CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT (As Amended and Restated)
EXHIBIT 10.26
(As Amended and Restated)
THIS AGREEMENT (As Amended and Restated) (the “Agreement”), dated as of ________________ (the “Effective Date”), is made by and between SPECTRA ENERGY CORP, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ________________________________ (the “Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Company considers it essential to the best interests of its shareholders to ▇▇▇▇▇▇ the continued employment of key management personnel;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a Change in Control exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the Company’s management, including the Executive, to their assigned duties without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a Change in Control; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive previously entered into that certain Change in Control Agreement, dated as of __________ (the “Prior Agreement Effective Date”), as amended, (the “Prior Agreement”) and now mutually desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Company and the Executive, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:
1.Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:
(A) “Accrued Rights” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.
(B) “Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
(C) “Auditor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2 hereof.
(D) “Base Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 280G(b)(3).
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(E) “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d‑3 under the Exchange Act.
(F) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(G) “Cause” for termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment shall mean (i) a material failure by the Executive to carry out, or malfeasance or gross insubordination in carrying out, reasonably assigned duties or instructions consistent with the Executive’s position, (ii) the final conviction of the Executive of a (A) felony, (B) crime or criminal offense involving moral turpitude, or (C) criminal or summary conviction offense that is related to the Executive’s employment with the Company or an Affiliate, (iii) an egregious act of dishonesty by the Executive (including, without limitation, theft or embezzlement) in connection with employment, or a malicious action by the Executive toward the customers or employees of the Company or any Affiliate, (iv) a material breach by the Executive of the Company’s Code of Business Ethics, (v) the failure of the Executive to cooperate fully with governmental investigations involving the Company or its Affiliates, or (vi) the usual meaning of just cause under Canadian common law, if applicable; provided, however, that the Company shall not have reason to terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause pursuant to this Agreement unless the Executive receives written notice from the Company identifying the acts or omissions constituting Cause and gives the Executive a thirty (30) day opportunity to cure, if such acts or omissions are capable of cure.
(H) “Change in Control” means:
(a) Any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a “Person”) becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d‑3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (A) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that, for purposes of this definition, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company or (iv) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction that complies with Sections (c)(1), (c)(2) and (c)(3) of this definition;
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall
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be considered as though such individual was a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or securities of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (2) no Person (excluding any parent or other entity resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such entity resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, with respect to compensation (i) that is subject to Code Section 409A and (ii) for which a Change in Control would accelerate the timing of payment thereunder, the term “Change in Control” shall mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, as defined in Code Section 409A and authoritative guidance thereunder, but only to the extent inconsistent with the above
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definition and as necessary to comply with Code Section 409A as determined by the Company.
(I) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
(J) “Company” shall mean Spectra Energy Corp and, except in determining under Section 1.H hereof whether or not any Change in Control of the Company has occurred, shall include any successor to its business and/or assets which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
(K) “Confidential Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereof.
(L) “DB Pension Plan” shall mean any tax-qualified, supplemental or excess defined benefit pension plan maintained by the Company and any other defined benefit plan or agreement entered into between the Executive and the Company which is designed to provide the Executive with supplemental retirement benefits.
(M) “DC Pension Plan” shall mean any tax-qualified, supplemental or excess defined contribution plan maintained by the Company and any other defined contribution plan or agreement entered into between the Executive and the Company which is designed to provide the executive with supplemental retirement benefits.
(N) “Date of Termination” with respect to any purported termination of the Executive’s employment after a Change in Control and during the Term, shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not have returned to the full‑time performance of the Executive’s duties during such thirty (30) day period), and (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which, in the case of a termination by the Company, shall not be less than thirty (30) days (except in the case of a termination for Cause) and, in the case of a termination by the Executive, shall not be less than fifteen (15) days nor (without the consent of the Company) more than sixty (60) days, respectively, from the date such Notice of Termination is given).
(O) “Disability” shall be deemed the reason for the termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment, if, as a result of the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness, the Executive shall have been absent from the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties with the Company for a period of six (6) consecutive months, shall have qualified for benefits under the Company’s long-term disability program, the Company shall have given the Executive a Notice of Termination for Disability, and, within thirty (30) days after such Notice of Termination is given, the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties.
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(P) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
(Q) “Excise Tax” shall mean any excise tax imposed under Code section 4999.
