller, its Affiliates, or the Acquired Companies has received written notification of any asserted past or present failure to comply with any Laws, Permits or Orders applicable to the Acquired Companies, their operations or assets or to the Business.  Notwithstanding any provision in this 0 (or any other provision of this Agreement) to the contrary, 0 and 0 shall be the exclusive representations and warranties with respect to compliance with Tax Laws and Environmental Laws, respectively, and no other representations or warranties are made with respect to such matters pursuant to this 0 .

(b) Each Acquired Company possesses, and is in compliance in all material respects with all terms and conditions of, all Permits necessary for such Acquired Company to own, lease, construct, operate and maintain its assets and lawfully operate the Business as it is currently conducted, all of which are in full force and effect, true and complete copies of which have previously been made available to Buyer in the Data Site.   Schedule 4.12(b) lists all such Permits possessed by the Acquired Companies.  No suspension, cancellation, revocation, termination or materially adverse modification of any such Permit is pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened.  All applications required to have been filed for the renewal of all such Permits have been duly filed on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Authority, the Acquired Companies have met all material applicable regulatory and certificate conditions (including the filing of all annual and other periodic reports) and have complied with and made all material necessary reporting and filings, and all necessary records pertaining to such Permits have been retained.

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Section 4.13 Insurance .  Schedule 4.13 lists and contains a summary description of all material current policies of property, fire and casualty, general liability, title, workers’ compensation and other forms of insurance that directly insure any Acquired Company or any of its assets or the operation of the Business, regardless of whether such insurance is carried by Seller, an Affiliate of Seller or an Acquired Company (collectively, the “ Policies ”).  As of the Effective Date, all Policies, including for property, fire and casualty, general liability, title, workers’ compensation and other forms of insurance, are in full force and effect, all premiums with respect thereto have been timely paid, and no written notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such Policy which was not replaced on substantially similar terms prior to the date of such cancellation.  To the Knowledge of Seller, there is no claim under any such Policy as to which coverage has been denied or disputed by the underwriters or issuers thereof within the past five (5) years.  

Section 4.14 Labor Relations; Employment Matters. No Acquired Company:

(a) is a party to, and no Site Employees are covered by, any collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there are no organizational campaigns, petitions or other unionization activities involving Site Employees seeking recognition of a collective bargaining unit;

(b) is subject to any strikes, material slowdowns or material work stoppages pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened between an Acquired Company and any Person or involving Site Employees;

(c) is delinquent in payments to the Site Employees for any material wages (including overtime pay), salaries, commissions, bonuses or other compensation, and no Site Employee has made a material claim or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened to make a material claim, against an Acquired Company with respect to any such wages (including overtime pay), salaries, commissions, bonuses or other compensation;

(d) has any material Liability with respect to any misclassification of: (i) any person as an independent contractor rather than as an employee, (ii) any employee leased from another employer, or (iii) any employee currently or formerly classified as exempt from overtime wages; or

(e) has taken any action with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that would reasonably be expected to constitute a “mass layoff” or “plant closing” within the meaning of the Workers Adjustment Retraining Notification (WARN) Act of 1989.

Section 4.15 Properties and Related Matters.

(a) Schedule 4.15(a) lists all of the Acquired Companies’ material agreements (including documents conveying or creating and granting real property interests to an Acquired Company), with respect to ownership interests in, and rights to use, real property (including surface, sub-surface and mineral rights, and any material waiver, encroachment, consent, crossing or similar rights related to any such ownership interests in, and rights to use, such real property) relating to the operation of the Business as currently conducted (collectively, “ Property Use Agreements ,” and the Acquired Companies’ rights thereunder, the “ Real Property Interests ”).

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(b) The Existing Title Opinions are listed on Schedule 4.15(b) .  Seller has made available to Buyer in the Data Site true, complete and correct copies of (i) all Property Use Agreements, (ii) all Existing Title Opinions and (iii) and all other reports, title insurance policies, title opinions and surveys that are in the possession of the Company, any Subsidiary or Seller and that relate to any of the Real Property Interests.

(c) No claim has been made, and to the Knowledge of Seller, no claim has been threatened or asserted, by any third party that any Acquired Company does not possess the legal right to use any material real property currently used in connection with the Business in the manner or for the purpose for which it is being used.

(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15(d) , the Acquired Companies have good and valid record and indefeasible title to, and are the lawful owners of, all of the Real Property Interests free and clear of all Liens other than the Permitted Liens.

(e) There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened condemnation or eminent domain proceeding with respect to any of the Storage Facilities.

(f) To the Knowledge of Seller, all of the Real Property Interests (including subsurface storage areas) pursuant to the Property Use Agreements and the improvements located thereon owned, leased or otherwise granted to or held by the Acquired Companies do not encroach in any material respect upon any easements, rights-of-way, or the property of others, subject to Permitted Liens, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there are no encroachments in any material respect onto the real property subject to the Real Property Interests from the real property of others.  To the Knowledge of Seller, all pipelines and appurtenant facilities related to the Storage Facilities, to the extent located on lands owned by third parties, are covered by recorded easements, rights-of-way or similar instruments or leasehold rights in favor of the Acquired Companies.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15(f) , none of the Acquired Companies has granted any assignment, lease, license, sublease, easement, concession or other agreement (written or oral) granting to any Person the right to possess, use, or occupy the Real Property Interests of the Acquired Companies, except (i) Permitted Liens, (ii) as may be granted to or reserved pursuant to any instrument creating its interest in such real property, or (iii) for purposes related to the development, construction, operation, or maintenance of the Storage Facilities or other assets of the Acquired Companies.

(g) (i) All wells drilled in connection with the Storage Facilities or the Business have  been drilled, completed, operated and maintained in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws and Permits, and all such wells currently in operation are in an operable state of repair adequate to maintain normal operations in accordance with past practices and (ii) except as set forth on Schedule 4.15(g)(ii) , and except for wells that are owned and operated by a Person other than Seller or any of its Affiliates and that do not penetrate the geological formations in which the Storage Facilities are located, to Seller’s Knowledge, there are no wells located on the real property of any Acquired Company that are required by applicable Law or Permit to be plugged and abandoned that have not been plugged and abandoned in accordance with such applicable Law or Permit.

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Section 4.16 Intellectual Property .  

(a) Schedule 4.16(a) sets forth a true and complete list of all of the patents, trademarks, registered copyrights, and domain names, and pending applications for any of the foregoing, owned by the Acquired Companies as of the Effective Date.

(b) One of the Acquired Companies is the sole and exclusive owner of all such items, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens and except as set forth on Schedule 4.16(b) .

(c) The Acquired Companies own or possess adequate licenses or other valid rights to use all material patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights used or held for use in connection with the Business as currently being conducted, and the Company has not received any written assertions or claims that challenge the validity of any of the foregoing.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood that the Acquired Companies receive certain information technology support (other than the Acquired IT) from Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) and the foregoing will not be deemed a representation that the Acquired Companies will be entitled to such information technology support (other than the Acquired IT) after Closing.

(d) To the Knowledge of Seller, within the past five (5) years, no Acquired Company has infringed or misappropriated the patent, trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights of any Person and no Acquired Company has received any written notice of any claim of such infringement or misappropriation during such time period.  To the Knowledge of Seller, no Person is infringing the patent, trademark or other intellectual property rights of any Acquired Company.

Section 4.17 Title to Properties .  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17, the Acquired Companies have good and valid record and indefeasible title to, are the lawful owners of, or have a valid leasehold interest in, all of the material rights, properties and assets (other than the Real Property Interests, which are addressed by the representations and warranties in 0, but including the Acquired IT), tangible or intangible, used or held for use in connection with their respective Businesses, in each case, free and clear of all Liens, except for (a) properties and assets sold or otherwise disposed of, and rights expiring or terminating, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and not in violation of this Agreement during the period from the Effective Date until the Closing Date, and (b) Permitted Liens.

Section 4.18 Condition and Sufficiency of Assets.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18(a) , all of the tangible material assets (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding IT systems and software other than the Acquired IT) used or held for use by the Acquired Companies (other than the Real Property Interests, which are addressed by the representations and warranties in 0 ), whether owned or leased, (i) have been reasonably maintained consistent in all material respects with standards generally followed in the industry and are in a condition sufficient for the current operating business of the Acquired Companies, and (ii) other than the assets held by Enstor Waha Storage and Transportation, LP or otherwise relating to the Waha Project, are adequate and suitable for their present and currently intended uses and are free from defects other than such defects as do not interfere with the intended use thereof in the conduct of normal operations in any material respect.

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(b) The information technology systems and software listed on Schedule 4.18(b) are owned or licensed by the Acquired Companies (collectively, the “ Acquired IT ”).

(c) The assets and properties owned or leased by the Acquired Companies, or that they otherwise have the right to use, when aggregated with the services that Buyer is entitled to receive after Closing under the Transition Services Agreement, constitute all the tangible assets and properties that are required or necessary in connection with the conduct of the Business as it is presently conducted; provided , however , that certain information technology-related services and licenses (other than the Acquired IT) required to conduct the Business as presently conducted are provided by Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) and are not included in the transaction contemplated hereunder except to the extent provided pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement.

Section 4.19 Bank Accounts and Powers of Attorney .  Schedule 4.19 lists and identifies by bank, account number and authorized signatories all bank accounts, safety deposit boxes and lock boxes maintained by any Acquired Company.  Except as set forth in Schedule 4.19, no Person has been given any revocable or irrevocable power of attorney or similar grant of authority relating to the Business for any purpose whatsoever.

Section 4.20 Officers and Managers .  Schedule 4.20 lists by name and title all directors, managers and officers of each Acquired Company.

Section 4.21 Affiliated Party Transactions .  Except as evidenced by the Affiliated Party Contracts listed on Schedule 4.9 or as set forth on Schedule 4.21:

(a) there are no Contracts relating to any transaction for the provision of services (or otherwise providing for the payment of monies), excepting ordinary employment and related compensation arrangements between any Acquired Company, on the one hand, and (i) Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) or (ii) any officers, managers, directors, employees, members or partners of any Acquired Company , Seller or any of their respective Affiliates, on the other hand;

(b) no Acquired Company is indebted (excluding compensatory and expense reimbursement arrangements), directly or indirectly, to (i) any officers, managers, directors, employees, members or partners of any Acquired Company , Seller or any of their respective Affiliates, or (ii) any other Acquired Company or Seller or to any of their respective Affiliates, in any amount whatsoever; and

(c) none of the officers, directors, managers, employees of any Acquired Company or Seller, nor any of their respective Affiliates, is indebted to any Acquired Company or has any interest in any real or personal property used in the Business.

Section 4.22 Brokers’ Fees .  Except for the Seller Financial Advisors, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement either from or based upon arrangements made by any Acquired Company.  All fees of the Seller Financial Advisors shall be paid by Seller, and no portion thereof shall be charged to or paid by any Acquired Company or Buyer.

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Section 4.23 Gas Inventory .

(a) The Acquired Companies have (and at the Closing will have, subject to the Schedule Update delivered pursuant to the last sentence of this Section 4.23(a) ) physical possession and custody of a quantity of natural gas in the Storage Facilities (in each case measured on an mmbtu basis) equal to (i) the quantity of owned Cushion Gas set forth under Column A in Schedule 4.23(a) , plus (ii) the quantity of natural gas that must be delivered to customers (including to Seller and its Affiliates) in order to satisfy the Acquired Companies’ obligations for delivery of natural gas set forth under Column B in Schedule 4.23(a) and broken down by type of agreement and volume, plus (iii) the quantity of natural gas owned by the Acquired Companies and held as fuel set forth under Column C in Schedule 4.23(a) , including the net quantity of natural gas from unconsumed (or overconsumed) in-kind fuel payments or retention (a positive quantity when unconsumed and a negative quantity when overconsumed), plus (iv) the quantity of natural gas currently owed to the Acquired Companies or owed by the Acquired Companies as a result of an operational balancing agreement set forth under Column D in Schedule 4.23(a) (a positive quantity when owed to the Company and a negative quantity when owed by the Acquired Companies) (collectively, the “ Gas Inventory ”).  Attached as Schedule 4.23(a) is an accurate and complete list of the Gas Inventory, broken down by categories of the volumes of natural gas, in each of the Storage Facilities as of the close of business on the Business Date immediately preceding the Effective Date.  At or prior to Closing, Seller shall provide Buyer with an updated Schedule 4.23(a) reflecting the quantities of natural gas as of close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

(b) The Acquired Companies own, as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Effective Date, a quantity of natural gas (in each case measured on an mmbtu basis) equal to (i) the quantity of owned Cushion Gas set forth under Column A in Schedule 4.23(a) on the date hereof and (ii) the quantity of natural gas held as fuel set forth under Column C in Schedule 4.23(a) on the date hereof.  The Acquired Companies will own, as of the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, a quantity of natural gas (in each case measured on an mmbtu basis) equal to (x) the quantity of owned Cushion Gas set forth under Column A in Schedule 4.23(a) delivered pursuant to the last sentence of Section 4.23(a) and (y) the quantity of natural gas held as fuel set forth under Column C in Schedule 4.23(a) delivered pursuant to the last sentence of Section 4.23(a) .

Section 4.24 Customers .  Schedule 4.24 sets forth a complete and accurate list of all of the customers for tariff services of the Acquired Companies for the past two (2) years, as well as the dollar amounts of such sales.

Section 4.25 Books and Records .  The Acquired Companies (a) make and keep books, records and accounts reflecting their assets and Liabilities and that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of assets of the Acquired Companies, and (b) maintain systems of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Acquired Companies’ consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets, except in each case, that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

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Section 4.26 Bankruptcy .  None of the Acquired Companies are subject to any pending bankruptcy Action and, to the Knowledge of Seller, no Action is contemplated in which any Acquired Company would be declared insolvent or subject to the protection of any bankruptcy or reorganization Laws or procedures.

Section 4.27 Exclusive Representations and Warranties .  Except for the representations and warranties contained in 0 and this 0 (in each case, as modified by the Disclosure Schedules) or the other Transaction Documents, neither Seller nor any other Person on its behalf makes any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Seller, the Acquired Companies or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and Seller disclaims any other representations or warranties, express or implied, whether made by Seller or any other Person.

Article V.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO BUYER

Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller, as of the Effective Date and as of the Closing Date unless otherwise specified in the applicable representation and warranty, as follows:

Section 5.1 Organization of Buyer .  Buyer is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or formation, as applicable.

