EXHIBIT 1
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY
1999 Series A 6.70% Senior Notes, Due June 30, 2009
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
June 3, 1999
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated
as Representative for
the Several Underwriters
named in Schedule II hereto
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Virginia Electric and Power Company (the Company), hereby
confirms its agreement with the several Underwriters named in Schedule II hereto
(the Agreement) with respect to the sale to the several Underwriters of certain
of its Senior Notes (the Senior Notes) specified in Schedule I hereto, and the
public offering thereof by the several Underwriters, upon the terms specified in
Schedule I hereto.
1. Underwriters and Representative. The term "Underwriters" as used
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herein shall be deemed to mean the several persons, firms or corporations
(including the Representative hereinafter mentioned) named in Schedule II
hereto, and the term "Representative" as used herein shall be deemed to mean the
representative to whom this Agreement is addressed, who by signing this
Agreement represents that it has been authorized by the other Underwriters to
execute this Agreement on their behalf and to act for them in the manner herein
provided. If there shall be only one person, firm or corporation named in
Schedule II hereto, the term "Underwriters" and the term "Representative" as
used herein shall mean that person, firm or corporation. All obligations of the
Underwriters hereunder are several and not joint. Any action under or in
respect of this Agreement taken by the Representative will be binding upon all
the Underwriters.
2. Description of the Senior Notes. Schedule I specifies the aggregate
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principal amount of the Senior Notes, the initial public offering price of the
Senior Notes, the purchase price to be paid by the Underwriters, and any
concession from the initial public offering price to be allowed to dealers or
brokers, and sets forth the date, time and manner of delivery of the Senior
Notes and payment thereof. Schedule I also specifies (to the extent not set
forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus referred to below) the terms
and provisions for the purchase of such Senior Notes. The Senior Notes will be
issued under the Company's Senior Indenture dated as of June 1, 1998 between the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (the Trustee), as supplemented
by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1998, and to be further
supplemented by a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1999
(collectively, the Senior Indenture).
3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents
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and warrants to, and agrees with, the Underwriters that:
(a) A registration statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No. 333-47119) for the
registration of the Senior Notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the Securities Act), heretofore filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the Commission), a copy of which as so filed has been
delivered to you, has become effective. The registration statement,
including all exhibits thereto, as amended through the date hereof, is
hereinafter referred to as the "Registration Statement"; the prospectus
relating to the Senior Notes included in the Registration Statement, which
prospectus is now proposed to be supplemented by a supplement relating to
the Senior Notes to be filed with the Commission under the Securities Act,
as so supplemented, is hereinafter referred to as the "Prospectus." As used
herein, the terms "Registration Statement," "prospectus" and "Prospectus"
include all documents (including any Current Report on Form 8-K)
incorporated therein by reference, and shall include any documents
(including any Current Report on Form 8-K) filed after the date of such
Registration Statement, prospectus or Prospectus and incorporated therein
by reference from the date of filing of such incorporated documents
(collectively, the Incorporated Documents).
(b) No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or otherwise preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus
has been issued by the Commission and is in effect and no proceedings for
that purpose are pending before or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened by the Commission. The Registration Statement and the
Prospectus comply in all material respects with the provisions of the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Securities Exchange Act), and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
(the Trust Indenture Act), and the rules, regulations and releases of the
Commission thereunder (the Rules and Regulations), and, on the date hereof,
neither the Registration Statement nor the
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Prospectus contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, and, on the Closing Date, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus (including any amendments and
supplements thereto) will conform in all respects to the requirements of
the Securities Act, the Trust Indenture Act and the Rules and Regulations,
and neither of such documents will include any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
provided, that the foregoing representations and warranties in this
paragraph (b) shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by the
Underwriters or on the Underwriters' behalf for use in the Registration
Statement or Prospectus; and provided, further, that the foregoing
representations and warranties are given on the basis that any statement
contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed not to be contained
in the Registration Statement or Prospectus if such statement has been
modified or superseded by any statement in a subsequently filed
Incorporated Document or in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or in
any amendment or supplement thereto.
(c) Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have examined certain of the Company's
financial statements filed with the Commission and incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement, are independent public accountants
as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder.
(d) Except as reflected in, or contemplated by, the Registration
Statement and Prospectus, since the respective most recent dates as of
which information is given in the Registration Statement and Prospectus,
there has not been any material adverse change in the condition of the
Company, financial or otherwise. The Company has no material contingent
financial obligation that is not disclosed in each of the Registration
Statement and Prospectus.
(e) The Company has taken all corporate action necessary to be taken
by it to authorize the execution by it of this Agreement and the
performance by it of all obligations on its part to be performed hereunder;
and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated and the
fulfillment of the terms hereof will not result in a breach of any of the
terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument to which the
Company is now a party, or the charter of the Company, as amended, or any
order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company of any federal or state
regulatory board or body or administrative agency having jurisdiction over
the Company or over its property.
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(f) The Senior Notes, upon issuance thereof, will conform in all
respects to the terms of the relevant order or orders of the State
Corporation Commission of Virginia (the Virginia Commission) now or
hereafter in effect with respect to the Senior Notes.
(g) The Company has duly authorized all necessary action to be taken
by it for the procurement of an irrevocable financial guaranty insurance
policy (the Insurance Policy) issued by Ambac Assurance Corporation (the
Insurer), insuring the payment of principal and interest on the Senior
Notes, when due.
4. Public Offering. On the basis of the representations and warranties
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herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions in this Agreement set
forth, the Company agrees to sell to each of the several Underwriters, and each
Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at
the price, place and time hereinafter specified, the principal amount of the
Senior Notes set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule II
hereto. The several Underwriters agree to make a public offering of their
respective Senior Notes specified in Schedule II hereto at the initial public
offering price specified in Schedule I hereto. It is understood that after such
initial offering the several Underwriters reserve the right to vary the offering
price and further reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify such offering
without notice.