(R) “Executive” shall mean the individual named in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
(S) “Good Reason” for termination by the Executive of the Executive’s employment shall mean the occurrence (without the Executive’s express written consent which specifically references this Agreement) after any Change in Control (subject to Section 4.3 hereof) of any one of the following acts by the Company, or failures by the Company to act, unless such act or failure to act is corrected prior to the Date of Termination specified in the Notice of Termination given in respect thereof: (i) a substantial adverse alteration in the nature or status of the Executive’s responsibilities, (ii) a material reduction in the Executive’s annual base salary, (iii) a material reduction in the Executive’s target annual bonus, (iv) the elimination of any material employee benefit plan in which the Executive is a participant or the material reduction of the Executive’s benefits under such plan, unless the Company either (A) immediately replaces such employee benefit plan or unless the Executive is permitted to immediately participate in other employee benefit plan(s) providing the Executive with a substantially equivalent value of benefits in the aggregate to those eliminated or materially reduced, or (B) immediately provides the Executive with other forms of compensation of comparable value to that being eliminated or reduced, (v) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement from any successor as contemplated in Section 11.1 hereof, or (vi) a relocation without the written consent of the Executive that requires the Executive to report to a work location more than 35 miles from the work location to which he or she was assigned prior to the Change in Control.
The Executive’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any act or failure to act constituting Good Reason hereunder.
(T) “Notice of Termination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5 hereof.
(U) “Person” shall have the meaning given in section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.
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(V) “Repayment Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3 hereof.
(W) “Restricted Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2 hereof.
(X) “Separation from Service” shall have the meaning provided under Code Section 409A.
(Y) “Severance Payments” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(C) hereof.
(Z) “Severance Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(C) hereof.
(AA) “Specified Employee” shall have the meaning provided under Code Section 409A.
(BB) “Subsidiary” means an entity that is wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, or any other affiliate of the Company that is so designated from time to time by the Company.
(CC) “Term” shall mean the period of time described in Section 2 hereof (including any extension, continuation or termination described therein).
(DD) “Total Payments” shall mean those payments so described in Section 4.2 hereof.
2. Term of Agreement. The Term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date hereof and shall continue in effect through the second anniversary of the Effective Date hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date that is twelve (12) months following the Effective Date hereof and each subsequent anniversary of the Effective Date hereof, the Term shall automatically be extended for one additional year; further provided, however, the Company or the Executive may terminate this Agreement effective at any time following the second anniversary of the Prior Agreement Effective Date only with six (6) months advance written notice; and further provided, however, that, notwithstanding the above, if a Change in Control shall have occurred during the Term, the Term shall in no case expire earlier than twenty‑four (24) months beyond the month in which such Change in Control occurred.
This Agreement supersedes any prior Change in Control Agreement between the Company and the Executive in its entirety.
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3. Compensation Other Than Severance Payments. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated for any reason following a Change in Control (subject to Section 4.3 hereof) and during the Term, the Company shall pay the Executive the salary amounts payable in the normal course for service through the Date of Termination and any rights or payments that have become vested or that are otherwise due in accordance with the terms of any employee benefit, incentive, or compensation plan or arrangement maintained by the Company that the Executive participated in at the time of his or her termination of employment (together, the “Accrued Rights”).
4. Severance Payments.
4.1 Subject to Sections 4.2 and 4.3 hereof, and further subject to the Executive executing and not revoking a release of claims substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit A to this Agreement, if the Executive’s employment is terminated following a Change in Control and during the Term (but in any event not later than twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control), other than (A) by the Company for Cause, (B) by reason of death or Disability, or (C) by the Executive without Good Reason, then, in any such case, in addition to the payments and benefits representing the Executive’s Accrued Rights, the Company shall pay the Executive the amounts, and provide the Executive the benefits, described in this Section 4.1 (“Severance Payments”).
(A) A lump-sum payment equal to (i) the Executive’s annual bonus payment earned for any completed bonus year prior to termination of employment, if not previously paid, plus (ii) a pro-rata amount of the Executive’s target bonus under any performance-based bonus plan, program, or arrangement in which the Executive participates for the year in which the termination occurs, determined as if all program goals had been met, pro-rated based on the number of days of service during the bonus year occurring prior to termination of employment;
(B) In lieu of any severance benefit otherwise payable to the Executive, the Company shall pay to the Executive, a lump sum severance payment, in cash, equal to two (or, if less, the number of years (including partial years) until the Executive reaches the Company’s mandatory retirement age, provided that the Company adopts a mandatory retirement age pursuant to 29 USC §631(c)), multiplied by the sum of (i) the Executive’s annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination or, if higher, as in effect immediately prior to the first occurrence of an event or circumstance constituting Good Reason, and (ii) the Executive’s target short-term incentive bonus opportunity for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs or, if higher, the fiscal year in which the first event or circumstance occurs constituting Good Reason. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in the event that a lump sum Severance Payment would constitute a change in the form or timing of any payment that is subject to, and not exempt under, Code Section 409A with respect to any severance benefit otherwise payable to the Executive under any other plan
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or arrangement, then the portion of the Severance Payment that is equal to the amount payable under such other severance plan shall be payable in the form and at the time applicable under such other severance plan, and any excess Severance Payment, as determined under this Section 4.1(B), shall be paid in a lump sum in accordance with this Section 4.1.
