Execution Copy
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364-DAY
CREDIT AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF
AUGUST 28, 2001
AMONG
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION,
as Borrower,
THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO,
as Banks,
ABN AMRO BANK N.V.,
as Administrative Agent,
UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.,
as Syndication Agent,
BANK OF MONTREAL,
as Co-Syndication Agent,
U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Documentation Agent
and
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
as Co-Documentation Agent
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(This Table of Contents is not part of the Agreement)
PAGE
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION.....................................................................1
Section 1.1 Definitions............................................................................1
Section 1.2 Interpretation........................................................................13
SECTION 2 THE CREDITS....................................................................................13
Section 2.1 The Revolving Loan Commitment.........................................................13
Section 2.2 [Intentionally Omitted]. .............................................................14
Section 2.3 Applicable Interest Rates. (a) Base Rate Loans........................................14
Section 2.4 Minimum Borrowing Amounts.............................................................15
Section 2.5 Manner of Borrowing Loans and Designating Interest Rates Applicable to Loans..........16
Section 2.6 Interest Periods......................................................................17
Section 2.7 Maturity of Loans.....................................................................18
Section 2.8 Prepayments...........................................................................18
Section 2.9 Default Rate..........................................................................19
Section 2.10 The Notes.............................................................................19
Section 2.11 Funding Indemnity.....................................................................19
Section 2.12 Commitments...........................................................................20
SECTION 3 FEES AND EXTENSIONS............................................................................21
Section 3.1 Fees..................................................................................21
Section 3.2 Extensions............................................................................21
SECTION 4 PLACE AND APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS..............................................................22
Section 4.1 Place and Application of Payments.....................................................22
SECTION 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.................................................................22
Section 5.1 Corporate Organization and Authority..................................................23
Section 5.2 Subsidiaries..........................................................................23
Section 5.3 Corporate Authority and Validity of Obligations.......................................23
Section 5.4 Financial Statements..................................................................23
Section 5.5 No Litigation; No Labor Controversies.................................................24
Section 5.6 Taxes.................................................................................24
Section 5.7 Approvals.............................................................................24
Section 5.8 ERISA.................................................................................24
Section 5.9 Government Regulation.................................................................25
Section 5.10 Margin Stock; Use of Proceeds.........................................................25
Section 5.11 Licenses and Authorizations; Compliance with Laws.....................................25
Section 5.12 Ownership of Property; Liens..........................................................26
Section 5.13 No Burdensome Restrictions; Compliance with Agreements................................26
Section 5.14 Full Disclosure.......................................................................26
Section 5.15 Solvency..............................................................................26
SECTION 6 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT...........................................................................26
Section 6.1 Initial Credit Event..................................................................26
Section 6.2 All Credit Events.....................................................................27
SECTION 7 COVENANTS......................................................................................28
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Section 7.1 Corporate Existence; Subsidiaries.....................................................28
Section 7.2 Maintenance...........................................................................28
Section 7.3 Taxes.................................................................................28
Section 7.4 ERISA.................................................................................28
Section 7.5 Insurance.............................................................................29
Section 7.6 Financial Reports and Other Information...............................................29
Section 7.7 Bank Inspection Rights................................................................31
Section 7.8 Conduct of Business...................................................................31
Section 7.9 Liens.................................................................................31
Section 7.10 Use of Proceeds; Regulation U.........................................................33
Section 7.11 Sales and Leasebacks..................................................................33
Section 7.12 Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets...........................................33
Section 7.13 Use of Property and Facilities; Environmental and Health and Safety Laws..............35
Section 7.14 Investments, Acquisitions, Loans, Advances and Guaranties.............................35
Section 7.15 Restrictions on Indebtedness..........................................................37
Section 7.16 Consolidated Net Worth................................................................39
Section 7.17 Recourse Leverage Ratio...............................................................39
Section 7.18 Interest Coverage Ratio...............................................................39
Section 7.19 Dividends and Other Shareholder Distributions.........................................39
Section 7.20 No Negative Pledge....................................................................39
Section 7.21 Transactions with Affiliates..........................................................39
Section 7.22 Compliance with Laws..................................................................40
Section 7.23 Pari-Passu............................................................................40
Section 7.24 Certain Subsidiaries..................................................................40
Section 7.25 Ratings...............................................................................40
SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.................................................................40
Section 8.1 Events of Default.....................................................................40
Section 8.2 Non-Bankruptcy Defaults...............................................................42
Section 8.3 Bankruptcy Defaults...................................................................42
Section 8.4 [Intentionally Omitted]. ............................................................42
Section 8.5 Expenses..............................................................................43
SECTION 9 CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES........................................................................43
Section 9.1 Change of Law.........................................................................43
Section 9.2 Unavailability of Deposits or Inability to Ascertain, or Inadequacy of, LIBOR.........43
Section 9.3 Increased Cost and Reduced Return.....................................................43
Section 9.4 Lending Offices.......................................................................45
Section 9.5 Discretion of Bank as to Manner of Funding............................................45
SECTION 10 THE AGENT......................................................................................45
Section 10.1 Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent.................................45
Section 10.2 Administrative Agent and its Affiliates...............................................46
Section 10.3 Action by Administrative Agent........................................................46
Section 10.4 Consultation with Experts.............................................................46
Section 10.5 Liability of Administrative Agent; Credit Decision....................................46
Section 10.6 Indemnity.............................................................................47
Section 10.7 Resignation of Administrative Agent and Successor Administrative Agent................47
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SECTION 11 MISCELLANEOUS..................................................................................47
Section 11.1 Withholding Taxes.....................................................................47
Section 11.2 No Waiver of Rights...................................................................49
Section 11.3 Non-Business Day......................................................................49
Section 11.4 Documentary Taxes.....................................................................49
Section 11.5 Survival of Representations...........................................................49
Section 11.6 Survival of Indemnities...............................................................49
Section 11.7 Set-Off...............................................................................49
Section 11.8 Notices...............................................................................50
Section 11.9 Counterparts..........................................................................51
Section 11.10 Successors and Assigns................................................................52
Section 11.11 Participants and Note Assignees.......................................................52
Section 11.12 Assignment of Commitments by Banks....................................................52
Section 11.13 Amendments............................................................................53
Section 11.14 Headings..............................................................................53
Section 11.15 Legal Fees, Other Costs and Indemnification...........................................53
Section 11.16 Entire Agreement......................................................................54
Section 11.17 Construction..........................................................................54
Section 11.18 Governing Law.........................................................................54
Section 11.19 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL......................................54
Section 11.20 Replacement of Bank...................................................................55
Section 11.21 Confidentiality.......................................................................55
Section 11.22 Rights and Liabilities of Documentation Agent and Syndication Agent..................56
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EXHIBITS ** The exhibits have been omitted but will be furnished to the SEC upon
request.
A - Form of Note
B - Form of Compliance Certificate
SCHEDULES ** The schedules have been omitted but will be furnished to the SEC
upon request.
SCHEDULE 1 Pricing Grid
SCHEDULE 4 Administrative Agent Notice and Payment Info
SCHEDULE 5.2 Schedule of Existing Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE 5.5 Litigation and Labor Controversies
SCHEDULE 5.11 Environmental Matters
SCHEDULE 7.9 Existing Liens
SCHEDULE 7.14 Existing Investments
SCHEDULE 7.15(a) Marketing Subsidiary Indebtedness
SCHEDULE 7.15(b) Existing Secured Indebtedness
SCHEDULE 7.19 Restrictions on Distributions and Existing Negative Pledges
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364-DAY CREDIT AGREEMENT
364-DAY CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of August 28, 2001 among Black Hills
Corporation, a South Dakota corporation ("Borrower"), the financial institutions
from time to time party hereto (each a "Bank," and collectively the "Banks"),
U.S. Bank, National Association, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, in their capacity
as documentation agents for the Banks hereunder (in such capacity,
"Documentation Agents"), Union Bank of California, N.A., and Bank of Montreal,
in their capacity as syndication agents for the Banks hereunder (in such
capacity, "Syndication Agents") and ABN AMRO Bank N.V. in its capacity as agent
for the Banks hereunder (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to obtain the several commitments of the
Banks to make available a revolving credit for loans and letters of credit (the
"Revolving Credit"), as described herein; and
WHEREAS, the Banks are willing to extend such commitments subject to
all of the terms and conditions hereof and on the basis of the representations
and warranties hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals set forth above and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION.
Section 1.1 Definitions. The following terms when used herein have the
following meanings:
"ABN AMRO Credit Agreement" means that certain Credit Agreement by and
among the Borrower, BHP, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., as Administrative Agent and the
financial institutions from time to time party thereto dated as of December 29,
2000.
"Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, (A) Consolidated
EBITDA less (B) Restricted Earnings.
"Adjusted LIBOR" is defined in Section 2.3(b) hereof.
"Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person which directly or
indirectly controls, or is under common control with, or is controlled by, such
Person. As used in this definition, "control" (including, with their correlative
meanings, "controlled by" and "under common control with") means possession,
directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of management
or policies of a Person (whether through ownership of securities or partnership
or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise), provided that, in any
event for purposes of this definition: (i) any Person which owns directly or
indirectly twenty percent (20%) or more of the securities having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors or other governing body of a corporation or
twenty percent (20%) or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of
any other Person will be deemed to control such corporation or other
Person; and (ii) each director and executive officer of Borrower or any
Subsidiary of Borrower shall be deemed an Affiliate of Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries.
"Administrative Agent" is defined in the first paragraph of this
Agreement and includes any successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
10.7 hereof.
"Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, including all Exhibits and
Schedules hereto, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
"Applicable Margin" means, at any time (i) with respect to Base Rate
Loans, the Base Rate Margin and (ii) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, the
Eurodollar Margin.
"Applicable Telerate Page" is defined in Section 2.3(b) hereof.
"Arrangers" means, collectively, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Union Bank of
California, N.A., and U.S. Bank, National Association.
"Authorized Representative" means those persons shown on the list of
officers provided by Borrower pursuant to Section 6.1(e) hereof, or on any
updated such list provided by Borrower to the Administrative Agent, or any
further or different officer of Borrower so named by any Authorized
Representative of Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent.
"Bank" and "Banks" are defined in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
"Base Rate" is defined in Section 2.3(a) hereof.
"Base Rate Loan" means a Loan bearing interest prior to maturity at a
rate specified in Section 2.3(a) hereof.
"Base Rate Margin" means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1 hereto
beside the then applicable Level.
"BHP" means Black Hills Power, Inc., a South Dakota corporation.
"Borrower" is defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
"Borrowing" means the total of Loans of a single type advanced,
continued for an additional Interest Period, or converted from a different type
into such type by the Banks on a single date and for a single Interest Period.
Borrowings of Loans are made by and maintained ratably for each of the Banks
according to their Percentages. A Borrowing is "advanced" on the day Banks
advance funds comprising such Borrowing to Borrower, is "continued" on the date
a new Interest Period for the same type of Loans commences for such Borrowing
and is "converted" when such Borrowing is changed from one type of Loan to the
other, all as requested by Borrower pursuant to Section 2.5(a).
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday on which
Banks are not authorized or required to close in New York, New York, Chicago,
Illinois or Rapid City, South
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Dakota and, if the applicable Business Day relates to the borrowing or payment
of a Eurodollar Loan, on which banks are dealing in U.S. Dollars in the
interbank market in London, England.
"Capital" means, as of any date of determination thereof, without
duplication, the sum of (A) Consolidated Net Worth plus (B) all Recourse
Indebtedness (provided that for purposes of clause (B) of this definition, to
the extent otherwise included, Indebtedness of Marketing Subsidiaries in an
aggregate amount not to exceed the Marketing Subsidiary Indebtedness Limit
incurred under Marketing Subsidiary Excluded Credit Facilities shall not be
deemed to be Recourse Indebtedness).
"Capital Lease" means at any date any lease of Property which, in
accordance with GAAP, would be required to be capitalized on the balance sheet
of the lessee.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" means, for any Person, the amount of
such Person's liabilities under Capital Leases determined at any date in
accordance with GAAP.
"Change of Control Event" means one or more of the following events:
(a) less than a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of
Borrower shall be persons who either (i) were serving as directors on
the Effective Date or (ii) were nominated as directors and approved by
the vote of the majority of the directors who are directors referred to
in clause (i) above or this clause (ii); or
(b) the stockholders of Borrower shall approve any plan or proposal for the
liquidation or dissolution of Borrower; or
(c) a Person or group of Persons acting in concert (other than the direct
or indirect beneficial owners of the Voting Stock of Borrower as of the
Effective Date) shall, as a result of a tender or exchange offer, open
market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise, have
become the direct or indirect beneficial owner (within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time) of Voting Stock of Borrower representing more than ten
percent (10%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting
Stock or other ownership interests for the election of directors or
shall have the right to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of
Borrower; or
(d) Except as permitted by Section 7.12, Borrower ceases at any time to
own one hundred percent (100%) of the Voting Stock and other equity
interest of any Material Subsidiary.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commitment" and "Commitments" are defined in Section 2.1 hereof.
"Compliance Certificate" means a certificate in the form of Exhibit B
hereto.
"Consolidated Assets" means all assets which should be listed on the
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
3
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, for Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, (A) the sum of the amounts
for such period of (i) Consolidated Net Income, (ii) to the extent deducted in
arriving at Consolidated Net Income, net federal, state and local income taxes
in respect of such period, (iii) to the extent deducted in arriving at
Consolidated Net Income, Consolidating Interest Expense, (iv) to the extent
deducted in arriving at Consolidated Net Income, the amount charged for the
amortization of intangible assets, (v) to the extent deducted in arriving at
Consolidated Net Income, the amount charged for the depreciation of assets, and
(vi) to the extent deducted in arriving at Consolidated Net Income, losses on
sales of assets (excluding sales in the ordinary course of business) and other
extraordinary losses, less (B) the amount for such period of (i) to the extent
added in arriving at Consolidated Net Income, interest income arising from
traditional investment activities with banks, investments banks and other
financial institutions or relating to governmental or other marketable
securities, (ii) to the extent added in arriving at Consolidated Net Income,
gains on sales of assets (excluding sales in the ordinary course of business)
and other extraordinary gains, all as determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP, (iii) any maintenance capital expenditures made by the
Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries in such period, (iv) without
duplication, any payments made by a Consolidated Subsidiary constituting a
repayment of principal Indebtedness (other than (x) the Obligations and (y)
repayments of principal made with the proceeds of a refinancing of such
Indebtedness otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement) or with respect to
a reserve, and (v) without duplication, any other mandatory payment made by a
Consolidated Subsidiary in such period not included as an expense or loss in
calculating Consolidated Net Income.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period of the Borrower and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, the amount for such period of consolidated net income
(or net loss) of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, as of any time the same is to be
determined, the total shareholders' equity (including capital stock, additional
paid-in-capital and retained earnings after deducting treasury stock, but
excluding (to the extent otherwise included in calculating shareholders'
equity), minority interests in Subsidiaries) which would appear on the
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, each subsidiary of
such Person (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the
financial statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated, with
the financial statements of such Person in accordance with GAAP, including
principles of consolidation.
"Consolidating Interest Expense" means, with reference to any period of
the Borrower, the sum of (i) all interest charges (including imputed interest
charges with respect to Capitalized Lease Obligations and all amortization of
debt discount and expense and other deferred financing charges) of the Borrower
on a consolidating (i.e. stand-alone) basis for such period determined in
accordance with GAAP, other than interest charges relating to Non-Recourse
Indebtedness plus (ii) all fees payable in respect of the issuance of standby
letters of credit for the account of the Borrower.
4
"Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking to
which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound.
"Controlled Group" means all members of a controlled group of
corporations and all trades and businesses (whether or not incorporated) under
common control that, together with Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, are
treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
"Credit Documents" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Fee Letter and
all other documents executed in connection herewith or therewith.
"Credit Event" means any Borrowing.
"Default" means any event or condition the occurrence of which would,
with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, constitute an Event
of Default.
"Derivative Arrangement" means any agreement (including any master
agreement and any agreement, whether or not in writing, relating to any single
transaction) that is an interest rate swap agreement, basis swap, forward rate
agreement, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or
option, bond option, interest rate option, forward foreign exchange agreement,
rate cap, collar or floor agreement, future agreement, currency swap agreement,
cross-currency rate swap agreement, swaption, currency option, that relates to
fluctuations in raw material prices or utility or energy prices or other costs,
or any other similar agreement, including any option to enter into any of the
foregoing, or any combination of any of the foregoing. "Derivative Arrangements"
shall include all such agreements or arrangements made or entered into at any
time, or in effect at any time, whether or not related to a Loan.
"Derivative Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, all
liabilities of such Person under any Derivative Arrangement (including but not
limited to obligations and liabilities arising in connection with or as a result
of early or premature termination of a Derivative Arrangement, whether or not
occurring as a result of a default thereunder), absolute or contingent, now or
hereafter existing or incurred or due or to become due.
"Documentation Agents" is defined in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
"Effective Date" means August 28, 2001.
"Environmental and Health Laws" means any and all federal, state, local
and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, judgments, permits and
other governmental rules or restrictions relating to human health, safety
(including without limitation occupational safety and health standards), or the
environment or to emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants,
hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or any other controlled or regulated
substance into the environment, including without limitation ambient air,
surface water, ground water or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or
handling of pollutants, contaminants, hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or
any other controlled or regulated substance or the clean-up or other remediation
thereof.
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"ERISA" is defined in Section 5.8 hereof.
"Eurodollar Loan" means a Loan bearing interest prior to its maturity
at the rate specified in Section 2.3(b) hereof.
"Eurodollar Margin" means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1 hereto
beside the then applicable Level.
"Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" is defined in Section 2.3(b) hereof.
"Event of Default" means any of the events or circumstances specified
in Section 8.1 hereof.
"Facility Fee Rate" means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1 hereto
beside the then applicable Level.
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate
per annum equal for each day during such period to:
(a) the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds
transactions with members of the United States Federal Reserve System
arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if
such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by
the United States Federal Reserve Bank of New York; or
(b) if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day,
the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions
received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers
of recognized standing selected by it.
"Fee Letter" means that certain letter among the Administrative Agent
and Borrower pertaining to fees to be paid by Borrower to the Administrative
Agent for its sole account and benefit.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in
the United States from time to time, applied by Borrower and its Subsidiaries on
a basis consistent with the preparation of Borrower's financial statements
furnished to the Banks as described in Section 5.4 hereof.
"Guarantee" means, in respect of any Person, any obligation, contingent
or otherwise, of such Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any
Indebtedness or other obligations of another Person, including, without
limitation, by means of an agreement to purchase or pay (or advance or supply
funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to maintain financial
covenants, or to assure the payment of such Indebtedness by an agreement to make
payments in respect of goods or services regardless of whether delivered, or
otherwise, provided, that the term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements
for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business; and such term when
used as a verb shall have a correlative meaning.
"Hazardous Material" means any substance or material which is hazardous
or toxic, and includes, without limitation, (a) asbestos, polychlorinated
biphenyls, dioxins and petroleum or its
6
by-products or derivatives (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) and (b)
any other material or substance classified or regulated as "hazardous" or
"toxic" pursuant to any Environmental and Health Law.
"Immaterial Subsidiary" shall mean, any direct or indirect subsidiary
of Borrower (i) whose total assets (as determined in accordance with GAAP) do
not represent at least five percent (5%) of the total assets (as determined in
accordance with GAAP) of Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
or (ii) whose total revenues (as determined in accordance with GAAP) do not
represent at least five percent (5%) of the total revenues (as determined in
accordance with GAAP) of Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis,
provided that no subsidiary shall be deemed an Immaterial Subsidiary to the
extent (a) the total assets of such subsidiary, when combined with the total
assets of other subsidiaries which are Immaterial Subsidiaries, represent at
least ten percent (10%) of the total assets (as determined in accordance with
GAAP) of Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or (ii) the total
revenues of such subsidiary, when combined with the total revenues of other
Immaterial Subsidiaries, (as determined in accordance with GAAP) represent at
least ten percent (10%) of the total revenues (as determined in accordance with
GAAP) of Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. As used in this
definition "subsidiary" shall mean any Person whose financial statements are
consolidated into the financial statements of Borrower in accordance with GAAP.
"Indebtedness" means, as to any Person, without duplication: (i) all
obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, debentures,
notes or similar instruments; (ii) all obligations of such Person for the
deferred purchase price of property or services (other than in respect of trade
accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business which are not
past-due); (iii) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (iv) all
Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any properties, assets or revenues
of such Person (other than stock, partnership interests or other equity
interests of Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower in other entities) to the
extent of the lesser of the value of the property subject to such Lien or the
amount of such Indebtedness; (v) all Indebtedness of others Guaranteed by such
Person provided that Long-Term Guaranties shall not be deemed "Indebtedness" for
purposes of calculating Borrower's compliance with the financial covenants set
forth herein; (vi) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, in
respect of any letters or credit (whether commercial or standby) or bankers'
acceptances, (vii) all Derivative Obligations of such Person, provided that for
purposes of determining Borrower's compliance with the financial covenants set
forth herein, only Borrower's Derivative Obligations under Derivative
Arrangements which must be marked-to-market in accordance with GAAP shall be
included as Indebtedness of Borrower, and (viii) all obligations of such Person
under synthetic (and similar type) lease arrangements, provided that for
purposes of calculating such Person's Indebtedness under such synthetic (or
similar type) lease arrangements, such lease arrangement shall be treated as if
it were a Capitalized Lease.
"Interest Coverage Ratio" means, for any period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending with the most recently completed such
fiscal quarter, the ratio of (A) Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA to (B)
Consolidating Interest Expense for such period.
"Interest Period" is defined in Section 2.6 hereof.
"Investments" is defined in Section 7.14.
7
"L/C Obligations" has the same meaning herein as in the 3-Year Credit
Agreement.
"Lending Office" is defined in Section 9.4 hereof.
"Level I Status" means Borrower's S&P Rating (once obtained) is A+ or
higher and its ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating is A1 or higher.
"Level II Status" means Level I Status does not exist, but Borrower's
S&P Rating (once obtained) is A- or higher and its ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating is A3 or
higher.
"Level III Status" means neither Level I Status nor Level II Status
exists, but Borrower's S&P Rating (once obtained) is BBB+ or higher and its
▇▇▇▇▇'▇ rating is Baa1 or higher.
"Level IV Status" means neither Level I Status, Level II Status, nor
Level III Status exists, but Borrower's S&P Rating (once obtained) is BBB or
higher and its ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ rating is Baa2 or higher.
"Level V Status" means neither Level I Status nor Level II Status
exists, but Borrower's S&P Rating (once obtained) is BBB- or higher and its
▇▇▇▇▇'▇ rating is Baa3 or higher.
"Level VI Status" means none of Level I Status, Level II Status, Level
III Status, Level IV Status nor Level V Status exists.
"LIBOR" is defined in Section 2.3(b) hereof.
"LIBOR Loan Restriction Period" means the period commencing on and
including the fifth to last Business Day of any calendar year and ending on and
including the fifth Business Day of the immediately succeeding calendar year.
"Lien" means any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to,
or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such
interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, including, but not
limited to, the security interest or lien arising from a mortgage, encumbrance,
pledge, conditional sale, security agreement or trust receipt, or a lease,
consignment or bailment for security purposes. For the purposes of this
definition, a Person shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which it
has acquired or holds subject to a conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or
other arrangement pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by
or vested in some other Person for security purposes, and such retention of
title shall constitute a "Lien."
"Loan" and "Loans" are defined in Section 2.1 hereof and includes a
Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loan, each of which is a "type" of Loan hereunder.
"Long-Term Guarantee" means (i) any Guarantee issued by Borrower or its
Subsidiaries under which the holder or beneficiary of such Guarantee is not
permitted under any circumstance or contingency to make demand or exercise any
other remedies under such Guarantee prior to the Termination Date, as extended
from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and (ii) any coal mining
reclamation bonds or contingent indemnity or reimbursement obligations with
8
respect to such reclamation bonds (so long as such reclamation bonds have not
been called upon).
"Marketing Subsidiary" means each of Black Hills Coal Network, Inc.,
a South Dakota corporation, Black Hills Energy Resources, Inc., a South Dakota
corporation, and Enserco Energy, Inc., a South Dakota corporation, and their
respective subsidiaries.
"Marketing Subsidiary Excluded Credit Facilities" means those certain
credit facilities of the Marketing Subsidiaries described on Schedule 7.15(a)
hereof, as such credit facilities are in effect on the Effective Date, provided
that such credit facilities shall cease to be Marketing Subsidiary Excluded
Credit Facilities to the extent availability thereunder is increased, any
substantive term thereof is materially modified, or such credit facility is
extended more than once in any fiscal year for a period of more than one year.
Any replacement credit facility of a Marketing Subsidiary Excluded Credit
Facility shall be deemed a Marketing Subsidiary Excluded Credit Facility only if
such replacement credit facility contains terms substantially the same as the
Marketing Subsidiary Excluded Credit Facility being replaced (including tenor)
or is approved in writing by the Required Banks.
"Marketing Subsidiary Indebtedness Limit" means the sum of (i)
aggregate amount of credit availability (used or unused) under Marketing
Subsidiary Excluded Credit Facilities as of the Effective Date and (ii)
$25,000,000.
"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (i) the
business, financial position or results of operations of Borrower or Borrower
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of Borrower to perform
its material obligations under the Credit Documents, (iii) the validity or
enforceability of the material obligations of Borrower under any Credit
Document, (iv) the rights and remedies of the Banks or the Administrative Agent
against Borrower; or (v) the timely payment of the principal of and interest on
the Loans or other amounts payable by Borrower hereunder.
"Material Subsidiaries" means BHP, Black Hills Energy Ventures,
Inc., a South Dakota corporation, Wyodak Resources Development Corp., a
Delaware corporation, Black Hills Energy Capital, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and any other Subsidiary of Borrower which is not either an
Immaterial Subsidiary or a Project Finance Subsidiary.
"▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating" means the rating assigned by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors
Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating
agency to the outstanding senior unsecured non-credit enhanced long-term
indebtedness of a Person (or if neither ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors Service, Inc. nor any
such successor shall be in the business of rating long-term indebtedness, a
nationally recognized rating agency in the United States of America as mutually
agreed between the Required Banks and Borrower). Any reference in this Agreement
to any specific rating is a reference to such rating as currently defined by
▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors Service, Inc. (or such a successor) and shall be deemed to
refer to the equivalent rating if such rating system changes.
"Non-Recourse Indebtedness" means, without duplication, all
Indebtedness of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP incurred in connection with project
financings (including project financings of existing assets the
9
proceeds of which are used to refinance such assets) as to which the holder of
such Indebtedness has recourse solely against the assets which were purchased or
refinanced with, or leased in connection with, such Indebtedness and not against
Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary of Borrower other than a Project Finance
Subsidiary or any of their other assets (whether directly, through a Guarantee
or otherwise), other than the pledge of the stock (or similar equity interest)
of the Project Finance Subsidiary which incurred such Indebtedness. For purposes
of clarification, any Indebtedness of a Project Finance Subsidiary which would
otherwise constitute Non-Recourse Indebtedness but for the issuance by the
Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary of the Borrower of a Guarantee or other
document which provides recourse with respect to such Indebtedness, such
Indebtedness shall for all purposes of this Agreement be deemed Non-Recourse
Indebtedness so long as (i) the Borrower's or such Consolidated Subsidiary's
obligations under such Guarantee or other document are treated for all purposes
as Recourse Indebtedness hereunder, (ii) such Recourse Indebtedness of the
Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary is unsecured and is otherwise permitted
by this Agreement, and (iii) such Recourse Indebtedness of the Borrower or such
Consolidated Subsidiary does not in the aggregate exceed $100,000,000 at any one
time outstanding.
"Note" is defined in Section 2.10(a) hereof.
"Obligations" means all fees payable hereunder, all obligations of
Borrower to pay principal or interest on Loans, fees, expenses, indemnities, and
all other payment obligations of Borrower arising under or in relation to any
Credit Document.
"Percentage" means, for each Bank, the percentage of the Commitments
represented by such Bank's Commitment or, if the Commitments have been
terminated, the percentage held by such Bank of the aggregate principal amount
of all outstanding Obligations.
"Permitted Derivative Obligations" means all Derivative Obligations as
to which the Derivative Arrangements giving rise to such Derivative Obligation
are entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge interest rate risk,
currency risk, commodity price risk or the production of Borrower or its
Subsidiaries (and not for speculative purposes) and if such Derivative
Obligation is an obligation of Borrower, such Derivative Obligation ranks no
greater than pari passu to the Obligations.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or any other
entity or organization, including a government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.
"Plan " means at any time an employee pension benefit plan covered by
Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412
of the Code that is either (i) maintained by a member of the Controlled Group or
(ii) maintained pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement or any other
arrangement under which more than one employer makes contributions and to which
a member of the Controlled Group is then making or accruing an obligation to
make contributions or has within the preceding five plan years made
contributions.
"PBGC" is defined in Section 5.8 hereof.
10
"Project Finance Subsidiary" means any special purpose Subsidiary of
Borrower created to limit the recourse of the creditors of such Subsidiary and
as to which the creditors and other holders of Indebtedness of such Subsidiary
have recourse solely against the assets of such Subsidiary and not against
Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Borrower or any of their other assets
(whether directly, through a Guarantee or otherwise) other than (i) pursuant to
a Guarantee permitted hereunder and (ii) the stock of such special purpose
Subsidiary (or similar equity interest).
"Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether
real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired.
"Recourse Indebtedness" means, without duplication, all Indebtedness of
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
"Recourse Leverage Ratio" means, as of any time the same is to be
determined, the ratio of the amount of (A) Recourse Indebtedness outstanding at
such time (provided that for purposes of clause (A) of this definition, to the
extent otherwise included, Indebtedness of Marketing Subsidiaries in an
aggregate amount not to exceed the Marketing Subsidiary Indebtedness Limit
incurred under Marketing Subsidiary Excluded Credit Facilities shall not be
deemed to be Recourse Indebtedness) to (B) the amount of Capital at such time.
"Required Banks" means, as of the date of determination thereof, any
Banks holding in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the Percentages,
provided, that at any time there are two (2) or less Banks, Required Banks shall
mean Banks holding one hundred percent (100%) of the Percentages.
"Restricted Earnings" means, for any period, the amount of all
Consolidated Net Income earned by each of Borrower's Consolidated Subsidiaries
during such period which may not be distributed or dividended to Borrower due to
contractual or other restrictions on such distributions or dividends.
"SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Security" has the same meaning as in Section 2(l) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
"S&P Rating" means the rating assigned by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group, a division of The ▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto
that is a nationally recognized rating agency to the outstanding senior
unsecured non-credit enhanced long-term indebtedness of a Person (or, if neither
such division nor any successor shall be in the business of rating long-term
indebtedness, a nationally recognized rating agency in the United States as
mutually agreed between the Required Banks and Borrower). Any reference in this
Agreement to any specific rating is a reference to such rating as currently
defined by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The ▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Companies, Inc. (or such a successor) and shall be deemed to refer to the
equivalent rating if such rating system changes.
11
"Solvent" means that (a) the fair value of a Person's assets is in
excess of the total amount of such Person's debts, as determined in accordance
with the United States Bankruptcy Code, and (b) the present fair saleable value
of a Person's assets is in excess of the amount that will be required to pay
such Person's debts as they become absolute and matured. As used in this
definition, the term "debts" includes any legal liability, whether matured or
unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, absolute, fixed or contingent, as
determined in accordance with the United States Bankruptcy Code.
"Subsidiary" means, as to Borrower, any corporation or other entity (i)
which is consolidated into the financial statements of such Borrower in
accordance with GAAP or (ii) of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the
outstanding stock or comparable equity interests having ordinary voting power
for the election of the Board of Directors of such corporation or similar
governing body in the case of a non-corporation (irrespective of whether or not,
at the time, stock or other equity interests of any other class or classes of
such corporation or other entity shall have or might have voting power by reason
of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned
by such Borrower or by one or more of its Subsidiaries.
"Syndication Agents" is defined in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
"Telerate Service" means the Dow ▇▇▇▇▇ Telerate Service.
"Termination Date" means August 27, 2002, as extended from time to time
pursuant to Section 3.2.
"3-Year Credit Agreement" means that certain 3-Year Credit Agreement
dated as of the Effective Date among Borrower, ABN AMRO Bank, N.V., in its
capacity as administrative agent for the Banks thereunder, U.S. Bank, National
Association, and The Bank of Nova Scotia, in their capacity as documentation
agents for the Banks thereunder, Union Bank of California, N.A., and Bank of
Montreal, in their capacity as syndication agents for the Banks thereunder and
the various financial institutions from time to time party thereto as Banks.
"3-Year Commitments" shall mean "Commitments", as such term is defined
in the 3-Year Day Credit Agreement.
"3-Year Credit Documents" shall mean "Credit Documents", as such term
is defined in the 3-Year Credit Agreement.
"3-Year Loans" shall mean "Loans", as such term is defined in the
3-Year Credit Agreement.
"Total Commitments" shall mean the sum of the Commitments and the
3-Year Commitments.
"Total Loans" shall mean the sum of the Loans and the 3-Year Loans.
"Unfunded Vested Liabilities" means, with respect to any Plan at any
time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the present value of all vested
nonforfeitable accrued benefits under such Plan exceeds (ii) the fair market
value of all Plan assets allocable to such benefits, all determined as of the
then most recent valuation date for such Plan, but only to the extent that such
excess
12
represents a potential liability of a member of the Controlled Group to
the PBGC or the Plan under Title IV of ERISA.
"Utilization Fee Rate" means the percentage set forth in Schedule 1
hereto beside the then applicable Level.
"US Bank Credit Agreements" means (i) that certain unsecured Credit
Agreement dated as of August 31, 2000 by and among Borrower, BHC, Black Hills
Holding Corporation, a South Dakota corporation, the banks party thereto and
U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent, and (ii) that certain agreement dated
February 5,1999 between U S Bank National Association and Black Hills
Corporation.
"U.S. Dollars" and "$" each means the lawful currency of the United
States of America.
"Voting Stock" of any Person means capital stock of any class or
classes or other equity interests (however designated) having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors or similar governing body of such Person.
"Welfare Plan" means a "welfare plan", as defined in Section 3(l) of
ERISA.
"▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Credit Agreement" means that certain unsecured Credit
Agreement by and among Borrower, BHC, Black Hills Holding Corporation, ▇▇▇▇▇
Fargo Bank West N.A. dated as of November 21, 2000.
"Wholly-Owned" when used in connection with any Subsidiary means a
Subsidiary of which all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock or other
equity interests (other than directors' qualifying shares as required by law)
shall be owned by Borrower and/or one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
Section 1.2 Interpretation. The foregoing definitions shall be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. All
references to times of day in this Agreement shall be references to New York,
New York time unless otherwise specifically provided. The word "including" means
including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such
term. Where the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of income
or expense is required to be determined or any consolidation or other accounting
computation is required to be made for the purposes of this Agreement, the same
shall be done in accordance with GAAP in effect on the Effective Date, to the
extent applicable, except where such principles are inconsistent with the
specific provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 2 THE CREDITS.