5. Time and Place of Closing. Delivery of the Senior Notes to, and
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payment therefor by, the Representative for the accounts of the several
Underwriters shall be made at the time, place and date specified in Schedule I
or such other time, place and date as the Representative and the Company may
agree upon in writing, and subject to the provisions of Section 10 hereof. The
hour and date of such delivery and payment are herein called the "Closing Date."
Unless otherwise specified in Schedule I hereto, payment for the Senior Notes
shall be made to the Company by wire transfer in federal funds at the Closing
Date against delivery of the Senior Notes, in fully registered form, registered
in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for the Depositary Trust Company. The
certificate(s) for the Senior Notes will be made available at the location
specified on Schedule I for examination by the Representative not later than
12:00 Noon, New York time, on the last business day prior to the Closing Date.
6. Covenants of the Company. The Company agrees that:
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(a) The Company, at or prior to the Closing Date, will deliver to the
Representative conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally
filed, including all exhibits filed therewith, any related preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to
each such document, in each case as soon as available and in such
quantities as are reasonably requested from time to time by the
Representative.
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(b) The Company will pay all expenses in connection with (i) the
preparation and filing by it of the Registration Statement and Prospectus,
(ii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Senior
Notes, (iii) any fees and expenses of the Trustee, (iv) the printing and
delivery to the Underwriters in reasonable quantities of copies of the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus (each as originally filed and as
subsequently amended or supplemented) and (v) the premium payable to the
Insurer in connection with the issuance of the Insurance Policy. The
Company also will pay all taxes, if any, on the issuance of the Senior
Notes. In addition, the Company will pay the reasonable fees and
disbursements of Underwriters' counsel, ▇▇▇▇ & Valentine, L.L.P., in
connection with the qualification of the Senior Notes under state
securities or blue sky laws or investment laws (if and to the extent such
qualification is required by the Underwriters or the Company).
(c) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Senior Notes is
required to be delivered under the Securities Act, any event occurs as a
result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would
include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is
necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the Securities
Act, the Company promptly will (i) notify the Representative to suspend
solicitation of purchases of the Senior Notes, (ii) at its expense, prepare
and file with the Commission an amendment or supplement which will correct
such statement or omission or an amendment which will effect such
compliance, and (iii) at its expense, furnish to the Representative a
reasonable quantity of the prospectus as so supplemented or amended. In
case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus in connection with
the sale of any Senior Notes after the expiration of the period specified
in the preceding sentence, the Company, upon the request of the
Representative, will furnish to the Representative, at the expense of such
Underwriter, a reasonable quantity of the prospectus as supplemented or
amended, complying with Section 10(a) of the Securities Act. During the
period specified in the second sentence of this paragraph, the Company will
continue to prepare and file with the Commission on a timely basis all
documents or amendments required to be filed by the Company under the
Securities Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder; provided, that the Company shall not file such
documents or amendments without also furnishing copies thereof to the
Representative and ▇▇▇▇ & Valentine, L.L.P.
(d) The Company will advise the Representative promptly of any
proposal to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus and will afford the Representative a reasonable opportunity to
comment on any such proposed amendment or supplement; and the Company will
also advise the Representative promptly of the filing of
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any such amendment or supplement. As soon as the Company is advised
thereof, it will advise the Representative of the issuance of any stop
order under the Securities Act with respect to the Registration Statement
or any part thereof, or the institution by the Commission of any stop order
proceedings with respect to the Registration Statement or of any part
thereof and will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such
stop order and to obtain as soon as possible its lifting, if issued.
(e) The Company will make generally available to its security
holders, as soon as it is practicable to do so, an earnings statement of
the Company (which need not be audited) in reasonable detail, covering a
period of at least 12 months beginning within three months after the
effective date of the Registration Statement, which earnings statement
shall satisfy the requirements of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.
(f) For a period of five years following the Closing Date, the
Company will deliver to the Representative, as soon as practicable after
the end of each fiscal year, a balance sheet of the Company as of the end
of such year and statements of income and earnings reinvested in business
for such year, all as certified by independent public or certified public
accountants, and will deliver to the Representative upon request, as soon
as practicable after the end of each quarterly period, statements of income
and earnings reinvested in business for the 12-month period ending with the
end of such quarterly period.
(g) The Company will use its best efforts promptly to do and perform
all things to be done and performed by it hereunder prior to the Closing
Date and to satisfy all conditions precedent required of it to the delivery
by it of the Senior Notes.
(h) The Company will furnish such proper information as may be
lawfully required and otherwise cooperate in qualifying the Senior Notes
for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such states as
the Representative may designate; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be required in any state to qualify as a foreign corporation, or to
file a general consent to service of process, or to submit to any
requirements which it deems unduly burdensome.
(i) During the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and
continuing to and including the Closing Date, the Company will not, without
the prior written consent of the Representative, directly or indirectly,
sell, offer to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose
of, any Senior Notes or any security convertible into or exchangeable for
the Senior Notes or any debt securities substantially similar to the Senior
Notes through retail channels (except for the Senior Notes issued pursuant
to this Agreement).
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(j) Fees and disbursements of ▇▇▇▇ & Valentine, L.L.P., who are
acting as counsel for the Underwriters (exclusive of fees and disbursements
of such counsel which are to be paid as set forth in paragraph 6(b)), shall
be paid by the Underwriters; provided, however, that if this Agreement is
terminated in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7 or 8 hereof, the
Company shall reimburse the Representative for the account of the
Underwriters for the amount of such fees and disbursements.
7. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations; Termination by the
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Underwriters.
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(a) The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the
Senior Notes shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall be in effect on the Closing Date and no
proceedings for that purpose shall be pending before, or to the
knowledge of the Company threatened by, the Commission on such date.
The Representative shall have received, prior to payment for the
Senior Notes, a certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by the
President or any Vice President of the Company to the effect that no
such stop order is in effect and that no proceedings for such purpose
are pending before or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by
the Commission.