(C) For a period of two years immediately following the Date of Termination (or, if less, the period until the Executive reaches the Company’s mandatory retirement age, provided that the Company adopts a mandatory retirement age pursuant to 29 USC §631(c)) (the “Severance Period”), the Company shall arrange to provide the Executive and his or her spouse, if any, and any other eligible dependents of Executive, with medical, dental, and basic life insurance benefits substantially similar to those provided to the Executive and his or her eligible dependents immediately prior to the Date of Termination, or, if more valuable in the aggregate, to those provided immediately prior to the first occurrence of an event or circumstance constituting Good Reason, at no greater after-tax cost to the Executive than the after-tax cost to the Executive immediately prior to such date or occurrence; provided, however, that, in lieu of providing such benefits, the Company may choose to provide such benefits through a third-party insurer. As a condition to its obligation under the first sentence of this Section 4.1(C) with respect to medical and dental benefits, the Company may also require the Executive (and his or her spouse and other eligible dependents, if applicable) to elect to continue medical and dental coverage under COBRA unless electing to continue such coverage under COBRA would cause such individual(s) to no longer be eligible for any retiree health and welfare benefits offered by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company. Benefits otherwise receivable by the Executive pursuant to this Section 4.1(C) shall be reduced to the extent benefits of the same type are received by or made available to the Executive during the Severance Period as a result of subsequent employment (and any such benefits received by or made available to the Executive shall be reported to the Company by the Executive).
To the extent the continuation of the benefits under this Section 4.1(C) is taxable to Executive, and for medical benefits, the benefits continue beyond the Executive’s COBRA period, the Company shall administer such continuation of coverage consistent with the following additional requirements as set forth in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv):
(1) Executive’s eligibility for benefits in one year will not affect Executive’s eligibility for benefits in any other year;
(2) Any reimbursement of eligible expenses will be made on or before the last day of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; and
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(3) Executive’s right to benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
In the event the preceding sentence applies to certain benefits and Executive is a Specified Employee on the date of his Separation from Service, such benefits shall commence no sooner than the first day of the seventh month after the Executive’s Separation from Service.
(D) In addition to the benefits to which the Executive is entitled under the DC Pension Plan, the Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the sum of (i) the amount that would have been contributed thereto by the Company on the Executive’s behalf during the Severance Period, determined (x) as if the Executive made the maximum permissible contributions thereto during such period, (y) as if the Executive earned compensation during such period equal to the sum of the Executive’s base salary and target bonus as in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination, or, if higher, as in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the first event or circumstance constituting Good Reason, and (z) without regard to any amendment to the DC Pension Plan made subsequent to a Change in Control and on or prior to the Date of Termination, which amendment adversely affects in any manner the computation of benefits thereunder, and (ii) the unvested portion, if any, of the Executive’s account balance under the tax-qualified DC Pension Plan as of the Date of Termination that would have vested had Executive remained employed by the Company for the remainder of the Term. In addition, the unvested portion, if any, of the Executive’s account balance under the nonqualified DC Pension Plan as of the Date of Termination that would have vested had Executive remained employed by the Company for the remainder of the Term shall be fully vested as of the Date of Termination and shall be paid out in accordance with the terms of the nonqualified DC Pension Plan.
(E) In addition to the benefits to which the Executive is entitled under the DB Pension Plan, the Company shall pay the Executive a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the sum of (i) the amount that would have been allocated thereunder by the Company in respect of the Executive during the Severance Period, determined (x) as if the Executive earned compensation during such period equal to the sum of the Executive’s base salary and target bonus as in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination, or, if higher, as in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the first event or circumstance constituting Good Reason, and (y) without regard to any amendment to the DB Pension Plan made subsequent to a Change in Control and on or prior to the Date of Termination, which amendment adversely affects in any manner the computation of benefits thereunder, and (ii) the Executive’s unvested accrued benefit, if any, under the tax-qualified DB Pension Plan as of the Date of Termination that would have vested had Executive remained employed by the Company for the remainder of the Term.