Section 5.2 Authorization; Enforceability .  Buyer has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to perform all obligations to be performed by it hereunder and thereunder.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized and approved by Buyer, and no other action on the part of Buyer is necessary to authorize this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.  This Agreement and, as of the Closing Date, the other Transaction Documents have been duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by Seller, constitute valid and binding obligations of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their respective terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

Section 5.3 No Conflict; Consents .  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.3, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by Buyer, the compliance by Buyer with any of the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and shall not:

(a) violate any Law applicable to Buyer or require any filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to, any Governmental Authority;

(b) violate or conflict with any Organizational Document of Buyer;

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(c) except as would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer to complete the transactions contemplated herein, breach or conflict with any Contract to which Buyer is a party or by which it is bound; or

(d) breach or conflict with any Order binding on Buyer or its assets.

Section 5.4 Litigation.

(a) There are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, threatened in writing against Buyer or any of its Affiliates that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer to complete the transactions contemplated herein.

(b) There are no Orders binding upon Buyer or any of its Affiliates that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer to complete the transactions contemplated herein.

Section 5.5 Brokers’ Fees .  No broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by Buyer or any of its Affiliates.

Section 5.6 Financial Ability .  Buyer has, or at the Closing will have, through a combination of its cash balances and proceeds to be delivered under the Equity Commitment Letter, funds sufficient to fund the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.  Buyer has delivered to Seller a true and complete copy of the executed Equity Commitment Letter.  The Equity Commitment Letter has not been amended or modified in any manner prior to the date of this Agreement.  Neither the Buyer nor any of its Affiliates has entered into any agreement, side letter or other arrangement relating to the financing of the Purchase Price or transactions contemplated by this Agreement that could affect the availability of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the Closing Date, other than as set forth in the Equity Commitment Letter.  The commitments contained in the Equity Commitment Letter have not been withdrawn or rescinded in any respect.  The Equity Commitment Letter is in full force and effect and represents a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Buyer and, to the Buyer’s Knowledge, each other party thereto. No event has occurred which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a breach or default on the part of Buyer or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, any other party thereto under the Equity Commitment Letter.  The Buyer has no reason to believe that it or any other party thereto will be unable to satisfy on a timely basis any term of the Equity Commitment Letter.

Section 5.7 Securities Law Compliance.  Buyer:

(a) is acquiring the Interests for its own account and not with a view to their distribution;

(b) has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be able to evaluate the merits and risk of an investment in the Interests and is able financially to bear the risks thereof; and

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(c) understands that the Interests will, upon purchase, be characterized as “restricted securities” under state and federal securities Laws and that under such Laws the Interests may be resold without registration under such laws only in certain circumstances.

Section 5.8 Buyer’s Independent Investigation .  Buyer and its Representatives have undertaken an independent investigation and verification of the business, operations and financial condition of the Acquired Companies.  Except for the representations and warranties made by Seller relating to the Acquired Companies in this Agreement or in any certificate or written statement furnished or to be furnished to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, Buyer acknowledges that:

(a) Buyer has been afforded access to and the opportunity to inspect the Acquired Companies, the Business, and all other due diligence materials; and

(b) Buyer has inspected the Acquired Companies and its Business and all other due diligence materials, in each case to the extent Buyer deems necessary or advisable in connection with its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 5.9 Exclusive Representations and Warranties . Buyer acknowledges that except for the representations and warranties contained in Article III with respect to Seller, Article IV with respect to the Acquired Companies (in each case, as modified by the Disclosure Schedules), the other Transaction Documents, and any certificate or written statement furnished or to be furnished to Buyer hereunder or thereunder, none of Seller, the Acquired Companies or any other Person on their behalf makes any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Seller, the Acquired Companies or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and Seller disclaims any other representations or warranties, whether made by Seller or any other Person.

Article VI.
COVENANTS

Section 6.1 Conduct of Business .  Except as set forth in Schedule 6.1 or specifically required by this Agreement:

(a) From the Effective Date through the Closing, Seller shall cause each Acquired Company to operate the Business in the ordinary course, consistent with past practices.  Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, from the Effective Date through the Closing, Seller shall cause each Acquired Company to (i) use its commercially reasonably efforts to operate and maintain its properties and assets in the ordinary course of business, (ii) comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws, Permits and Orders, (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact the Business and its relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business relationships with it, in each case in all material respects and (iv) maintain the books and records of the Acquired Companies consistent with past practices.

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(b) Without limiting the generality or effect of 0 , prior to the Closing, without the prior written consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, Seller shall not (with respect to the Acquired Companies) and shall not permit any Acquired Company to:

(i) (A) amend the Organizational Documents of any Acquired Company, (B) split, combine or reclassify the outstanding equity interests of any Acquired Company, (C) declare, set aside or pay any distribution payable in stock or property (other than cash) in respect of any equity interests of any Acquired Company, (D) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Acquired Company’s equity interests, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of such equity interests or (E) transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of (other than to an Acquired Company) or redeem, repurchase, or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the Interest or the equity interests in the Subsidiaries;

(ii) adopt a plan to completely or partially liquidate, dissolve, restructure, recapitalize or otherwise wind up the business of any Acquired Company or fail to maintain the limited liability company existence of any Acquired Company;

(iii) change the accounting methods, policies or practices in any material respect used by the Acquired Companies except as required by applicable Law or GAAP;

(iv) sell, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of or pledge, mortgage or subject to any Lien (other than any Permitted Lien) any properties or assets (other than (x) excess or obsolete inventory and equipment or immaterial interests in real property, in each case, sold, assigned, leased, subleased or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and (y) for the avoidance of doubt, any distribution of Cash and Cash Equivalents prior to the Closing);

(v) issue or sell any equity interests (other than in the connection with the conversion of intercompany debt into equity) in, or any notes, bonds or other securities of, any Acquired Company, or any option, warrant or right to acquire same;

(vi) (A) amend, modify, waive any material right under or terminate (other than by completion thereof) any existing Material Contract or (B) enter into any new Contract that would be a Material Contract, except that the Acquired Companies may enter into agreements of the type described in 0 and 0 in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices, provided that the term of any such Contract does not exceed 12 months and such Contract does not involve annualized payments in excess of $1,000,000;

(vii) make any capital expenditure in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate, other than (x) in accordance with the CapEx Budget or the OpEx Budget, as applicable; provided that no capital expenditure in accordance with the CapEx Budget or the OpEx Budget shall exceed $1,000,000 individually or (y) reasonable capital expenditures in connection with any emergency events affecting any Acquired Company;

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(viii) incur, assume or guarantee any Indebtedness, other than (A) intercompany debt in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, that is to be converted to equity prior to Closing, (B) indebtedness solely among the Acquired Companies and (C) Indebtedness that is included in the determination of Net Working Capital;

(ix) initiate, commence or settle any Action related to the Acquired Companies, other than with respect to any Action that would not reasonably be expected to result in payments to or from the Acquired Companies in excess of $100,000 individually or $250,000 in the aggregate;

(x) amend or apply to amend any Applicable Gas Tariff except pursuant to its applications on file with FERC or any State Commission as of the Effective Date;

(xi) with respect to any Acquired Company, merge or consolidate with, or purchase substantially all of the assets or business of, or any equity interests in, or make an investment in any Person (other than investments in any other Acquired Company) or enter into any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement;

(xii) hire or materially increase the compensation (except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices with respect to non-management level employees) or severance entitlements of any employee of the Acquired Companies; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the transfer of the Site Employees to an Acquired Company;

(xiii) terminate (except for cause) the employment of any Site Employee or transfer a Site Employee to an entity other than an Acquired Company;

(xiv) except as may be required by the terms of an employment agreement or Company Plan as in effect on the Effective Date, grant any severance or termination pay to, or enter into or materially amend any employment, bonus or severance agreement with, any manager, director or officer of any of the Acquired Companies;

(xv) cause any Acquired Company to adopt any new Company Plans;

(xvi) cancel any Indebtedness owed to the Acquired Companies (other than intercompany debt in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby);

(xvii) cause any Acquired Company to advance any credit or make any loans, advances, or capital contributions to any other Person (other than intercompany debt and extensions of credit to customers in the ordinary course of business);

(xviii) cause any Acquired Company to engage in any new line of business;

(xix) fail to maintain any insurance coverage of the Acquired Companies and their assets and the operation of the Business substantially equivalent to the insurance coverage in effect as of the Effective Date, regardless of whether such insurance is carried by Seller, an Affiliate of Seller or any of the Acquired Companies;

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(xx) amend or modify, in each case, in any material respect, fail to renew, allow to lapse or terminate any material Permit;

(xxi) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Cushion Gas;

(xxii) with respect to any Acquired Company, (A) adopt or change any material Tax accounting method, (B) make, change or revoke any material Tax election, (C) enter into any material Tax Sharing Agreements, (D) settle or compromise any material claim or assessment in respect of any Tax or (E) consent to any extension or waiver of the limitations period applicable to any material claim or assessment in respect of any Tax; or

(xxiii) agree, whether in writing or otherwise, to do any of the foregoing.

Section 6.2 Access.

(a) (i) From the Effective Date through the Closing, Seller shall afford to Buyer and its authorized Representatives reasonable access, during normal business hours and in such manner as not to unreasonably interfere with normal operation of the Business, to the properties, books, contracts and records relating to, and appropriate officers and employees of, the Acquired Companies and shall furnish such authorized Representatives with all financial and operating data and other information concerning the affairs of the Acquired Companies as Buyer and such Representatives may reasonably request.  Seller shall have the right to have a Representative present at all times during any such inspections, interviews and examinations that take place on site, at the Storage Facilities or at the offices of Seller.  Additionally, unless and until the Closing occurs, Buyer shall hold in confidence all such information on the terms, to the extent and subject to the conditions contained in the Confidentiality Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall have no right of access to, and Seller shall have no obligation to provide to Buyer, information relating to bids received from others in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (or similar transactions) and information and analyses (including financial analyses) relating to such bids.  Buyer acknowledges that all such information being provided pursuant to this 0 is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

(ii) Buyer shall have no right to perform or conduct any environmental sampling or other invasive environmental investigations on or about any property, real or personal, of the Acquired Companies without the prior written consent of Seller (in Seller’s sole discretion) and without a representative of Seller being present.

(iii) Buyer shall not contact or have access to any supplier, contractor or consultant of any of the Acquired Companies without the prior written consent of Seller (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and without a representative of Seller being present.

(iv) Notwithstanding any restriction in the Confidentiality Agreement, Buyer and its Affiliates shall have the right to contact, after the third (3 rd ) Business Day following the Effective Date, and Seller shall afford Buyer and its Affiliates access to, any customer of the Acquired Companies; provided , that, prior to the Closing, Buyer shall inform Seller on a weekly basis of the customers that Buyer has contacted during such week.

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(b) Buyer shall indemnify the Seller Indemnified Parties and save them harmless, effective as and from the Effective Date, from and against any Losses that the Seller Indemnified Parties shall suffer or incur, or that may be made or brought against any of them, as a result of, relating to, or arising out of any injury to the person or property of Buyer or its Representatives as a result of, or in connection with any site visits or inspections of the assets or properties of the Company or any Subsidiary conducted under this 0 .  THE INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS IN THIS 0 SHALL BE ENFORCEABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY PERSON (INCLUDING THE PERSON FROM WHOM INDEMNIFICATION IS SOUGHT) ALLEGES OR PROVES THE SOLE, CONCURRENT, CONTRIBUTORY OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE OF THE PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION OR THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED UPON THE PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SELLER, AN ACQUIRED COMPANY OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES.

Section 6.3 Third Party Approvals.

(a) Buyer and Seller shall (and shall each cause their respective Affiliates to) use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) obtain all consents and approvals of third parties, including from Governmental Authorities and the counterparties to the Contracts listed on Schedule 4.2 , that any of Buyer, Seller, the Acquired Companies or their respective Affiliates are required to obtain in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and (ii) cause each of the other conditions to their respective obligations specified in 0 to be satisfied at or before the Closing.  The obligations of the Parties under this 0 shall include (i) preparing and filing as soon as practicable all such filings or consents with or from any Governmental Authority or other Person that are required to be filed or obtained in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) assuring that all such filings are in material compliance with the requirements of applicable Law, (iii) making available to the other Party such information as the other Party may reasonably request in order to complete such filings or to respond to information requests by any relevant Governmental Authorities, (iv) cooperating with the other Party in connection with any such filings and in connection with resolving any investigation or other inquiry of any such Governmental Authority under any antitrust Laws with respect to any such filings or the transactions contemplated hereby, (v) using commercially reasonable efforts to keep each other apprised of the status of matters relating to the completion of the transactions contemplated thereby, including promptly furnishing the other with copies of notices or other communications, filings or correspondence between the Parties or their Affiliates, on the one hand, and any Governmental Authority (or members of their respective staffs), on the other hand, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (vi) responding to and complying with, as promptly as reasonably practicable, any request for information or documentary material regarding the transactions from any relevant Governmental Authority, (vii) pursuing the prompt expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period and clearance or approval by any relevant Governmental Authority, (viii) executing and delivering any additional instruments necessary to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement and (ix) using commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all other actions and do, or cause to be done, all other things reasonably advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated hereby.

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(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Buyer and its Affiliates shall have no obligation to (i) propose, negotiate, offer to commit and effect (and, if such offer is accepted, commit to and effect), by consent decree, hold separate order or otherwise, and in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the sale, divestiture or disposition of any assets or businesses of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any assets or businesses of Buyer or any of its Affiliates (or equity interests held by Buyer or any of its Affiliates in entities with assets or businesses); (ii) terminate any existing relationships and contractual rights and obligations; or (iii) offer to take or offer to commit to take any action that limits its freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain, any of the assets or businesses of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any assets or businesses of Buyer or any of its Affiliates (or equity interests held by Buyer or any of its Affiliates in entities with assets or businesses).  Seller shall not agree to any divestitures or limitations on the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or on any Party or to any voluntary extension of any statutory deadline or waiting period or to any voluntary delay of the consummation of the transactions at the behest of any Governmental Authority without the prior written consent of Buyer.

Section 6.4 Employee Matters.