(ii) At the Closing Date an order or orders of the Virginia
Commission permitting the issuance and sale of the Senior Notes
substantially in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof shall
be in full force and effect and shall contain no provision
unacceptable to the Representative or the Company (but all provisions
of such order or orders heretofore entered are deemed acceptable to
the Representative and the Company, and all provisions of such order
or orders hereafter entered shall be deemed acceptable to the
Representative and the Company unless within 24 hours after receiving
a copy of any such order either shall give notice to the other to the
effect that such order contains an unacceptable provision).
(iii) On the Closing Date, the Representative shall receive, on
behalf of the several Underwriters, the opinions of ▇▇▇▇ & Valentine,
L.L.P., and McGuire, Woods, Battle & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, substantially in the
forms attached hereto as Schedules III and IV.
(iv) On the Closing Date, the Representative shall receive, on
behalf of the several Underwriters, the opinion of counsel for the
Insurer, substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule V.
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(v) On the Closing Date, the Representative shall receive, on
behalf of the several Underwriters, from Deloitte & Touche LLP a
letter addressed to the Representative, dated the Closing Date, (A)
confirming that they are independent public accountants as required by
the Securities Act; (B) stating in effect that, in their opinion, the
audited financial statements included in or incorporated by reference
in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and audited by them
as stated in their report incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement (the Audited Financial Statements), comply as
to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements adopted pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act; (C)
stating, in effect, that on the basis of a reading of the minutes of
the meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company and of
committees of the Board since the end of the period covered by the
Audited Financial Statements, a reading of the unaudited financial
statements incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (if any), of
the unaudited statement of income for any interim period for which
information is included in the Prospectus under the caption "Selected
Financial Information" or any section updating such information, and
of the latest available unaudited financial statements of the Company
covering a period of twelve months ending after the end of the period
covered by the Audited Financial Statements (if any), and inquiries of
officials of the Company responsible for financial and accounting
matters (which procedures did not constitute an audit made in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards), nothing came
to their attention that caused them to believe that such unaudited
financial statements incorporated by reference in the Prospectus are
not in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the Audited
Financial Statements; and (D) stating, in effect, that on the basis of
more limited procedures than those set forth in the foregoing clause
(C), consisting merely of the reading of the minutes referred to in
such clause and inquiries of officials of the Company responsible for
financial and accounting matters, nothing came to their attention at a
date not more than five business days prior to the date of such letter
that caused them to believe that (1) at such date there was any
decrease in common stockholder's equity or any increase in funded debt
of the Company or any decrease in net assets as compared with the
amounts shown in the balance sheet included in the most recent
financial statements incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, or (2) for the period from the date of
the most recent unaudited financial statements included in or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus to a date not more than five business days prior to the
date of such letter there were any decreases, as compared with the
corresponding period in the preceding year, in the operating revenues,
operating income or net income, except (with respect to (1) or (2)) in
all
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instances for changes or decreases that the Registration Statement
discloses have occurred or may occur; provided, however, that such
letter may vary from the requirements specified in clause (D) hereof
in such manner as the Representative in its sole discretion may deem
to be acceptable. Such letter shall also state that the dollar
amounts, percentages and other financial information (in each case to
the extent that such dollar amounts, percentages and other financial
information, either directly or by analysis or computation, are
derived from the general accounting records of the Company) that
appear (1) in the Prospectus under the captions "Selected Financial
Information" and "Other Selected Data" and under any caption contained
in a supplement to the Prospectus updating such dollar amounts,
percentages and other financial information (limited to total assets
and utility plant expenditures), (2) in the Company's most recent
Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption "Selected Financial Data"
or (3) in the Registration Statement under the caption "Ratio of
Earnings to Fixed Charges" have been compared with the general
accounting records of the Company and such dollar amounts, percentages
and financial information have been found to be in agreement with the
accounting records of the Company and the computations have been found
to be arithmetically correct. Such letter shall relate to the
Registration Statement and Prospectus as amended or supplemented to
the date of the letter.
(vi) Subsequent to the execution of this Agreement and prior to
the Closing Date, (A) except as reflected in, or contemplated by, the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there shall not have
occurred (1) any change in the Senior Notes of the Company (other than
a decrease in the aggregate principal amount thereof outstanding), (2)
any material adverse change in the general affairs, financial
condition or earnings of the Company (whether or not arising in the
ordinary course of business) or (3) any material transaction entered
into by the Company other than a transaction in the ordinary course of
business, the effect of which in each such case in the judgment of the
Representative is so material and so adverse that it makes it
inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or delivery of the
Senior Notes on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the
Prospectus and this Agreement, or (B) there shall not have occurred
(1) a downgrading in the rating accorded the Company's senior
unsecured notes by any "nationally recognized statistical rating
organization" (as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes
of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act), (2) any general
suspension of trading in securities on the New York Stock Exchange or
any limitation on prices for such trading or any restrictions on the
distribution of securities established by the New York Stock Exchange
or by the Commission or by any federal or state agency or by the
decision of any court, (3) a banking moratorium declared either by
federal or New York State authorities or (4)
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any outbreak or escalation of major hostilities in which the United
States is involved, any declaration of war by the United States
Congress or any other substantial national or international calamity
or crisis resulting in the declaration of a national emergency, the
effect of which outbreak, escalation, declaration, calamity or crisis,
in the reasonable judgment of the Representative, makes it
impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or
delivery of the Senior Notes on the terms and in the manner
contemplated in the Prospectus and in this Agreement.
(vii) On the Closing Date, the representations and warranties
of the Company in this Agreement shall be true and correct as if made
on and as of such date, and the Company shall have performed all
obligations and satisfied all conditions required of it under this
Agreement; and, at the Closing Date, the Representative shall have
received a certificate to such effect signed by the President or any
Vice President of the Company.