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(F) Subject to the last sentence in this section 4.1(F), notwithstanding the terms of any award agreement or plan document to the contrary, the Executive shall be entitled to receive continued vesting of any long term incentive awards, including awards of stock options but excluding awards of restricted stock and phantom stock, held by the Executive at the time of his or her termination of employment that are not vested or exercisable on such date, in accordance with their terms as if the Executive’s employment had not terminated, for the duration of the Severance Period, with any options or similar rights to remain exercisable (to the extent exercisable at the end of the Severance Period) for a period of 90 days following the close of the Severance Period, but not beyond the maximum original term of such options or rights. However, if, at the time of his severance under the terms of this agreement the Executive has attained an age of 55 years and has at least 3 years of service, nothing in this section 4.1(F) shall truncate either the vesting period or the exercise period associated with an award. In the event that the terms of any award agreement or plan document, or the actions of the Board in connection with a Change in Control, would provide the Executive with greater benefits with respect to Executive’s awards than those set forth in this paragraph (for example and without limitation, full accelerated vesting of awards upon a Change in Control, a longer post-termination exercise period, lapse of restrictions on restricted stock, and/or other benefits in excess of or to a greater extent than those provided for in this paragraph with respect to any of Executive’s awards), then the terms and conditions of any such award agreement, plan document or Board action (as the case may be), to the extent of such greater benefits, shall apply to such award, and nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to provide for or require the benefits only to the extent provided in the first two sentences of this Section 4.1(F).
(G) The Company shall pay to the Executive, a lump sum payment, in cash, equal to $30,000 for outplacement assistance purposes.
Except where otherwise expressly specified to the contrary under this Agreement, all lump sum payments under this Section 4.1 shall be paid within the sixty (60) day period immediately following the Executive’s Separation from Service, but only if the Executive has executed by such date as the Company may prescribe (which date shall in no event be later than the 50th day following the Executive’s Separation from Service) and not revoked the release of claims in accordance with the first paragraph of this Section 4.1. If the payment period described in the immediately preceding sentence begins in one taxable year and ends in another taxable year, payments described herein shall be made in the second taxable year. If the Executive is a Specified Employee on the date of his Separation from Service, any such payment (other than payments under Section 4.1(A)) that the Executive would otherwise be entitled to receive during the first six months following the Executive’s Separation from Service shall be accumulated and paid within fifteen (15) business days after the date that is six months following the Executive’s Separation from Service, or if earlier on the first day of the month following Executive’s
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death. The preceding sentence shall not apply if payments are being made to the Executive upon a Change in Control pursuant to Section 4.3.
4.2 (A) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Executive (including any payment or benefit received in connection with a Change in Control or the termination of the Executive’s employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits, including the Severance Payments, being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”) would be subject (in whole or part), to the Excise Tax, then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Code section 280G in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the cash Severance Payments shall first be reduced, and the noncash Severance Payments shall thereafter be reduced, to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which the Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments).
(B) For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b) shall be taken into account, (ii) no portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of tax counsel (“Tax Counsel”) who is reasonably acceptable to the Executive and selected by the accounting firm (the “Auditor”) which was, immediately prior to the Change in Control, the Company’s independent auditor, does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2) (including by reason of Code Section 280G(b)(4)(A)) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(4)(B), in excess of the Base Amount allocable to such reasonable compensation, and (iii) the value of any non‑cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Auditor in accordance with the principles of Code Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4).
(C) At the time that payments are made under this Agreement, the Company shall provide the Executive with a written statement setting forth the manner in which such payments were calculated and the basis for such calculations including, without limitation, any opinions or other advice the Company has received from Tax
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Counsel, the Auditor or other advisors or consultants (and any such opinions or advice which are in writing shall be attached to the statement).
4.3 Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if (i) Executive’s employment is terminated prior to a Change in Control but after the Company and/or a third party have taken affirmative steps reasonably calculated to effectuate a Change in Control, (ii) such termination is a termination by the Company without Cause, or by the Executive for reasons that would have constituted Good Reason had they occurred following a Change in Control, and the event or actions taken by the Company in connection with such termination have been taken at the request or suggestion of such third party, and (iii) a Change in Control involving such third party (or a party competing with such third party to effectuate a Change in Control) does in fact occur, then for purposes of this Agreement, the date immediately prior to the date of such termination shall be treated as a Change in Control. For purposes of determining the timing of payments and benefits to the Executive under this Agreement in such event, the date of the actual Change in Control shall be treated as the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service, and for purposes of determining the amount of payments and benefits to the Executive under this Section 4, the date Executive’s employment is actually terminated shall be treated as the Executive’s Date of Termination under Section 1(N).
5. Notice of Termination. After a Change in Control and during the Term, any purported termination of the Executive’s employment (other than by reason of death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination from one party hereto to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 12 hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon.
6. No Mitigation. The Company agrees that, if the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates during the Term, the Executive is not required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the Executive by the Company pursuant to Section 4 hereof. Further, except as specifically provided in Section 4.1(C) hereof, no payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement shall be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company, or otherwise.