(a) As of the Closing Date, the Site Employees shall cease participating as active employees in all of the ERISA Plans maintained or sponsored by Seller and its Affiliates other than the Company Plans (the “ Seller Plans ”) and shall commence participation in the employee benefit plans of or to be established by Buyer or Buyer’s designated employer (“ Buyer Plans ”).  In the event that Buyer Plans providing medical, dental and/or vision insurance coverage are not established as of the Closing Date, Buyer and Seller will reasonably cooperate, at Buyer’s sole cost and expense, to take such actions as are necessary to avoid , for up to two (2) months following the Closing, a lapse in medical, dental and/or vision coverage, as applicable, for Site Employees who remain employed with the Company following the Closing Date (and their covered dependents).  For the avoidance of doubt, Buyer will be solely responsible for all costs and expenses associated with medical, dental and/or vision coverage for Site Employees (and their covered dependents) from and after the Closing Date, but in any case limited to the portion of the applicable premium expense paid by the employer and employee (provided that Buyer may collect such employee proration from the applicable employee), whether provided or facilitated by the Seller or the Seller Plans, and Buyer will indemnify and hold the Seller harmless from and against any such cost, expense or Liability incurred by Seller and its Affiliates in connection with such coverage.  Upon the establishment of the Buyer Plans providing medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, Buyer and the Buyer Plans shall be solely responsible for the provision of any COBRA continuation coverage for any Site Employee whose employment is terminated on or after the Closing Date (and his or her covered dependents).  Prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall pay to each Site Employee an amount in full settlement of such Site Employee’s accrued but unused vacation or paid time off as of the Closing Date, except to the extent that such accrued but unused vacation or paid time off is reflected as a Current Liability in the calculation of Net Working Capital at the Closing Date (the “ Assumed PTO ”). Prior to the Closing, Seller will provide Buyer with a schedule setting forth the amount of Assumed PTO, if any, for each Site Employee.  From and after the Closing, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be responsible for and shall indemnify and hold Seller and its Affiliates harmless from and against all Liabilities to or with respect to the Site Employees, whether incurred before, on or after the Closing Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt,

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Liabilities attributable to the Assumed PTO), excepting only Liabilities under the Seller Plans.  For the avoidance of doubt, Seller shall continue to be responsible for and shall indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from and against all Controlled Group Liability associated with Seller Plans and Liabilities under or with respect to Seller Plans related to retiree medical benefits or other retiree welfare benefits. Subject to Buyer’s right to terminate Site Employees after the Closing, Buyer shall provide, or cause to be provided, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the Closing Date or such longer period of time required by applicable Law, to each of the Site Employees, salary, wages (taking into consideration geographic differences), severance benefits, payment of accrued but unused vacation and paid time off upon termination, and a cost-sharing split between employee and employer for health insurance premium payments, in each case, that are no less favorable than those provided to such Site Employee immediately prior to the Closing (provided that such information has been made available to Buyer through the Data Site prior to the Effective Date).

(b) Buyer and Seller agree (i) that, with respect to any Site Employee whose employment is terminated within one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing, Buyer shall pay to such Site Employee an amount of severance pay equal to the greater of (x) the amount described on Schedule 6.4(b) or (y) in the event the termination of the Site Employees triggers any obligations under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988 or any state law equivalent (collectively, the “ WARN Act ”), continuation of base pay and, to the extent required under the WARN Act, other employee compensation and benefit entitlements for a period of sixty (60) days (the aggregate severance paid to the Site Employees pursuant to this 0 , the “ Aggregate Severance Liability ”) and (ii) that Seller shall be responsible for and pay to or for the account of Buyer (or Buyer’s designated employer), in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the payees and accounts designated by Buyer, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of an invoice therefor, the Aggregate Severance Liability.

(c) For purposes of eligibility and vesting (and, with respect to paid-time off and severance benefit plans, benefit accrual) under the Buyer Plans, Buyer or Buyer’s designated employer shall credit each Site Employee with his or her years of service with the Company, its Subsidiaries and Seller, its Affiliates and any predecessor entities, to the same extent as such Site Employee was entitled immediately prior to the Closing to credit for such service under any similar employee benefit plan of Seller or its Affiliates.  The Buyer Plans shall not deny Site Employees coverage on the basis of pre-existing conditions and shall credit such Site Employees for any deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses paid in the year of initial participation in the Buyer Plans; provided that Seller provides all necessary information to determine the amount of such credit for the Site Employees.

(d) As of the Closing Date, Buyer or Buyer’s designated employer shall maintain a tax qualified defined contribution retirement plan (the “ Buyer 401(k) Plan ”) for the benefit of the Site Employees.  As soon as practicable after the Closing, the Site Employees who participated in the Seller’s or its Affiliate’s tax qualified defined contribution retirement plan (the “ Seller 401(k) Plan ”) shall be entitled to a distribution of their account balances in accordance with the terms of the Seller 401(k) Plan and applicable law and Buyer shall take all action necessary to ensure that the Buyer 401(k) Plan accepts a “direct rollover” (within the meaning of Section 401(a)(31) of the Code) of such distributions from the Seller 401(k) Plan that are eligible rollover distributions (as defined in Section 402(c) of the Code), including the promissory notes

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of any outstanding participant loans, if such rollovers are elected by any Site Employee, provided the rollover occurs within 60 days after the Closing Date ; provided , further , that Seller makes available all relevant information and access to the third-party record keeper of the Seller 401(k) Plan, in each case, to effect such direct rollover .

(e) Buyer or Buyer’s designated employer shall have in effect, or cause to be in effect, as of the Closing Date, flexible spending reimbursement accounts under a cafeteria plan qualifying under Section 125 of the Code (the “ Buyer Cafeteria Plan ”) that provides benefits to Site Employees who participate in Seller’s flexible spending account reimbursement plans as of the Closing Date (the “ Seller Cafeteria Plan ”).  Buyer or Buyer’s designated employer will cause the Buyer Cafeteria Plan to honor and continue, through the end of the calendar year in which the Closing Date occurs, the elections made by each Site Employee under the Seller Cafeteria Plan in respect of the flexible spending reimbursement accounts that are in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date.  As soon as practicable following the Closing Date, Seller shall cause to be transferred to Buyer or Buyer’s designated employer an amount in cash equal to the excess of the aggregate accumulated contributions, as determined on an individual rather than aggregate basis with respect to the Site Employees, to the flexible spending reimbursement accounts under the Seller Cafeteria Plan made during the year in which the Closing Date occurs by the Site Employees over the aggregate reimbursement payouts made for such year from such accounts to such employees.  Buyer or Buyer’s designated employer shall cause such amounts to be credited to each such employee’s corresponding accounts under the Buyer Cafeteria Plan in which such employees participate following the Closing Date.  On and after the Closing Date, Buyer or Buyer’s designated employer shall assume and be solely responsible for all claims for reimbursement by Site Employees, whether incurred prior to, on or after the Closing Date, that have not been paid in full as of the Closing Date, which claims shall be paid pursuant to and under the terms of the Buyer Cafeteria Plan.

(f) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall (i) confer upon any Site Employee any right with respect to continuance of employment by Buyer (or Buyer’s designated employer) or any of its Affiliates, nor shall anything herein interfere with the right of Buyer (or Buyer’s designated employer) or any such Affiliate to terminate the employment of any of the Site Employees at any time after Closing, with or without cause, or (ii) create any third party beneficiary rights in any current or former employee, director or consultant, any beneficiary or dependents thereof, or any collective bargaining representative thereof, with respect to the compensation, terms and conditions of employment and benefits that may be provided to any current or former employee, director or consultant by Buyer (or Buyer’s designated employer) or any of its Affiliates or under any benefit plan which Seller, Buyer or any of their Affiliates may maintain.

(g) Except for general published solicitations or advertisements for employment (whether in print or online) and actions taken with respect to employees who respond thereto, Seller and its Affiliates may not (without obtaining the prior written consent of Buyer), for a period of twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, solicit employment of any of the Site Employees or any other employees of Buyer (or Buyer’s designated employer) or its Affiliates who are directly or indirectly (to the extent of Seller’s Knowledge) engaged in the operation of the Business of any of the Acquired Companies or the negotiation or the Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

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Section 6.5 Books and Records .   From and after the Closing:

(a) Subject to 0 , Seller may retain a copy of any or all of the Data Room materials and other books and records relating to the Business of the Acquired Companies on or before the Closing Date, provided that such information shall be considered Restricted Information.

(b) Buyer shall preserve and keep a copy (which may be an electronic copy) of all books and records in Buyer’s possession relating to the Business or operations of the Acquired Companies on or before the Closing Date for a period of at least seven (7) years after the Closing Date.  After such seven (7) year period, before Buyer disposes of any such data room materials or books and records, Buyer shall give Seller at least thirty (30) days’ prior notice to such effect, and Seller shall be given an opportunity, at Seller’s cost and expense (including copy costs), to remove and retain all or any part of such data room materials and books and records as Seller may select.  Buyer shall make available to Seller, at Seller’s cost and expense, reasonable access to such books and records during normal business hours as remain in Buyer’s possession in connection with matters relating to the business or operations of the Company on or before the Closing Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller shall have no right of access to, and Buyer shall have no obligation to provide to Seller, (i) information the disclosure of which would reasonably be expected to jeopardize any privilege relating to such information available to Buyer, any of its Affiliates or any of the Acquired Companies or would cause any such Person to breach a confidentiality obligation, or (ii) information the disclosure of which would reasonably be expected to result in a violation of Law.

(c) Seller shall indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Parties, and save them harmless, effective as and from the Effective Date, from and against any Losses that the Buyer Indemnified Parties shall suffer or incur, or that may be made or brought against any of them, as a result of, relating to, or arising out of any injury to the person or property of Seller or its Representatives as a result of, or in connection with any site visits or inspections of the assets or properties of the Acquired Companies conducted under this 0 .  THE INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS IN THIS 0 SHALL BE ENFORCEABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY PERSON (INCLUDING THE PERSON FROM WHOM INDEMNIFICATION IS SOUGHT) ALLEGES OR PROVES THE SOLE, CONCURRENT, CONTRIBUTORY OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE OF THE PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION OR THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED UPON THE PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF BUYER OR ANY OF ITS REPRESENTATIVES.

Section 6.6 Use of Names, Trademarks, Etc.

(a) From and after the Closing, except as permitted in 00 , neither Buyer nor its Affiliates (including the Acquired Companies after the Closing) will use or have any rights to any of the Retained Names.  From and after the Closing, neither Buyer nor its Affiliates (including the Acquired Companies after the Closing) will hold itself out as having any affiliation with Seller or any of its Affiliates.

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(b) Seller hereby grants or, as applicable, shall cause its Affiliates to grant, to the Acquired Companies a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to utilize, without obligation to pay royalties to Seller or any of its Affiliates, the Retained Names in connection with stationery, supplies, labels, catalogs, vehicles, signs and products of the Acquired Companies described in sections (i) through (iii) of this 00 , subject to the terms and conditions of this 00 and 00 , in each case, solely in connection with the operation of the Business and in the same manner and to the same extent as such names, trademarks, trade names, corporate symbols or logos were used by the Acquired Companies immediately prior to the Closing; provided that such use is in accordance with the Acquired Companies’ usage of such Seller trademarks prior to the Closing and such license shall cease immediately upon expiration of the periods identified below.  Buyer agrees that the nature and quality of all goods and services rendered by the Acquired Companies in connection with such names, trademarks, trade names, corporate symbols or logos shall be advertised, offered and provided in a manner consistent with the quality control standards previously used by the Acquired Companies, and that the Acquired Companies will use such names, trademarks, trade names, corporate symbols or logos in compliance with all applicable Laws.

(i) All stationery, invoices, purchase orders and other similar documents of a transactional nature, business cards, outside forms such as packing lists, labels, and cartons, forms for internal use only and product literature constituting assets of the Acquired Companies as of the Closing may be used for a period of ninety (90) days following the Closing or until the supply is exhausted, whichever is the first to occur.

(ii) All vehicles constituting assets of the Acquired Companies as of the Closing may continue to be used without remarking (except as to legally required permit numbers, license numbers, etc.) for a period of ninety (90) days following the Closing or until the date of disposition of the vehicle, whichever is the first to occur.

(iii) Within ninety (90) days following the Closing, Buyer will cause the Acquired Companies to remove from display at all owned and leased facilities constituting assets of the Acquired Companies all displays or signage which contain the names, trademarks or trade names “Iberdrola,” “Iberdrola Renewables,” “Avangrid,” “Avangrid Renewables” or any corporate symbol or logo related thereto.

(c) (i)Apart from the rights granted under 00 , neither Buyer nor any of its Affiliates (including, after the Closing Date, the Acquired Companies) shall have any right, title or interest in, or to the use of, any of the Retained Names, either alone or in combination with any other word, name, symbol, device, trademarks, or any combination thereof.  Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, except as expressly permitted by 00 , in no event will Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including the Acquired Companies) utilize any of the Retained Names as a component of a company or trade name.  Buyer will not, and will cause each of its Affiliates (including the Acquired Companies) not to, challenge or contest the validity of any of the Retained Names, the registration thereof or the ownership thereof by Seller.  Buyer will not, and will cause each of its Affiliates (including the Acquired Companies) not to, apply anywhere at any time for any registration as owner or exclusive licensee of any of the Retained Names.  If, notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including the Acquired Companies) develops, adopts or acquires, directly or indirectly, any right, title or interest in, or to

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the use of, any of the Retained Names in any jurisdiction, or any goodwill incident thereto, Buyer will, upon the request of Seller, and for a nominal consideration of one dollar, assign or cause to be assigned to Seller or any designee of Seller, all right, title and interest in, and to the use of, such Retained Names in any and all jurisdictions, together with any goodwill incident thereto.

(ii) Seller will have the right to terminate the license granted in 00 in the event of a material breach of 00 or this 00 by Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including the Acquired Companies) that has not been cured within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof by Seller to Buyer.

(iii) Buyer hereby constitutes and appoints Seller the true and lawful attorney of Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Company) to act as their attorney-in-fact to execute any documents and to take all necessary steps to cause Buyer and its Affiliates to perform any of their obligations set forth in this 0 .

Section 6.7 Confidentiality.

(a) Buyer acknowledges that the information being provided to it in connection with this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.  The Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the Closing.  If the Closing occurs, the Parties agree that the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate solely with respect to information relating to the Acquired Companies.

(b) From and after the Closing Date, Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and their respective Representatives to, keep confidential and not disclose any information relating to the Acquired Companies (whether in the possession of Seller, its Affiliates or such Representative at the time of the Closing or subsequently obtained by Seller, any Affiliate of Seller or any such Representative from Buyer pursuant to this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement) (collectively, “ Restricted Information ”), and shall not directly or indirectly use such Restricted Information for any purpose, except as and to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement.  The obligation to keep such Restricted Information confidential shall not apply to any information that: (i) at the time of disclosure to Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives is in the public domain other than as a result of a breach of any obligation of confidentiality by Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives; (ii) after disclosure to Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives, enters the public domain other than through an unauthorized disclosure by Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives; (iii) Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives is required to disclose by Law, including oral questions, written interrogatories, request for information or documents, subpoena, or similar process, or the requirements of any stock exchange or other regulatory organization to which Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their Representatives are subject; or (iv) that was independently developed by Seller, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective Representatives prior to the disclosure of such Restricted Information by any Acquired Company and without use of the Restricted Information.

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Section 6.8 Termination of Affiliated Party Contracts .  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.8 , and except as otherwise agreed to in writing by Seller and Buyer, Seller shall take (or cause to be taken) all action necessary such that all Affiliated Party Contracts terminate prior to, or simultaneously with, the Closing without any further action or Liability on the part of the parties thereto or Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including the Acquired Companies).