(viii) All legal proceedings to be taken in connection with the
issuance and sale of the Senior Notes shall have been satisfactory in
form and substance to ▇▇▇▇ & Valentine, L.L.P.
(ix) On or before the Closing Date, counsel for the
underwriters shall have received evidence that the Insurance Policy
has been issued by the Insurer and confirmation that the Senior Notes
have been rated at least Aaa by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors Service and at least
AAA by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services.
(x) At the Closing Date, there shall not have been, since the
date of this Agreement, a downgrading in the rating accorded the
Insurer by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization"
(as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule
436(g)(2) under the Securities Act), and the Representative shall
receive on the Closing Date, on behalf of the several Underwriters, a
certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the President or any
Vice President or Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Insurer,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule VI.
(b) In case any of the conditions specified above in paragraph 7(a)
shall not have been fulfilled, this Agreement may be terminated by the
Representative upon mailing or delivering written notice thereof to the
Company; provided, however, that in case the conditions specified in
subparagraphs 7(a)(vi) and (vii) shall not have been fulfilled, this
Agreement may not be so terminated by the Representative unless
Underwriters who have agreed to purchase in the aggregate 50% or more of
the aggregate principal amount of the
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Senior Notes shall have consented to such termination and the aforesaid
notice shall so state. Any such termination shall be without liability of
any party to any other party except as otherwise provided in Section 9 and
in paragraphs 6(b), 6(j) and 7(c) hereof.
(c) If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Representative
pursuant to paragraph (b) above or because of any failure or refusal on the
part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the
conditions of this Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be
unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement, then in any such
case, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters, severally, for all out-
of-pocket expenses (in addition to the fees and disbursements of their
counsel as provided in paragraph 6(j)) reasonably incurred by such
Underwriters in connection with this Agreement or the offering contemplated
hereunder and, upon such reimbursement, the Company shall be absolved from
any further liability hereunder, except as provided in paragraph 6(b) and
Section 9.
8. Conditions of the Obligation of the Company. The obligation of the
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Company to deliver the Senior Notes shall be subject to the conditions set forth
in the first sentence of subparagraph 7(a)(i) and the sole sentence of
subparagraph 7(a)(ii). In case those conditions shall not have been fulfilled,
this Agreement may be terminated by the Company by mailing or delivering written
notice thereof to the Representative. Any such termination shall be without
liability of any party to any other party except as otherwise provided in
paragraphs 6(b) and 6(j) and in Sections 9 and 10 hereof.
9. Indemnification. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold
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harmless each Underwriter and each person who controls any Underwriter within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act, against any and all losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject
under the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act, or any other statute or
common law and to reimburse each such Underwriter and controlling person for any
legal or other expenses (including, to the extent hereinafter provided,
reasonable counsel fees) incurred by them in connection with investigating any
such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities, or in connection with defending
any actions, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or
actions arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus as originally filed, or in either such document as amended or
supplemented (if any amendments or supplements thereto shall have been
furnished), or any Preliminary Prospectus (if and when used prior to the
effective date of the Registration Statement), or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided that the
foregoing indemnity agreement, insofar as it relates to any Preliminary
Prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any
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Underwriter (or to the benefit of any person who controls such Underwriter) on
account of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities arising out of the sale of
any of the Senior Notes by such Underwriter to any person if it shall be
established that a copy of the Prospectus (as supplemented or amended, if the
Company shall have made any supplements or amendments which have been furnished
to the Representative), excluding any documents incorporated by reference, shall
not have been sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to such person
at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale to such person in any case
where such delivery is required by the Securities Act, if the misstatement or
omission leading to such loss, claim, damage or liability was corrected in the
Prospectus (excluding any documents incorporated by reference) as amended or
supplemented, and such correction would have cured the defect giving rise to
such loss, claim, damage, or liability; and provided further, however, that the
indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph 9(a) shall not apply to any such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, expenses or actions arising out of or
based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, or any such
omission or alleged omission, if such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by
or on behalf of any Underwriter for use in the Registration Statement or any
amendment thereto, in the Prospectus or any supplement thereto, or in any
Preliminary Prospectus. The indemnity agreement of the Company contained in this
paragraph 9(a) and the representations and warranties of the Company contained
in Section 3 hereof shall remain operative and in full force and effect,
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any
such controlling person, and shall survive the delivery of the Senior Notes.
(b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and
hold harmless the Company, its officers and directors, each other Underwriter,
and each person who controls any of the foregoing within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act,
against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to
which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the
Securities Exchange Act, or any other statute or common law and to reimburse
each of them for any legal or other expenses (including, to the extent
hereinafter provided, reasonable counsel fees) incurred by them in connection
with investigating any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities or in
connection with defending any actions, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, expenses or actions arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus as originally filed, or in either such
document as amended or supplemented (if any amendments or supplements thereto
shall have been furnished), or any Preliminary Prospectus (if and when used
prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement), or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished
in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Underwriter for use in the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any
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amendment or supplement to either thereof, or any Preliminary Prospectus. The
indemnity agreement of the respective Underwriters contained in this paragraph
9(b) shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of the Company, or any such other Underwriter
or any such controlling person, and shall survive the delivery of the Senior
Notes.
(c) The Company and each of the Underwriters agrees that, upon the receipt
of notice of the commencement of any action against the Company or any of its
officers or directors, or any person controlling the Company, or against such
Underwriter or controlling person as aforesaid, in respect of which indemnity
may be sought on account of any indemnity agreement contained herein, it will
promptly give written notice of the commencement thereof to the party or parties
against whom indemnity shall be sought hereunder, but the omission so to notify
such indemnifying party or parties of any such action shall not relieve such
indemnifying party or parties from any liability which it or they may have to
the indemnified party otherwise than on account of such indemnity agreement. In
case such notice of any such action shall be so given, such indemnifying party
shall be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense or, if it so
elects, to assume (in conjunction with any other indemnifying parties) the
defense of such action, in which event such defense shall be conducted by
counsel chosen by such indemnifying party (or parties) and reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party or parties who shall be defendant or
defendants in such action, and such defendant or defendants shall bear the fees
and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them; provided that, if the
defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party (or parties) and the indemnified party shall have reasonably
concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other
indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to
the indemnifying party (or parties), the indemnified party shall have the right
to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses and to participate
otherwise in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party.
The indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel
retained by the indemnified party if (i) the indemnified party shall have
retained such counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in
accordance with the proviso to the preceding sentence (it being understood,
however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of
more than one separate counsel, representing the indemnified parties under
paragraphs 9(a) or 9(b), as the case may be, who are parties to such action),
(ii) the indemnifying party shall have elected not to assume the defense of such
action, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within
a reasonable time after notice of the commencement of the action, or (iv) the
indemnifying party has authorized the employment of counsel for the indemnified
party at the expense of the indemnifying party. No indemnifying party shall,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any
settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which
indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is
an actual or potential party to such a proceeding), unless such settlement
includes an unconditional
-13-
release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the
subject matter of such proceeding.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable
to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under paragraphs (a) or
(b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the
Company, on the one hand, and of the Underwriters, on the other, in connection
with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations, including relative benefit. The relative fault shall
be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading relates to information supplied by the Company
on the one hand or by the Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this paragraph (d)
were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation
which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in
this paragraph (d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) referred to above in this paragraph (d) shall be deemed to include any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Senior Notes underwritten by it and distributed to the public
were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such
Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations
under this paragraph (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their
respective underwriting obligations and not joint.
10. Termination by the Company. If any one or more of the Underwriters
--------------------------
shall fail or refuse to purchase the Senior Notes which it or they have agreed
to purchase hereunder, and the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes
which such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused
to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate principal amount of the
Senior Notes, the other Underwriters shall be obligated severally in the
proportions which the principal amount of the Senior Notes set forth opposite
their respective names in Schedule II bears to the aggregate underwriting
obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or in such other
-14-
proportions as the Underwriters may specify, to purchase the Senior Notes which
such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed or refused to
purchase. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall so fail or refuse to purchase
Senior Notes and the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with respect
to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate principal
amount of the Senior Notes and arrangements satisfactory to the Underwriters and
the Company for the purchase of such Senior Notes are not made within 36 hours
after such default, this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part
of any non-defaulting Underwriter (except as provided in paragraph 6(j) and
Section 9) or of the Company (except as provided in paragraph 6(b) and Section
9). In any such case not involving a termination, either the Representative or
the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event
for longer than seven calendar days, in order that the required changes, if any,
in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus or in any other documents or
arrangements may be effected. Any action taken under this Section 10 shall not
relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of any default of
such Underwriter under this Agreement.
11. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery. All
--------------------------------------------------------------
representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or
contained in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling person
of any Underwriter, or by or on behalf of the Company, and shall survive
delivery of the Senior Notes.
12. Miscellaneous. The validity and interpretation of this Agreement
-------------
shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of the Company, the Underwriters and, with respect to the
provisions of Section 9 hereof, each controlling person and each officer and
director of the Company referred to in said Section 9, and their respective
successors, assigns, executors and administrators. Nothing in this Agreement is
intended or shall be construed to give to any other person, firm or corporation
any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this
Agreement or any provision herein contained. The term "successors" as used in
this Agreement shall not include any purchaser, as such, of any of the Senior
Notes from any of the several Underwriters.
13. Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and if to
-------
the Underwriters shall be mailed, telexed, telecopied or delivered to the
Representative at the address set forth on Schedule I hereto, or if to the
Company shall be mailed, telexed, telecopied or delivered to it, attention of
Treasurer, Virginia Electric and Power Company, ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇.
-15-
Please sign and return to us a counterpart of this letter, whereupon this
letter will become a binding agreement between the Company and the several
Underwriters in accordance with its terms.
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY
By:_________________________________
Title:
The foregoing agreement is
hereby confirmed and accepted,
as of the date first above
written.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. INCORPORATED
By:________________________________
Title:
Acting individually and on
behalf of the other several
Underwriters named in
Schedule II hereto.
SCHEDULE I
Title of Senior Notes: 1999 Series A 6.70% Senior Notes, due June 30, 2009
Aggregate Principal Amount: $150,000,000
Denominations: $25 and any integral multiple thereof
Initial Price to Public:
100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes plus accrued
interest, if any, from the date of issuance
Initial Purchase Price to be paid by Underwriters:
97.50% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes except that such
price will be increased to 98.50% of the principal amount of the
Senior Notes sold to certain institutions
Concessions and reallowances to dealers and brokers:
Concession: Up to $.40 per Senior Note
Reallowance: Up to $.35 per Senior Note
Redemption terms:
Redeemable (in whole or in part) on or after June 30, 2002, at 100%
of the principal amount to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of redemption.
Insurance: Payment of principal and interest on the Senior Notes will be
insured by a financial
guaranty insurance policy issued by Ambac Assurance Corporation.
Specified funds for payment of purchase price: Federal funds (by wire transfer).
Time of Delivery: June 10, 1999, 10:00 a.m.