7. Restrictive Covenants.
7.1 Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. During the Restricted Period (as defined below), the Executive agrees that he or she shall not, without the Company’s prior written consent, for any reason, directly or indirectly, either as principal, agent, manager, employee, partner, shareholder, director, officer, consultant or otherwise (A) become engaged or involved in any business (other than as a less-than three percent (3%) equity owner of any corporation traded on any national, international or regional stock
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exchange or in the over-the-counter market) that competes with the Company or any of its Affiliates in the business of gathering, processing, distribution, storage or transmission of natural gas, resale or arranging for the purchase or for the resale, brokering, marketing, or trading of natural gas, or derivatives thereof; energy management and the provision of energy solutions; gathering, compression, treating, processing, fractionation, transportation, trading, marketing of natural gas components, including natural gas liquids; and sales and marketing of natural gas, domestically and abroad; and any other business in which the Company, including Affiliates, is engaged at the termination of the Executive’s continuous employment by the Company, including Affiliates; or (B) induce or attempt to induce any customer, client, supplier, employee, agent or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Affiliates to reduce, terminate, restrict or otherwise alter its business relationship with the Company or its Affiliates. The provisions of this Section 7.1 shall be limited in scope and effective only within the following geographical areas: (i) any country in the world where the Company, including Affiliates, has at least US$25 million in capital deployed as of termination of the Executive’s continuous employment by Company, including Affiliates; (ii) the continent of North America; (iii) the United States of America and Canada; (iv) the United States of America; (v) the states of Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Colorado, Oklahoma, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Louisiana, Kansas, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wyoming; and (vi) any state or states with respect to which was conducted a business of the Company, including Affiliates, which business constituted a substantial portion of the Executive’s employment. The parties intend the above geographical areas to be completely severable and independent, and any invalidity or unenforceability of this Agreement with respect to any one area shall not render this Agreement unenforceable as applied to any one or more of the other areas. If any part of this provision is held to be unenforceable because of the duration, scope or area covered, the Company and the Executive agree to modify such part, or that the court making such holding shall have the power to modify such part, to reduce its duration, scope or area, including deletion of specific words and phrases, i.e., “blue penciling”, and in its modified, reduced or blue pencil form, such part shall become enforceable and shall be enforced. Nothing in Section 7.1 shall be construed to prohibit the Executive being retained during the Restricted Period in a capacity as an attorney licensed to practice law, or to restrict the Executive providing advice and counsel in such capacity, in any jurisdiction where such prohibition or restriction is contrary to law.
7.2 Restricted Period. For purposes of this Agreement, “Restricted Period” shall mean the period of the Executive’s employment during the Term and, in the event of a termination of the Executive’s employment following a Change in Control that entitles Executive to Severance Payments covered by Section 4 hereof, the twelve (12) month period following such termination of employment, commencing from the Date of Termination.
7.3 Forfeiture and Repayments. The Executive agrees that, in the event he or she violates the provisions of Section 7 hereof during the Restricted Period,
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he or she will forfeit and not be entitled to any Severance Payments or any non-cash benefits or rights under this Agreement (including, without limitation, stock option rights), other than the payments provided under Section 3 hereof. The Executive further agrees that, in the event he or she violates the provisions of Section 7 hereof following the payment or commencement of any Severance Payments, (A) he or she will forfeit and not be entitled to any further Severance Payments, and (B) he or she will be obligated to repay to the Company an amount in respect of the Severance Payments previously made to him or her under Section 4 hereof (the “Repayment Amount”). The Repayment Amount shall be determined by aggregating the cash Severance Payments made to the Executive and multiplying the resulting amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of full and partial calendar months remaining in the Severance Period at the time of the violation (rounded to the nearest quarter of a month), and the denominator of which is twenty-four (24). The Repayment Amount shall be paid to the Company in cash in a single sum within ten (10) business days after the first date of the violation, whether or not the Company has knowledge of the violation or has made a demand for payment. Any such payment made following such date shall bear interest at a rate equal to the prime lending rate of Citibank, N.A. (as periodically set) plus 1%. Furthermore, in the event the Executive violates the provisions of Section 7 hereof, and notwithstanding the terms of any award agreement or plan document to the contrary (which shall be considered to be amended to the extent necessary to reflect the terms hereof), the Executive shall immediately forfeit the right to exercise any stock option or similar rights that are outstanding at the time of the violation, and the Repayment Amount, calculated as provided above, shall be increased by the amount of any gains (measured by the difference between the aggregate fair market value on the date of exercise of shares underlying the stock option or similar right (including without limitation restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and phantom stock units) and the aggregate exercise price (if any) of such stock option or similar right) realized by the Executive upon the exercise or payment of such stock options or similar rights within the one-year period prior to the first date of the violation.
7.4 Permissive Release. The Executive may request that the Company release him or her from the restrictive covenants of Section 7.1 hereof upon the condition that the Executive forfeit and repay all termination benefits and rights provided for in Section 4.1 hereof. The Company may, in its sole discretion, grant such a release in whole or in part or may reject such request and continue to enforce its rights under this Section 7.