Section 6.9 Intercompany Debt .  All intercompany accounts, whether payables or receivables, between Seller and any of its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) or any member, manager, partner, director, or officer of Seller, any of Seller’s Affiliates or the Acquired Companies, on the one hand, and any of the Acquired Companies, on the other hand, as of the Closing (including the Affiliated Party Contracts) shall be settled (in cash or through cash capital contributions, cash distributions or cancellations) at or prior to the Closing.  Subject to the occurrence of the Closing and effective as of the Closing Date, Seller, on its behalf and on behalf of its Affiliates, knowingly, voluntarily and unconditionally releases, forever discharges (and agrees not to sue, and to cause Seller’s Affiliates not to sue) any of the Acquired Companies and any of their respective officers, directors and Representative or the heirs, executors, administrators, successors or assigns of any of the foregoing, from or for any and all Actions (including with respect to intercompany accounts or other obligations) of Seller or any of Seller’s Affiliates (except for rights or obligations of Buyer arising under this Agreement) that arise out of acts, events, conditions or omissions occurring or existing prior to the Closing.

Section 6.10 Replacement of Support Obligations.

(a) (i) Replacement of Surety Bonds .  Following the Effective Date and prior to Closing, Buyer shall (A) tender replacement surety bonds to each beneficiary of a Seller Surety Bond listed on Schedule 6.10 in an amount equal to the outstanding amount of each applicable Seller Surety Bond and (B) use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that effective as of the Closing Date, each such beneficiary accepts such replacement surety bond and fully and unconditionally releases Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) from all Liabilities relating to, arising under or out of, or in connection with the Seller Surety Bonds (in each case which release shall be evidenced by Seller’s receipt at or prior to the Closing of the original Seller Surety Bond).

(ii) Replacement of Seller Guaranties .  Within ten (10) Business Days after the Effective Date, Seller shall offer replacement guaranties from the Company to each beneficiary of the Seller Guaranties in substantially the form of the applicable existing Seller Guaranty (each, a “ Company Replacement Guaranty ”).  Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a countersignature or other written acceptance from each beneficiary of each Company Replacement Guaranty.  Receipt of such countersignature or written acceptance with respect to any Company Replacement Guaranty shall constitute a full and unconditional release as to Seller and its Affiliates for the purposes of 00(iii) and 0 .  After the Effective Date, Buyer shall reasonably cooperate with Seller in connection with Seller’s performance of its obligations under this 00(ii) .

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(iii) Failure to Replace Support Obligations prior to Closing .  In the event that the condition set forth in 0 has not been satisfied as of Closing but is waived by Seller in its sole discretion, the terms and conditions of this 00 (iii) shall apply.  

 

(A)

To the extent Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) are not fully and unconditionally released from any Support Obligations as of the Closing Date, Buyer shall deliver to Seller at Closing a duly executed guaranty from the Company to Seller, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “ Closing Date Guaranty ”), guaranteeing the obligations of Buyer under 0 .  Following the Closing Date, Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts (x) to tender replacement surety bonds pursuant to 00(i) and ensure that, effective as soon as possible after the Closing Date, each applicable beneficiary accepts such replacement surety bond and fully and unconditionally releases Seller and its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) from all Liabilities relating to, arising under or out of, or in connection with the applicable Seller Surety Bond (which release shall be evidenced by Seller’s receipt of the original Seller Surety Bond) and (y) to obtain a countersignature or other written acceptance from each beneficiary of each Company Replacement Guaranty that was not obtained prior to the Closing, and receipt of such countersignature or written acceptance shall constitute a full and unconditional release as to Seller and its Affiliates with respect to Seller Guaranty being replaced.  If the counterparty to any Seller Surety Bond does not accept any replacement surety bond, then Seller shall cause the applicable Seller Surety Bond to remain in place (but shall not be required to renew, extend or replace such Seller Surety Bond) for the term of such Seller Surety Bond.  Seller shall cause each Seller Guaranty to remain in place after the Closing for so long as required under the applicable Contract or until receipt of a countersignature or other written acceptance from the beneficiary of the applicable Company Replacement Guaranty.  

 

(B)

Upon written notice from Seller to Buyer delivered within one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing, in Seller’s sole discretion, Buyer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to Seller (as a replacement for the Closing Date Guaranty) within ten (10) Business Days following the date of such notice, replacement credit support in an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate face amount of all Support Obligations that remain outstanding at such time, which shall consist of  (a) a letter of credit (a “ Buyer Letter of Credit ”) issued by a U.S. commercial bank (or the U.S. branch of a foreign commercial bank) that has a long-term unsecured debt rating of “A-” or higher by Standard and Poor’s Corporation and “A3” or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., for an amount not in excess of $30,000,000 that provides that Seller (or its designated Affiliate) is entitled to draw (x) the full amount of such letter of credit if such letter of credit is not extended or renewed before the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of such letter of credit (in which case Seller shall hold the proceeds of such draw as cash collateral until such time as Buyer

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provides replacement credit support satisfying the requirements of this 00 (iii) , whereupon Seller shall return such proceeds to Buyer), and (y) subject to the terms of such letter of credit and at any time following a draw on any Support Obligation, an amount under such letter of credit equal to the aggregate amount of all draws on all Support Obligations (to the extent Seller and its Affiliates have not been previously reimbursed by Buyer pursuant to this 00 ), and (b) if the aggregate face amount of all Support Obligations that remain outstanding at such time exceed $30,000,000, a guaranty of a creditworthy issuer, taking into account such issuer’s potential maximum liability of $35,000,000, mutually agreed by Seller and Buyer for such excess amount in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “ Excess Buyer Guaranty ”) ; provided , that in no event shall Buyer be required to provide credit support under this 00 (iii) in excess of $65,000,000 in the aggregate; provided , further , that Seller and Buyer shall negotiate in good faith after the Effective Date to identify such mutually acceptable creditworthy issuer of the Excess Buyer Guaranty.  As consideration for issuing a Buyer Letter of Credit, Seller shall pay, or cause to be paid to, Buyer an amount in cash equal to (x) the aggregate face amount of such letter of credit on the date of issuance multiplied b y (y) 0.25.

 

(C)

From time to time Buyer may, in its sole discretion, replace any Buyer Letter of Credit or Excess Buyer Guaranty with one or more replacement letters of credit satisfying the requirements of this 00(iii) or a guaranty from an investment grade third Person in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C , whereupon Seller shall cooperate and provide the documentation necessary to effect the cancelation of the credit support being replaced.  If the provider of any such guaranty, other than the Excess Buyer Guaranty, is no longer investment grade, then Buyer shall provide to Seller replacement credit support satisfying the terms and conditions set forth in this 00(iii) .  

 

(D)

If the amount available for drawing under all credit support provided under this 00(iii) , in the aggregate, exceeds the aggregate face amount of all Support Obligations that remain outstanding at any time or the applicable cap set forth herein, then Seller shall cooperate and provide reduction certificates and other documentation necessary to reduce the aggregate amount of such credit support to the aggregate face amount of all Support Obligations that remain outstanding at such time or such applicable cap.  

(b) To the extent that Seller or its Affiliates is liable for any draw or demand under any Seller Surety Bond on or after the Closing Date, Buyer shall promptly (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) after receipt from Seller of written notice of such draw or demand and reasonable supporting documentation thereof, including evidence that such draw or demand has been paid, pay to Seller an amount in cash equal to such draw or demand amount by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Seller in writing.  To

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the extent that Seller or its Affiliates makes any Guarantor Payment on or after the Closing Date in accordance with 0 , Buyer shall promptly (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) after (i) receipt of evidence that such payment has been made by Seller or its applicable Affiliate or (ii) occurrence of a settlement or receipt of a conclusive, non-appealable, final and binding judgment as described in the third sentence of 0 , pay to Seller an amount in cash equal to such Guarantor Payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Seller in writing.   

(c) Buyer shall provide such information to Seller and its Affiliates as may be reasonably requested by Seller or its Affiliates, as applicable, regarding the status of Buyer’s replacement of the Seller Surety Bonds prior to Closing and regarding the status of Buyer’s replacement of any Seller Surety Bonds and Seller Guaranties after Closing. The information provided by Buyer under this 0 shall be provided (i) upon Seller’s or its Affiliates’ reasonable request and (ii) in any event, upon the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the anticipated Closing Date to the extent that such Seller Surety Bonds have not yet been replaced in accordance with 0 .  For the avoidance of doubt, Buyer’s obligations under this 0 shall continue after the Closing with respect to any Seller Surety Bonds and any Seller Guaranties that remain outstanding after such date.

(d) From the Closing Date until the first date that no Seller Guaranties remain outstanding, (i) Buyer shall, and shall cause the Acquired Companies to, operate the Katy Storage Facility in compliance in all material respects with applicable Law; provided , that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Seller’s remedies for any breach of this 0(i) shall be limited to Seller’s rights under this 0 , and (ii) Buyer shall provide to Seller notice of any written notice received by the Acquired Companies after the Closing Date from the beneficiary of any outstanding Seller Guaranty with respect to any material claim for payment under any Contract supported by such Seller Guaranty.

(e) If Seller or its Affiliates receive any demand for payment after the Closing under a Seller Guaranty from the beneficiary of such Seller Guaranty, Seller shall promptly notify Buyer in writing of such demand in accordance with 0 and shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, make any payment in connection with such demand (a “ Guarantor Payment ”) unless and until the earlier to occur of (i) a conclusive, non-appealable, final and binding judgment has been entered in an Action requiring such Guarantor Payment and (ii) Buyer has consented in writing (subject to the terms of 0 ) to the making of such Guarantor Payment.  Notwithstanding the first sentence of this 0 , if Seller or its Affiliates make a determination (based on advice from legal counsel) that such guarantor is legally obligated to make such Guarantor Payment under the terms and conditions of such Seller Guaranty on the basis of such beneficiary’s demand therefor, then such guarantor may make such Guarantor Payment after providing written notice to Buyer at least five (5) Business Days prior to the making of such Guarantor Payment; provided , that Seller and its Affiliates shall be entitled to reimbursement or to draw on any credit support provided by or on behalf of Buyer with respect to such Guarantor Payment only in the event that the making of such Guarantor Payment to the applicable beneficiary does not extinguish or impair the applicable Acquired Company’s right to dispute with such beneficiary whether the demand for payment was properly made in accordance with the applicable Contract or whether the payment from the Acquired Company that gave rise to such Guarantor Payment was due and owing by such Acquired Company.  If the conditions set forth in the proviso in the second

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sentence of this 0 are satisfied, then Buyer shall not be obligated to pay Seller under 0 with respect to any Guarantor Payment made in accordance with such proviso, and Seller shall not be entitled to draw on any credit support provided by or on behalf of Buyer with respect to any such Guarantor Payment, until a determination is made as between the Acquired Company and the applicable beneficiary pursuant to a settlement between such Acquired Company and such beneficiary or a conclusive, non-appealable, final and binding judgment against such Acquired Company, and any payment required pursuant to 0 in respect of such Guarantor Payment (and any drawing under any Buyer credit support) shall be limited to the amount determined to be due to such beneficiary pursuant to such settlement or judgment.  No Seller Indemnified Party shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to 0 on the basis that a Guarantor Payment has not been reimbursed so long as such failure to reimburse is in accordance with this 0 .  For the avoidance of doubt, any demand for payment from a beneficiary shall be deemed for all purposes to be a Third Party Claim and the provisions of 0 shall apply thereto mutatis mutandis .  If Seller or its applicable Affiliate is subject to a third-party Action initiated by such beneficiary arising from the non-payment of a demand in accordance with this 0 , Buyer shall indemnify Seller or its applicable Affiliate pursuant to 0 , and Seller shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, enter into any settlement or compromise of any such Action or any demand for payment under any Seller Guaranty without the prior written consent of Buyer in accordance with 0 .

Section 6.11 Insurance .  Buyer shall be solely responsible for providing insurance to the Acquired Companies for any event or occurrence after the Closing.  Subject to 0, Seller shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, in full force and effect the material insurance policies covering the Acquired Companies until the Closing.  If any claims are (or have been) made or losses are suffered by any Acquired Company prior to the Closing Date or after the Closing Date for actions occurring prior to the Closing Date, then such claims, or claims associated with such losses, may be made against any applicable Insurance Policies that are occurrence-based policies, and Seller shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that after the Closing Date that Buyer can file, provide notice and otherwise continue to pursue such claims and recover proceeds under the terms of such Insurance Policies, and Seller agrees to otherwise cooperate with Buyer and the Acquired Companies after the Closing Date to make the benefits of such Insurance Policies available to the Acquired Companies, at the sole expense of Buyer or its Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after the Closing Date, the Acquired Companies shall cease to be insured by Seller’s or its Affiliates’ (other than the Acquired Companies’) Insurance Policies or by any of their self-insured programs, and all deductibles or retentions under any Insurance Policies with respect to claims made or losses suffered by any of the Acquired Companies shall be borne solely by such Acquired Company.

Section 6.12 Director and Officer Indemnification.

(a) Seller or its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Companies) shall be exclusively responsible for satisfying Claims arising from, and shall maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering, acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Closing with respect to the Acquired Companies’ directors, managers, officers and employees.

(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this 0 shall survive the Closing and continue for a period of six (6) years.

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Section 6.13 Office Lease .  From and after the Closing Date, Seller shall be responsible for and pay to or for the account of Buyer, in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account designated by Buyer, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of an invoice therefor, an amount equal to eighty percent (80%) of all rental and other lease payments due pursuant to the Houston Office Lease through the current term of such lease (excluding any extension or renewal thereof); provided , that Buyer shall, and shall cause the Company to, use commercially reasonable efforts to sublease any unused portion of the premises (including to sublease to a tenant identified by Seller or its Affiliates); provided, further , in the event that the Company subleases all or a portion of the Houston Office Lease to a third Person, Buyer shall promptly provide to Seller a copy of such sublease and shall credit all rental and other lease payments received from such third Person against Seller’s payment obligation under this 0 .

Section 6.14 Exclusivity .  From and after the Effective Date until the earlier of (a) ninety (90) days after the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article X and (b) the Closing Date, none of Seller, Seller’s Affiliates, or any of their respective Representatives, or anyone acting on behalf of them, shall, directly or indirectly, encourage, solicit, engage in discussions or negotiations with, or provide any information to, any Person (other than Buyer or its Representatives), accept any offer or respond to any indications of interest from any Person, or enter into an agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any Person other than Buyer or its Affiliates, in each case concerning any purchase or sale of or similar transaction involving the Interests or the Acquired Companies.