Closing Location: One ▇▇▇▇▇ Center
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
The Senior Notes will be available for inspection by the
Representative at:
One ▇▇▇▇▇ Center
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Address for Notices to the Underwriters:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
SCHEDULE II
Principal
Amount of
1999 Series A
Underwriter Senior Notes
----------- ------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated $ 21,300,000
First Union Capital Markets Corp. 21,300,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇ Brothers Inc. 21,300,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Lynch, Pierce, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇ Incorporated 21,300,000
PaineWebber Incorporated 21,300,000
Banc of America Securities LLC 3,000,000
Banc One Capital Markets, Inc. 3,000,000
BT Alex. ▇▇▇▇▇ Incorporated 3,000,000
Chase Securities Inc. 3,000,000
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation 3,000,000
Wachovia Securities, Inc. 3,000,000
BB&T Capital Markets 1,500,000
A Division of ▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company LLC 1,500,000
▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Sons, Inc. 1,500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. 1,500,000
Prudential Securities Incorporated 1,500,000
▇▇▇▇▇ Capital Markets 1,500,000
A Division of Banc One Capital Markets, Inc.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Inc. 1,500,000
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation 1,500,000
Advest, Inc. 500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated 500,000
▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. 500,000
Branch, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Company 500,000
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Incorporated 500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ & Co., L.P. 500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Inc. 500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Incorporated 500,000
Fidelity Capital Markets 500,000
A division of National Financial Services Corporation
Fifth Third Securities, Inc. 500,000
First Albany Corporation 500,000
Fleet Securities, Inc. 500,000
J.J.B. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, Inc. 500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Inc. 500,000
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Incorporated 500,000
McDonald Investments Inc., 500,000
A Keycorp Company
Mesirow Financial, Inc. 500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company, Inc. 500,000
Olde Discount Corporation 500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ & Associates, Inc. 500,000
The ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Company, LLC 500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co., Inc. 500,000
Sterne, Agree & ▇▇▇▇▇, Inc. 500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Company, Incorporated 500,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Incorporated 500,000
U.S. Bancorp ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc. 500,000
Wedbush ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities 500,000
Total: $150,000,000
============
SCHEDULE III
PROPOSED FORM OF OPINION
OF
▇▇▇▇ & VALENTINE, L.L.P.
NationsBank Center
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Re: VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY
1999 Series A 6.70% Senior Notes,
due June 30, 2009
June ___, 1999
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated, as Representative
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for you in connection with arrangements for
the issuance by Virginia Electric and Power Company (the Company) of up to U.S.
$150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 1999 Series A 6.70% Senior Notes,
due June 30, 2009 (the Senior Notes) under and pursuant to a Senior Indenture,
dated as of June 1, 1998 between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
trustee (the Trustee), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated
as of June 1, 1998 and to be further supplemented by a Second Supplemental
Indenture dated as of June 1, 1999 (collectively, the Senior Indenture), and the
offering of the Senior Notes by you pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement dated
June 3, 1999 by and between you and the Company (the Underwriting Agreement).
All terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the
Underwriting Agreement.
We have examined originals, or copies certified to our satisfaction of
such corporate records of the Company, indentures, agreements and other
instruments, certificates of
public officials, certificates of officers and representatives of the Company
and of the Trustee, and other documents, as we have deemed necessary as a basis
for the opinions hereinafter expressed. As to various questions of fact material
to such opinions, we have, when relevant facts were not independently
established, relied upon certifications by officers of the Company, the Trustee
and other appropriate persons and statements contained in the Registration
Statement hereinafter mentioned. All legal proceedings taken as of the date
hereof in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting
Agreement have been satisfactory to us.
In addition, we attended the closing held today at the offices of
McGuire, Woods, Battle & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, One ▇▇▇▇▇ Center, Richmond, Virginia, at
which the Company satisfied the conditions contained in Section 7 of the
Underwriting Agreement that are required to be satisfied as of the Closing Date.
Based upon the foregoing, and having regard to legal considerations
that we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that:
A. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under
the laws of Virginia and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation in West
Virginia and North Carolina, and has corporate power to transact its business as
described in the Prospectus.
B. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action and has been duly executed and delivered by the
Company.
C. The Senior Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of, the Company and
has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, except that we express no
opinion as to the validity or enforceability of any covenant to pay interest on
defaulted interest, and except as enforcement thereof may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general equitable
principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law).
D. The Senior Notes have been duly authorized by the Company and,
when executed by the Company and completed and authenticated by the Trustee in
accordance with the Senior Indenture and delivered and paid for as provided in
the Underwriting Agreement, will have been duly issued under the Senior
Indenture and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company
entitled to the benefits provided by the Senior Indenture, except as enforcement
thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or
by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law).
E. The Registration Statement (Reg. No. 333-47119) with respect to
the Senior Notes filed pursuant to the Securities Act, has become effective and
remains in effect at this date, and the Prospectus in the form filed as part of
the Registration Statement, including all
III - 2
Incorporated Documents constituting a part thereof, may lawfully be used for the
purposes specified in the Securities Act in connection with the offer for sale
and the sale of Senior Notes in the manner therein specified.
The Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except the financial
statements incorporated by reference therein, as to which we express no opinion)
appear on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to
the requirements of the Securities Act, and to the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder.
As to the statements relating to the Senior Notes under DESCRIPTION OF
THE SENIOR NOTES AND SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES in the prospectus initially filed
as part of the Registration Statement, as supplemented by the statements under
the DESCRIPTION OF THE 1999 SERIES A SENIOR NOTES in the Prospectus Supplement
dated June 3, 1999 (the Prospectus Supplement), we are of the opinion that the
statements are accurate and do not omit any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make such statements not misleading. As to the
statistical statements in the Registration Statement (which includes the
Incorporated Documents), we have relied solely on the officers of the Company.
As to the other matters, we have not undertaken to determine independently the
accuracy or completeness of the statements contained or incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement or in the Prospectus. We accordingly
assume no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the statements made
in the Registration Statement except as stated above in regard to the above
captions. We note that we were not involved in the preparation of the
Registration Statement or the prospectus initially filed as part thereof, and
that the Incorporated Documents were prepared and filed by the Company without
our participation. We have, however, participated in conferences with counsel
for and representatives of the Company in connection with the preparation of the
Prospectus Supplement, and we have reviewed the Incorporated Documents and such
of the corporate records of the Company as we deemed advisable. None of the
foregoing disclosed to us any information that gives us reason to believe that
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (except the financial statements
incorporated by reference therein, as to which we express no opinion) contained
on the date the Registration Statement became effective or now contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted on said date or now omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading. The foregoing opinion is given on the basis
that any statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed not to
be contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus if the statement has
been modified or superseded by any statement in a subsequently filed
Incorporated Document or in the Registration Statement or Prospectus.