7.5 Consideration; Survival. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the compensation and benefits provided in this Agreement constitute adequate and sufficient consideration for the covenants made by the Executive in this Section 7 and in the remainder of this Agreement. As further consideration for the covenants made by the Executive in this Section 7 and in the remainder of this Agreement, the Company has provided and will provide the Executive certain proprietary and other confidential information about the Company, including, but not limited to, business plans and strategies, budgets and budgetary projections, income and earnings projections and
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statements, cost analyses and assessments, and/or business assessments of legal and regulatory issues. The Executive’s obligations under this Section 7 shall survive any termination of his or her employment as specified herein.
8. Confidentiality. The Executive acknowledges that during the Executive’s employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates, the Executive will acquire, be exposed to and have access to, non-public material, data and information of the Company and its Affiliates and/or their customers or clients that is confidential, proprietary, and/or a trade secret (“Confidential Information”). At all times, both during and after the Term, the Executive shall keep and retain in confidence and shall not disclose, except as required and authorized in the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company or any its Affiliates, to any person, firm or corporation, or use for his or her own purposes, any Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, such Confidential Information shall include, but shall not be limited to: sales methods, information concerning principals or customers, advertising methods, financial affairs or methods of procurement, marketing and business plans, strategies (including risk strategies), projections, business opportunities, inventions, designs, drawings, research and development plans, client lists, sales and cost information and financial results and performance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Confidential Information” shall not include any information known generally to the public (other than as a result of unauthorized disclosure by the Executive or by the Company or its Affiliates). The Executive acknowledges that the obligations pertaining to the confidentiality and non-disclosure of Confidential Information shall remain in effect for a period of five (5) years after termination of employment, or until the Company or its Affiliates has released any such information into the public domain, in which case the Executive’s obligation hereunder shall cease with respect only to such information so released into the public domain; provided, however, with respect to those items of Confidential Information which constitute a trade secret as defined by the applicable laws governing the protection of trade secrets of the Company, the Executive’s obligation of confidentiality shall continue to survive after the 5-year period to the greatest extent permitted by applicable trade secret law. The Executive’s obligations under this Section 8 shall survive any termination of his or her employment. If the Executive receives a subpoena or other judicial process requiring that he or she produce, provide or testify about Confidential Information, the Executive shall notify the Company and cooperate fully with the Company in resisting disclosure of the Confidential Information. The Executive acknowledges that the Company has the right either in the name of the Executive or in its own name to oppose or move to quash any subpoena or other legal process directed to the Executive regarding Confidential Information. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Executive remains free to report or otherwise communicate any nuclear safety concern, any workplace safety concern, or any public safety concern to the United States Department of Labor or any other appropriate federal or state governmental agency, and the Executive remains free to participate in any federal or state administrative, judicial, or legislative proceeding or investigation with respect to any claims and matters not resolved and terminated pursuant to this Agreement. With respect to any claims and matters resolved and terminated pursuant to this Agreement, the
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Executive is free to participate in any federal or state administrative, judicial, or legislative proceeding or investigation if subpoenaed. The Executive shall give the Company, through its legal counsel, notice, including a copy of the subpoena, within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt thereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement generally prevents the Executive from filing a charge or complaint with or from participating in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities Exchange Commission or any other federal, state, or local agency charged with the enforcement of any employment laws or any criminal or civil statute.
9. Return of Company Property. All records, files, lists, including, computer generated lists, drawings, documents, equipment and similar items relating to the business of the Company and its Affiliates which the Executive shall prepare or receive from the Company or its Affiliates shall remain the sole and exclusive property of Company and its Affiliates. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive shall promptly return all property of Company or any of its Affiliates in his or her possession. The Executive further represents that he or she will not copy or cause to be copied, print out or cause to be printed out any software, documents or other materials originating with or belonging to the Company or any of its Affiliates.
10. Acknowledgement and Enforcement. The Executive acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Agreement with regards to the Executive’s use of Confidential Information and his or her future business activities are fair, reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate protectable interests, particularly given the competitive nature and broad scope of the Company’s business and that of its Affiliates, as well as the Executive’s position with the Company. The Executive further acknowledges that the Company may have no adequate means to protect its rights under this Agreement other than by securing an injunction (a court order prohibiting the Executive from violating this Agreement). The Executive therefore agrees that the Company, in addition to any other right or remedy it may have, shall be entitled to enforce this Agreement by obtaining a preliminary and permanent injunction and any other appropriate equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction. The Executive acknowledges that the recovery of damages will not be an adequate means to redress a breach of this Agreement, but nothing in this Section 10 shall prohibit the Company from pursuing any remedies in addition to injunctive relief, including recovery of damages and/or any forfeiture or repayment obligations provided for herein.
11. Successors; Binding Agreement.
11.1 In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor to the Company, the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
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perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and agreement to perform this Agreement prior to the effectiveness of any Change in Control shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall constitute Good Reason hereunder. For purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such Change in Control becomes effective shall be deemed the date Good Reason occurs, and shall be the Date of Termination if requested by the Executive.