Section 6.15 Risk of Loss .  During the period after the Effective Date and prior to the Closing, if the property or assets of the Acquired Companies are damaged by an earthquake, landslide, hurricane, tornado, adverse weather condition, fire or other natural disaster, act of God or other casualty (each such event, an “ Event of Loss ”), or are taken by a Governmental Authority by exercise of the power of eminent domain (each, a “ Taking ”), then the following provisions of this 0 shall apply:

(a) Following the occurrence of (i) any one or more Events of Loss, if the aggregate costs to restore, repair or replace the property or assets of the Acquired Companies subject to such Event of Loss to a condition reasonably comparable to their prior condition, plus the amount of any lost profits reasonably expected to accrue after Closing as a result of such Event of Loss, such amount pursuant to this clause (i) to be determined by an independent third party appraiser or other qualified expert selected by Seller and reasonably acceptable to Buyer (collectively, “ Restoration Costs ”), or (ii) any one or more Takings, if the value of the property subject to such Taking plus the amount of any lost profits reasonably expected to accrue after Closing as a result of such Taking, less any condemnation award received by Buyer (provided that any such condemnation award is made available to Buyer), such amount pursuant to this clause (ii) to be determined by an independent third party appraiser or other qualified expert selected by Seller and reasonably acceptable to Buyer (collectively, the “ Condemnation Value ”), is, in the aggregate, less than or equal to $2,000,000, there shall be no effect on the transactions contemplated hereby (including for purposes of the closing conditions and the indemnification and termination provisions hereunder), except that Buyer shall be entitled to receive all insurance proceeds attributed to such casualty and any condemnation award, and any such proceeds and award will be excluded from the calculation of the Aggregate Final Adjustment Amount.

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(b) Subject to the termination right of the Buyer set forth in 0 , upon the occurrence of any one or more Events of Loss or Takings involving aggregate Restoration Costs and Condemnation Value in excess of $2,000,000 (a “ Major Loss ”), Seller shall have, in the case of a Major Loss relating solely to one or more Events of Loss, the option, exercised by written notice to Buyer, to restore, repair or replace the damaged assets or properties prior to Closing to a condition reasonably comparable to their prior condition.  If Seller elects to so restore, repair or replace the assets or properties relating to a Major Loss, which election shall be made by notice to Buyer prior to the Closing Date and as soon as practicable following the occurrence of the Major Loss, Seller will complete or cause to be completed prior to the Closing, as a condition to Buyer’s obligation to consummate the Closing, the repair, replacement or restoration of the damaged assets or property to their condition as of the Effective Date, and the Closing Date shall be postponed until the amount of time reasonably necessary to complete the restoration, repair or replacement of such property or assets as reasonably agreed among Buyer and Seller has elapsed.  If Seller elects not to cause the restoration, repair or replacement of the property or assets affected by a Major Loss, or such Major Loss is the result in whole or in part of one or more Takings or is otherwise not capable of being restored, repaired or replaced, the provisions of 0 will apply .

(c) Subject to the termination right of Buyer set forth in 0 , in the event that Seller elects not to cause the restoration, repair or replacement of a Major Loss, or in the event that Seller, having elected to cause repair, replacement or restoration of the Major Loss, fails to cause its completion within the period of time agreed upon by the Parties pursuant to or as otherwise required by 0 , or in the event that a Major Loss is the result in whole or in part of one or more Takings or is otherwise not capable of being restored, repaired or replaced, then the Parties shall, within thirty (30) days following Seller’s election not to cause the restoration, repair or replacement, failure to complete, or the occurrence of such Major Loss, as the case may be, (i) cause an independent third-party appraiser or other qualified person selected by Seller and reasonably acceptable to Buyer to determine the Restoration Costs as of such date, taking into consideration all repair, replacement and restoration work, if any, actually completed by Seller (the “ Remaining Restoration Costs ”), (ii) reduce the Base Purchase Price payable at Closing by an amount equal to such Remaining Restoration Costs and any insurance proceeds to which any Acquired Company has received with respect to such casualty and any condemnation award Costs, and (iii) proceed to Closing.  To assist Buyer in its evaluation of any and all Events of Loss, Seller shall provide Buyer such access to the properties and assets and such information as Buyer may reasonably request in connection therewith.

(d) In the event that the aggregate Restoration Costs and Condemnation Value with respect to one or more Events of Loss and/or Takings equals an amount in excess of $15,000,000, then Buyer shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by notice in writing to Seller.

Section 6.16 Change in Gas Inventory .  Seller shall ensure that as of the Closing Date with respect to each Facility:

(a) the quantity of owned Cushion Gas shall be no less than the quantity of Cushion Gas set forth under Column A in Schedule 4.23(a) as of the Effective Date; and

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(b) the quantity of natural gas set forth under Column B in Schedule 4.23(a) shall be no less than the quantity of natural gas necessary for the Acquired Companies to satisfy their respective obligations to deliver natural gas to customers.

Section 6.17 Further Assurances .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at any time or from time to time after the Closing, at the request of any Party, and without further consideration, the other Party shall execute and deliver to the requesting Party such other instruments of sale, transfer, conveyance, assignment and confirmation and provide such materials and information and take such other actions and execute and deliver such other documents as the requesting Party may reasonably request in order to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  

Section 6.18 Notice of Certain Events .  During the period after the Effective Date and prior to the Closing, Seller shall promptly notify Buyer in writing of any circumstance, change, effect, or event that, to the Knowledge of Seller, the existence or occurrence of which is a Material Adverse Effect.  Buyer’s receipt of information pursuant to this 0 will not operate as a waiver or otherwise affect any representation, warranty or covenant given or made by Seller in this Agreement and will not be deemed to amend or supplement the Disclosure Schedules.

Article VII.
TAX MATTERS

Section 7.1 Purchase Price Allocation; Section 336(e) Election.

(a) Seller, the Company, Enstor, Inc. and Freebird Asset, Inc. shall enter into a written, binding agreement to make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and any corresponding or similar elections under state or local Tax Law) with respect to the actual or constructive purchase and sale hereunder of the Interests in the Company, Enstor Inc. and Freebird Assets, Inc. (collectively, the “ Section 336(e) Election ”) and Seller shall timely make the Section 336(e) Election in accordance with Section 1.336-2(h) of the Treasury Regulations (and any corresponding provisions of state or local Tax Law) and provide the Company, Enstor, Inc. and Freebird Assets, Inc. with a copy of such election on or before the due date of Seller’s consolidated federal income Tax Return for the taxable period that includes the Closing Date.  Seller shall promptly provide Buyer with a copy of the filed Section 336(e) Election.  The Parties shall cooperate with each other to take all actions necessary and appropriate (including filing forms, returns, elections, schedules and other documents as may be required) to effect and preserve timely elections in accordance with Section 336(e) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (or any comparable provisions of state or local Tax Law) or any successor provisions.

(b) Buyer shall prepare a draft IRS Form 8883 (or successor form and any similar state, local or foreign forms) allocating the “aggregate deemed asset disposition price” with respect to the assets of the Acquired Companies in accordance with Section 338 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (or comparable provisions for state or local Tax Law) and shall revise such allocation as required by applicable Tax Law so as to report any matters that need updating (including Purchase Price adjustments, if any) (as revised, the “ Form 8883 ”).  Buyer shall forward the draft Form 8883 to Seller, and Seller shall have thirty (30) days to review the draft Form 8883 (from the date of the last revision) and shall notify Buyer of any

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dispute with respect to the draft Form 8883.  If Seller objects to the draft Form 8883, the Parties shall act in good faith to resolve any such dispute prior to the due date of the Section 336(e) Election.  If Seller does not timely object to the draft Form 8883, or upon resolution of the disputed items by the Parties, the draft Form 8883 shall become a “ Final Form 8883 .”  If the Parties cannot resolve any disputed item, the item in question shall be resolved by the Accountants.  The Parties shall act in good faith to cause the Accountants to deliver a Final Form 8883 within thirty (30) days after such submission, and the fees and expenses of the Accountants shall be borne equally by Seller and Buyer.  Any Form 8883 delivered by the Accountants shall be a Final Form 8883.  The Parties shall (i) be bound by all Final Forms 8883 for purposes of determining any Taxes and (ii) prepare and file their Tax Returns on a basis consistent with the Final Forms 8883; provided , however , that nothing contained herein shall prevent Buyer or Seller from settling any proposed deficiency or adjustment by any Tax authority based upon or arising out of the allocation in any Final Form 8883, and neither Seller nor Buyer shall be required to litigate before any court, any proposed deficiency or adjustment by any Tax authority challenging such allocation.  No later than fifteen (15) days prior to the date such Forms 8883 and any related documentation are required to be filed under the applicable Laws, Seller shall deliver to Buyer a copy of the Final Form 8883 with respect to the Acquired Companies that will be included with Seller’s consolidated federal income tax return for the taxable period that includes the Closing Date .

(c) Buyer and Seller shall file, and shall cause their Affiliates to file, all Tax Returns and statements, forms and schedules in connection therewith in a manner consistent with the Section 336(e) Election and shall take no position contrary thereto unless required to do so by applicable Tax Laws or pursuant to the good faith resolution of a contest relating to Taxes.

Section 7.2 Responsibility for Filing Tax Returns and Paying Taxes.

(a) Seller shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns required to be filed (and withhold, or cause to be withheld, all amounts required to be withheld) by or with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary for each Pre-Closing Tax Period.  Seller shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Taxes due with respect to each Pre-Closing Tax Period with respect to the Company and each Subsidiary (for the avoidance of doubt, regardless of whether such Taxes are reflected on a Tax Return required to be filed after the date of this Agreement), except to the extent such Taxes are included in the determination of Net Working Capital.

(b) Buyer shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to each Acquired Company for each Tax period ending after the Closing Date (other than a Straddle Period).  Buyer shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Taxes shown as due with respect to each Tax period ending after the Closing Date (other than with respect to a Straddle Period) with respect to each Acquired Company.

(c) Buyer shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Tax Returns with respect to any Straddle Period by or with respect to each Acquired Company.  Seller shall be liable for the payment of Taxes relating to that portion of any Straddle Period ending on the Closing Date and Buyer shall be liable for the payment of Taxes relating to that portion of any Straddle Period starting after the Closing Date, in each case, except to the extent such Taxes are included in the determination of Net Working Capital.  For this purpose, Taxes for a Straddle Period shall be apportioned as follows: Property Taxes shall be apportioned on a ratable daily basis based on the current year’s Taxes.  All other Taxes, including Income Taxes, shall be

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apportioned based on an interim closing of the books of the Company and any Subsidiary as of the end of the Closing Date.  Seller will pay directly to Buyer, within thirty (30) days of request of such payment but not earlier than five (5) days before the due date for filing a Straddle Period Tax Return, its share of Taxes to which any such Straddle Period Tax Return relates, except to the extent such Taxes are included in the determination of Net Working Capital.

(d) Unless Buyer and Seller otherwise agree in writing, all Tax Returns (excluding all Group Tax Returns), including amendments thereto, in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary for Pre-Closing Tax Periods that are filed after the Closing Date and for any Straddle Period, in the absence of a controlling change in law or circumstances (or, in the case of any Straddle Period, except as otherwise required by applicable Law), shall be prepared on a basis consistent with the elections, accounting methods, conventions and principles of taxation used for the most recent taxable periods for which Tax Returns involving similar matters have been filed.  Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, shall provide the other Party with a draft of any Pre-Closing Tax Period or Straddle Period Tax Return (excluding all Group Tax Returns) no less than thirty (30) days prior to the due date for filing such Tax Return and such Party shall provide Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, with its comments (if any) to the draft Tax Return within fifteen (15) days of receipt of such draft Tax Return, which comments shall be taken into account in good faith, and such Tax Returns shall not be filed without the written consent of the other Party, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.  Seller shall not file an amended Tax Return (excluding all Group Tax Returns) after the Closing Date with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary for any Pre-Closing Tax Period without the written consent of Buyer, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.  Buyer shall not file, and shall not cause the Company or any Subsidiary to file, an amended Tax Return with respect to any Acquired Company for any Pre-Closing Tax Period or for a Straddle Period without the written consent of Seller, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

Section 7.3 Responsibility for Tax Audits and Contests.

(a) With respect to any audit or contest relating to Taxes or Tax Returns in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary for any Pre-Closing Tax Period, Seller will control all proceedings, may make all decisions (including selection of counsel) and, without limiting the foregoing, may in its sole discretion, pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearing and conferences with any Governmental Authority taken in connection thereof.  If such audit or contest could give rise to Taxes for which the Company or any Acquired Company may be liable, Seller shall keep Buyer timely informed with respect to any impending settlement, compromise and/or concession of any such audit or contest and Seller shall in good faith allow Buyer to make comments to Seller regarding the conduct of or positions taken in any such audit or contest.

(b) With respect to any audit or contest relating to Taxes or Tax Returns in respect of any Acquired Company for any Tax period ending after the Closing Date (other than a Straddle Period), Buyer will control all proceedings, may make all decisions (including selection of counsel) and, without limiting the foregoing, may in its sole discretion, pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearing and conferences with any Governmental Authority taken in connection thereof.

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(c) Seller and Buyer shall jointly control any audit, contest or proceeding with respect to the Taxes or Tax Returns in respect of any Acquired Company for any Straddle Period; provided , however , that Buyer will have the ultimate authority to determine settlement terms or any other resolution of such matter.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, neither Buyer nor Seller shall settle any audit or contest in a way that would adversely affect the other Party in any material respect, without the other Party’s written consent, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.  

(e) In the event of any conflict or overlap between the provisions of this 0 and 0 , the provisions of this 0 shall control.

Section 7.4 Mutual Cooperation.

(a) Each Party agrees to provide the other Party (and Buyer shall cause the Company and any Subsidiary, as relevant, to provide Seller) with such cooperation and information as may reasonably be requested by Seller or Buyer, as the case may be, in connection with (i) the preparation or filing of any Tax Return or claim for Tax refund not inconsistent with this Agreement, (ii) the conduct of any audit, contest or other examination by any taxing authority or judicial or administrative proceedings in respect to Taxes or Tax Returns, or (iii) otherwise carrying out the provisions of this Agreement relating to Taxes.

(b) To the extent necessary to carry out the purpose of this Agreement relating to Taxes and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, such cooperation and information shall include the non-exclusive designation of a designee of Seller as a designee of the Company and of each Subsidiary for purpose of signing Tax Returns, cashing Tax refund checks, pursuing Tax refund claims, dealing with taxing authorities and defending audits or handling contests for any Pre-Closing Tax Period and any Straddle Period.  Subject to the rights of the Acquired Companies under the other provisions of this Agreement, such officer shall have the authority to execute powers of attorney (including Forms 2848) on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to Taxes and Tax Returns for any Pre-Closing Tax Period and any Straddle Period.