Section 2.1 The Revolving Loan Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions
hereof (including Sections 6.1 and 6.2), each Bank, by its acceptance hereof,
severally agrees to make a loan or loans (individually a "Loan" and collectively
"Loans") to Borrower from time to time on a revolving basis in U.S. Dollars in
an aggregate outstanding amount up to the amount of its commitment set forth on
the applicable signature page hereof (such amount, as reduced pursuant to
Section 2.12(a), increased pursuant to Section 2.12(b), or changed as a result
of one or more assignments under Section 11.12, its "Commitment" and,
cumulatively for all the
13
Banks, the "Commitments") before the Termination Date, provided that the
aggregate amount of Loans at any time outstanding shall not exceed the
Commitments in effect at such time. On the Termination Date the Commitments
shall terminate. Each Borrowing of Loans shall be made ratably from the Banks in
proportion to their respective Percentages. As provided in Section 2.5(a)
hereof, Borrower may elect that each Borrowing of Loans be either Base Rate
Loans or Eurodollar Loans. Loans may be repaid and the principal amount thereof
reborrowed before the Termination Date, subject to all the terms and conditions
hereof. Unless an earlier maturity is provided for hereunder, all Loans shall
mature and be due and payable on the Termination Date. Notwithstanding anything
is this Agreement to the contrary, no Eurodollar Loans may be advanced during
the LIBOR Loan Restriction Period.
Section 2.2 [Intentionally Omitted].
Section 2.3 Applicable Interest Rates. (a) Base Rate Loans. Each Base Rate Loan
made or maintained by a Bank shall bear interest during each Interest Period it
is outstanding (computed (x) at all times the Base Rate is based on the rate
described in clause (i) of the definition thereof, on the basis of a year of 365
or 366 days, as applicable, and actual days elapsed or (y) at all times the Base
Rate is based on the rate described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof, on
the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) on the unpaid principal
amount thereof from the date such Loan is advanced, continued or created by
conversion from a Eurodollar Loan until maturity (whether by acceleration or
otherwise) at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus
the Base Rate from time to time in effect, payable on the last day of its
Interest Period and at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise).
"Base Rate" means for any day the greater of:
(i) the rate of interest announced by ABN AMRO Bank N.V. from time to time
as its prime rate, or equivalent, for U.S. Dollar loans within the
United States as in effect on such day, with any change in the Base
Rate resulting from a change in said prime rate to be effective as of
the date of the relevant change in said prime rate; and
(ii) the sum of (x) the Federal Funds Rate, plus (y)1/2of 1% (0.50%).
(b) Eurodollar Loans. Each Eurodollar Loan made or maintained by a Bank shall
bear interest during each Interest Period it is outstanding (computed on the
basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) on the unpaid principal
amount thereof from the date such Loan is advanced, continued, or created by
conversion from a Base Rate Loan until maturity (whether by acceleration or
otherwise) at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus
the Adjusted LIBOR applicable for such Interest Period, payable on the last day
of the Interest Period and at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise),
and, if the applicable Interest Period is longer than three months, on each day
occurring every three months after the commencement of such Interest Period.
"Adjusted LIBOR" means, for any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, a rate
per annum determined in accordance with the following formula:
Adjusted LIBOR = LIBOR
-----------------------------------
1 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage
14
"LIBOR" means, for an Interest Period for a Borrowing of Eurodollar
Loans, (a) the LIBOR Index Rate for such Interest Period, if such rate is
available, and (b) if the LIBOR Index Rate cannot be determined, the
arithmetical average of the rates of interest per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the nearest one-sixteenth of one percent) at which deposits in
U.S. Dollars, in immediately available funds are offered to the Administrative
Agent at 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two (2) Business Days before the
beginning of such Interest Period by major banks in the interbank eurodollar
market for delivery on the first day of and for a period equal to such Interest
Period in an amount equal or comparable to the principal amount of the
Eurodollar Loan scheduled to be made by each Lender as part of such Borrowing.
"LIBOR Index Rate" means, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher one-sixteenth of one percent)
for deposits in U.S. Dollars for delivery on the first day of and for a period
equal to such Interest Period in an amount equal or comparable to the principal
amount of the Eurodollar Loan scheduled to be made by each Lender as part of
such Borrowing, which appears on the Applicable Telerate Page as of 11:00 a.m.
(London, England time) on the day two (2) Business Days before the commencement
of such Interest Period.
"Applicable Telerate Page" means the display page designated as "Page
3750" on the Telerate Service (or such other pages as may replace any such page
on that service or such other service as may be nominated by the British
Bankers' Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying
British Bankers' Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in U.S.
Dollars).
"Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means for an Borrowing of Eurodollar
Loans from any Bank, the daily average for the applicable Interest Period of the
actual effective rate, expressed as a decimal, at which reserves (including,
without limitation, any supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves) are
maintained by such Bank during such Interest Period pursuant to Regulation D of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) on
"eurocurrency liabilities", as defined in such Board's Regulation D (or in
respect of any other category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference
to which the interest rate on Eurodollar Loans is determined or any category of
extensions of credit or other assets that include loans by non-United States
offices of any Bank to United States residents), subject to any amendments of
such reserve requirement by such Board or its successor, taking into account any
transitional adjustments thereto. For purposes of this definition, the
Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to be "eurocurrency liabilities" as defined in
Regulation D without benefit or credit for any prorations, exemptions or offsets
under Regulation D.
(c) Rate Determinations. The Administrative Agent shall determine
each interest rate applicable to Obligations, and a determination thereof
by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive and binding except in the case
of manifest error.
Section 2.4 Minimum Borrowing Amounts. Each Borrowing of Base Rate Loans and
Eurodollar Loans shall be in an amount not less than (i) if such Borrowing is
comprised of Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, $1,000,000 and integral multiples of
$500,000 in excess thereof,
15
and (ii) if such Borrowing is comprised of Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans,
$2,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
Section 2.5 Manner of Borrowing Loans and Designating Interest Rates Applicable
to Loans. (a) Notice to the Administrative Agent. (a)The Borrower shall give
notice to the Administrative Agent by no later than 12:00 noon (New York time)
(i) at least three (3) Business Days before the date on which Borrower requests
the Banks to advance a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, or (ii) on the date on
which Borrower requests the Banks to advance a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. The
Loans included in each Borrowing shall bear interest initially at the type of
rate specified in such notice of a new Borrowing. Thereafter, Borrower may from
time to time elect to change or continue the type of interest rate borne by each
Borrowing or, subject to Section 2.4's minimum amount requirement for each
outstanding Borrowing, a portion thereof, as follows: (i) if such Borrowing is
of Eurodollar Loans, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto,
Borrower may continue part or all of such Borrowing as Eurodollar Loans for an
Interest Period or Interest Periods specified by Borrower or convert part or all
of such Borrowing into Base Rate Loans, and (ii) if such Borrowing is of Base
Rate Loans, on any Business Day, Borrower may convert all or part of such
Borrowing into Eurodollar Loans for an Interest Period or Interest Periods
specified by Borrower. Borrower shall give all such notices requesting, the
advance, continuation, or conversion of a Borrowing to the Administrative Agent
by telephone or telecopy (which notice shall be irrevocable once given and, if
by telephone, shall be promptly confirmed in writing). Notices of the
continuation of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans for an additional Interest
Period or of the conversion of part or all of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans
into Base Rate Loans or of Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans must be given
by no later than 12:00 noon (New York time) at least three (3) Business Days
before the date of the requested continuation or conversion. All such notices
concerning the advance, continuation, or conversion of a Borrowing shall be
irrevocable once given and shall specify the date of the requested advance,
continuation or conversion of a Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), the
amount of the requested Borrowing to be advanced, continued, or converted, the
type of Loans to comprise such new, continued or converted Borrowing and, if
such Borrowing is to be comprised of Eurodollar Loans, the Interest Period
applicable thereto. Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may rely on
any such telephonic or telecopy notice given by any person it in good faith
believes is an Authorized Representative without the necessity of independent
investigation, and in the event any such notice by telephone conflicts with any
written confirmation, such telephonic notice shall govern if the Administrative
Agent has acted in reliance thereon. There may be no more than six different
Interest Periods in effect at any one time, provided that for purposes of
determining the number of Interest Periods in effect at any one time, all Base
Rate Loans shall be deemed to have one and the same Interest Period.
(b) Notice to the Banks. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt telephonic
or telecopy notice to each Bank of any notice from Borrower received pursuant to
Section 2.5(a) above. The Administrative Agent shall give notice to Borrower and
each Bank by like means of the interest rate applicable to each Borrowing of
Eurodollar Loans.
(c) Borrower' Failure to Notify. Any outstanding Borrowing of Base Rate Loans
shall, subject to Section 6.2 hereof, automatically be continued for an
additional Interest Period on the last day of its then current Interest Period
unless Borrower has notified the Administrative
16
Agent within the period required by Section 2.5(a) that it intends to convert
such Borrowing into a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans or notifies the
Administrative Agent within the period required by Section 2.8(a) that it
intends to prepay such Borrowing. If Borrower fails to give notice pursuant to
Section 2.5(a) above of the continuation or conversion of any outstanding
principal amount of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans before the last day of its
then current Interest Period within the period required by Section 2.5(a) and
has not notified the Administrative Agent within the period required by Section
2.8(a) that it intends to prepay such Borrowing, such Borrowing shall
automatically be converted into a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, subject to
Section 6.2 hereof. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Banks of
Borrower's failure to so give a notice under Section 2.5(a).
(d) Disbursement of Loans. Not later than 12:00 noon (New York time) on the date
of any requested advance of a new Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, and not later
than 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date of any requested advance of a new
Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, subject to Section 6 hereof, each Bank shall make
available its Loan comprising part of such Borrowing in funds immediately
available at the principal office of the Administrative Agent in New York, New
York. The Administrative Agent shall make available to Borrower Loans at the
Administrative Agent's principal office in New York, New York or such other
office as the Administrative Agent has previously agreed in writing to with
Borrower, in each case in the type of funds received by the Administrative Agent
from the Banks.
(e) Administrative Agent Reliance on Bank Funding. Unless the Administrative
Agent shall have been notified by a Bank before the date on which such Bank is
scheduled to make payment to the Administrative Agent of the proceeds of a Loan
(which notice shall be effective upon receipt) that such Bank does not intend to
make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Bank has made
such payment when due and the Administrative Agent may in reliance upon such
assumption (but shall not be required to) make available to Borrower the
proceeds of the Loan to be made by such Bank and, if any Bank has not in fact
made such payment to the Administrative Agent, such Bank shall, on demand, pay
to the Administrative Agent the amount made available to Borrower attributable
to such Bank together with interest thereon in respect of each day during the
period commencing on the date such amount was made available to Borrower and
ending on (but excluding) the date such Bank pays such amount to the
Administrative Agent at a rate per annum equal to (i) from the date the related
payment was made by the Administrative Agent to the date two (2) Business Days
after payment by such Bank is due hereunder, the Federal Funds Rate for each
such day and (ii) from the date two (2) Business Days after the date such
payment is due from such Bank to the date such payment is made by such Bank, the
Base Rate in effect for each such day. If such amount is not received from such
Bank by the Administrative Agent immediately upon demand, Borrower will, on
demand, repay to the Administrative Agent the proceeds of the Loan attributable
to such Bank with interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to the interest
rate applicable to the relevant Loan.
Section 2.6 Interest Periods. As provided in Section 2.5(a) hereof, at the time
of each request of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, Borrower shall select an
Interest Period applicable to such Loans from among the available options. The
term "Interest Period" means the period commencing on the date a Borrowing of
Loans is advanced, continued, or created by conversion and ending: (a) in the
case of Base Rate Loans, on the last Business Day of the calendar quarter
17
in which such Borrowing is advanced, continued, or created by conversion (or on
the last day of the following calendar quarter if such Loan is advanced,
continued or created by conversion on the last Business Day of a calendar
quarter), and (b) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, 1, 2, 3, or 6 months
thereafter; provided, however, that:
(a) any Interest Period for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans that otherwise
would end after the Termination Date shall end on the Termination Date;
(b) for any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, Borrower may not select an
Interest Period that extends beyond either (i) the fifth to last
Business Day of any calendar year or (ii) the Termination Date;
(c) whenever the last day of any Interest Period would otherwise be a day
that is not a Business Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall
be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, provided that, if such
extension would cause the last day of an Interest Period for a
Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans to occur in the following calendar month,
the last day of such Interest Period shall be the immediately preceding
Business Day; and
(d) for purposes of determining an Interest Period for a Borrowing of
Eurodollar Loans, a month means a period starting on one day in a
calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the
next calendar month; provided, however, that if there is no numerically
corresponding day in the month in which such an Interest Period is to
end or if such an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a
calendar month, then such Interest Period shall end on the last
Business Day of the calendar month in which such Interest Period is to
end.
Section 2.7 Maturity of Loans. Unless an earlier maturity is provided for
hereunder (whether by acceleration or otherwise), all Obligations (including
principal and interest on all outstanding Loans) shall mature and become due and
payable by Borrower on the Termination Date.
Section 2.8 Prepayments. (a) (a) Borrower may prepay without premium or penalty
and in whole or in part (but, if in part, then (i) in an amount not less than
$5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) in
an amount such that the minimum amount required for a Borrowing pursuant to
Section 2.4 hereof remains outstanding) any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans upon
three (3) Business Days' prior irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent
or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, irrevocable notice delivered
to the Administrative Agent no later than 12:00 noon (New York time) on the date
of prepayment, such prepayment to be made by the payment of the principal amount
to be prepaid and accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for prepayment. In
the case of Eurodollar Loans, any amounts owing under Section 2.11 hereof as a
result of such prepayment shall be paid contemporaneously with such prepayment.
The Administrative Agent will promptly advise each Bank of any such prepayment
notice it receives from Borrower. Any amount paid or prepaid before the
Termination Date may, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, be
borrowed, repaid and borrowed again.
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(b) If the aggregate amount of outstanding Loans shall at any time for any
reason exceed the Commitments then in effect, Borrower shall, immediately and
without notice or demand, pay the amount of such excess to the Administrative
Agent for the ratable benefit of the Banks as a prepayment of the Loans and, if
necessary, a prefunding of Letters of Credit. Immediately upon determining the
need to make any such prepayment Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent
of such required prepayment. Each such prepayment shall be accompanied by a
payment of all accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans prepaid and shall be
subject to Section 2.11.
Section 2.9 Default Rate. If any payment of principal or interest on any Loan,
or payment of any other Obligation, is not made when due (whether by
acceleration or otherwise), such principal, interest or other Obligation shall
bear interest (computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days
elapsed or, if based on the rate described in clause (i) of the definition of
Base Rate, on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and the
actual number of days elapsed) from the date such payment was due until paid in
full, payable on demand, at a rate per annum equal to:
(a) for any Obligation other than a Eurodollar Loan (including principal
and interest relating to Base Rate Loans and interest on Eurodollar
Loans), the sum of two percent (2%) plus the Applicable Margin plus the
Base Rate from time to time in effect; and
(b) for the principal of any Eurodollar Loan, the sum of two percent (2%)
plus the rate of interest in effect thereon at the time of such default
until the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and,
thereafter, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of two percent (2%)
plus the Applicable Margin plus the Base Rate from time to time in
effect.
Section 2.10 The Notes. (a) The Loans made to Borrower by each Bank shall be
evidenced by a single promissory note of Borrower issued to such Bank in the
form of Exhibit A hereto. Each such promissory note is hereinafter referred to
as a "Note" and collectively such promissory notes are referred to as the
"Notes."
(a) Each Bank shall record on its books and records or on a schedule to its Note
the amount of each Loan advanced, continued, or converted by it, all payments of
principal and interest and the principal balance from time to time outstanding
thereon, the type of such Loan, and, for any Eurodollar Loan, the Interest
Period and the interest rate applicable thereto. The record thereof, whether
shown on such books and records of a Bank or on a schedule to any Note, shall be
prima facie evidence of the same; provided, however, that the failure of any
Bank to record any of the foregoing or any error in any such record shall not
limit or otherwise affect the obligation of Borrower to repay all Loans made
hereunder together with accrued interest thereon. At the request of any Bank and
upon such Bank tendering to Borrower the Note to be replaced, Borrower shall
furnish a new Note to such Bank to replace any outstanding Note, and at such
time the first notation appearing on a schedule on the reverse side of, or
attached to, such Note shall set forth the aggregate unpaid principal amount of
all Loans, if any, then outstanding thereon.
Section 2.11 Funding Indemnity. If any Bank shall incur any loss, cost or
expense (including, without limitation, any loss, cost or expense (excluding
loss of margin) incurred by
19
reason of the liquidation or re-employment of deposits or other funds acquired
by such Bank to fund or maintain any Eurodollar Loan or the relending or
reinvesting of such deposits or amounts paid or prepaid to such Bank) as a
result of:
(a) any payment (whether by acceleration or otherwise), prepayment or
conversion of a Eurodollar Loan on a date other than the last day of
its Interest Period,
(b) any failure (because of a failure to meet the conditions of Section 6
or otherwise) by Borrower to borrow or continue a Eurodollar Loan, or
to convert a Base Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Loan, on the date
specified in a notice given pursuant to Section 2.5(a) or established
pursuant to Section 2.5(c) hereof,
(c) any failure by Borrower to make any payment or prepayment of
principal on any Eurodollar Loan when due (whether by
acceleration or otherwise), or
(d) any acceleration of the maturity of a Eurodollar Loan as a result of
the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder, then, upon the demand
of such Bank, Borrower shall pay to such Bank such amount as will
reimburse such Bank for such loss, cost or expense. If any Bank makes
such a claim for compensation, it shall provide to Borrower, with a
copy to the Administrative Agent, a certificate executed by an officer
of such Bank setting forth the amount of such loss, cost or expense in
reasonable detail (including an explanation of the basis for and the
computation of such loss, cost or expense) and the amounts shown on
such certificate if reasonably calculated shall be prima facie evidence
of the amount of such loss, cost or expense.