11.2 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If the Executive shall die while any amount would still be payable to the Executive hereunder (other than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon the death of the Executive) if the Executive had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of the Executive’s estate.
12. Notices. All notices or other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when delivered personally, (b) upon confirmation of receipt when such notice or other communication is sent by facsimile, (c) one day after timely delivery to an overnight delivery courier, or (d) when delivered or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Such notices shall be directed, in the case of the Company, to the Company’s chief legal officer at the principal executive offices of the Company and, in the case of the Executive, to the Executive at the most recent address on file in the payroll records of the Company. Either party hereto may, by notice to the other, change its address for receipt of notices hereunder.
13. Code Section 409A. It is the intention of the Company and the Executive that this Agreement is written and administered, and will be interpreted and construed, in a manner such that no amount under this Agreement becomes subject to (a) gross income inclusion under Code Section 409A or (b) interest and additional tax under Code Section 409A (collectively, “Section 409A Penalties”), including, where appropriate, the construction of defined terms to have meanings that would not cause the imposition of the Section 409A Penalties. Accordingly, the Executive consents to any amendment of this Agreement as the Company may reasonably make in furtherance of such intention, and the Company shall promptly provide, or make available to, the Executive a copy of such amendment. Further, to the extent that any terms of the Agreement are ambiguous, such terms shall be interpreted as necessary to comply with Code Section 409A.
14. Miscellaneous. Except as otherwise provided in Section 13 hereof, no provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and the Chairman of the Board (or such officer as may be specifically designated by the Chairman of the Board). No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by
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the other party hereto of, or of any lack of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. This Agreement supersedes any other agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof which have been made by either party or Duke Energy; provided, however, that this Agreement shall supersede any agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment with the Company only in the event that the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated on or within two years following a Change in Control, by the Company other than for Cause, by the Executive for Good Reason, or under the circumstances described in Section 4.3. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas. All references to sections of the Exchange Act or the Code shall be deemed also to refer to any successor provisions to such sections. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid net of any applicable withholding required under federal, state or local law and any additional withholding to which the Executive has agreed and no such payments shall be treated as creditable compensation under any other employee benefit plan, program, arrangement or agreement of or with the Company or its affiliates. The obligations of the Company and the Executive under this Agreement which by their nature may require either partial or total performance after the expiration of the Term (including, without limitation, those under Section 4 hereof) shall survive such expiration.
15. Certain Legal Fees. To provide the Executive with reasonable assurance that the purposes of this Agreement will not be frustrated by the cost of enforcement, the Company shall reimburse the Executive promptly after receipt of an invoice for reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Executive as a result of a claim that the Company has breached or otherwise failed to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any provision hereof, regardless of which party, if any, prevails in the contest; provided, however, that Company shall not be responsible for such fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with a claim made by the Executive that the trier of fact in any such contest finds to be frivolous or if the Executive is determined to have breached his or her obligations under Sections 7, 8, 9, 16, or 17 of this Agreement; and provided further, however, the Company shall not be responsible for such fees or expenses in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, no reimbursement shall be made for attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred after the last day of the second taxable year of the Executive following the taxable year in which the Executive incurs a Separation from Service, and reimbursement of such amounts will not be made later than the last day of the third taxable year of the Executive following the taxable year in which the Executive incurs the Separation from Service.
16. Cooperation. The Executive agrees that he or she will fully cooperate in any litigation, proceeding, investigation or inquiry in which the Company or its Affiliates may be or become involved. The Executive also agrees to cooperate fully with any internal investigation or inquiry conducted by or on behalf of the Company. Such
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cooperation shall include the Executive making himself or herself available, upon the request of the Company or its counsel, for depositions, court appearances and interviews by Company’s counsel. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him or her in connection with such cooperation. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Executive agrees that he or she will notify the Board if he or she is contacted by any government agency or any other person contemplating or maintaining any claim or legal action against the Company or its Affiliates or by any agent or attorney of such person. Nothing contained in this Section 16 shall preclude the Executive from providing truthful testimony in response to a valid subpoena, court order, regulatory request or as may be required by law. Payment for expenses to be reimbursed under this Section 16 may not be made after December 31st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred.
17. Non-Disparagement. The Executive agrees that he or she will not make or publish, or cause to be made or published, any statement which is, or may reasonably be considered to be, disparaging of the Company or its Affiliates, or directors, officers or employees of the businesses of the Company or its Affiliates. Nothing contained in this Section 17 shall preclude the Executive from providing truthful testimony in response to a valid subpoena, court order, regulatory request or as may be required by law.