(c) To the extent necessary to carry out the purpose of this Agreement relating to Taxes and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, such cooperation and information shall also include promptly forwarding copies of appropriate notices and forms or other communication received from or sent to any Governmental Authority which relate to Tax Returns or Taxes of the Company or any Subsidiary for any Pre-Closing Tax Period or any Straddle Period and providing copies of all relevant Tax Returns for any Pre-Closing Tax Period or any Straddle Period, together with accompanying schedules and related workpapers, and documents relating to ruling and other determinations relating to Taxes or Tax Returns by Governmental Authorities, including foreign Governmental Authorities, which either Party may possess.

(d) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Buyer shall retain, and shall cause the Company, to retain, and Seller shall retain, until the applicable statutes of limitations (including any extensions) have expired, for each Acquired Company copies of all Tax Returns, supporting work schedules, and other records or information that may be relevant to such Tax Returns for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods and for any Straddle Period and shall not destroy or

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otherwise dispose of any such records without first providing the other Party with a reasonable opportunity to review and copy the same.

Section 7.5 Tax Refunds .  Seller shall be entitled to any refund of Taxes paid with respect to any Pre-Closing Tax Period (except to the extent such refunds result from a carryback of a Tax attribute from a Tax period (or portion thereof) beginning after the Closing Date or were reflected in the calculation of the Final Working Capital).  Buyer shall be entitled to any refund of Taxes paid with respect to any Tax period ending after the Closing Date (other than a Straddle Period).  Tax refunds for any Straddle Period shall be apportioned based on the Taxes that were paid by or on behalf of Buyer and Seller in accordance with Section 7.2(c) above.  If a Party receives a Tax refund to which the other Party is entitled pursuant to this Section 7.5, the Party receiving the Tax refund shall pay it to the Party entitled to the Tax refund within ten (10) Business Days after receipt thereof.

Section 7.6 Transfer Taxes .  All excise, sales, use, value added, transfer (including real property transfer or gains), stamp, documentary, filing, recordation and other similar taxes, levies, assessments, customs, duties, imposts, charges or fees, together with any interest, additions or penalties with respect thereto and any interest in respect of such additions or penalties, resulting directly from the transactions arising under this Agreement (the “ Transfer Taxes ”) shall be borne equally by Buyer and Seller.  For the avoidance of doubt Transfer Taxes shall not include any Taxes resulting from the Section 336(e) Election, which shall be solely Seller’s obligation.  Buyer shall prepare and timely file, or will cause to be prepared and timely filed, all Tax Returns or other documentation relating to the Transfer Taxes; provided , however , that to the extent required by applicable Law, Seller will join the execution of any such Tax Returns or other documents relating to the Transfer Taxes, in which case, Buyer shall provide Seller with copies of each such Tax Return or other document at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which such Tax Return or other document is required to be filed.  Seller shall pay to Buyer or any of Buyer’s Affiliates, as applicable, the amounts shown as due on such Tax Return no later than five (5) days after Buyer has provided a copy of such Tax Return to Seller.

Section 7.7 Tax Sharing Agreements .  Seller shall cause any Tax Sharing Agreement between Seller or any Affiliate of Seller which is not an Acquired Company, on the one hand, and an Acquired Company, on the other hand, to be terminated with respect to such Acquired Company prior to the Closing Date.  After the Closing Date, none of the Acquired Companies shall have any rights or obligations under any such terminated Tax Sharing Agreement.

Article VIII.
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING

Section 8.1 Conditions to Obligations of Buyer .  The obligation of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by Buyer:

(a) Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Seller .

(i) (A) each of the Seller Fundamental Representations and the representations and warranties in Section 4.8(b) (No Material Adverse Effect) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of the Closing

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Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are by their express terms made as of an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such date), and (B) each of the other representations and warranties in 0 and 0 shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any “material,” “materially,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar qualifiers contained in any such representations and warranties) as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are by their express terms made as of an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such date), except for, in each case under this clause (B), any inaccuracy or omission that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(ii) Seller shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of the covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Seller at or before the Closing; and

(iii) Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate (the “ Seller Closing Certificate ”), dated the Closing Date, signed by an authorized executive officer of Seller, certifying that the conditions specified in this 0 have been fulfilled.

(b) No Injunction, Etc.   No applicable Law and no Order shall be in effect that prohibits or restricts the consummation of the Closing.

(c) No Action .  No Action by any Governmental Authority, pertaining to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to its consummation or enforceability, shall have been instituted and be pending against Buyer.

(d) Deliveries .  Seller shall have delivered to Buyer the items required by 0 of this Agreement.

(e) Major Loss .  If required under 0 , Seller shall have completed the repair, replacement or restoration of the assets or property affected by the Major Loss to their condition as of the Effective Date; provided , that the Outside Date shall be extended on a day-for-day basis to the extent necessary to repair any Major Loss pursuant to 0 but no later than ninety (90) days after the original Outside Date; provided , further , that this Section 8.1(f) shall no longer be a condition to Buyer’s obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement if Seller has provided written notice of its election to adjust the Base Purchase Price pursuant to Section 6.15(c)(ii) .

(f) EES Distribution .  Seller shall have completed or cause to have been completed the EES Distribution.

Section 8.2 Conditions to the Obligations of Seller .  The obligation of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by Seller:

(a) Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Buyer .

(i) (A) Each of the Buyer Fundamental Representations shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of the Closing Date

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(except to the extent such representations and warranties are by their express terms made as of an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date); and (B) each of the other representations and warranties in 0 shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any “material,” “materially,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar qualifiers contained in any such representations and warranties) as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are by their express terms made as of an earlier date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such date), except for, in each case under this clause (B), any inaccuracy or omission that would not reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by Buyer.

(ii) Buyer shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of the covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Buyer at or before the Closing; and

(iii) Buyer shall have delivered to Seller a certificate (the “ Buyer Closing Certificate ”), dated the Closing Date, signed by an authorized executive officer of Buyer certifying that the conditions specified in this 0 have been fulfilled.

(b) Replacement of Support Obligations .  All Support Obligations shall be released as to Seller and its Affiliates (other than any Acquired Company) and any substitute arrangements of Buyer or its Affiliates (including the Company) required under 0(a) shall be in effect; provided , however , that in the event that the conditions set forth in this Section 8.2(b) have not been satisfied with respect to all Seller Guaranties prior to May 1, 2018, Seller shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to extend the Outside Date for thirty (30) days by providing written notice thereof to Buyer.

(c) No Injunction, Etc.   No applicable Law and no Order shall be in effect that prohibits or restricts the consummation of the Closing.

(d) No Action .  No Action by any Governmental Authority, pertaining to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to its consummation or enforceability, shall have been instituted and be pending against Seller.

(e) Deliveries .  Buyer shall have delivered to Buyer the items required by 0 of this Agreement.

Article IX.
INDEMNIFICATION

Section 9.1 Survival.

(a) Each and every representation and warranty of Seller or Buyer contained in 0 , 0 and 0 and in any closing certificate or other instrument or agreement delivered by any Party pursuant to this Agreement will survive the Closing Date until (and will expire and be of no further force or effect after) the date that is eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date; provided , however , that (i) the representations and warranties contained in (A) 0 (Organization of

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Seller), 0 (Authorization; Enforceability), 0 (No Violation of Organizational Documents), 0 (Ownership of Interests), 0 (Brokers’ Fees), 0 (Organization of the Acquired Companies), 0 (No Violation of Organizational Documents), 0 (Capitalization) and 0 (Brokers’ Fees) (collectively, the “ Seller Fundamental Representations ”), and (B) 0 (Organization of Buyer), 0 (Authorization, Enforceability), 0 (No Violation of Organizational Documents) and 0 (Broker’s Fees) (collectively, the “ Buyer Fundamental Representations ” and together with the Seller Fundamental Representations, the “ Fundamental Representations ”) will survive indefinitely, (ii) the representations and warranties contained in 0 (Taxes) shall survive until the date that is ninety (90) days following expiration of the applicable statute of limitations and (iii) the representations and warranties contained in 0 (Environmental Matters) will survive the Closing Date until the date that is thirty six (36) months after the Closing Date.

(b) The obligations of each Party to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the applicable Persons (i) pursuant to 0 and 0 will terminate when the applicable representation or warranty expires pursuant to 0 , (ii) pursuant to 0 and 0 will terminate upon the expiration of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving effect to any extensions thereof), (iii) pursuant to 0 , 0 and 0 will terminate upon the date that is ninety (90) days following expiration of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving effect to any extensions thereof) and (iv) pursuant to 0 and 0 will survive indefinitely; provided , however , that as to clauses (i) and (ii) above, such obligations to indemnify, defend and hold harmless will not terminate with respect to any individual item as to which an Indemnified Party shall have, before the expiration of the applicable period, previously made a claim by delivering a notice (stating in reasonable detail the basis of such claim) to the applicable Indemnifying Party.

Section 9.2 Indemnification.

(a) Seller shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer, Buyer’s Representatives and Affiliates (including, following the Closing, the Acquired Companies) and each of their officers, members, directors and employees, successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Buyer Indemnified Parties ”) against any and all Actions, losses, penalties, liabilities, damages, obligations, payments, costs and expenses (including the penalties, costs and expenses of any and all Actions, assessments, judgments and settlements relating thereto and reasonable attorneys’ and consultants’ fees and reasonable disbursements in connection therewith) (collectively, “ Losses ”) that any Buyer Indemnified Party shall suffer as a result of, relating to or arising out of:

(i) any breach of any representation or warranty made by Seller in 0 or 0 of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;

(ii) the breach of any covenant or agreement made, or to be performed by, Seller pursuant to this Agreement;

(iii) (A) any and all liabilities for Taxes of any Acquired Company for which Seller is responsible pursuant to 0 or 0 of this Agreement, (B) all liabilities for Taxes of any Acquired Company resulting from making the Section 336(e) Election, (C) any liability for Taxes of any Acquired Company under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision under state, local or foreign Law) or as a transferee or

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successor or by Contract, attributable to any Pre-Closing Tax Period and (D) any employment or payroll Taxes with respect to any payment of compensation to a Site Employee under this Agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt the Aggregate Severance Liability) or that is paid solely as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Seller shall not be liable for or pay for any Taxes with regards to this 00 or 0 that are (x) included in the determination of Net Working Capital or (y) imposed on Seller, any Affiliate of Seller, or any Acquired Company solely as result of actions taken or elections made by Buyer, any Buyer Affiliate, or any Acquired Company after the Closing that are not contemplated by this Agreement and are outside the ordinary course of business (collectively, the “ Buyer’s Taxes ”); provided , however , Buyer’s Taxes shall not include, and Seller shall remain liable for any Taxes imposed on Seller, any Affiliate of Seller, or any Acquired Company resulting from the Section 336(e) Election made in accordance with Section 7.1 , except to the extent such Taxes are included in the determination of Net Working Capital; and

(iv) the business or operations of Enstor Energy Services or the EES Transactions and any Liabilities of the Acquired Companies in connection with either of the foregoing; and

(v) the Aggregate Severance Liability and any Liabilities of the Acquired Companies in connection therewith.

(b) Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Seller, Seller’s Representatives and Affiliates and each of their respective officers, members, managers, directors and employees, successors and assigns (collectively, the “ Seller Indemnified Parties ”) against any and all Losses incurred or suffered as a result of, relating to or arising out of:

(i) any breach of any representation or warranty made by Buyer in 0 of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document;

(ii) the breach of any covenant or agreement made, or to be performed by, Buyer pursuant to this Agreement;

(iii) any and all Taxes of each Acquired Company for which Buyer is responsible pursuant to 0 , 0 or 0 of this Agreement (excluding for the avoidance of doubt any Taxes for which Seller is liable under 0 ); and

(iv) any third-party Action initiated by a beneficiary of a Seller Guaranty after the Closing Date arising from the non-payment of a demand in accordance with 0 .

Section 9.3 Limitations on Liability.

(a) Seller will not be responsible for making payments with respect to Losses for any individual items pursuant to 0 (other than with respect to a breach of any Seller Fundamental Representations or of 0 (Taxes)), and Buyer will not be responsible for making payments with respect to Losses for any individual items pursuant to 0 (other than with respect to a breach of any Buyer Fundamental Representations), in each case, where the aggregate Losses relating thereto are less than Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000).

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(b) Seller will not be responsible for making payments with respect to Losses for any individual items pursuant to 0 (other than with respect to a breach of any Seller Fundamental Representations or of 0 (Taxes)) except if the aggregate Losses actually incurred by the Buyer Indemnified Parties thereunder exceed one percent (1%) of the Base Purchase Price (and then, subject to 0 , only to the extent such aggregate Losses exceed such amount).

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will the aggregate amount for which Seller shall be responsible to indemnify all Buyer Indemnified Parties for all claims under 0 (other than with respect to Seller Fundamental Representations, 0 (Taxes) and claims involving fraud) exceed, and Seller’s aggregate liability thereunder (other than with respect to Seller Fundamental Representations, 0 (Taxes) and claims involving fraud) shall be limited to, an aggregate amount equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the Purchase Price (the “ Indemnity Cap ”).

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will the aggregate amount for which Seller shall be responsible to indemnify all Buyer Indemnified Parties for all claims under 0 exceed an aggregate amount equal to the Purchase Price; provided that such limitation shall not apply in the case of a claim involving fraud.

(e) Buyer will not be responsible for making payments with respect to Losses for any individual items pursuant to 0 (other than with respect to a breach of any Buyer Fundamental Representations) except if the aggregate Losses actually incurred by the Buyer Indemnified Parties thereunder exceed one percent (1%) of the Base Purchase Price (and then, subject to 0 , only to the extent such aggregate Losses exceed such amount).

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will the aggregate amount for which Buyer shall be responsible to indemnify all Seller Indemnified Parties for all claims under 0 (other than with respect to Buyer Fundamental Representations and claims involving fraud) exceed, and Buyer’s aggregate liability thereunder (other than with respect to Buyer Fundamental Representations and claims involving fraud) shall be limited to, an aggregate amount equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the Purchase Price.

(g) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event will the aggregate amount for which Buyer shall be responsible to indemnify all Seller Indemnified Parties for all claims under 0 exceed, and Buyer’s aggregate liability thereunder shall be limited to, an aggregate amount equal to the Purchase Price; provided that such limitation shall not apply in the case of a claim involving fraud.