Section 2.12 Commitments. (a) Borrower shall have the right at any time and from
time to time, upon five (5) Business Days' prior written notice to the
Administrative Agent, to terminate the Commitments without premium or penalty,
in whole or in part, any partial termination to be (i) in an amount not less
than $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (ii)
allocated ratably among the Banks in proportion to their respective Percentages,
provided that the Commitments may not be reduced to an amount less than the
amount of the Loans then outstanding. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt
notice to each Bank of any such termination of Commitments. Any termination of
Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.12 may not be reinstated.
(b) The Borrower and the Administrative Agent may from time to
time add additional financial institutions as parties to this Agreement or, with
the written consent of an existing Bank, increase the Commitment of such
existing Bank (any such financial institution or existing Bank which is
increasing its commitment being referred to as an "Added Bank") pursuant to
documentation satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and any
such Added Bank shall for all purposes be considered a Bank for purposes of this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents with a Commitment as set forth in such
documentation. Any such Added Bank shall on the date it is deemed a party to
this Agreement purchase from the other Banks its Percentage (or the increase in
its Percentage, in the case of an Added Bank which is an existing Bank) of the
Loans outstanding. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 2.12(b) to
the contrary, the aggregate amount of Commitments may not at any time exceed
$200,000,000 without the consent of the Required Banks.
20
SECTION 3 FEES AND EXTENSIONS.
Section 3.1 Fees.
(a) Facility Fee. From and after the Effective Date, Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Banks in accordance with
their Percentages a facility fee accruing at a rate per annum equal to the
Facility Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Commitments (whether used
or unused), or if the Commitments have expired or terminated, on the principal
amount of Loans then outstanding. Such facility fee is payable in arrears on the
last Business Day of each calendar quarter and on the Termination Date, and if
the Commitments are terminated in whole prior to the Termination Date, the fee
for the period to but not including the date of such termination shall be paid
in whole on the date of such termination.
(b) [Intentionally Omitted].
(c) Utilization Fee. From and after the Effective Date, for any day on which (i)
the aggregate principal amount of Total Loans and L/C Obligations then
outstanding exceeds thirty three percent (33%) of the Total Commitments then in
effect or (ii) the Commitments have been terminated by the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders in accordance with this Agreement, Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Banks in accordance with
their Percentages a utilization fee accruing at a rate per annum equal to the
Utilization Fee Rate on the aggregate amount of Total Loans and L/C Obligations
outstanding on such date. Such fee is payable in arrears on the last Business
Day of each calendar quarter and on the Termination Date, and if the Commitments
are terminated in whole prior to the Termination Date, the fee for the period to
but not including the date of such termination shall be paid in whole on the
date of such termination. The utilization fee payable pursuant to this Section
3.2(c) shall be one and the same, and not in addition to, the utilization fee
payable by the Borrower under the 3-Year Credit Agreement and shall be divided
among this Agreement and the 3-Year Credit Agreement pro rata based on the
percentage which the amount of Loans outstanding under this Agreement on the
date such fee accrued comprises of the aggregate amount of Total Loans and L/C
Obligations outstanding on such date.
(d) Arranger Fees. Borrower shall pay to the Arrangers for the sole
account of the Arrangers the fees agreed to between the Arrangers and Borrower
in the Fee Letter or as otherwise agreed in writing among them.
(e) Fee Calculations. All fees payable under this Agreement shall be payable in
U.S. Dollars and shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, for the
actual number of days elapsed. All determinations of the amount of fees owing
hereunder (and the components thereof) shall be made by the Administrative Agent
and shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of such fee.
Section 3.2 Extensions. The Borrower may request that each Bank's Commitment be
renewed by providing notice of such requests to the Administrative Agent no
earlier than 45 days but no later than 30 days prior to the then existing
Termination Date (the "Existing Termination Date") applicable to such Banks. If
a Bank agrees, in its individual and sole discretion, to renew its Commitment,
such Bank (a "Renewing Bank") will notify the Administrative Agent, in
21
writing, of its decision to do so no earlier than 30 days prior to the Existing
Termination Date applicable to such Bank (but in any event no later than 20 days
prior to the Existing Termination Date). If a Bank does not affirmatively notify
the Bank in writing of its willingness to renew its Commitment within such time
period, such Bank shall be deemed to have declined the Borrower's request.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any notice by
any Bank of its willingness to renew its Commitment shall be revocable by such
Bank in its sole and absolute discretion at any time prior to the date which is
20 days prior to the related Commitment Termination Date then in effect. The
Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower, in writing, of each Bank's
decision no later than 15 days prior to the Existing Termination Date applicable
to such Bank. The Renewing Banks' Commitments will be renewed pursuant to an
amendment to this Agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Renewing
Banks, provided that (x) each extension of the Termination Date pursuant to this
Section 3.2 shall be for a period of 364 days and (y) any such extension shall
only be permitted if more than 50% of the aggregate Commitments as of the
Termination Date then in effect are extended or otherwise committed to by
Renewing Banks and any new Banks. Any Bank that declines the Borrower's request
for a Commitment renewal (a "Declining Bank") will have its Commitment
terminated on the Existing Termination Date applicable to such Bank (without
regard to any renewals by other Banks), unless terminated earlier in accordance
with this Agreement. The Borrower will have the right to accept Commitments from
Persons acceptable to the Administrative Agent in an amount up to the amount of
the pre-termination Commitments of any Declining Banks, provided that the
Renewing Banks will have the right to increase their Commitments up to the
amount of the Declining Banks' Commitments before the Borrower will be permitted
to substitute Persons for the Declining Banks.
SECTION 4 PLACE AND APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS.
Section 4.1 Place and Application of Payments. All payments of principal of and
interest on the Loans, and of all other Obligations and other amounts payable by
Borrower under the Credit Documents, shall be made by Borrower in U.S. Dollars
to the Administrative Agent by no later than 2:00 p.m. (New York time) on the
due date thereof at the principal office of the Administrative Agent in New
York, New York pursuant to the payment instructions set forth on Part A of
Schedule 4 hereof (or such other location in the, United States as the
Administrative Agent may designate to Borrower) for the benefit of the Person or
Persons entitled thereto. Any payments received after such time shall be deemed
to have been received by the Administrative Agent on the next Business Day. All
such payments shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction for, any
set-off, defense, counterclaim, levy, or any other deduction of any kind in
immediately available funds at the place of payment. The Administrative Agent,
will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating to the
payment of principal or interest on Loans or applicable fees ratably to the
Banks and like funds relating to the payment of any other amount payable to any
Person to such Person, in each case to be applied in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement.
SECTION 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to each Bank as to itself
and, where the following representations and warranties apply to its
Subsidiaries, as to each Subsidiary of Borrower, as follows:
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Section 5.1 Corporate Organization and Authority. Borrower is duly organized and
existing in good standing under the laws of the state of South Dakota; has all
necessary corporate power to carry on its present business; and is duly licensed
or qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of
the business transacted by it or the nature of the Property owned or leased by
it makes such licensing, qualification or good standing necessary and in which
the failure to be so licensed, qualified or in good standing would have a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.2 Subsidiaries. Schedule 5.2 (as updated from time to time pursuant to
Section 7.1) hereto identifies each Subsidiary of Borrower, the jurisdiction of
incorporation, the percentage of issued and outstanding shares of each class of
its capital stock owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and, if such
percentage is not one hundred percent (100%) (excluding directors' qualifying
shares as required by law), a description of each class of its authorized
capital stock and the number of shares of each class issued and outstanding.
Each Subsidiary is duly incorporated and existing in good standing as a
corporation under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has all
necessary corporate power to carry on its present business, and is duly licensed
or qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of
the business transacted by it or the nature of the Property owned or leased by
it makes such licensing or qualification necessary and in which the failure to
be so licensed or qualified would have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary owned directly
or indirectly by Borrower are validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and
nonassessable except as set forth on Schedule 5.2 hereto. All such shares owned
by Borrower are owned beneficially, and of record, free of any Lien, except as
permitted in Section 7.9.
Section 5.3 Corporate Authority and Validity of Obligations. Borrower has full
right and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other Credit Documents
to which it is a party, to make the borrowings herein provided for, to issue its
Notes in evidence thereof, to apply (and to have applied) for the issuance of
the Letters of Credit, and to perform all of its obligations under the Credit
Documents to which it is a party. Each Credit Document to which it is a party
has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Borrower and constitutes
valid and binding obligations of Borrower enforceable in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforceability of
creditors' rights generally and by equitable principles of general applicability
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law). No Credit Document, nor the performance or observance by
Borrower of any of the matters or things therein provided for, contravenes any
provision of law or any charter or by-law provision of Borrower or any material
Contractual Obligation of or affecting Borrower or any of Borrower's Properties
or results in or requires the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of the
Properties or revenues of Borrower.
Section 5.4 Financial Statements. All financial statements heretofore delivered
to the Banks showing historical performance of Borrower for Borrower's fiscal
years ending on or before December 31, 2000, have been prepared in accordance
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent, except
as otherwise noted therein, with that of the previous fiscal year. The unaudited
financial statements for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2001 have been
prepared in accordance generally accepted accounting principles applicable to
23
interim financial statements applied on a basis consistent, except as otherwise
noted therein, with the previous same fiscal period of Borrower in the prior
fiscal year (subject to normal year-end adjustments). Each of such financial
statements fairly presents on a consolidated basis the financial condition of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the results of
operations for the periods covered thereby. Borrower and its Subsidiaries have
no material contingent liabilities other than those disclosed in such financial
statements referred to in this Section 5.4 or in comments or footnotes thereto,
or in any report supplementary thereto, heretofore furnished to the Banks. Since
December 31, 2000, there has been no event or series of events which has
resulted in, or reasonably could be expected to result in, a Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 5.5 No Litigation; No Labor Controversies.(a) Except as set forth on
Schedule 5.5, there is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending, or to
the knowledge of Borrower, threatened, against Borrower or any Subsidiary of
Borrower in which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse decision
which, if adversely determined, could (individually or in the aggregate) have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.5, there are no labor controversies
pending or, to the best knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower or
any Subsidiary of Borrower which could (individually or in the aggregate) have a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.6 Taxes. Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all United States
federal tax returns, and all other foreign, state, local and other tax returns,
required to be filed and have paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or
pursuant to any assessment received by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower,
except such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and for which
adequate reserves have been provided. No notices of tax liens have been filed
and no claims are being asserted concerning any such taxes, which liens or
claims are material to the financial condition of Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (individually or in the aggregate). The charges, accruals and
reserves on the books of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any taxes or other
governmental charges are adequate and in conformance with GAAP.
Section 5.7 Approvals. No authorization, consent, approval, license, exemption,
filing or registration with any court or governmental department, agency or
instrumentality, nor any approval or consent of the stockholders of Borrower or
any Subsidiary of Borrower or from any other Person, is necessary to the valid
execution, delivery or performance by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower of
any Credit Document to which it is a party.
Section 5.8 ERISA. With respect to each Plan, Borrower and each other member of
the Controlled Group has fulfilled its obligations under the minimum funding
standards of and is in compliance in all material respects with the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and with the Code
to the extent applicable to it and has not incurred any liability to the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") or a Plan under Title IV of ERISA other
than a liability to the PBGC for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA. Neither
Borrower nor any Subsidiary of Borrower has any contingent liabilities for any
post-retirement benefits under a Welfare Plan, other than liability for
continuation coverage described in Part 6 of Title I of ERISA.
24
Section 5.9 Government Regulation. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary of
Borrower is an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, or a "registered holding company", or a "Subsidiary
company" of a "registered holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "registered
holding company" or of a "Subsidiary company" of a "registered holding company",
within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
amended.
Section 5.10 Margin Stock; Use of Proceeds. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary
of Borrower is engaged principally, or as one of its primary activities, in the
business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin
stock ("margin stock" to have the same meaning herein as in Regulation U of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). The proceeds of the Loans and
Letters of Credit are to be used solely (i) to provide liquidity support for
Borrower's commercial paper program, (ii) to fund Borrower's working capital
needs, and (iii) for general corporate purposes of Borrower. Borrower will not
use the proceeds of any Loan in a manner that violates any provision of
Regulation U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Section 5.11 Licenses and Authorizations; Compliance with Laws. (a) (a) Borrower
and each of its Subsidiaries has all necessary licenses, permits and
governmental authorizations to own and operate its Properties and to carry on
its business as currently conducted and contemplated. Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, ordinances
and orders of any governmental or judicial authorities except for any such law,
regulation, ordinance or order which, the failure to comply therewith, could not
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(a) In the ordinary course of its business, Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries conduct an ongoing review of the effect of Environmental and Health
Laws on the Properties and all aspects of the business and operations of such
Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the course of which such Borrower identifies
and evaluates associated liabilities and costs (including, without limitation,
any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up or closure of
Properties currently or previously owned, any capital or operating expenditures
required to achieve or maintain compliance with standards imposed by law and any
actual or potential liabilities to third parties, including employees or
governmental entities, and any related costs and expenses). On the basis of this
review, Borrower has reasonably concluded that Environmental and Health Laws are
unlikely to have any Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.11 (as amended from time to time in
accordance with the provisions hereof), neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary
of Borrower has given, nor is it required to give, nor has it received, any
notice, letter, citation, order, warning, complaint, inquiry, claim or demand to
or from any governmental entity or in connection with any court proceeding which
could reasonably have a Material Adverse Effect claiming that: (i) Borrower or
any Subsidiary of Borrower has violated, or is about to violate, any
Environmental and Health Law; (ii) there has been a release, or there is a
threat of release, of Hazardous Materials from Borrower's or any of its
Subsidiary's Property, facilities, equipment or vehicles; (iii) Borrower or any
of its Subsidiary may be or is liable, in whole or in part, for the costs of
cleaning up, remediating or responding to a release of Hazardous Materials; or
(iv) any of Borrower's or any of its Subsidiary's Property or assets are subject
to a Lien in favor of any governmental entity for any liability, costs or
damages, under any Environmental and Health
25
Law arising from, or costs incurred by such governmental entity in response to,
a release of a Hazardous Materials.
Section 5.12 Ownership of Property; Liens. Borrower and each Subsidiary of
Borrower has good title to or valid leasehold interests in all its Property.
None of Borrower's or any Subsidiary's Property is subject to any Lien, except
as permitted in Section 7.9.
Section 5.13 No Burdensome Restrictions; Compliance with Agreements. Neither
Borrower nor any Subsidiary of Borrower is (a) party or subject to any law,
regulation, rule or order, or any Contractual Obligation, that (individually or
in the aggregate) materially adversely affects the business, operations,
Property or financial or other condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries
(individually or in the aggregate) or (b) in default in the performance,
observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions
contained in any agreement to which it is a party (including any Contractual
Obligation), which default could materially adversely affects the business,
operations, Property or financial or other condition of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (individually or in the aggregate).
Section 5.14 Full Disclosure. All information heretofore furnished by Borrower
to the Administrative Agent or any Bank for purposes of or in connection with
the Credit Documents or any transaction contemplated thereby is, and all such
information hereafter furnished by Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any
Bank will be, true and accurate in all material respects and not misleading.
Section 5.15 Solvency. Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, individually
and on a consolidated basis, is Solvent.
SECTION 6 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
The obligation of each Bank to effect a Borrowing shall be subject to
the following conditions precedent:
Section 6.1 Initial Credit Event. Before or concurrently with the initial
Credit Event:
(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received for each Bank the
favorable written opinion of (i) ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, counsel
to Borrower, and (ii) General Counsel to the Borrower;
(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received for each Bank copies of
Borrower's (i) Articles of Incorporation, together with all amendments
and (ii) bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) and any
amendments thereto, certified in each instance by its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary;
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received for each Bank copies of
resolutions of Borrower's Board of Directors authorizing the execution
and delivery of the Credit Documents and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby together with specimen signatures of
the persons authorized to execute such documents on such Borrower's
behalf, all certified in each instance by its Secretary or Assistant
Secretary;
26
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received for each Bank such Bank's
duly executed Note of Borrower dated the date hereof and otherwise in
compliance with the provisions of Section 2.10(a) hereof;
(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received for each Bank a duly
executed original of (i) this Agreement, and (ii) a list of Borrower's
Authorized Representatives;
(f) All legal matters incident to the execution and delivery of both the
Credit Documents and the 3-Year Credit Documents shall
be satisfactory to the Banks;
(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed original
of the Fee Letter;
(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed Compliance
Certificate containing financial information as of June 30, 2001;
(i) With the exception of the $140,000,000 Wygen synthetic lease
transactionand the Guaranty issued in connection with the TLS Investors
acquisition pursuant to which the Borrower has provided a Guaranty in
the amount of $15,000,000, neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall have, during the period from May 7, 2001 to the Effective Date,
issued, incurred, assumed, created, become liable for, contingently or
otherwise, any material Indebtedness;
(j) The Borrower shall have provided a certificate stating that (i) the US
Bank Credit Agreements, the ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Credit Agreement and the ABN
AMRO Credit Agreement have been terminated, or will be terminated
concurrently with the first Borrowing of Loans hereunder, and (ii) the
conditions set forth precedent set forth in this Section 6.1 have been
satisfied; and
(k) The Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents and
information as it may reasonably request.