F. An appropriate order of the Virginia Commission with respect to
the sale of the Senior Notes on the terms and conditions set forth in the
Underwriting Agreement has been issued, and such order remains in effect at this
date and constitutes valid and sufficient authorization for the sale of the
Senior Notes as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement. We understand such
order does not contain any provision unacceptable to you under the Underwriting
Agreement. No approval or consent by any public regulatory body, other than
III - 3
such order and notification of effectiveness by the Commission, is legally
required in connection with the sale of the Senior Notes as contemplated by the
Underwriting Agreement (except to the extent that compliance with the provisions
of securities or blue sky laws of certain states may be required in connection
with the sale of the Senior Notes in such states) and the carrying out of the
provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.
G. The Senior Notes conform to their description in the Underwriting
Agreement and to the statements with respect thereto contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
To the extent that the opinion expressed in paragraph A involves
matters governed by the laws of North Carolina and West Virginia, we have relied
upon certificates of public officials in those states as to the Company's good
standing and due authorization to transact business in those states.
Very truly yours,
▇▇▇▇ & VALENTINE, L.L.P.
III - 4
SCHEDULE IV
PROPOSED FORM OF OPINION
OF
MCGUIRE, WOODS, BATTLE & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
One ▇▇▇▇▇ Center
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Re: VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY
1999 Series A 6.70% Senior Notes
due June 30, 2009
June ___, 1999
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated, as Representative
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The arrangements for issuance of up to U.S. $150,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of 1999 Series A 6.70% Senior Notes, due June 30, 2009 (the
Senior Notes), of Virginia Electric and Power Company (the Company) under a
Senior Indenture dated as of June 1, 1998 between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as trustee (the Trustee), as supplemented by the First
Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1998 and to be further supplemented
by a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 1999 (collectively, the
Senior Indenture), and pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement dated June 3,
1999 by and between the Company and the Underwriters listed on Schedule II as
attached thereto (the Underwriting Agreement), have been taken under our
supervision as counsel for the Company. Terms not otherwise defined herein have
the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.
We have examined originals, or copies certified to our satisfaction, of
such corporate records of the Company, indentures, agreements, and other
instruments, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers and
representatives of the Company and of the Trustee, and other documents, as we
have deemed it necessary to require as a basis for the opinions hereinafter
expressed. As to various questions of fact material to such opinions, we have,
when relevant facts were not independently established, relied upon
certifications by officers of the Company, the Trustee and other appropriate
persons and statements contained in the Registration Statement hereinafter
mentioned. All legal proceedings taken as of the date hereof in connection with
the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement have been
satisfactory to us.
In regard to the title of the Company to its properties, we have made no
independent investigation of original records but our opinion is based (a) with
respect to land and rights of way for electric lines of 69,000 volts or more,
solely on reports and opinions by counsel in whom we have confidence and (b)
with respect to rights of way for electric lines of less than 69,000 volts and
various matters of fact in regard to all other properties, solely on information
from officers of the Company.
On this basis we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws
of Virginia and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation in West Virginia and
North Carolina. Neither the nature of the Company's business nor the properties
it owns or holds under lease makes necessary qualification as a foreign
corporation in any state where it is not now so qualified or where the failure
to be so qualified would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, and the Company has corporate power to conduct
its business as described in the Prospectus and to issue the Senior Notes.
2. All requisite corporate and governmental authorizations have been given
for the issuance of the Senior Notes under the Senior Indenture.
3. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action and has been duly executed and delivered by the Company.
4. The Senior Indenture has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered
by, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of, the Company and has been
duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, except that we express no opinion
as to the validity or enforceability of any covenant to pay interest on
defaulted interest, and except as enforcement thereof may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general equitable
principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law).
5. The Senior Notes have been duly authorized by the Company and, when
duly executed by the Company and completed and authenticated by the Trustee in
accordance with the Senior Indenture and issued, delivered and paid for in
accordance with the Underwriting Agreement, will have been duly issued under the
Senior Indenture and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
Company entitled to the benefits provided by the Senior Indenture, except as
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights
generally or by
IV - 2
general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in
a proceeding in equity or at law).
6. The Registration Statement (Reg. No. 333-47119) with respect to the
Senior Notes filed pursuant to the Securities Act, has become effective and
remains in effect at this date, and the Prospectus may lawfully be used for the
purposes specified in the Securities Act in connection with the offer for sale
and the sale of the Senior Notes in the manner therein specified.
The statements in regard to our firm under the caption EXPERTS in the
Prospectus relating to the Senior Notes are correct, and we are of the opinion
that, so far as governed by the laws of the United States, North Carolina or
Virginia, the legal conclusions relating to franchises, title to its properties,
rates, environmental and other regulatory matters and litigation in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated in the Prospectus by reference
and the description of the provisions of the Senior Indenture and the terms of
the Senior Notes contained in the prospectus initially filed as part of the
Registration Statement under DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR NOTES AND SENIOR
SUBORDINATED NOTES, as supplemented by the statements under DESCRIPTION OF THE
1999 SERIES A SENIOR NOTES in the Prospectus Supplement dated June 3, 1999, are
substantially accurate and fair. As to the statistical statements in the
Registration Statement (which includes the Incorporated Documents), we have
relied solely on the officers of the Company. As to other matters of fact, we
have consulted with officers and other employees of the Company to inform them
of the disclosure requirements of the Securities Act. We have examined various
reports, records, contracts and other documents of the Company and orders and
instruments of public officials, which our investigation led us to deem
pertinent. In addition, we attended the due diligence meetings with
representatives of the Company and the closing at which the Company satisfied
the conditions contained in Section 7 of the Underwriting Agreement. We have
not, however, undertaken to make any independent review of the other records of
the Company. We accordingly assume no responsibility for the accuracy or
completeness of the statements made in the Registration Statement except as
stated above in regard to the aforesaid captions. But such consultation,
examination and attendance disclosed to us no information with respect to such
other matters that gives us reason to believe that the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus contained on the date the Registration Statement became effective
or contains now any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted on said date
or omits now to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading. We are of the opinion that the
Registration Statement (excepting the financial statements incorporated therein
by reference, as to which we express no opinion) complies as to form in all
material respects with all legal requirements and is now effective.
The Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except the financial
statements incorporated by reference therein, as to which we express no opinion)
appear on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to
the requirements of the Securities Act, and to the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder.
IV - 3
7. The titles and interests of the Company in and to its properties are
reasonably adequate to enable the Company to carry on its business and the
Company holds such franchises, permits and licenses as are reasonably adequate
to enable the Company to carry on its business, and, as to any franchises,
permits and licenses that the Company does not hold, the absence thereof will
not materially adversely affect the operation, business and properties of the
Company as a whole.
8. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, there are no pending
legal, administrative or judicial proceedings with respect to the Company that
are required to be described in Form S-3.
The opinions in paragraphs 6 and 8 hereof are given on the basis that any
statement contained in an Incorporated Document shall be deemed not to be
contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus if the statement has been
modified or superseded by any statement in a subsequently filed Incorporated
Document or in the Registration Statement or Prospectus.
Yours very truly,
MCGUIRE, WOODS, BATTLE
& ▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
IV - 4
SCHEDULE V
PROPOSED FORM OF OPINION
OF
COUNSEL FOR AMBAC
[Letterhead of Insurer's Counsel]
June ___, 1999
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated, as Representative
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion has been requested of the undersigned, a Vice President and an
Assistant General Counsel of Ambac Assurance Corporation, a Wisconsin stock
insurance company (Ambac Assurance) in connection with the issuance by Ambac
Assurance of a certain Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy and endorsement
thereto, effective as of the date hereof (the Policy), insuring $150,000,000 in
aggregate principal amount of 1999 Series A 6.70% Senior Notes, due June 30,
2009, and dated June 10, 1999, (the Obligations), of Virginia Electric and Power
Company (the Issuer).
In connection with my opinion herein, I have examined the Policy, such
statutes, documents and proceedings as I have considered necessary or
appropriate under the circumstances to render the following opinion, including,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, certain statements contained
in the Prospectus Supplement of the Issuer dated June 3, 1999, to the Prospectus
of the Issuer dated March 18, 1998 relating to the Obligations (the Prospectus
Supplement) under the headings "THE POLICY" and "THE INSURER" and in "Appendix
AForm of Policy."
Based upon the foregoing and having regard to legal considerations I deem
relevant, I am of the opinion that:
1. Ambac Assurance is a stock insurance corporation, duly
incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of Wisconsin,
and duly qualified to conduct an insurance business in the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
2. Ambac Assurance has full corporate power and authority to execute
and deliver the Policy and the Policy has been duly authorized, executed
and delivered by Ambac Assurance and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of Ambac
Assurance enforceable in accordance with its terms except to the extent
that the enforceability (but not the validity) of such obligation may be
limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation,
rehabilitation or other similar law or enactment now or hereafter enacted
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights.
3. The execution and delivery by Ambac Assurance of the Policy will
not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and the
satisfaction of the terms thereof will not, conflict with or result in a
breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Certificate of
Authority, Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of Ambac Assurance, or any
restriction contained in any contract, agreement or instrument to which
Ambac Assurance is a party or by which it is bound or constitute a default
under any of the foregoing.
4. Proceedings legally required for the issuance of the Policy have
been taken by Ambac Assurance and licenses, orders, consents or other
authorizations or approvals of any governmental boards or bodies legally
required for the enforceability of the Policy have been obtained; any
proceedings not taken and any licenses, authorizations or approvals not
obtained are not material to the enforceability of the Policy.
5. The statements contained in the Prospectus Supplement under the
headings "THE POLICY" and "THE INSURER," insofar as such statements
constitute summaries of the matters referred to therein, accurately reflect
and fairly present the information purported to be shown and insofar as
such statements describe Ambac Assurance, fairly and accurately describe
Ambac Assurance.
6. The form of Policy contained in the Prospectus Supplement under
the heading "Appendix AForm of Policy" is a true and complete copy of the
form of the Policy.
Very truly yours,
Vice President and
Assistant General Counsel
V-2
SCHEDULE VI
PROPOSED FORM OF CERTIFICATE
OF
AMBAC ASSURANCE CORPORATION
June ___, 1999
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated, as Representative
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement dated June 3, 1999 with
respect to the 1999 Series A 6.70% Senior Notes, due June 30, 2009 (the Senior
Notes), of Virginia Electric and Power Company (the Issuer). Capitalized terms
used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning assigned to them in
the Prospectus Supplement. With respect to the Senior Notes, the undersigned
does hereby certify the following:
(a) The undersigned is a duly authorized representative of Ambac
Assurance Corporation (Ambac Assurance) and is authorized to execute and
deliver this certificate.
(b) The financial data presented in the table set forth under the
heading "THE INSURERInsurer Financial Information" in the Prospectus
Supplement presents fairly the financial position of Ambac Assurance as of
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and March 31, 1999, and to the best of my
knowledge since March 31, 1999, no material and adverse change has occurred
in the financial position of Ambac Assurance other than as set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement.
(c) There are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending
or, to the best of Ambac Assurance's knowledge, threatened against it at
law or in equity or before or by any court, governmental agency, board or
commission or any arbitrator which, if decided adversely, would materially
and adversely affect its condition (financial or otherwise) or operations
or which would materially and adversely affect its ability to perform its
obligations under the Policy.
Dated this _______ day of June, 1999
AMBAC ASSURANCE CORPORATION
___________________________________
By: