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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
May 26, 2010
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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1-32740
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30-0108820 |
(State or other jurisdiction
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(Commission
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(IRS Employer |
of incorporation)
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File Number)
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Identification Number) |
3738 Oak Lawn Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75219
(Address of principal executive offices)
(214) 981-0700
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy
the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Effective as of May 26, 2010, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (ETE) amended and restated its
existing $500 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility and $1.45 billion term
loan facility (the Existing Credit Agreement) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as
administrative agent, LC issuer and swingline lender, Bank of America, N.A. and Citicorp North
America, Inc., as co-syndication agents, BNP Paribas and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc,
as co-documentation agents, and the other lenders party thereto, to allow for the
completion of the GP Acquisition, the Redemption Transaction and the Contribution Transaction, each
as defined under Item 2.01 below. A copy of the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended and restated
(the Amended Credit Agreement) is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by
reference.
Under the Amended Credit Agreement, the obligations of ETE are secured by all tangible and
intangible assets of ETE and certain of its subsidiaries, including (i) the 50,226,967 common units
of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (ETP) held by ETE following the completion of the Redemption
Transaction (as defined under Item 2.01 below); (ii) ETEs 100% equity interest in the general
partner entities of ETP, through which ETE holds the incentive distribution rights in ETP; (iii)
the 26,266,791 common units of Regency Energy Partners LP (Regency) acquired by ETE in the
Contribution Transaction (as defined under Item 2.01 below); (iv) ETEs 100% membership interest in
ETE GP Acquirer LLC (ETE Acquirer); and (v) ETE Acquirers 100% equity interest in the general
partner entities of Regency acquired in the GP Acquisition (as defined under Item 2.01 below).
The rates at which borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement bear interest remain
unchanged from the rates at which borrowings under the Existing Credit Agreement bore interest,
which were, for revolving loans, at ETEs option, either (a) the Eurodollar rate plus the
applicable margin or (b) the base rate plus the applicable margin. The applicable margins are based
upon ETEs leverage ratio and range from 1.25% to 2.0% for Eurodollar loans and from 0 to 0.5% for
base rate loans. The term loans bear interest at ETEs option at either (a) the Eurodollar rate
plus 1.75% per annum or (b) the prime rate plus 0.25% per annum. The revolving credit facility
portion of the borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement will mature on February 8, 2011 and
the term loan facility will mature on November 1, 2012.
The Amended Credit Agreement alters certain of the restrictive covenants found in the Existing
Credit Agreement to reflect ETEs ownership of the general partner interests of Regency. The
Amended Credit Agreement also revised the financial covenants of the Existing Credit Agreement,
which include a maximum leverage ratio, a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, a minimum interest
coverage ratio and a minimum loan to value ratio, to incorporate the results of operations and
capital structure of Regency and its subsidiaries.
This description of the Amended Credit Agreement does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 10.1 hereto.
Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
Acquisition of General Partner of Regency Energy Partners LP
On May 26, 2010, ETE and ETE Acquirer completed their acquisition (the GP Acquisition) of a
100% equity interest in the general partner entities of Regency from Regency GP Acquirer, L.P.
(Regency Acquirer), an affiliate of GE Energy Financial Services, Inc. (GE EFS), pursuant to
the General Partner Purchase Agreement by and among ETE, ETE Acquirer and Regency Acquirer, dated
as of May 10, 2010. In exchange, ETE issued to Regency Acquirer 3,000,000 newly issued Series A
Convertible Preferred Units (the Preferred Units).
Prior to the GP Acquisition, Regency Acquirer owned, directly or indirectly, all of the
outstanding partnership interests in Regency GP LP (RGPLP), which is the general partner of
Regency, and all of the outstanding membership interests in Regency GP LLC (RGPLLC), the general
partner of RGPLP.
Regency is a publicly-traded Delaware limited partnership engaged in the gathering,
processing, contract compression and transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids. RGPLP
owns a 2.0% general partner interest and 100% of the incentive distribution rights in Regency.