Section 6.2 All Credit Events. As of the time of each Credit Event hereunder:
(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received the notice required by
Section 2.5 hereof;
(b) Each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5
hereof shall be and remain true and correct in all material respects as
of said time, except that if any such representation or warranty
relates solely to an earlier date it need only remain true as of such
date; and
(c) Borrower shall be in full compliance with all of the terms and
conditions hereof, and no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing or would occur as a result of such Credit
Event.
27
Each request for a Credit Event shall be deemed to be a representation
and warranty by Borrower on the date of such Credit Event as to the facts
specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 6.2.
SECTION 7 COVENANTS.
Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Note or Loan is
outstanding hereunder, or any Commitment is available to or in use by Borrower
hereunder, except to the extent compliance in any case is waived in writing by
the Required Banks:
Section 7.1 Corporate Existence; Subsidiaries. Borrower shall, and shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, preserve and maintain its corporate existence,
subject to the provisions of Section 7.12 hereof. Together with any financial
statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof, Borrower shall deliver an
updated Schedule 5.2 to reflect any changes from the existing Schedule 5.2.
Section 7.2 Maintenance. Borrower will maintain, preserve and keep its plants,
Properties and equipment necessary to the proper conduct of its business in
reasonably good repair, working order and condition and will from time to time
make all reasonably necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, additions and
betterments thereto so that at all times such plants, Properties and equipment
shall be reasonably preserved and maintained, and Borrower will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to do so in respect of Property owned or used by it; provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 7.2 shall prevent Borrower or a Subsidiary
of Borrower from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any such
Properties if such discontinuance is not disadvantageous to the Banks or the
holders of the Notes, does not materially impair the operations of Borrower or
any Subsidiary of Borrower and is, in the judgment of Borrower, desirable in the
conduct of its business or the business of its Subsidiaries.
Section 7.3 Taxes. Borrower will duly pay and discharge, and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries duly to pay and discharge, all taxes, rates, assessments, fees
and governmental charges upon or against it or against its Properties, in each
case before the same becomes delinquent and before penalties accrue thereon,
unless and to the extent that the same is being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided
therefor on the books of Borrower.
Section 7.4 ERISA. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
promptly pay and discharge all obligations and liabilities arising under ERISA
of a character which if unpaid or unperformed might result in the imposition of
a Lien against any of its properties or assets and will promptly notify the
Administrative Agent of (i) the occurrence of any reportable event (as defined
in ERISA) affecting a Plan, other than any such event of which the PBGC has
waived notice by regulation, (ii) receipt of any notice from PBGC of its
intention to seek termination of any Plan or appointment of a trustee therefor,
(iii) its or any of its Subsidiaries' intention to terminate or withdraw from
any Plan, and (iv) the occurrence of any event affecting any Plan which could
result in the incurrence by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any material
liability, fine or penalty, or any material increase in the contingent liability
of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any post-retirement Welfare Plan
benefit. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Bank any
notice it receives from Borrower pursuant to this Section 7.4.
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Section 7.5 Insurance. Borrower will insure, and keep insured, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to insure, and keep insured, with good and responsible
insurance companies, all insurable Property owned by it of a character usually
insured by companies similarly situated and operating like Property. To the
extent usually insured by companies similarly situated and conducting similar
businesses, Borrower will also insure, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to
insure, employers' and public and product liability risks with good and
responsible insurance companies. Borrower will, upon request of any Bank,
furnish to such Bank a summary setting forth the nature and extent of the
insurance maintained pursuant to this Section 7.5.
Section 7.6 Financial Reports and Other Information. (a) Borrower will maintain
a system of accounting in accordance with GAAP and will furnish to the Banks and
their respective duly authorized representatives such information respecting the
business and financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as any Bank
may reasonably request; and without any request, the Borrower shall deliver to
the Administrative Agent in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, with copies for each Bank in form and substance satisfactory to them,
each of the following:
(i) within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of Borrower, a copy of
Borrower financial statements for such fiscal year, including the
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such year
and the related statements of income and statements of cash flow, each as
certified by independent public accountants of recognized national standing
selected by Borrower in accordance with GAAP with such accountants'
unqualified opinion to the effect that the financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP and present fairly in all material
respects in accordance with GAAP the consolidated financial position of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and the
results of their operations and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended
and that an examination of such accounts in connection with such financial
statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards and, accordingly, such examination included such tests of the
accounting records and such other auditing procedures as were considered
necessary in the circumstances, provided that if Borrower files its annual
report on Form 10-K for the applicable annual period, and such annual
report contains the financial statements and accountants certifications,
opinions and statements described above, the Borrower may satisfy the
requirements of this Section 7.6(a)(i) by delivering a copy of such annual
report to each Bank. Together with such information the Borrower shall
provide to each Bank such consolidating information as may be necessary for
the Banks to determine the Borrower's compliance with Section 7.17 hereof;
(ii) within 60 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly fiscal
periods of Borrower, a consolidated unaudited balance sheet of Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, and the related statements of income and statements of
cash flow, as of the close of such period, all of the foregoing prepared by
Borrower in reasonable detail in accordance with GAAP and certified by
Borrower's chief financial officer or corporate controller as fairly
presenting the financial condition as at the dates thereof and the results
of operations for the periods covered thereby, provided that if Borrower
files a Form 10-Q for the applicable quarterly period, and such quarterly
report contains the financial statements and certifications described
above, the Borrower may satisfy the requirements
29
of this Section 7.6(a)(ii) by delivering a copy of such quarterly report to
each Bank. Together with such information the Borrower shall provide to
each Bank such consolidating information as may be necessary for the Banks
to determine the Borrower's compliance with Section 7.17 hereof;
(iii)within the period provided in subsection (i) above, the written statement
of the accountants who certified the audit report thereby required that in
the course of their audit they have obtained no knowledge of any Default or
Event of Default, or, if such accountants have obtained knowledge of any
such Default or Event of Default, they shall disclose in such statement the
nature and period of the existence thereof; and
(iv) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of all proxy
statements, financial statements and reports Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries sends to their shareholders, and copies of all other regular,
periodic and special reports and all registration statements Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries file with the SEC or any successor thereto, or with
any national securities exchanges.
(b) Each financial statement furnished to the Banks pursuant to subsection (i)
or (ii) of this Section 7.6 shall be accompanied by (A) a written certificate
signed by Borrower's chief financial officer or corporate controller to the
effect that (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred during the period
covered by such statements or, if any such Default or Event of Default has
occurred during such period, setting forth a description of such Default or
Event of Default and specifying the action, if any, taken by Borrower to remedy
the same, (ii) the representations and warranties contained in Section 5 hereof
are true and correct in all material respects as though made on the date of such
certificate (other than those made solely as of an earlier date, which need only
remain true as of such date), except as otherwise described therein, and (B) a
Compliance Certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto showing Borrower's
compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 7.9, 7.11, 7.12 and 7.14
through 7.19 hereof.
(c) Borrower will promptly (and in any event within three Business Days after an
officer of Borrower has knowledge thereof) give notice to the Administrative
Agent and each Bank:
(i) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(ii) any event or condition which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) of any litigation or governmental proceeding of the type described in
Section 5.5 hereof;
(iv) of any material change in the information set forth on the Schedules
hereto; and
(v) of the entering into of any Long-Term Guaranties, and Borrower shall
promptly provide the Administrative Agent with a copy of any such
Guarantee and any modification to such Guarantee.
30
Section 7.7 Bank Inspection Rights. For purposes of confirming compliance with
the Credit Documents or after the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, upon reasonable notice from the Administrative Agent or the
Required Banks, Borrower will, at Borrower's expense, permit such Banks (and
such Persons as any Bank may designate) during normal business hours to visit
and inspect, under Borrower's guidance, any of the Properties of Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries, to examine all of their books of account, records, reports
and other papers, to make copies and extracts therefrom, and to discuss their
respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers,
employees and with their independent public accountants (and by this provision
Borrower authorizes such accountants to discuss with the Banks (and such Persons
as any Bank may designate) the finances and affairs of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries) all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably
requested; provided, however, that except upon the occurrence and during the
continuation of any Default or Event of Default, not more than one such visit
and inspection may be conducted each calendar quarter.
Section 7.8 Conduct of Business. Neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary of Borrower
will engage in any line of business other than business activities in the field
of (i) cogeneration and related thermal uses, (ii) energy production, (iii)
energy development, (iv) energy recovery, (v) utility operation and management,
(vi) demand side management services, (vii) energy trading, (viii) management of
investment funds which invest in energy related businesses and investments in
such funds, (ix) hedging but not speculative activities relating to any of the
foregoing lines of business, (x) telecommunications, (xi) management and
operating services related to any of the foregoing lines of business, and (xii)
other businesses not described in the foregoing so long as the Investments and
expenses made in such other businesses does not exceed $20,000,000.
Section 7.9 Liens. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, create, incur, permit to exist or to be incurred any Lien of
any kind on any Property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower;
provided, however, that this Section 7.9 shall not apply to or operate to
prevent:
(a) Liens arising by operation of law in respect of Property of Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries which are incurred in the ordinary course of
business which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the
value of such Property or materially impair the use thereof in the
operation of the business of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(b) Liens securing Non-Recourse Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of Borrower,
provided that any such Lien is limited to the Property being financed
or refinanced by such Indebtedness and the stock (or similar equity
interest) of the Subsidiary which incurred such Non-Recourse
Indebtedness;
(c) Liens for taxes or assessments or other government charges or levies on
Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower or their respective Properties
which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
for which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the
books of Borrower; provided that the aggregate amount of liabilities
(including interest and penalties, if any) of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries secured by such Liens shall not exceed $20,000,000 at any
one time outstanding;
31
(d) Liens arising out of judgments or awards against Borrower or any
Subsidiary of Borrower, or in connection with surety or appeal bonds in
connection with bonding such judgments or awards, the time for appeal
from which or petition for rehearing of which shall not have expired or
with respect to which such Borrower or such Subsidiary shall be
prosecuting an appeal or proceeding for review, and with respect to
which it shall have obtained a stay of execution pending such appeal or
proceeding for review; provided that the aggregate amount of
liabilities (including interest and penalties, if any) of Borrower and
its Subsidiaries secured by such Liens shall not exceed $20,000,000 at
any one time outstanding;
(e) Survey exceptions or encumbrances, easements or reservations, or rights
of others for rights-of-way, utilities and other similar purposes, or
zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties which are
necessary for the conduct of the activities of Borrower and any
Subsidiary of Borrower or which customarily exist on properties of
corporations engaged in similar activities and similarly situated and
which do not in any event materially impair their use in the operation
of the business of Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower;
(f) Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.9 hereto;
(g) Liens securing (i) Indebtedness evidencing the deferred purchase price
of newly acquired property or incurred to finance the acquisition of
personal property of Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower used in the
ordinary course of business of Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower,
(ii) Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (iii) the performance of
tenders, statutory obligations, bids, leases or other similar
obligations (other than for borrowed money) entered into in the
ordinary course of business or to secure obligations on performance
bonds; provided, that such Liens shall only be permitted to the extent
the aggregate amount of Indebtedness and other obligations secured by
all such Liens does not exceed five percent (5%) of Consolidated Assets
as reflected on the most recent balance sheet delivered by Borrower
pursuant to Section 7.6;
(h) Liens in favor of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and
landlords granted in the ordinary course of business for amounts not
overdue or being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP
shall have been set aside on its books;
(i) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
connection with worker's compensation, unemployment insurance or other
forms of governmental insurance or benefits;
(j) Liens relating to synthetic lease arrangements of Borrower or a
Subsidiary of Borrower, provided that (i) such Lien is limited to the
Property being leased, and (ii) to the extent the lessor or any other
Person has recourse to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their
Property (other than the Property being so leased), through a Guarantee
(including a residual guarantee) or otherwise, such Lien shall be
permitted if Borrower has included the recourse portion of such
obligations as Indebtedness for all purposes (including financial
covenant calculations) under the Credit Documents;
32
(k) Liens on assets of the Marketing Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary
course of business securing the reimbursement obligations of Marketing
Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit and any working capital
facility of the Marketing Subsidiaries so long as the holder of such
reimbursement obligation or provider of such working capital facility
has no recourse against Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary of
Borrower other than such Marketing Subsidiary or any of their other
assets (whether directly, through a Guarantee or otherwise) other than
pursuant to a Guarantee permitted pursuant to Section 7.15(f);
(l) Liens securing Indebtedness issued pursuant to that certain Restated
and Amended Indenture of Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated as of
September 1, 1999 between Borrower and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
trustee (and any successor trustee thereunder); and
(m) Any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions,
renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any Lien referred to
in the foregoing paragraphs (a) through (j), inclusive, provided,
however, that the principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby
shall not exceed the principal amount of Indebtedness so secured at the
time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such
extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to the Property
which was subject to the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced.
provided, that the foregoing paragraphs shall not be deemed under any
circumstance to permit a Lien to exist on any capital stock or other equity
interests of the Material Subsidiaries.
Section 7.10 Use of Proceeds; Regulation U. The proceeds of each Borrowing, and
the credit provided by Letters of Credit, will be used by Borrower solely (i) to
provide liquidity support for Borrower's commercial paper program, (ii) to fund
Borrower's working capital needs, and (iii) for general corporate purposes of
Borrower. Borrower will not use any part of the proceeds of any of the
Borrowings or of the Letters of Credit directly or indirectly to purchase or
carry any margin stock (as defined in Section 5.10 hereof) or to extend credit
to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock.
Section 7.11 Sales and Leasebacks. Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement with any bank, insurance company
or other lender or investor providing for the leasing by Borrower or any
Subsidiary of Borrower of any Property theretofore owned by it and which has
been or is to be sold or transferred by such owner to such lender or investor if
the total amount of rent and other obligations of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries under such lease, when combined with all rent and other obligations
of Borrower and its Subsidiaries under all such leases, would exceed $30,000,000
in the aggregate, provided that Borrower and its Subsidiaries may engage in
synthetic lease transactions so long as the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's, as
applicable, obligations under such synthetic leases are included as Indebtedness
for all purposes (including financial covenant calculations) under the Credit
Documents.
Section 7.12 Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets.
33
(a) Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Material Subsidiaries to,
(i) consolidate with or be a party to merger with any other Person or (ii)
sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or a "substantial part" of the
assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (w) the
foregoing shall not prohibit any sale, lease, transfer or disposition to
which the Required Banks have consented, such consent not to by
unreasonably withheld if (A) such transaction does not result in a
downgrade of either Borrower's S&P Rating or ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating, (B) such
transaction is for cash consideration (or other consideration acceptable to
the Required Banks) in an amount not less than the fair market value of the
applicable assets, and (C) such transaction, when combined with all other
such transactions, would not have a Material Adverse Effect, taken as a
whole, (x) any Subsidiary of Borrower may merge or consolidate with or into
or sell, lease or otherwise convey all or a substantial part of its assets
to Borrower or any Subsidiary of which Borrower holds (directly or
indirectly) at least the same percentage equity ownership; provided that in
any such merger or consolidation involving Borrower, Borrower shall be the
surviving or continuing corporation, (y) Borrower and its Subsidiaries may
sell inventory, reserves and electricity in the ordinary course of
business, and (z) Borrower may enter into a merger with, or acquisition of
all of, another Person so long as:
(1) Borrower is the surviving entity,
(2) unless consented to by the Required Banks, no downgrade in the
Borrower's S&P Rating or ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating would occur as a result of
the consummation of such a transaction,
(3) if such transaction is an acquisition, the Board of Directors (or
similar governing body) of the Person being acquired has approved being
so acquired,
(4) no Default or Event of Default would has occurred and is continuing
at the time of, or would occur as a result of, such transaction.
As used in this Section 7.12(a), a sale, lease, transfer or disposition
of assets during any fiscal year shall be deemed to be of a "substantial part"
of the consolidated assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries if the net book
value of such assets, when added to the net book value of all other assets sold,
leased, transferred or disposed of by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
(excluding the Marketing Subsidiaries) during such fiscal year (other than
inventory, reserves and electricity in the ordinary course of business) exceeds
ten percent (10%) of the total assets of Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the
immediately preceding fiscal year.
(b) Except as permitted pursuant to Section 7.14 hereof, Borrower will not
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to issue, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, any
shares of stock of any class (including as "stock" for purposes of this
Section, any warrants, rights or options to purchase or otherwise
acquire stock or other Securities exchangeable for or convertible into
stock) of any Subsidiary of Borrower, except to Borrower or a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Borrower or except for the purpose of
qualifying directors.
34
Section 7.13 Use of Property and Facilities; Environmental and Health and
Safety Laws.
(a) Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply in
all material respects with the requirements of all Environmental and
Health Laws applicable to or pertaining to the Properties or business
operations of Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower. Without limiting
the foregoing, Borrower will not, and will not permit any Person to,
except in accordance with applicable law, dispose of any Hazardous
Material into, onto or upon any real property owned or operated by
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) Borrower will promptly provide the Banks with copies of any notice or
other instrument of the type described in Section 5.11(b) hereof, and
in no event later than five (5) Business Days after an officer of
Borrower or a Subsidiary of Borrower receives such notice or
instrument.
