Credit Limit The following criteria constitute Duke Energy Ohio’s creditworthiness requirements for the SSO Suppliers to cover the Total Exposure Amount:
(a) For SSO Suppliers to be granted a Credit Limit without delivering a Total Exposure Amount Guaranty or other Performance Assurances acceptable to Duke Energy Ohio, in the case of an SSO Supplier organized under the laws of the United States, the SSO Supplier must (1) be rated by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch, and (2) have a minimum senior unsecured debt rating (or, if unavailable, corporate or issuer rating) equal to the Minimum Rating. If the SSO Supplier is rated by only two rating agencies and the ratings are split, the lower rating will be used. If the SSO Supplier is rated by three rating agencies and the ratings are split, the lower of the two highest ratings will be used; provided that, in the event that the two highest ratings are common, such common rating will be used. If the SSO Supplier and an Affiliate(s) are both winning bidders in the Solicitation for the provision of SSO Supply, then the SSO Supplier or its Guarantor, as applicable, and the Affiliate(s) will proportionally share the maximum level of the Credit Limit using the highest rating as determined for the SSO Supplier or its Guarantor, as applicable, and the Affiliate(s). The maximum level of the Credit Limit to cover the Total Exposure Amount will be determined based on the following table: Credit Rating of the SSO Supplier or its Guarantor Maximum Credit Limit (calculated as the lesser of the percentage of TNW and the applicable Credit Limit Cap below) S&P ▇▇▇▇▇’▇ Fitch Percentage of TNW Credit Limit Cap A- and above A3 and above A- and above 16% $60,000,000 BBB+ Baa1 BBB+ 10% $50,000,000 BBB Baa2 BBB 10% $40,000,000 BBB- Baa3 BBB- 8% $30,000,000 BB+ Ba1 BB+ 2% $5,000,000 BB Ba2 BB 1% $2,500,000 BB- and below Ba3 and below BB- and below 0% $0 The SSO Supplier will be required to post cash or a Letter of Credit for the Margin due Duke Energy Ohio as set forth in Section 5.7 of this Agreement.
(b) For SSO Suppliers delivering a Total Exposure Amount Guaranty, in the case of a Guarantor organized under the laws of the United States, the maximum level of the Credit Limit to cover the Total Exposure Amount that could be granted based on the Total Exposure Amount Guaranty will be determined in accordance with subsection (a) above, with reference to the credit rating of the Guarantor, except that the Credit Limit granted to the SSO Supplier will not exceed the amount of the Total Exposure Amount Guaranty.
(c) For an SSO Supplier or Guarantor, if applicable, that has not been organized under the laws of the United States, the following standards will apply:
i. the SSO Supplier must supply such evidence of creditworthiness as to provide Duke Energy Ohio with comparable assurances of creditworthiness as applicable above for SSO Suppliers that have been organized under the laws of the United States; or
ii. if the SSO Supplier is providing a Total Exposure Amount Guaranty, the Guarantor of an SSO Supplier must supply such evidence of creditworthiness as to provide Duke Energy Ohio with comparable assurances of creditworthiness as applicable above for Guarantors of SSO Suppliers that have been organized under the laws of the United States. Duke Energy Ohio may reject such Guarantors that do not meet the creditworthiness requirements.
(d) All SSO Suppliers or Guarantors of SSO Suppliers, if applicable, that have not been organized under the laws of the United States must, in addition to all documentation required elsewhere in this Section 5.6, supply the following to Duke Energy Ohio:
i. For an SSO Supplier: (1) a legal opinion of counsel qualified to practice in the foreign jurisdiction in which the SSO Supplier is organized that (A) the SSO Supplier is duly incorporated and existing in such foreign jurisdiction; (B) this Agreement is the binding and enforceable obligation of the SSO Supplier in such foreign jurisdiction and does not violate any local law or the SSO Supplier’s organizational or governing documents; and (C) all authorizations, approvals, consents, licenses, exemptions or other requirements of governmental, judicial or public bodies in such foreign jurisdiction have been obtained, and all execution formalities have been duly completed, necessary for the enforcement and validity of this Agreement and the performance by the SSO Supplier of its obligations hereunder; and (2) the sworn certificate of the corporate secretary (or similar officer) of such SSO Supplier that the Person executing this Agreement on behalf of the SSO Supplier has the authority to execute this Agreement and that the governing board of such SSO Supplier has approved the execution of this Agreement. Duke Energy Ohio will have full discretion, without liability or recourse to the SSO Supplier, to evaluate the sufficiency of the documents submitted by the SSO Supplier; or
ii. For the Guarantor of an SSO Supplier: (1) a legal opinion of counsel qualified to practice in the foreign jurisdiction in which the Guarantor is organized that (A) the Guarantor is duly incorporated and existing in such foreign jurisdiction; (B) the Total Exposure Amount Guaranty is the binding and enforceable obligation of the Guarantor in such foreign jurisdiction and does not violate any local law or the Guarantor’s organizational or governing documents; and
Revolving Line of Credit (a) The Bank hereby establishes in favor of the Borrower a revolving line of credit (the “Line of Credit”). The Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, repay and reborrow funds under the Line of Credit in accordance with the terms hereof so long as the total principal amount owed to the Bank under the Line of Credit does not exceed $25,000,000.00 (or such lesser amount as is set forth herein) during the Revolving Period. The Bank’s obligation to make advances hereunder shall terminate at the expiration of the Revolving Period.
(b) The Borrower’s indebtedness under the Line of Credit shall be evidenced by a promissory note (as amended, extended or renewed from time to time, the “Line of Credit Note”) of even date herewith executed by the Borrower in favor of the Bank in the original principal amount of $25,000,000.00. The Line of Credit Note shall bear interest at the rate set forth therein and shall be payable as set forth therein.
(c) The Bank shall make each advance under the Line of Credit upon written or telephonic notice from the Borrower to the Bank requesting an advance. The notice shall specify the date for which the advance is requested (which must be a Business Day) and the amount of the advance. The Bank must receive the notice prior to 12:00 noon (Eastern time) on the Business Day of the advance. Alternatively, the Borrower may request advances by drawing checks on a deposit account that is linked to the credit facility hereunder in accordance with disbursement arrangements that are mutually satisfactory to the parties. The Bank will make each requested advance available to the Borrower not later than the close of business on the Business Day of the request by crediting the Borrower’s account maintained with the Bank in the amount of the advance if as of such time: (i) the Bank’s obligation to make advances hereunder has not terminated or expired; (ii) a Default or Event of Default has not occurred; and (iii) all conditions to the advance set forth herein or in any other Loan Documents have been satisfied. The Bank may rely upon any written or telephonic notice given by any person that the Bank in good faith believes is an authorized representative of the Borrower without the necessity of any independent investigation. If any telephonic notice conflicts with a written confirmation, the telephonic notice shall govern if the Bank has acted in reliance thereon.
(d) For purposes hereof, the term “Revolving Period” shall mean a period commencing on the date hereof and terminating on March 18, 2007.