18. Validity; Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of any Section or sub-Section of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any provision contained in Section 7 hereof, shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable because of the scope, activity or duration of such provision, or the area covered thereby, the parties hereto agree to modify such provision, or that the court making such determination shall have the power to modify such provision, to reduce the scope, activity, duration and/or area of such provision, or to delete specific words or phrases therefrom, and in its reduced or modified form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
20. Settlement of Disputes. All claims by the Executive for benefits under this Agreement (a) shall be directed to and determined by the Chairman of the Board, unless the Executive is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, in which case such a claim shall be directed to and determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board, and (b) shall be in writing. Any denial by the Chairman of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, as applicable, of a claim for benefits under this Agreement shall be delivered to the Executive in writing and shall set forth the specific provisions of this Agreement relied upon.
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[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the Effective Date first written above.
SPECTRA ENERGY CORP | |
By: | |
Name: | ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ |
Title: | Chair, President & CEO |
EXECUTIVE | |
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EXHIBIT A
RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This RELEASE OF CLAIMS (the “Release”) is executed and delivered by ________________________ (the “Employee”) to SPECTRA ENERGY CORP (together with its successors, the “Company”).
In consideration of the agreement by the Company to provide the Employee with the rights, payments and benefits under the Change in Control Agreement between the Employee and the Company dated ___________ __, 20___ (the “Severance Agreement”), the Employee hereby agrees as follows:
Section 1. Release and Covenant. The Employee, of his or her own free will, voluntarily and unconditionally releases and forever discharges the Company, its subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, their directors, officers, employees, agents, stockholders, successors and assigns (both individually and in their official capacities with the Company) (the “Company Releasees”) from, any and all past or present causes of action, suits, agreements or other claims which the Employee, his or her dependents, relatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns has or may hereafter have from the beginning of time to the date hereof against the Company or the Company Releasees upon or by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, including, but not limited to, any matters arising out of his or her employment by the Company and the cessation of said employment, and including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and any other federal, state or local law, regulation or ordinance, or public policy, contract or tort law having any bearing whatsoever on the terms and conditions of employment or termination of employment. This Release shall not, however, constitute a waiver of any of the Employee’s rights under the Severance Agreement.
Section 2. Due Care. The Employee acknowledges that he or she has received a copy of this Release prior to its execution and has been advised hereby of his or her opportunity to review and consider this Release for 21 days prior to its execution. The Employee further acknowledges that he or she has been advised hereby to consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release. The Employee enters into this Release having freely and knowingly elected, after due consideration, to execute this Release and to fulfill the promises set forth herein. This Release shall be revocable by the Employee during the 7-day period following its execution, and shall not become effective or enforceable until the expiration of such 7-day period. In the event of such a revocation, the Employee shall not be entitled to the consideration for this Release set forth above.
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Section 3. Nonassignment of Claims; Proceedings. The Employee represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any claim which the Employee may have against the Company or any of the Company Releasees. The Employee represents that he or she has not commenced or joined in any claim, charge, action or proceeding whatsoever against the Company or any of the Company Releasees arising out of or relating to any of the matters set forth in this Release. The Employee further agrees that he or she will not seek or be entitled to any personal recovery in any claim, charge, action or proceeding whatsoever against the Company or any of the Company Releasees for any of the matters set forth in this Release.
Section 4. Reliance by Employee. The Employee acknowledges that, in his or her decision to enter into this Release, he or she has not relied on any representations, promises or agreements of any kind, including oral statements by representatives of the Company or any of the Company Releasees, except as set forth in this Release and the Severance Agreement.
Section 5. Nonadmission. Nothing contained in this Release will be deemed or construed as an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of the Company or any of the Company Releasees.
Section 6. Communication of Safety Concerns. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Release, the Employee remains free to report or otherwise communicate any nuclear safety concern, any workplace safety concern, or any public safety concern to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, United States Department of Labor, or any other appropriate federal or state governmental agency, and the Employee remains free to participate in any federal or state administrative, judicial, or legislative proceeding or investigation with respect to any claims and matters not resolved and terminated pursuant to the Severance Agreement and this Release. With respect to any claims and matters resolved and terminated pursuant to the Severance Agreement and this Release, the Employee is free to participate in any federal or state administrative, judicial, or legislative proceeding or investigation if subpoenaed. The Employee shall give the Company, through its legal counsel, notice, including a copy of the subpoena, within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt thereof.
Section 7. Governing Law. This Release shall be interpreted, construed and governed according to the laws of the State of Texas, without reference to conflicts of law principles thereof.
Section 8. Severability. It is understood by you and the Company that if any part of this Release of Claims is held by a court to be invalid, the remaining portions shall not be affected.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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This RELEASE OF CLAIMS is executed by the Employee and delivered to the Company on _____________________, 20___.
EMPLOYEE |
[not to be signed upon execution of Change in Control Agreement]
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