Section 7.14 Investments, Acquisitions, Loans, Advances and Guaranties. Borrower
will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary of Borrower to, directly or
indirectly, make, retain or have outstanding any investments (whether through
purchase of stock or obligations or otherwise) in, or loans or advances to, any
other Person, or acquire all or any substantial part of the assets or business
of any other Person or division thereof, or be or become liable as endorser,
guarantor, surety or otherwise (such as liability as a general partner) for any
debt, obligation or undertaking of any other Person, or otherwise agree to
provide funds for payment of the obligations of another, or supply funds thereto
or invest therein or otherwise assure a creditor of another against loss, or
apply for or become liable to the issuer of a letter of credit which supports an
obligation of another, or subordinate any claim or demand it may have to the
claim or demand of any other Person (cumulatively, all of the foregoing
"Investments"); provided, however, that the foregoing provisions shall not apply
to nor operate to prevent:
(a) investments in direct obligations of the United States of America or of
any agency or instrumentality thereof whose obligations constitute full
faith and credit obligations of the United States of America provided
that any such obligation matures within one year from the date it is
acquired by Borrower or Subsidiary;
(b) investments in commercial paper rated P-1 by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors
Services, Inc. or A-1 by Standard & Poor's Corporation
maturing within one year of its date of issuance;
(c) investments in certificates of deposit issued by any Bank or any United
States commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than
$200,000,000 maturing within one year from the date of issuance thereof
or in banker's acceptances endorsed by any Bank or other such
commercial bank and maturing within six months of the date of
acceptance;
(d) investments in repurchase obligations with a term of not more than
seven (7) days for underlying securities of the types described in
subsection (a) above entered into with any bank meeting the
qualifications specified in subsection (c) above, provided
35
all such agreements require physical delivery of the securities
securing such repurchase agreement, except those delivered through the
Federal Reserve Book Entry System;
(e) investments in money market funds that invest solely, and which are
restricted by their respective charters to invest solely, in
investments of the type described in the immediately preceding
subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) above;
(f) ownership of stock, obligations or securities received in settlement
of debts (created in the ordinary course of business)
owing to Borrower or any Subsidiary;
(g) endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary
course of business;
(h) loans and advances to employees in the ordinary course of business for
travel, relocation, and similar purposes;
(i) Investments (i) existing on the Effective Date in Subsidiaries of
Borrower, (ii) existing on the Effective Date and identified in
Schedule 7.14 hereof, or (iii) consisting of intercompany loans
permitted pursuant to Section 7.15(e);
(j) Investments constituting (i) accounts receivable arising, (ii) trade
debt granted, or (iii) deposits made in connection with the purchase
price of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of
business;
(k) Investments in Persons other than Marketing Subsidiaries engaged in
lines of business related to the lines of business described in Section
7.8 so long as (i) both before and after giving effect to such
Investment no Default of Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, (ii) such Investments do not permit any creditor of such
Person recourse to Borrower or any other Subsidiary of Borrower or any
of their assets (other than the assets and/or the stock or similar
equity interest of such Person) and (iii) if such Investments are in
Persons engaged in the lines of business described in clause (xii) of
Section 7.8, such Investments and expenses in the aggregate do not
exceed $20,000,000 outstanding at any time;
(l) Guaranties, other than Long-Term Guaranties, so long as such
Indebtedness is permitted pursuant to Section 7.15;
(m) acquisitions permitted pursuant to Section 7.12(a);
(n) Investments constituting Long-Term Guaranties other than Long-Term
Guarantees of Indebtedness of the Marketing Subsidiaries;
(o) (i) Investments in Marketing Subsidiaries (other than Investments in
Marketing Subsidiaries consisting of Guaranties of Indebtedness of
Marketing Subsidiaries) existing on the Effective Date and listed on
Schedule 7.14 and (ii) Investments consisting of Guaranties of
Indebtedness of Marketing Subsidiaries in existence on the Effective
Date and Investments in Marketing Subsidiaries made after the
Effective Date (including through Guaranties (including Long-Term
Guaranties)) provided, that the aggregate amount of Investments
permitted by this clause (ii) when
36
combined with the amount of intercompany Indebtedness owing by
Marketing Subsidiaries permitted pursuant to Section 7.15(e)(iii)
shall not in the aggregate exceed $10,000,000 outstanding at any time
(it being understood that any increase in the value of any such
Investment attributable to the undistributed net earnings of the
Marketing Subsidiaries shall not be deemed a violation of this Section
7.14(o)); and
(p) Investments consisting of promissory notes issued in consideration for
the sale by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of a portion of the stock (or
similar equity interests) of a Subsidiary where (i) such note is
secured by the stock (or similar equity interest) sold, and (ii) one of
the purposes of such sale is to ensure that such Subsidiary qualifies
as a "qualifying facility" under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies
Act of 1978, as amended
Any Investment which when made complies with the requirements of
paragraphs (a) through (e) may continue to be held notwithstanding that such
Investment if made thereafter would not comply with such requirements;
In determining the amount of investments, acquisitions, loans, advances
and guarantees permitted under this Section 7.14, investments and acquisitions
shall always be taken at the original cost thereof (regardless of any subsequent
appreciation or depreciation therein), loans and advances shall be taken at the
principal amount thereof then remaining unpaid, and guarantees shall be taken at
the amount of obligations guaranteed thereby.
Section 7.15 Restrictions on Indebtedness. Borrower will not, nor will it permit
any Subsidiary of Borrower to, issue, incur, assume, create, become liable for,
contingently or otherwise, or have outstanding any Indebtedness; provided,
however, that the foregoing provisions shall not restrict nor operate to prevent
the following Indebtedness, so long as the incurrence and maintenance of such
Indebtedness would not cause the Borrower to be in violation of Section 7.17
hereof if compliance with such covenant were measured on the date of the
incurrence of such Indebtedness:
(a) the Obligations;
(b) Non-Recourse Indebtedness of any Project Finance Subsidiary;
(c) secured Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness of the type described in
(e), (f), and (g) below but including the pledge of stock or similar
equity interest of any Project Finance Subsidiary or any Subsidiary
which is a special purpose entity whose sole purpose is to own the
stock or similar equity interest of a Project Finance Subsidiary) (A)
set forth on Schedule 7.15(b) hereto, and (B) (i) of BHP, (ii)
evidencing the deferred purchase price of newly acquired property or
incurred to finance the acquisition of personal property of the
Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower used in the ordinary course
of business of the Borrower or Subsidiary, (iii) constituting
Capitalized Lease Obligations or with respect to synthetic (or similar
type) lease arrangements, or (iv) incurred in connection with the
performance of tenders, statutory obligations, bids, leases or other
similar obligations (other than for borrowed money) entered into in
the ordinary course of business or to secure obligations on
performance bonds; provided, that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness
permitted by this clause (B) at any time outstanding
37
shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated Assets as reflected on the most
recent balance sheet delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section
7.6, provided that Borrower shall promptly provide the Administrative
Agent with a copy of any documentation evidencing such Indebtedness in
excess of $25,000,000 and any modification to such Indebtedness;
(d) other Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness of the type described in
(e), (f), and (g) below) which is unsecured and either junior in right
of payment to the Obligations or pari passu to the Obligations or is
equally and ratably secured with the Obligations, provided that
Borrower shall promptly provide the Administrative Agent with a copy of
any documentation evidencing such Indebtedness in excess of $25,000,000
and any modification to such Indebtedness;
(e) intercompany loans (i) from (x) Subsidiary to Borrower so long as such
loans are subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (y) Borrower to a
Subsidiary of Borrower, (ii) among Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, and
(iii) from a Subsidiary of Borrower to a Marketing Subsidiary, so long
as the aggregate amount of such loans from time to time owing by the
Marketing Subsidiaries does not exceed the difference between (I)
$10,000,000, less (II) the sum of (A) the aggregate amount of
Guaranties outstanding pursuant to Section 7.15(f), and (B) the
aggregate amount of other Investments then made in the Marketing
Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.14(o)(ii) (it being understood that
to the extent such limit is exceeded solely as a result of an increase
in the value of any such Investment attributable to the undistributed
net earnings of the Marketing Subsidiaries, it shall not be deemed a
violation of this Section 7.15(e));
(f) Indebtedness consisting of Guaranties of the Indebtedness of the
Marketing Subsidiaries (including Long-Term Guaranties), provided that
such Indebtedness shall only be permitted to the extent the aggregate
amount of such Indebtedness, when added to the sum of (i) the
aggregate amount of all intercompany loans made to the Marketing
Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.15(e), plus (ii) the aggregate
amount of all other Investments made in Marketing Subsidiaries
pursuant to Section 7.14(o)(ii), does not exceed $10,000,000 (it being
understood that to the extent such limit is exceeded solely as a
result of an increase in the value of any such Investment attributable
to the undistributed net earnings of the Marketing Subsidiaries, it
shall not be deemed a violation of this Section 7.15(f)) provided,
further that Borrower shall promptly -------- ------- provide the
Administrative Agent with a copy of any such Guarantee and any
modification to such Guarantee;
(g) Indebtedness of the Marketing Subsidiaries under Marketing Subsidiary
Excluded Credit Facilities in an aggregate amount not to exceed the
Marketing Subsidiary Indebtedness Limit;
(h) Permitted Derivative Obligations; and
(i) Indebtedness pursuant to Long-Term Guaranties (other than Long-Term
Guaranties of Indebtedness of Marketing Subsidiaries).
Indebtedness shall only be permitted under (e), (f), (h), and (i) above
to the extent such
38
Indebtedness will have a priority of payment with the Obligations which is
no greater than pari passu.
Section 7.16 Consolidated Net Worth. Borrower will at the end of each fiscal
quarter maintain Consolidated Net Worth in an amount of not less than the sum of
(i) $375,000,000 and (ii) fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Consolidated Net
Income, if positive, for the period beginning June 30, 2001 and ending on the
last day of such fiscal quarter.
Section 7.17 Recourse Leverage Ratio. Borrower will not at the end of
any fiscal quarter permit the Recourse Leverage Ratio to
exceed 0.65 to 1.00.
Section 7.18 Interest Coverage Ratio. Borrower will maintain an Interest
Coverage Ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00, as determined at the end of each
fiscal quarter.
Section 7.19 Dividends and Other Shareholder Distributions. (a) (a) Borrower
shall not (i) declare or pay any dividends or make a distribution of any kind
(including by redemption or purchase) on or relating to its outstanding capital
stock, or (ii) repay (directly, through sinking fund payments or otherwise) any
Indebtedness or other obligations owing to a shareholder unless in either
circumstance no Default or Event of Default exists prior to or would result
after giving effect to such action.
(b) Except (i) as set forth on Schedule 7.19 and (ii) in connection with
Non-Recourse Indebtedness of a Project Finance Subsidiary, Borrower will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly to create or
otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual
encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any such Subsidiary to:
(1) pay dividends or make any other distribution on any of such Subsidiary's
capital stock owned by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower; (2) pay any
Indebtedness owed to Borrower or any other Subsidiary; (3) make loans or
advances to Borrower or any other Subsidiary; or (4) transfer any of its
property or assets to Borrower or any other Subsidiary.
Section 7.20 No Negative Pledge. Except (i) as set forth on Schedule 7.19 and
(ii) in connection with Non-Recourse Indebtedness of a Project Finance
Subsidiary, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
(other than Project Finance Subsidiaries), directly or indirectly to enter into
or assume any agreement (other than customary non-assignment and no sub-letting
provisions in leases consistent with Borrower's past practices and the Credit
Documents and, solely with respect to the asset so financed, Capitalized Leases,
to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted herein) prohibiting the creation or
assumption of any Lien upon its properties or assets, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired.
Section 7.21 Transactions with Affiliates. Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or be a party to any material
transaction or arrangement with any Affiliate of such Person (other than
Borrower), including without limitation, the purchase from, sale to or exchange
of Property with, any merger or consolidation with or into, or the rendering of
any service by or for, any Affiliate, except in the ordinary course of and
pursuant to the reasonable requirements of Borrower's or such Subsidiary's
business and upon terms no less favorable to such Borrower or such Subsidiary
than could be obtained in a similar transaction involving a third-party.
39
Section 7.22 Compliance with Laws. Without limiting any of the other covenants
of Borrower in this Section 7, Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, conduct its business, and otherwise be, in compliance with all
applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and orders of any governmental or
judicial authorities; provided, however, that neither Borrower nor any
Subsidiary of Borrower shall be required to comply with any such law,
regulation, ordinance or order if the failure to comply therewith could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 7.23 Pari-Passu. Borrower will at all times cause the Obligations to
rank at least pari passu with all other senior unsecured Indebtedness of
Borrower.
Section 7.24 Certain Subsidiaries. Unless pursuant to Indebtedness which is
authorized pursuant to this Agreement, Borrower will not, and the Subsidiaries
of Borrower will not, permit any creditor of a Marketing Subsidiary or a Project
Finance Subsidiary to have recourse to any Borrower or any Subsidiary of
Borrower or any of their assets (other than (i) the stock or similar equity
interest of the applicable Subsidiary and (ii) with respect to a Permitted
Derivative Obligation) other than recourse under Guaranties permitted pursuant
to Sections 7.15(f) and (i).
Section 7.25 Ratings. Borrower will obtain an S&P Rating within 90 days of the
Effective Date and will at all times this Agreement is in effect maintain a S&P
Rating (once obtained) and a ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating (or if one or both of such ratings
are unavailable, rating(s) from such other recognized national rating agency or
agencies as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Required
Banks).
SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.
Section 8.1 Events of Default. Any one or more of the following shall
constitute an Event of Default:
(a) (i) default in the payment when due of any fees, interest or of any
other Obligation not covered by clause (ii) below and such payment
default continues for three (3) days or (ii) default in the payment
when due of the principal amount of any Loan;
(b) default by Borrower or any Subsidiary in the observance or performance
of any covenant set forth in Section 7.1, Section 7.6(c), Section 7.9
through 7.12, Sections 7.14 through 7.21, 7.23, 7.24 and 7.25 hereof;
(c) default by Borrower or any Subsidiary in the observance or performance
of any provision hereof or of any other Credit Document not mentioned
in (a) or (b) above, which is not remedied within thirty (30) days
after notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the
Administrative Agent;
(d) (i) failure to pay when due Indebtedness in an aggregate principal
amount of (x) $10,000,000 or more of Borrower or any Material
Subsidiary, or (ii) default shall occur under one or more indentures,
agreements or other instruments under which any Indebtedness of
Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiary in an aggregate principal
amount of $10,000,000 or more may be issued or created and such default
shall continue
40
for a period of time sufficient to permit the holder or
beneficiary of such Indebtedness or a trustee therefor to cause the
acceleration of the maturity of any such Indebtedness or any mandatory
unscheduled prepayment, purchase or funding thereof, or (iii) a default
shall occur under the US Bank Credit Agreement or the ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo
Credit Agreement;
(e) any representation or warranty made herein or in any other Credit
Document by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower, or in any statement
or certificate furnished pursuant hereto or pursuant to any other
Credit Document by Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower, or in
connection with any Credit Document, proves untrue in any material
respect as of the date of the issuance or making, or deemed making or
issuance, thereof;
(f) Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) fail to pay its debts
generally as they become due or admit in writing its inability to pay
its debts generally as they become due, (ii) make an assignment for
the benefit of creditors, (iii) apply for, seek, consent to, or
acquiesce in, the appointment of a receiver, custodian, trustee,
examiner, liquidator or similar official for it or any substantial
part of its Property, (iv) institute any proceeding seeking to have
entered against it an order for relief under the United States
Bankruptcy Code, as amended, to adjudicate it insolvent, or seeking
dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, arrangement,
adjustment or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors or fail
to file an answer or other pleading denying the material allegations
of any such proceeding filed against it or any analogous action is
taken under any other applicable law relating to bankruptcy or
insolvency, (v) take any corporate action (such as the passage by its
board of directors of a resolution) in furtherance of any matter
described in parts (i)-(iv) above, or (vi) fail to contest in good
faith any appointment or proceeding described in Section 8.1(g)
hereof;
(g) a custodian, receiver, trustee, examiner, liquidator or similar
official shall be appointed for Borrower or any Material Subsidiary, or
any substantial part of any of their Property, or a proceeding
described in Section 8.1(f)(iv) shall be instituted against Borrower or
any Material Subsidiary, and such appointment continues undischarged or
such proceeding continues undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty
(60) days;
(h) Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall fail within thirty (30) days
to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any judgment or order for the
payment of money in excess of $10,000,000, which is not stayed on
appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith in a
manner that stays execution thereon;
(i) Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group shall fail to pay
when due an amount or amounts which it shall have become liable, to
pay to the PBGC or to a Plan under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of
intent to terminate a Plan or Plans having aggregate Unfunded Vested
Liabilities in excess of $10,000,000 (collectively, a "Material Plan")
shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by Borrower or any Subsidiary
of Borrower or any other member of the Controlled Group, any plan
administrator or any combination of the foregoing; or the PBGC shall
institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate or to cause
a trustee to be appointed to administer any Material Plan or a
proceeding shall be instituted by a fiduciary of any Material Plan
against Borrower
41
or any other member of the Controlled Group to enforce Section 515 or
4219(c)(5) of ERISA and such proceeding shall not have been dismissed
within thirty (30) days thereafter; or a condition shall exist by
reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree
adjudicating that any Material Plan must be terminated;
(j) Borrower or any Subsidiary of Borrower or any Person acting on behalf
of Borrower, a Subsidiary or any governmental authority challenges the
validity of any Credit Document or Borrower's or one of its
Subsidiary's obligations thereunder or any Credit Document ceases to be
in full force and effect or is modified other than in accordance with
the terms thereof and hereof;
(k) a Change of Control Event shall have occurred;
(l) Borrower shall for any reason cease to be wholly liable for the full
amount of the Obligations; or
(m) Borrower's S&P Rating (once obtained) ceases to be at least BBB- or its
▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Rating ceases to be at least Baa3.
Section 8.2 Non-Bankruptcy Defaults. When any Event of Default other than those
described in subsections (f) or (g) of Section 8.1 hereof has occurred and is
continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, if so directed by the Required
Banks, by written notice to Borrower: (a) terminate the remaining Commitments
and all other obligations of the Banks hereunder on the date stated in such
notice (which may be the date thereof); and (b) declare the principal of and the
accrued interest on all outstanding Notes to be forthwith due and payable and
thereupon all outstanding Notes, including both principal and interest thereon,
and all other Obligations, shall be and become immediately due and payable
together with all other amounts payable under the Credit Documents without
further demand, presentment, protest or notice of any kind. The Administrative
Agent, after giving notice to Borrower pursuant to Section 8.1(c) or this
Section 8.2, shall also promptly send a copy of such notice to the other Banks,
but the failure to do so shall not impair or annul the effect of such notice.
Section 8.3 Bankruptcy Defaults. When any Event of Default described in
subsections (f) or (g) of Section 8.1 hereof has occurred and is continuing,
then all outstanding Notes, including both interest and principal thereon, and
all other Obligations shall immediately become due and payable together with all
other amounts payable under the Credit Documents without presentment, demand,
protest or notice of any kind, the obligation of the Banks to extend further
credit pursuant to any of the terms hereof shall immediately terminate and
Borrower shall immediately pay to the Administrative Agent, subject to Section
8.4, the full amount then available for drawing, under all outstanding Letters
of Credit, Borrower acknowledging that the Banks would not have an adequate
remedy at law for failure by Borrower to honor any such demand and that the
Banks, and the Administrative Agent on their behalf, shall have the right to
require Borrower to specifically perform such undertaking whether or not any
draws or other demands for payment have been made under any of the Letters of
Credit.
Section 8.4 [Intentionally Omitted].
42
Section 8.5 Expenses. Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent and
each Bank, and any other holder of any Note outstanding hereunder, all costs and
expenses incurred or paid by the Administrative Agent or such Bank or any such
holder, including attorneys' fees (including allocable fees of in-house counsel)
and court costs, in connection with (i) any amendment or waiver to the Credit
Documents requested by Borrower, (ii) any Default or Event of Default by
Borrower hereunder, or (iii) the enforcement of any of the Credit Documents.
SECTION 9 CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Section 9.1 Change of Law. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Agreement or any Note, if at any time after the date hereof any change in
applicable law or regulation or in the interpretation thereof makes it unlawful
for any Bank to make or continue to maintain Eurodollar Loans or to perform its
obligations as contemplated hereby, such Bank shall promptly give notice thereof
to Borrower and such Bank's obligations to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans
under this Agreement shall terminate until it is no longer unlawful for such
Bank to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans. Borrower shall prepay on demand the
outstanding principal amount of any such affected Eurodollar Loans, together
with all interest accrued thereon at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate
applicable to such Loan; provided, however, subject to all of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, Borrower may then elect to borrow the principal
amount of the affected Eurodollar Loans from such Bank by means of Base Rate
Loans from such Bank, which Base Rate Loans shall not be made ratably by the
Banks but only from such affected Bank.
Section 9.2 Unavailability of Deposits or Inability to Ascertain, or Inadequacy
of, LIBOR. If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any
Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans:
(a) the Administrative Agent determines that deposits in U.S. Dollars (in
the applicable amounts) are not being offered to major banks in the
eurodollar interbank market for such Interest Period, or that by reason
of circumstances affecting the interbank eurodollar market adequate and
reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable LIBOR, or
(b) Banks having more than 33% percent (33)% or more of the aggregate
amount of the Commitments reasonably determine and so advise the
Administrative Agent that LIBOR as reasonably determined by the
Administrative Agent will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to
such Banks or Bank of funding their or its Eurodollar Loans or Loan for
such Interest Period,
then the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to Borrower
and the Banks, whereupon until the Administrative Agent notifies Borrower that
the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, the
obligations of the Banks or of the relevant Bank to make Eurodollar Loans shall
be suspended.
Section 9.3 Increased Cost and Reduced Return.
(a) If, on or after the date hereof, the adoption of any applicable law,
rule or regulation, or any change therein, or any change in the
interpretation or administration
43
thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable
agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or
compliance by any Bank (or its Lending Office) with any request or
directive (whether or not having the force of law but, if not having
the force of law, compliance with which is customary in the relevant
jurisdiction) of any such authority, central bank or comparable
agency:
(i) shall subject any Bank (or its Lending Office) to any tax, duty or
other charge with respect to its Eurodollar Loans, its Notes or its
obligation to make Eurodollar Loans, or shall change the basis of
taxation of payments to any Bank (or its Lending Office) of the
principal of or interest on its Eurodollar Loans or any other amounts
due under this Agreement in respect of its Eurodollar Loans or its
obligation to make Eurodollar Loans (except for changes in the rate of
tax on the overall net income or profits of such Bank or its Lending
Office imposed by the jurisdiction in which such Bank or its lending
office is incorporated in which such Bank's principal executive office
or Lending Office is located); or
(ii) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or
similar requirement (including, without limitation, any such
requirement imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, but excluding with respect to any Eurodollar Loans any such
requirement included in an applicable Eurodollar Reserve Percentage)
against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit
extended by, any Bank (or its Lending Office) or shall impose on any
Bank (or its Lending Office) or on the interbank market any other
condition affecting its Eurodollar Loans, its Notes, or its obligation
to make Eurodollar Loans;
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank (or
its Lending Office) of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan or to reduce
the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Bank (or its Lending
Office) under this Agreement or under its Notes with respect thereto, by an
amount deemed by such Bank to be material, then, within fifteen (15) days after
demand by such Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), Borrower shall be
obligated to pay to such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduction. In the event any law,
rule, regulation or interpretation described above is revoked, declared invalid
or inapplicable or is otherwise rescinded, and as a result thereof a Bank is
determined to be entitled to a refund from the applicable authority for any
amount or amounts which were paid or reimbursed by Borrower to such Bank
hereunder, such Bank shall refund such amount or amounts to Borrower without
interest.
(b) If, after the date hereof, any Bank or the Administrative Agent shall have
determined that the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding
capital adequacy, or any change therein (including, without limitation, any
revision in the Final Risk-Based Capital Guidelines of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR Part 208, Appendix A; ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇) or of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (12 CFR Part 3,
Appendix A), or in any other applicable capital rules heretofore adopted and
issued by any governmental authority), or any change in the interpretation or
administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable
agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance
by any Bank (or its Lending Office) with any request or directive regarding
capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law but, if not having the
force of law, compliance with which is customary in the
44
applicable jurisdiction) of any such authority, central bank or comparable
agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such
Bank's capital, or on the capital of any corporation controlling such Bank, as a
consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Bank
could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into
consideration such Bank's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an
amount deemed by such Bank to be material, then from time to time, within
fifteen (15) days after demand by such Bank (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent), Borrower shall pay to such Bank such additional amount or amounts as
will compensate such Bank for such reduction.
(c) Each Bank that determines to seek compensation under this Section 9.3 shall
notify Borrower and the Administrative Agent of the circumstances that entitle
the Bank to such compensation pursuant to this Section 9.3 and will designate a
different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce
the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the sole judgment of such
Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank. A certificate of any Bank
claiming compensation under this Section 9.3 and setting forth the additional
amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder submitted to Borrower and the
Administrative Agent by such Bank in good faith shall be prima facie evidence of
the amount of such compensation. In determining such amount, such Bank may use
any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.
Section 9.4 Lending Offices. Each Bank may, at its option, elect to make its
Loans hereunder at the branch, office or affiliate specified on the appropriate
signature page hereof or in the assignment agreement which any assignee bank
executes pursuant to Section 11.12 hereof (each a "Lending Office") for each
type of Loan available hereunder or at such other of its branches, offices or
affiliates as it may from time to time elect and designate in a written notice
to Borrower and the Administrative Agent, so long as such election does not
increase costs or other amounts payable by Borrower to such Bank hereunder.
Section 9.5 Discretion of Bank as to Manner of Funding. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, each Bank shall be entitled to fund and
maintain its funding of all or any part of its Loans in any manner it sees fit,
it being understood, however, that for the purposes of this Agreement all
determinations hereunder shall be made as if each Bank had actually funded and
maintained each Eurodollar Loan through the purchase of deposits in the
eurodollar interbank market having a maturity corresponding to such Loan's
Interest Period and bearing an interest rate equal to LIBOR for such Interest
Period.
SECTION 10 THE AGENT.
Section 10.1 Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent. Each Bank
hereby appoints ABN AMRO Bank N.V. as the Administrative Agent under the Credit
Documents and hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as
Administrative Agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit
Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The
Administrative Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those
expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Credit Documents. The duties of
the Administrative Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; the
Administrative Agent shall not have by reason of this Agreement or any other
Credit Document a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Bank, the holder of
any Note or any other Person; and nothing in this Agreement or any other Credit
Document, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so
45
construed as to impose upon the Administrative Agent any obligations in respect
of this Agreement or any other Credit Document except as expressly set forth
herein or therein.
Section 10.2 Administrative Agent and its Affiliates. The Administrative Agent
shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents as any other Bank and may exercise or refrain from exercising the same
as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent and
its affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in
any kind of business with Borrower or any Affiliate of Borrower as if it were
not the Administrative Agent under the Credit Documents.
Section 10.3 Action by Administrative Agent. If the Administrative Agent
receives from Borrower a written notice of an Event of Default pursuant to
Section 7.6(c)(i) hereof, the Administrative Agent shall promptly give each of
the Banks written notice thereof. The obligations of the Administrative Agent
under the Credit Documents are only those expressly set forth therein. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not be
required to take any action hereunder with respect to any Default or Event of
Default, except as expressly provided in Sections 8.2 and 8.3. In no event,
however, shall the Administrative Agent be required to take any action in
violation of applicable law or of any provision of any Credit Document, and the
Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or
refusing to act hereunder or under any other Credit Document unless it shall be
first indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the Banks against any and
all costs, expense, and liability which may be incurred by it by reason of
taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to assume that no Default or Event of Default exists unless notified to
the contrary in writing by a Bank or Borrower. In all cases in which this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents do not require the Administrative Agent
to take certain actions, the Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in
using its discretion in failing to take or in taking any action hereunder and
thereunder.
Section 10.4 Consultation with Experts. The Administrative Agent may consult
with legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts selected by
it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in
good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or
experts.
Section 10.5 Liability of Administrative Agent; Credit Decision. Neither the
Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents, or employees
shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in connection with the
Credit Documents (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Banks or
(ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Neither
the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees
shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into or verify
(i) any statement, warranty or representation made in connection with this
Agreement, any other Credit Document or any Credit Event; (ii) the performance
or observance of any of the covenants or agreements of Borrower or any other
party contained herein or in any other Credit Document; (iii) the satisfaction
of any condition specified in Section 6 hereof; or (iv) the validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability, perfection, value, worth or
collectibility hereof or of any other Credit Document or of any other documents
or writing furnished in connection with any Credit Document; and the
Administrative Agent makes no representation of any kind or character with
respect to any such matter mentioned in this sentence. The Administrative Agent
may execute any of its duties under any of the Credit Documents by or through
employees,
46
agents, and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be answerable to the Banks,
Borrower, or any other Person for the default or misconduct of any such agents
or attorneys-in-fact selected with reasonable care. The Administrative Agent
shall not incur any liability by acting in reliance upon any notice, consent,
certificate, other document or statement (whether written or oral) believed by
it to be genuine or to be sent by the proper party or parties. In particular and
without limiting any of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall have no
responsibility for confirming the accuracy of any Compliance Certificate or
other document or instrument received by it under the Credit Documents. The
Administrative Agent may treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof until
written notice of transfer shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent
signed by such payee in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Each Bank
acknowledges that it has independently and without reliance on the
Administrative Agent or any other Bank, and based upon such information,
investigations and inquiries as it deems appropriate, made its own credit
analysis and decision to extend credit to Borrower in the manner set forth in
the Credit Documents. It shall be the responsibility of each Bank to keep itself
informed as to the creditworthiness of Borrower and any other relevant Person,
and the Administrative Agent shall have no liability to any Bank with respect
thereto.
Section 10.6 Indemnity. The Banks shall ratably, in accordance with their
respective Percentages, indemnify and hold the Administrative Agent, and its
directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives harmless from and
against any liabilities, losses, costs or expenses suffered or incurred by it
under any Credit Document or in connection with the transactions contemplated
thereby, regardless of when asserted or arising, except to the extent the
Administrative Agent is promptly reimbursed for the same by Borrower and except
to the extent that any event giving rise to a claim was caused by the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking to be indemnified. The
obligations of the Banks under this Section 10.6 shall survive termination of
this Agreement.
Section 10.7 Resignation of Administrative Agent and Successor Administrative
Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Banks and Borrower. Upon any such resignation of the
Administrative Agent, the Required Banks shall have the right to appoint a
successor Administrative Agent with the consent of Borrower. If no successor
Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Banks, and
shall have accepted such appointment, within thirty (30) days after the retiring
Administrative Agent's giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring
Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Banks, appoint a successor
Administrative Agent, which shall be any Bank hereunder or any commercial bank
organized under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof
and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $200,000,000. Upon the
acceptance of its appointment as the Administrative Agent hereunder, such
successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with
all the rights and duties of the retiring or removed Administrative Agent under
the Credit Documents, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged
from its duties and obligations thereunder. After any retiring Administrative
Agent's resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this
Section 10 and all protective provisions of the other Credit Documents shall
inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while
it was Administrative Agent.
SECTION 11 MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 11.1 Withholding Taxes.
47
(a) Payments Free of Withholding. Subject to Section 11.1 (b) hereof, each
payment by Borrower under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents
shall be made without withholding for or on account of any present or
future taxes (other than overall net income taxes on the recipient). If any
such withholding is so required, Borrower shall make the withholding, pay
the amount withheld to the appropriate governmental authority before
penalties attach thereto or interest accrues thereon and forthwith pay such
additional amount as may be necessary to ensure that the net amount
actually received by each Bank and the Administrative Agent free and clear
of such taxes (including such taxes on such additional amount) is equal to
the amount which that Bank or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be)
would have received had such withholding not been made. If the
Administrative Agent or any Bank pays any amount in respect of any such
taxes, penalties or interest Borrower shall reimburse the Administrative
Agent or that Bank for that payment on demand in the currency in which such
payment was made. If Borrower pay any such taxes, penalties or interest,
they shall deliver official tax receipts evidencing that payment or
certified copies thereof to the Bank or Administrative Agent on whose
account such withholding was made (with a copy to the Administrative Agent
if not the recipient of the original) on or before the thirtieth day after
payment. If any Bank or the Administrative Agent determines it has received
or been granted a credit against or relief or remission for, or repayment
of, any taxes paid or payable by it because of any taxes, penalties or
interest paid by Borrower and evidenced by such a tax receipt, such Bank or
Administrative Agent shall, to the extent it can do so without prejudice to
the retention of the amount of such credit, relief, remission or repayment,
pay to Borrower such amount as such Bank or Administrative Agent determines
is attributable to such deduction or withholding and which will leave such
Bank or Administrative Agent (after such payment) in no better or worse
position than it would have been in if Borrower had not been required to
make such deduction or withholding. Nothing in this Agreement shall
interfere with the right of each Bank and the Administrative Agent to
arrange its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit nor obligate any
Bank or the Administrative Agent to disclose any information relating to
its tax affairs or any computations in connection with such taxes.
(b) U.S. Withholding Tax Exemptions. Each Bank that is not a United States
person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) shall
submit to Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date of
the initial Borrowing hereunder two duly completed and signed copies of
either Form W8BEN (relating to such Bank and entitling it to a complete
exemption from withholding under the Code on all amounts to be received by
such Bank, including fees, pursuant to the Credit Documents and the Loans)
or Form W8ECI (relating to all amounts to be received by such Bank,
including fees, pursuant to the Credit Documents and the Loans) of the
United States Internal Revenue Service. Thereafter and from time to time,
each Bank shall submit to Borrower and the Administrative Agent such
additional duly completed and signed copies of one or the other of such
Forms (or such successor forms as shall be adopted from time to time by the
relevant United States taxing authorities) as may be (i) requested by
Borrower in a written notice, directly or through the Administrative Agent,
to such Bank and (ii) required under then current United States law or
regulations to avoid or reduce United States withholding taxes on payments
in respect of all amounts to be received by such Bank, including fees,
pursuant to the Credit Documents or the Loans.
48
(c) Inability of Bank to Submit Forms. If any Bank determines, as a result of
any change in applicable law, regulation or treaty, or in any official
application or interpretation thereof, that it is unable to submit to
Borrower or Administrative Agent any form or certificate that such Bank is
obligated to submit pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 11.1 or that
such Bank is required to withdraw or cancel any such form or certificate
previously submitted or any such form or certificate otherwise becomes
ineffective or inaccurate, such Bank shall promptly notify Borrower and
Administrative Agent of such fact and the Bank shall to that extent not be
obligated to provide any such form or certificate and will be entitled to
withdraw or cancel any affected form or certificate, as applicable.
Section 11.2 No Waiver of Rights. No delay or failure on the part of the
Administrative Agent or any Bank or on the part of the holder or holders of any
Note in the exercise of any power or right under any Credit Document shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor as an acquiescence in any default, nor shall
any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of
any other power or right, and the rights and remedies hereunder of the
Administrative Agent, the Banks and the holder or holders of any Notes are
cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies which any of them
would otherwise have.
Section 11.3 Non-Business Day. If any payment of principal or interest on any
Loan or of any other Obligation shall fall due on a day which is not a Business
Day, interest or fees (as applicable) at the rate, if any, such Loan or other
Obligation bears for the period prior to maturity shall continue to accrue on
such Obligation from the stated due date thereof to and including the next
succeeding Business Day, on which the same shall be payable.
Section 11.4 Documentary Taxes. Borrower agrees that it will pay any
documentary, stamp or similar taxes payable in respect to any Credit Document,
including interest and penalties, in the event any such taxes are assessed,
irrespective of when such assessment is made and whether or not any credit is
then in use or available hereunder.
Section 11.5 Survival of Representations. All representations and warranties
made herein or in certificates given pursuant hereto shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and shall
continue in full force and effect with respect to the date as of which they were
made as long as any credit is in use or available hereunder.
Section 11.6 Survival of Indemnities. All indemnities and all other provisions
relative to reimbursement to the Banks of amounts sufficient to protect the
yield of the Banks with respect to the Loans, including, but not limited to,
Section 2.11, Section 9.3 and Section 11.15 hereof, shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the payment of
the Loans and all other Obligations.
Section 11.7 Set-Off. (a) (a) In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted
under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the
occurrence of any Event of Default, each Bank and each subsequent holder of any
Note is hereby authorized by Borrower at any time or from time to time, without
notice to Borrower or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby
expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all
deposits (general or special, including, but not limited to, Indebtedness
evidenced by certificates
49
of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, and in whatever currency denominated)
and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by that Bank or that
subsequent holder to or for the credit or the account of Borrower, whether or
not matured, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of
Borrower to that Bank or that subsequent holder under the Credit Documents,
including, but not limited to, all claims of any nature or description arising
out of or connected with the Credit Documents, irrespective of whether or not
(a) that Bank or that subsequent holder shall have made any demand hereunder or
(b) the principal of or the interest on the Loans or Notes and other amounts due
hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to Section 8 and although
said obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be contingent or
unmatured.
(b) Each Bank agrees with each other Bank a party hereto that if such Bank shall
receive and retain any payment, whether by set-off or application of deposit
balances or otherwise, on any of the Loans in excess of its ratable share of
payments on all such obligations then outstanding to the Banks, then such Bank
shall purchase for cash at face value, but without recourse, ratably from each
of the other Banks such amount of the Loans held by each such other Banks (or
interest therein) as shall be necessary to cause such Bank to share such excess
payment ratably with all the other Banks; provided, however, that if any such
purchase is made by any Bank, and if such excess payment or part thereof is
thereafter recovered from such purchasing Bank, the related purchases from the
other Banks shall be rescinded ratably and the purchase price restored as to the
portion of such excess payment so recovered, but without interest.
Section 11.8 Notices. Except as otherwise specified herein, all notices under
the Credit Documents shall be in writing (including facsimile or other
electronic communication) and shall be given to a party hereunder at its address
or facsimile number set forth below or such other address or facsimile number as
such party may hereafter specify by notice to the Administrative Agent and
Borrower, given by courier, by United States certified or registered mail, or by
other telecommunication device capable of creating a written record of such
notice and its receipt. Notices under the Credit Documents to the Banks shall be
addressed to their respective addresses, facsimile or telephone numbers set
forth on the signature pages hereof or in the assignment agreement which any
assignee bank executes pursuant to Section 11.12 hereof, and to Borrower and to
the Administrative Agent to:
If to Borrower:
Black Hills Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: 605.721.2597
Telephone: ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇
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with copies to:
Black Hills Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: 605.721.2599
Telephone: ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇
Black Hills Energy Capital, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: 847.459.4140
Telephone: ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇
If to the Administrative Agent:
Notices shall be sent to the applicable address set forth on
Part B of Schedule 4 hereto.
With copies of all such notices to:
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
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▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇/▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: 312.904.1466
Telephone: ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇ (▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇)
312.904.6473 (Mr. Qais)
Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i)
if given by facsimile, when such facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile
number specified in this Section 11.8 or on the signature pages hereof and a
confirmation of receipt of such facsimile has been received by the sender, (ii)
if given by courier, when delivered, (iii) if given by mail, three business days
after such communication is deposited in the mail, registered with return
receipt requested, addressed as aforesaid or (iv) if given by any other means,
when delivered at the addresses specified in this Section 11.8; provided that
any notice given pursuant to Section 2 hereof shall be effective only upon
receipt.
Section 11.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterpart signature pages, and by the different parties on different
counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed an original but all
such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
51
Section 11.10 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
Borrower and its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of each
of the Banks and the benefit of their permitted respective successors, and
assigns, including any subsequent holder of any Note. Borrower may not assign
any of its rights or obligations under any Credit Document unless (i) such
assignation occurs in connection with a merger or acquisition by Borrower which
is otherwise permitted under the terms of this Agreement and the appropriate
Credit Document, if applicable and (ii) Borrower obtains the prior written
consent of all of the Banks, which consent shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to Administrative Agent.
Section 11.11 Participants and Note Assignees. Each Bank shall have the right at
its own cost to grant participations (to be evidenced by one or more agreements
or certificates of participation) in the Loans made, Commitments held and/or
participations in Letters of Credit, by such Bank at any time and from time to
time, and to assign its rights under such Loans or the Note evidencing such
Loans to a federal reserve bank; provided that (i) no such participation or
assignment shall relieve any Bank of any of its obligations under this
Agreement, (ii) no such assignee or participant shall have any rights under this
Agreement except as provided in this Section 11.11, and (iii) the Administrative
Agent shall have no obligation or responsibility to such participant or
assignee, except that nothing herein is intended to affect the rights of an
assignee of a Note to enforce the Note assigned. Any party to which such a
participation or assignment has been granted shall have the benefits of Section
2.11 and Section 9.3, but shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment
under either such Section than the Bank granting such participation would have
been entitled to receive in connection with the rights transferred. Any
agreement pursuant to which any Bank may grant such a participating interest
shall provide that such Bank shall retain the sole right and responsibility to
enforce the obligations of Borrower hereunder, including, without limitation,
the right to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement; provided that such participation agreement may provide that such
Bank will not agree to any modification, amendment or waiver of this Agreement
that would (A) increase any Commitment of such Bank if such increase would also
increase the participant's obligations, (B) forgive any amount of or postpone
the date for payment of any principal of or interest on any Loan or of any fee
payable hereunder in which such participant has an interest or (C) reduce the
stated rate at which interest or fees in which such participant has an interest
accrue hereunder.
Section 11.12 Assignment of Commitments by Banks. Each Bank shall have the right
at any time, with the written consent of Administrative Agent, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld, and, prior to the occurrence of a Default or
Event of Default, Borrower, to assign all or any part of its Commitment
(including the same percentage of its Note and outstanding Loanst, and provided
that the same percentage of its commitment and loans outstanding under the
3-Year Credit Agreement are also assigned) to one or more other Persons;
provided that such assignment is in an amount of at least $5,000,000 or the
entire Commitment of such Bank, and if such assignment is not for such Bank's
entire Commitment then such Bank's Commitment after giving effect to such
assignment shall not be less than $5,000,000; and provided further that neither
the consent of Borrower nor the Administrative Agent shall be required for any
Bank to assign all or part of its Commitment to any Affiliate of the assigning
Bank so long as the same percentage of such Bank's commitment under the 3-Year
Credit Agreement are also assigned to such Affiliate. Each such assignment shall
set forth the assignees address for notices to be given under Section 11.8
hereof hereunder and its designated Lending
52
Office pursuant to Section 9.4 hereof. Upon any such assignment, delivery to the
Administrative Agent of an executed copy of such assignment agreement and the
forms referred to in Section 11.1 hereof, if applicable, and the payment of a
$3,500 recordation fee to the Administrative Agent, the assignee shall become a
Bank hereunder, all Loans, participations in Letters of Credit and the
Commitment it thereby holds shall be governed by all the terms and conditions
hereof and the Bank granting such assignment shall have its Commitment, and its
obligations and rights in connection therewith, reduced by the amount of such
assignment.
Section 11.13 Amendments. Any provision of the Credit Documents may be amended
or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed
by (a) Borrower, (b) the Required Banks, and (c) if the rights or duties of the
Administrative Agent are affected thereby, the Administrative Agent; provided
that:
(i) no amendment or waiver pursuant to this Section. 11.13 shall (A)
increase, decrease or extend any Commitment of any Bank without the
consent of such Bank or (B) reduce the amount of or postpone any fixed
date for payment of any principal of or interest on any Loan or of any
fee or other Obligation payable hereunder without the consent of each
Bank; and
(ii) no amendment or waiver pursuant to this Section 11.13 shall, unless
signed by each Bank, change this Section 11.13, or the definition of
Required Banks, or affect the number of Banks required to take any
action under the Credit Documents.
Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at any
time when the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.2 hereof to any Loan
hereunder are satisfied, any Bank shall fail to fulfill its obligations to make
such Loan (any such Bank, a "Defaulting Bank") then, for so long as such failure
shall continue, the Defaulting Bank shall (unless Borrower, the Administrative
Agent and the Required Banks (determined as if the Defaulting Bank were not a
Bank hereunder) shall otherwise consent in writing) be deemed for all purposes
related to amendments, modifications, waivers or consents under this Agreement
(other than amendments or waivers referred to in clause (i) and (ii) above) to
have no Loans or Commitments and shall not be treated as a Bank hereunder when
performing the computation of the Required Banks. To the extent the
Administrative Agent receives any payments or other amounts for the account of a
Defaulting Bank such Defaulting Bank shall be deemed to have requested that the
Administrative Agent use such payment or other amount to fulfill its obligations
to make such Loan.
Section 11.14 Headings. Section headings used in this Agreement are for
reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.
Section 11.15 Legal Fees, Other Costs and Indemnification. Borrower agrees to
pay all reasonable costs and expenses of the Arrangers in connection with the
preparation and negotiation of the Credit Documents (including past and future
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Arrangers in connection with
the syndication of the transaction), including without limitation, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Arrangers, in connection
with the preparation and execution of the Credit Documents, and any amendment,
waiver or consent related hereto, whether or not the transactions contemplated
herein are consummated. Borrower further agrees to indemnify each Bank, the
Administrative Agent, and
53
their respective directors, agents, officers and employees, against all losses,
claims, damages, penalties, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including,
without limitation, all expenses of litigation or preparation therefor, whether
or not the indemnified Person is a party thereto) which any of them may incur or
reasonably pay arising out of or relating to any Credit Document (including any
relating to a misrepresentation by Borrower under any Credit Document) or any of
the transactions contemplated thereby or the direct or indirect application or
proposed application of the proceeds of any Loan, other than those which arise
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party claiming
indemnification. Borrower, upon demand by any of the Administrative Agentor a
Bank at any time, shall reimburse the Administrative Agent or Bank for any
reasonable legal or other expenses (including allocable fees and expenses of
in-house counsel) incurred in connection with investigating or defending against
any of the foregoing except if the same is directly due to the gross negligence
or willful misconduct of the party to be indemnified, provided that with respect
to legal costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement of the
Banks rights hereunder or any work-out or similar situation, Borrower shall only
be obligated to pay the legal fees of the Administrative Agent and not of any
other Bank.
Section 11.16 Entire Agreement. The Credit Documents constitute the entire
understanding of the parties thereto with respect to the subject matter thereof
and any prior or contemporaneous agreements, whether written or oral, with
respect thereto are superseded thereby.
Section 11.17 Construction. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
neither this Agreement nor the other Credit Documents shall be construed more
favorably in favor of one than the other based upon which party drafted the
same, it being acknowledged that all parties hereto contributed substantially to
the negotiation of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.
Section 11.18 Governing Law. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and
the rights and duties of the parties hereto, shall be construed and determined
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.
Section 11.19 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. BORROWER HEREBY
SUBMITS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND OF ANY NEW YORK STATE COURT SITTING IN THE
CITY OF NEW YORK FOR PURPOSES OF ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. BORROWER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE
LAYING OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT AND ANY CLAIM
THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM. BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY CREDIT
DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.
54
Section 11.20 Replacement of Bank. Each Bank agrees that, upon the occurrence of
any event set forth in Sections 9.1, 9.3 and 11.1, such Bank will use reasonable
efforts to book and maintain its Loans through a different Lending Office or to
transfer its Loans to an Affiliate with the objective of avoiding or minimizing
the consequences of such event; provided that such booking or transfer is not
otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank as determined by such Bank in its sole
and absolute discretion. If any Bank has demanded to be paid additional amounts
pursuant to Sections 9.1, 9.3 and 11.1, and the payment of such additional
amounts are, and are likely to continue to be, more onerous in the reasonable
judgment of Borrower than with respect to the other Banks, then Borrower shall
have the right at any time when no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing to seek one or more financial institutions which are
not Affiliates of Borrower (each, a "Replacement Bank") to purchase with the
written consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be (x)
required if such proposed Replacement Bank is already a Bank, or an Affiliate of
a Bank, or (y) unreasonably delayed or withheld) the outstanding Loans and
Commitments of such Bank (the "Affected Bank"), and if Borrower locate a
Replacement Bank, the Affected Bank shall, upon
i. prior written notice to the Administrative Agent,
ii. (i) payment to the Affected Bank of the purchase price agreed between it
and the Replacement Bank (or, failing such agreement, a purchase price in
the amount of the outstanding principal amount of the Affected Bank's Loans
and accrued interest thereon to the date of payment) by the Replacement
Bank plus (ii) payment by Borrower of all Obligations (other than principal
and interest with respect to Loans) then due to the Affected Bank or
accrued for its account hereunder or under any other Loan Document,
iii. satisfaction of the provisions set forth in Section 11.12, and
iv. payment by Borrower to the Affected Bank and the Administrative Agent of
all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such assignment
and assumption (including the recordation fee described in Section 11.12),
assign and delegate all its rights and obligations under this Agreement and any
other Credit Document to which it is a party (including its outstanding Loans)
to the Replacement Bank (such assignment to be made without recourse,
representation or warranty), and the Replacement Bank shall assume such rights
and obligations, whereupon the Replacement Bank shall in accordance with Section
11.12 become a party to each Credit Document to which the Affected Bank is a
party and shall have the rights and obligations of a Bank thereunder and the
Affected Bank shall be released from its obligations hereunder and each other
Credit Document to the extent of such assignment and delegation.
Section 11.21 Confidentiality. The Administrative Agent and the Banks shall hold
all non-public information provided to them by Borrower pursuant to or in
connection with this Agreement in accordance with their customary procedures for
handling confidential information of this nature, but may make disclosure to any
of their examiners, regulators, Affiliates, outside auditors, counsel and other
professional advisors in connection with this Agreement or any other
55
Credit Document or as reasonably required by any potential bona fide transferee,
participant or assignee, or in connection with the exercise of remedies under a
Credit Document, or to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in swap
agreements or such contractual counterparty's professional advisor (so long as
such contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual
counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 11.21), or to
any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information
about a Bank's investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with
respect to such Bank, or as requested by any governmental agency or
representative thereof or pursuant to legal process; provided, however, that
unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, the
Administrative Agent and each Bank shall use reasonable efforts to promptly
notify Borrower of any request by any governmental agency or representative
thereof (other than any such request in connection with an examination of the
financial condition of the Administrative Agent or such Bank by such
governmental agency) for disclosure of any such non-public information and,
where practicable, prior to disclosure of such information. Prior to any such
disclosure pursuant to this Section 11.21, the Administrative Agent and each
Bank shall require any such bona fide transferee, participant and assignee
receiving a disclosure of non-public information to agree, for the benefit of
Borrower, in writing to be bound by this Section 11.21; and to require such
Person to require any other Person to whom such Person discloses such non-public
information to be similarly bound by this Section 11.21.
Section 11.22 Rights and Liabilities of Documentation Agents and Syndication
Agents. Neither Documentation Agents nor Syndication Agents have any special
rights, powers, obligations, liabilities, responsibilities or duties under this
Agreement as a result of acting in the capacity of Documentation Agents or
Syndication Agents, as applicable, other than those applicable to them in their
capacity as Banks hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, neither
Documentation Agents nor Syndication Agents shall have or be deemed to have a
fiduciary relationship with any Bank. Each Bank hereby makes the same
acknowledgments and undertakings with respect to Documentation Agents and the
Syndication Agents as it makes with respect to the Administrative Agent and any
directors, officers, agents and employees of the Administrative Agent in Section
10.5.
- Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank -
[Signature Page Follows]
56
In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered in New York, New York by their duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION, a South Dakota corporation
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
57
Commitment: $____________ ABN AMRO BANK N.V., in its individual
capacity as a Bank and as Administrative Agent
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
Address for notices:
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
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▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇/▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇
Telephone: ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇ (▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇)
312.904.6473 (Mr. Qais)
With copy to:
ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
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Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Lending Offices: Same as above
Base Rate Loans: Same as above
Eurocurrency Loans: Same as above
Commitment: $____________ UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.,
in its individual capacity as a Bank and as
Syndication Agent
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: _____________________________
Address for notices:
Union Bank of California, N.A.
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Mr. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇
Telephone: ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇
Lending Offices: Same as above
Base Rate Loans: Same as above
Eurocurrency Loans: Same as above
Commitment: $____________ U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
in its individual capacity as a Bank
and as Documentation Agent
By: _____________________________
Name: _____________________________
Title: Managing Director
Address for notices:
U.S. Bank, National Association
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Attention: ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile: ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇
Telephone: ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇
Lending Offices: Same as above
Base Rate Loans: Same as above
Eurocurrency Loans: Same as above