(h) The amount of any Losses subject to indemnification under this 0 shall be reduced or reimbursed, as the case may be, by any third party insurance proceeds and third party recoveries actually received by the Buyer Indemnified Parties or Seller Indemnified Parties, as applicable with respect to such Losses.  Buyer shall, and shall cause the Buyer Indemnified Parties to, use commercially reasonable efforts to collect any amounts available under such insurance coverage and from such other third party alleged to have responsibility; provided that the foregoing obligation to use commercially reasonable efforts is not a condition precedent to the Buyer Indemnified Parties’ rights to indemnification hereunder.  If a Buyer Indemnified Party receives an amount under insurance coverage or from such third party with respect to

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Losses that were the subject of indemnification under 0 at any time subsequent to indemnification therefor, then such Buyer Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse Seller up to the amounts received for such items if and to the extent they were not previously taken into account and applied against Losses.   Seller shall, and shall cause the Seller Indemnified Parties to, use commercially reasonable efforts to collect any amounts available under such insurance coverage and from such other third party alleged to have responsibility; provided that the foregoing obligation to use commercially reasonable efforts is not a condition precedent to the Seller Indemnified Parties’ rights to indemnification hereunder.  If a Seller Indemnified Party receives an amount under insurance coverage or from such third party with respect to Losses that were the subject of indemnification under 0 at any time subsequent to indemnification therefor, then such Seller Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse Buyer up to the amounts received for such items if and to the extent they were not previously taken into account and applied against Losses.

Section 9.4 Procedures .  Claims for indemnification under this Agreement shall be asserted and resolved as follows:

(a) If any Person who or which is entitled to seek indemnification under 0 (an “ Indemnified Party ”) receives notice of the assertion or commencement of any claim asserted against an Indemnified Party by a third party (“ Third Party Claim ”) in respect of any matter that is subject to indemnification under 0 , the Indemnified Party shall promptly:

(i) notify the Party obligated to the Indemnified Party pursuant to 0 above (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) of the Third Party Claim; and

(ii) transmit to the Indemnifying Party a written notice (“ Claim Notice ”) describing in reasonable detail the nature of the Third Party Claim, a copy of all papers served with respect to such claim (if any), the Indemnified Party’s best estimate of the amount of Losses attributable to the Third Party Claim and the basis of the Indemnified Party’s request for indemnification under this Agreement.

Failure to timely provide such Claim Notice shall not affect the right of the Indemnified Party’s indemnification hereunder, except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such delay or omission.

(b) The Indemnifying Party may elect to defend the Indemnified Party against such Third Party Claim; except that if Seller is the Indemnifying Party, then Seller shall not have the right to defend or direct the defense of any such Third Party Claim that (i) is asserted directly or by or on behalf of a Person that is a supplier or a customer of an Acquired Company, or (ii) seeks an injunction or other equity relief against any Buyer Indemnified Party.  If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the Third Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend such Third Party Claim with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party (who shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party), by all appropriate proceedings, to a final conclusion or settlement at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this 0 .  The Indemnifying Party shall have full control of such defense and proceedings, including any compromise or settlement thereof; provided that the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into any

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settlement agreement or consent to the entry of judgment without the written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided , further , that such consent shall not be required if:

(i) the settlement agreement contains a complete and unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding; and

(ii) the settlement agreement does not contain any consideration other than the payment of money which the Indemnifying Party agrees to pay.

If requested by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party agrees, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, to reasonably cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel in contesting any Third Party Claim which the Indemnifying Party elects to contest, including the making of any related counterclaim against the Person asserting the Third Party Claim or any cross complaint against any Person.  The Indemnified Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Third Party Claim controlled by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this 0 , and the Indemnified Party shall bear its own costs and expenses with respect to such participation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnified Party shall have the right, exercisable in its sole discretion, to assume control of the defense of any Third Party Claim if (i) the Indemnifying Party advises such Indemnified Party in writing that the Indemnifying Party does not elect to defend, settle or compromise such Claim, or (ii) the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Claim Notice that the Indemnifying Party elects to undertake the defense thereof on behalf of and for the account and risk, and at the expense, of the Indemnifying Party.

(c) If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party elects to defend the Indemnified Party pursuant to 0 , then the Indemnified Party shall have the right to defend, and be reimbursed for its reasonable cost and expense (but only if the Indemnified Party is actually entitled to indemnification hereunder) in regard to the Third Party Claim with counsel selected by the Indemnified Party, by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings shall be prosecuted diligently by the Indemnified Party.  In such circumstances, the Indemnified Party shall defend any such Third Party Claim in good faith and have full control of such defense and proceedings; provided , however , that the Indemnified Party may not enter into any compromise or settlement of such Third Party Claim if indemnification is to be sought hereunder, without the Indemnifying Party’s consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).  The Indemnifying Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement controlled by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this 0 , and the Indemnifying Party shall bear its own costs and expenses with respect to such participation.

(d) Any claim by an Indemnified Party on account of Losses that does not result from a Third Party Claim (a “ Direct Claim ”) will be asserted by giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof, but in any event not later than thirty (30) days after the Indemnified Party becomes aware of the events that gave rise to such Direct Claim; provided , that failure to provide timely notice shall not affect the Indemnified Party’s indemnification hereunder, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such delay or omission.  Such notice by the Indemnified Party will describe the Direct Claim in

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reasonable detail and will indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of Losses that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party.  The Indemnifying Party will have a period of five (5) Business Days within which to respond in writing to such Direct Claim.  If the Indemnifying Party does not so respond within such five (5) Business Day period, the Indemnifying Party will be deemed to have rejected such claim, in which event the Indemnified Party will be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to the Indemnified Party on the terms and subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 9.5 Waiver of Certain Damages .  EXCEPT FOR CLAIMS INVOLVING FRAUD AND EXCEPT AS CONTEMPLATED BY 0, NO PARTY SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY OTHER PARTY FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR SPECIAL DAMAGES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR BASED ON THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED IN THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OTHER LAW OR OTHERWISE; PROVIDED , HOWEVER , IN NO EVENT WILL THIS 0 LIMIT A PARTY’S RIGHT TO RECOVERY HEREUNDER FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS REQUIRED TO PAY SUCH DAMAGES TO A THIRD PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH A THIRD PARTY CLAIM.

Section 9.6 Waiver of Other Representations.

(a) EXCEPT FOR THOSE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, ITS EXHIBITS, ITS DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES OR OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, NEITHER SELLER NOR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE OR IS MAKING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY, IN RESPECT OF THE INTERESTS, THE SUBSIDIARY INTERESTS, THEIR RESPECTIVE BUSINESSES OR ANY OF THE ASSETS, LIABILITIES OR OPERATIONS OF THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES, INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR FORECASTS RELATING TO THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES, AND ANY SUCH OTHER REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED.

(b) EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES’ ASSETS ARE BEING INDIRECTLY TRANSFERRED THROUGH THE SALE OF THE INTERESTS “AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS,” AND SELLER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE VALUE OF THE SHARES OR THE CONDITION, VALUE OR QUALITY OF THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES OR THEIR ASSETS OR THE PROSPECTS (FINANCIAL OR OTHERWISE) OF OR RISKS ATTENDANT TO THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES OR THE BUSINESS.

Section 9.7 Exclusive Remedy and Release .  From and after the Closing, the indemnification and remedies set forth in this 0, 0 and in 0 and Section 6.10 shall constitute the sole and exclusive remedies of the Parties with respect to any breach of representation or warranty or non-performance, partial or total, of any covenant or agreement contained in this

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Agreement; provided that nothing in this 0 shall prevent or otherwise limit either Party from (a) seeking injunctive or equitable relief, including specific performance pursuant to 0 , for claims of breach or failure to perform covenants under this Agreement or (b) pursuing, and recovering in respect of, any claim based fraud.  Except with respect to claims described in the foregoing sentence, and subject to the provisions of 0 , Buyer hereby waives, releases, acquits and forever discharges Seller, its Representatives, and any other person acting on behalf of Seller, of and from, and Seller hereby waives, releases, acquits and forever discharges Buyer, its Representatives, and any other person acting on behalf of Buyer of and from, any and all claims, actions, causes of action, demands, rights, damages, costs, expenses, Losses or compensation whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, which Buyer or Seller, as applicable, now has or may have or which may arise in the future directly or indirectly, and which arise under this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder or which relate to the Company or its assets or operations, including any of the foregoing that is from or relating to the possession, use, handling, management, disposal, investigation, remediation, cleanup or Release of, or exposure to, any Constituents of Concern or any Environmental Law applicable thereto.

Section 9.8 No Duplication of Recovery .  All indemnifiable Losses hereunder shall be determined without duplication of recovery under other provisions of this Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the immediately prior sentence, if a set of facts, conditions or events constitutes a breach of more than one representation, warranty, covenant or agreement that is subject to an indemnification obligation under this 0, only one recovery of Indemnifiable Losses shall be allowed, and in no event shall there be any indemnification or duplication of payments or recovery under different provisions of this Agreement arising out of the same facts, conditions or events.

Section 9.9 Treatment of Payments .  Any amounts paid under 0 or the indemnification obligations under 0 and Section 6.10 shall be treated by Buyer and Seller as an adjustment to the Purchase Price, except as otherwise required by applicable Law.

Section 9.10 Qualifications .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, for purposes of the indemnification obligations under this 0, the representations and warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement will be considered without regard to any “material,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar non-monetary qualifications (other than Knowledge qualifications) contained therein for purposes of determining (a) whether a breach of such representation or warranty has occurred and (b) the amount of any Losses.

Article X.
TERMINATION

Section 10.1 Termination .  At any time prior to the Closing, this Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby abandoned:

(a) by the mutual consent of Buyer and Seller as evidenced in a writing signed by each of Buyer and Seller;

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(b) by Buyer upon written notice to Seller, if there has been a breach or failure to perform by Seller of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement that has prevented, or if uncured will prevent, the satisfaction of any condition to the obligations of Seller or Buyer at the Closing and such breach or failure to perform has continued without cure for a period of thirty (30) days after Buyer has delivered Seller written notice of such breach or failure to perform; provided that no cure period will be permitted for any such breach that by its nature cannot be cured or that relates to any information disclosed in a Schedule Update;

(c) by Seller upon written notice to Buyer, if there has been a breach or failure to perform by Buyer of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement that has prevented, or if uncured will prevent, the satisfaction of any condition to the obligations of Seller or Buyer at the Closing and such breach or failure to perform has continued without cure for a period of thirty (30) days after Seller has delivered Buyer notice of such breach or failure to perform; provided that no cure period will be permitted for any such breach that by its nature cannot be cured;

(d) by either Buyer or Seller, upon written notice to the other Party, if any Governmental Authority having competent jurisdiction has issued a final, non-appealable Order or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(e) by either Buyer or Seller upon written notice to the other Party, if the transactions contemplated hereby have not been consummated by May 1, 2018 (as such date may be extended pursuant to 0 or 0 , the “ Outside Date ”) or such later date as may be mutually agreed by the Parties in writing (in each case subject to extension to accommodate any cure period specified in 0 or 0 ); provided that neither Buyer nor Seller will be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this 0 if such Person’s material breach of this Agreement or material failure to perform has prevented the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(f) by Buyer pursuant to 0 .

Section 10.2 Effect of Termination .  Except for this 0 (Effect of Termination), 0 (Expenses), 0 (Publicity), 0 (Governing Law) and 0 (Consent to Jurisdiction), each of which shall survive any termination of this Agreement, if this Agreement is terminated under 0, all further obligations of the Parties under this Agreement will terminate without further Liability of either Party to the other Parties hereunder; provided that nothing herein will relieve either Party from Liability for any breach of this Agreement prior to such termination.

Article XI.
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1 Notices .  All notices and other communications between the Parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when:

(a) delivered in person;

(b) five (5) days after posting in the United States mail having been sent registered or certified mail return receipt requested; or

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(c) delivered by telecopy or electronic mail in “pdf” format and promptly confirmed by delivery in person or post as aforesaid in each case, with postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

(i) If to Buyer, to:

Amphora Gas Storage USA, LLC
c/o ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC
200 Clarendon Street, 55 th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Facsimile: (617) 867-4698
Email: tburke@arclightcapital.com
Attention: Theodore Burke

with copies to:

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
609 Main Street, 40 th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Facsimile: (713) 658-6620
Email: bwinburne@orrick.com
Attention: Blake H. Winburne

(ii) If to Seller, to:

Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc.
1125 NW Couch Street, Suite 700
Portland, OR 97209
Facsimile: (503) 796-6901
Email: Benjamin.Lackey@avangrid.com
Attention: W. Benjamin Lackey (General Counsel)

with copies to:

Latham & Watkins LLP
885 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022
United States of America
Facsimile: +1.212.751.4864
Email: david.kurzweil@lw.com
Attention: David Kurzweil

or to such other address or addresses as the Parties may from time to time designate in writing.

Section 11.2 Assignment .  No Party shall assign this Agreement, or any rights, interests or obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any attempted assignment, without such consent, shall be null and void.  In no event shall any assignment or transfer hereunder serve to release or discharge the assigning Party from any of its obligations

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hereunder, unless expressly released, in writing, by the non-assigning Parties.  Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

Section 11.3 Rights of Third Parties .  Except for the provisions of Section 6.2(b), Section 6.5(c), 0 and 0, which are intended to be enforceable by the Persons respectively referred to therein, nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the Parties, any right or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 11.4 Expenses .  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each Party shall bear its own expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, whether or not such transactions shall be consummated, including all fees of its legal counsel, financial advisers and accountants.  If the Closing occurs, no such expenses shall be charged to or paid by any Acquired Company unless they are paid before the Closing or unless they are included as a Current Liability in the calculation of Net Working Capital at the Closing Date.

Section 11.5 Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Any facsimile or electronic copies hereof or signature hereon shall, for all purposes, be deemed originals.

Section 11.6 Entire Agreement .  This Agreement (together with all schedules, including the Disclosure Schedule, and exhibits hereto), the other Transaction Documents and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the Parties and supersede any other agreements, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by or among any of the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 11.7 Disclosure Schedule .  Unless the context otherwise requires, all capitalized terms used in the Disclosure Schedule shall have the respective meanings assigned them in this Agreement.  No reference to or disclosure of any item or other matter in the Disclosure Schedule shall be construed as an admission or indication that such item or other matter is material or that such item or other matter is required to be referred to or disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule.  No disclosure in the Disclosure Schedule relating to any possible breach or violation of any agreement or Law shall be construed as an admission or indication that any such breach or violation exists or has actually occurred.  The inclusion of any information in the Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgment by Seller, in and of itself, that such information is material to or outside the ordinary course of the business of the Company or required to be disclosed on the Disclosure Schedule.  The disclosures contained in the Disclosure Schedule shall relate to the representations and warranties in the sections of the Agreement to which they expressly relate and to any other representation or warranty in this Agreement as to which it is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure that it is also being made for purposes of such other representation or warranty.  From time to time from the Effective Date up to ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date (other than updates to Schedule 4.23(a), which will be provided in accordance Section 4.23(a)), Seller may, in its sole

73

 


discretion, supplement or amend and deliver updates to the Disclosure Schedules (each a “ Schedule Update ”) that are necessary to complete or correct any information in such Disclosure Schedule or in any representation or warranty of Seller with respect to itself or the Acquired Companies that has been rendered inaccurate or incomplete due to any change, event, effect or occurrence since the Effective Date.  If (a) based on the information disclosed in such Schedule Update, in the aggregate with all prior Schedule Updates, Buyer has the right to terminate the Agreement pursuant to 0 and does not exercise such right as a result of such Schedule Update within ten (10) Business Days after the date thereof and (b) the Schedule Update relates exclusively to events first occurring or conditions first arising after the Effective Date, then such Schedule Update shall be deemed to have amended the Disclosure Schedules and to have qualified the representations and warranties contained in 0 or 0 , as applicable, in each case, as of the Effective Date, and to have cured any misrepresentation or breach of warranty that otherwise might have existed hereunder by reason of the existence of such matter.  For the avoidance of doubt, Buyer shall not be permitted to terminate this Agreement and it shall not otherwise be deemed a breach of this Agreement as a result of any Schedule Update that relates to any actions permitted by or taken in accordance with this Agreement.

Section 11.8 Amendments; Waivers .  This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified in whole or in part, and actions consented to, only by a duly authorized agreement in writing which makes reference to this Agreement and is executed by each Party.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, no failure to exercise, delay in exercising, or single or partial exercise of any right, power, or remedy by any Party, and no course of dealing between the Parties, shall constitute a waiver of any such right, power, or remedy.  No waiver by a Party of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant under this Agreement, whether intentional or not, shall be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant under this Agreement or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any such prior or subsequent occurrence.  No waiver shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the Party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced.

Section 11.9 Publicity .  All press releases or other public communications of any nature whatsoever relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the method of the release for publication thereof, shall be subject to the prior written consent of Buyer and Seller, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed by such Party; provided , however , that nothing herein shall prevent a Party from publishing such press releases or other public communications as is necessary to satisfy such Party’s obligations at Law or under the rules of any stock or commodities exchange after consultation with the other Party.

Section 11.10 Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.  The Parties further agree that if any provision contained herein is, to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the Laws governing this Agreement, they shall take any actions necessary to render the remaining provisions of this Agreement valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and, to the extent necessary, shall amend or otherwise modify this Agreement to replace any provision contained herein that is held invalid or unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision giving effect to the intent of the Parties to the greatest extent legally permissible.

74

 


Section 11.11 Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York, without regard to the Laws that might be applicable under conflicts of laws principles.

Section 11.12 Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a) Seller and Buyer each irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, Federal or State, within the County of New York, State of New York having subject matter jurisdiction for the purposes of any Action arising out of or relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, this Agreement, any provision hereof or the breach, performance, enforcement or validity or invalidity of this Agreement or any provision hereof (and agrees not to commence any Action relating thereto except in such courts).  Seller and Buyer each further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document hand delivered or sent by United States registered mail to such Party’s respective address for notice under 0 will be effective service of process for any Action in any such courts with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.  Seller and Buyer each irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of or relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, this Agreement, any provision hereof or the breach, performance, enforcement or validity or invalidity of this Agreement or any provision hereof in any court, Federal or State, within the County of New York, State of New York and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Action so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment in any jurisdiction or in any other manner provided in Law or in equity.

(b) SELLER AND BUYER EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, THIS AGREEMENT, ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THE BREACH, PERFORMANCE, ENFORCEMENT OR VALIDITY OR INVALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF.

Section 11.13 Specific Performance .  In the event of any actual or threatened breach by any of the Parties of any of the covenants or agreements in this Agreement, the Party who is or is to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to seek specific performance and injunctive relief giving effect to its rights under this Agreement.  The Parties agree that any such breach would cause irreparable injury, that the remedies at law for any such breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived.

[Remainder of Page Left Intentionally Blank; Signature Pages Follow]

 

75

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Parties as of the date first above written.

BUYER:

 

AMPHORA GAS STORAGE USA, LLC

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Daniel R. Revers

Name:

 

Daniel R. Revers

Title:

 

President

 

 

[ Signature Page to Purchase Agreement ]


 

 

SELLER:

 

AVANGRID RENEWABLES HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Laura Beane

Name:

 

Laura Beane

Title:

 

Authorized Representative

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Douglas K. Stuver

Name:

 

Douglas K. Stuver

Title:

 

Authorized Representative

 

 

 

 

[ Signature Page to Purchase Agreement ]


 

EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CLOSING DATE GUARANTY


 


 

FORM OF CLOSING DATE GUARANTY

1. For value received and in order to induce Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Beneficiary ”), to enter into that certain Purchase Agreement (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), dated as of February 16, 2018, by and between Beneficiary and Amphora Gas Storage USA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Obligor ”), Enstor Gas, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Guarantor ”), unconditionally guarantees and promises to pay to the Beneficiary any and all amounts that the Obligor becomes obligated to pay to the Beneficiary under Section 6.10(b) of the Purchase Agreement (which amounts are hereinafter called the “ Obligations ”) when each of the Obligations becomes due. The Guarantor guarantees, subject to the terms of this Guaranty, that all payments that the Obligor has made to the Beneficiary on account of the Obligations will be final when they are made and that if any such payment is recovered from or is repaid by the Beneficiary in any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding instituted by or against the Obligor (whether as a preference, a fraudulent conveyance or otherwise), then this Guaranty will continue to apply to those Obligations to the same extent as though the payment so recovered or repaid never had been made or received.  The Guarantor will remain liable for the Obligations even if the Obligations become unenforceable, including if that unenforceability results from the Obligor’s insolvency or bankruptcy or similar proceeding.  Capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined herein, shall have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

2. The maximum aggregate amount that the Guarantor shall be obligated to pay under this Guaranty shall, at all times, be limited to the lesser of $[__________] 1 and the aggregate face amount of all Support Obligations that remain outstanding at the applicable time.

3. This is (a) a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection and (b) a continuing, absolute and irrevocable guarantee irrespective of (i) any release of or granting of time or any other indulgence to the Obligor and (ii) any other circumstance which might constitute a defense available to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, a guarantor under a guaranty given by it (excluding the defenses reserved by the Guarantor under Section 6 below, none of which is waived).

4. The Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty are independent of the Obligor’s Obligations.  The Beneficiary may bring and prosecute separate actions against the Obligor and the Guarantor or may join the Guarantor and Obligor in one action.

5. The Guarantor authorizes the Beneficiary, without notice or demand and without affecting the Guarantor’s liability under this Guaranty, from time to time to (a) renew, compromise, subordinate, extend, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment of or otherwise change the terms of any of the Obligations; (b) take and hold security for the payment of the Obligations and exchange, enforce, waive and release that security; and (c) apply that security and direct the order or manner of its sale and payment as the Beneficiary in its discretion determines.

 

1  

Note to Draft: Insert the applicable amount determined in accordance with Section 6.10(a)(iii) of the Purchase Agreement.

 


 

6. The Guarantor waives (a) any right to require the Beneficiary to (i) proceed against the Obligor, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security or suit or (iii) pursue any other remedy; and (b) all presentments, demands for performance or payment, notices of nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor or non-payment, notices of acceleration of or intent to accelerate the maturity of any indebtedness, notices of acceptance of this Guaranty and of the existence, creation, or incurring of new or additional Obligations and all other notices expressly set forth herein.   The Guarantor hereby waives any defenses that it may have under applicable Law as a guarantor or surety based upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization affecting the Obligor, the power or authority of the Obligor to enter into and perform under the Purchase Agreement, the unenforceability of, or illegality with respect to, the Purchase Agreement, any lack or limitation of status or of power, or any incapacity or disability of the Obligor or of its directors, officers or any trustee or agent thereof, or the failure of the Obligor to have authorized, or to have obtained any approval necessary to enter into or perform under, the Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “ Waived Obligor Defenses ”).  The Guarantor reserves the right to (i) set off any amount owed pursuant to this Guaranty against any monies or payments owed by the Beneficiary or any of its Affiliates to the Obligor pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and (ii) assert defenses that the Obligor may have to payment of the Obligations, other than defenses arising from the Waived Obligor Defenses, including any defense of payment or statute of limitations.

7. Upon payment of all amounts owing to the Beneficiary in respect of a particular Obligation, the Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of the Beneficiary against the Obligor in respect of the Obligation, and the Beneficiary shall take all steps as the Guarantor shall reasonably request to implement such subrogation.  Until all Obligations are indefeasibly paid, Guarantor hereby waives all rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, and indemnity from Obligor and any collateral held therefor, and Guarantor hereby subordinates all rights under any debts owing from Obligor to Guarantor, whether now existing or hereafter arising, to the prior payment of the Obligations.  Upon any Obligation becoming due, Obligor or its assignee, trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, or any other person having custody or control over any or all of Obligor's property is authorized and directed to pay to the Beneficiary the entire unpaid balance of the debt before making any payments to Guarantor, and for that purpose. Any amounts received by Guarantor in violation of the foregoing shall be received as trustee for the benefit of the Beneficiary and shall forthwith be paid over to the Beneficiary.

8. The Beneficiary may enforce every lien on the Obligor’s property and exercise every right of setoff without demand upon or notice to the Guarantor.  No lien or right of setoff shall be deemed to have been waived by any act or conduct by the Beneficiary or by any neglect to exercise such right of setoff or to enforce such lien or by any delay in so doing, and every right of setoff and lien shall continue in full force and effect until such right of setoff or lien is specifically waived or released by an instrument in writing executed by the Beneficiary.

9. The Guarantor represents to the Beneficiary that (a) all authorizations, approvals, notices, filings and actions required by Guarantor’s governing documents and the regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Guarantor in connection with the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Guaranty have been duly obtained or made and are in full force and effect; and (b) this Guaranty has been duly executed and delivered by the Guarantor.

 


 

10. This Guaranty will remain in effect until the first date that no Support Obligations remain outstanding (the “ Termination Date ”).  The Guarantor will remain liable under this Guaranty for all of the Obligations that are incurred before the Termination Date, whether demand is made before, on or after the Termination Date.

11. The Guarantor shall not assign this Guaranty, or any rights, interests or obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of Beneficiary, and the Beneficiary may not assign this Guaranty, or any rights, interests or obligations hereunder, without the prior written consent of the Guarantor.  Any attempted assignment, without the consent required in the immediately preceding sentence, shall be null and void.  All covenants and agreements contained in this Guaranty by or on behalf of the Guarantor shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors and shall inure to the benefit of the Beneficiary and its successors.

12. This Guaranty shall be governed and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York, without regard to the Laws that might be applicable under conflicts of laws principles.  The Guarantor and the Beneficiary each irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, Federal or State, within the County of New York, State of New York having subject matter jurisdiction for the purposes of any Action arising out of or relating to this Guaranty, any provision hereof or the breach, performance, enforcement or validity or invalidity of this Guaranty or any provision hereof (and agrees not to commence any Action relating thereto except in such courts).  The Guarantor and the Beneficiary each further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document hand delivered or sent by United States registered mail to such Party’s respective address for notice under Section 14 will be effective service of process for any Action in any such courts with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to jurisdiction as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.  The Guarantor and the Beneficiary each irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any Action arising out of or relating to this Guaranty, any provision hereof or the breach, performance, enforcement or validity or invalidity of this Guaranty or any provision hereof in any court, Federal or State, within the County of New York, State of New York and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Action brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the Guarantor and the Beneficiary agrees that a final judgment in any Action so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment in any jurisdiction or in any other manner provided in Law or in equity.  THE GUARANTOR AND THE BENEFICIARY EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE THIS GUARANTY, ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THE BREACH, PERFORMANCE, ENFORCEMENT OR VALIDITY OR INVALIDITY OF THIS GUARANTY OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF.

13. None of the terms or provisions of the Guaranty may be waived, altered, modified or amended except by a writing duly signed by an authorized officer of the Beneficiary and the Guarantor.  If any term of this Guaranty is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, then the validity of all of the other terms shall in no way be affected thereby in that jurisdiction, and the unenforceability in that jurisdiction shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of that or any other term hereof in any other jurisdiction.  Whether or not legal

 


 

action is instituted, Guarantor agrees to reimburse the Beneficiary on demand for all reasonable attorneys' fees and all other reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Beneficiary in enforcing this Guaranty , or in enforcing any of the Obligations against Obligor.  The failure of the Beneficiary to enforce any provisions of this Guaranty at any time or for any period of time shall not be construed to be a waiver of any such provision or the right thereafter to enforce same.  All remedies of the Beneficiary shall be cumulative.  

14. All notices and other communications in respect of this Guaranty must be (a) in writing, (b) given by facsimile, hand delivery, postage prepaid registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or express mail or reputable overnight courier service, and (c) addressed or directed to the respective parties as set forth below.  A notice shall be deemed to have been received by a party (x) if delivered by hand or sent by overnight courier, on the day of delivery, (y) if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, on the date of receipt or (z) if transmitted by facsimile, at the time of transmission.  Any address specified below may be changed by a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

If to the Guarantor to:

 

[ ● ]

 

If to the Beneficiary to:

 

Avangrid Renewables Holdings, Inc.

1125 NW Couch Street, Suite 700

Portland, OR 97210

Attention: Credit Manager

Fax number: (503) 796-6902

 

15. This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Any facsimile or electronic copies hereof or signature hereon shall, for all purposes, be deemed originals.

 

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Guarantor and the Beneficiary have caused this Guaranty to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized representatives as of the _____ day of _____, 20__.

 

GUARANTOR :

 

 

 

 

 

ENSTOR GAS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 


[ Signature Page to Closing Date Guaranty ]

 


 

 

BENEFICIARY :

 

 

 

 

 

AVANGRID RENEWABLES HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

[ Signature Page to Closing Date Guaranty ]

 

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, James P. Torgerson, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Avangrid, Inc.;

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 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 3, 2018

 

/s/ James P. Torgerson

 

 

James P. Torgerson

 

 

Director and Chief Executive Officer

 

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Richard J. Nicholas, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Avangrid, Inc.;

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 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 3, 2018

 

/s/ Richard J. Nicholas

 

 

Richard J. Nicholas

 

 

Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer

 

 

EXHIBIT 32

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, the undersigned, James P. Torgerson and Richard J. Nicholas, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of Avangrid, Inc. (the “issuer”), do each hereby certify that the issuer’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, to which this certification is attached as an exhibit (the “report”), fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)) and that information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the issuer.

 

/s/ James P. Torgerson

James P. Torgerson

Director and Chief Executive Officer

Avangrid, Inc.

May 3, 2018

 

/s/ Richard J. Nicholas

Richard J. Nicholas

Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer

Avangrid, Inc.

May 3, 2018