The Preferred Units were issued in a private placement, relying on Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), at a stated price of $100 per unit and
will be entitled to a preferential cash distribution of $2.00 per fiscal quarter. The Preferred
Units will automatically convert on the fourth anniversary of the date of issuance into an amount
of ETE common units equal in value to the issue price plus any accrued but unpaid distributions
plus a specified premium equal to the lesser of 10% of the issue price plus any accrued but unpaid
distributions or a premium derived from 25% of the accretion in the trading price of ETE common
units subsequent to the date of issuance of the Preferred Units. ETE may choose, at its sole
option, to pay 50% of the conversion consideration based on the issue price plus any accrued but
unpaid distributions in cash. ETE may elect to redeem all, but not less than all, of the Preferred
Units beginning on the third anniversary of the date of issuance for ETE common units or cash
equal to the issue price plus a premium paid out in common units, equal to the greater of 10% of
the issue price plus any accrued but unpaid distributions or a premium derived from 25% of the
accretion in the trading price of ETE common units subsequent to the date of issuance. GE EFS also
has certain rights to force ETE to redeem or convert the outstanding Preferred Units for specified
consideration upon the occurrence of certain extraordinary events involving ETE or Energy Transfer
Partners, L.P. (ETP). Holders of the Preferred Units have no voting rights, except that approval
of a majority of the Preferred Units is needed to approve any amendment to ETEs Third Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, as amended (the Partnership Agreement) that would result in (i)
any increase in the size of the class of Preferred Units, (ii) any alteration or change to the
rights, preferences, privileges, duties, or obligations of the Preferred Units or (iii) any other
matter that would adversely affect the rights or preferences of the Preferred Units, including in
relation to other classes of ETE partnership interests. The Preferred Units were issued in
accordance with Amendment No. 3 (the Third Amendment) to the Partnership Agreement, which was
adopted by LE GP, LLC, the general partner of ETE (the General Partner), in connection with the
closing of the GP Acquisition. A copy of the Third Amendment is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and
is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01. The foregoing summary of the Third Amendment
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 3.1
hereto.
In connection with the GP Acquisition, on May 26, 2010, ETE entered into a Registration Rights
Agreement with Regency Acquirer (the Registration Rights Agreement). Under the Registration
Rights Agreement, ETE granted Regency Acquirer certain registration rights, including rights to
cause ETE to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a shelf registration statement under
the Securities Act with respect to resales of the ETE common units into which the Preferred Units
issued to Regency Acquirer in the GP Acquisition are convertible. The Registration Rights
Agreement also contains customary provisions regarding rights of indemnification between the
parties with respect to certain applicable securities law liabilities. A copy of the Registration
Rights Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and is incorporated by reference into this Item
2.01. The foregoing summary of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 4.1 hereto.
In addition, in connection with the GP Acquisition, Kelcy Warren and Enterprise GP Holdings,
L.P., as the collective owners of approximately 81.2% of the membership interests of the General
Partner, granted Regency Acquirer the right to elect, from time to time, to either appoint one
director to the board of directors of the General Partner, or, alternatively, to appoint one board
observer, for so long as Regency Acquirer and its affiliates maintain certain ownership thresholds
of the Preferred Units. As of the date of this filing, Regency Acquirer has informed ETE and the
General Partner that it intends to exercise its right to appoint a board observer to the board of
directors of the General Partner.
Redemption and Exchange Agreement
Also on May 26, 2010, ETP completed the transfer of the membership interests (the Redemption
Transaction) in ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline III, L.L.C. (ETC III) to ETE pursuant to the
Redemption and Exchange Agreement (the Redemption Agreement) between ETP and ETE, dated as of May
10, 2010. ETC III owns a 49.9% membership interest in Midcontinent Express Pipeline, LLC (MEP),
ETPs joint venture with Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. that owns and operates the
Midcontinent Express Pipeline. In exchange for the membership interests in ETC III, ETP received
and redeemed 12,273,830 ETP common units that were previously owned by ETE. The consideration
payable under the Redemption Agreement is subject to post-closing purchase price adjustment,
payable in cash, including adjustments based on changes in the working capital and long-term debt
levels of MEP from those as of January 1, 2010 and any capital expenditures made by MEP after
January 1, 2010. The completion of the Redemption Transaction also provided ETE with an option (the Option) to
acquire the membership interests in ETC Midcontinent Express Pipeline II, L.L.C.
(ETC II). ETC II owns a 0.1% membership interest in MEP. The Option may not be exercised until May 27,
2011.
Contribution Agreement
Also on May 26, 2010, ETE completed the contribution of the membership interests in ETC III
and the assignment of its rights under the Option to Regency Midcontinent Express LLC, a subsidiary
of Regency (the Contribution Transaction), in exchange for 26,266,791 Regency common units
pursuant to the Contribution Agreement (the Contribution Agreement) by and among ETE, Regency and
Regency Midcontinent Express LLC, dated as of May 10, 2010. The consideration payable under the
Contribution Transaction is subject to post-closing purchase price adjustments, including
adjustments consistent with the purchase price adjustment in connection with the Redemption
Transaction.
Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The information included in Item 2.01 above under the heading Acquisition of General Partner
of Regency Energy Partners LP is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
The information included in Item 2.01 above under the heading Acquisition of General Partner
of Regency Energy Partners LP is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On May 26, 2010, ETE issued a press release announcing the completion of the GP Acquisition,
the Redemption Transaction and the Contribution Transaction. A copy of the press release is
furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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Exhibit |
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Description of the Exhibit |
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Exhibit 2.1
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General Partner Purchase Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by and among
Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and ETE GP
Acquirer LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K/A of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. filed on May 13,
2010). |
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Exhibit 2.2
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Redemption and Exchange Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by and among
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K/A of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. filed on May 13, 2010). |
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Exhibit 2.3
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Contribution Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by and among Energy
Transfer Equity, L.P., Regency Energy Partners LP and Regency
Midcontinent Express LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to
the Current Report on Form 8-K/A of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. filed
on May 13, 2010). |
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Exhibit 3.1*
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Amendment No. 3 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., effective as of May 26,
2010. |
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Exhibit 4.1*
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Registration Rights Agreement by and among Energy Transfer Equity,
L.P. and Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., dated as of May 26, 2010. |
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Exhibit 10.1*
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Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Energy
Transfer Equity, L.P., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as
administrative agent, LC issuer and swingline lender, Bank of America,
N.A. and Citicorp North America, Inc., as co-syndication agents, BNP
Paribas and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as
co-documentation agents, and the other lenders party thereto,
effective as of May 26, 2010. |
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Exhibit 99.1*
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Press release of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. dated as of May 26, 2010. |
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Filed or furnished herewith. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. |
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By:
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LE GP, LLC |
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its general partner |
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Date:
June 2, 2010
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/s/ John W. McReynolds
John W. McReynolds
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President and Chief Financial Officer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description of the Exhibit |
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Exhibit 2.1
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General Partner Purchase Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by and among
Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and ETE GP
Acquirer LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K/A of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. filed on May 13,
2010). |
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Exhibit 2.2
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Redemption and Exchange Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by and among
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. and Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K/A of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. filed on May 13, 2010). |
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Exhibit 2.3
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Contribution Agreement, dated May 10, 2010, by and among Energy
Transfer Equity, L.P., Regency Energy Partners LP and Regency
Midcontinent Express LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to
the Current Report on Form 8-K/A of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. filed
on May 13, 2010). |
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Exhibit 3.1*
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Amendment No. 3 to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., effective as of May 26,
2010. |
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Exhibit 4.1*
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Registration Rights Agreement by and among Energy Transfer Equity,
L.P. and Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., dated as of May 26, 2010. |
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Exhibit 10.1*
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Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among Energy
Transfer Equity, L.P., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as
administrative agent, LC issuer and swingline lender, Bank of America,
N.A. and Citicorp North America, Inc., as co-syndication agents, BNP
Paribas and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as
co-documentation agents, and the other lenders party thereto,
effective as of May 26, 2010. |
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Exhibit 99.1*
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Press release of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. dated as of May 26, 2010. |
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Filed or furnished herewith. |
exv3w1
Exhibit 3.1
Execution Version
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
This Amendment No. 3 (this Amendment) to the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership),
dated as of February 8, 2006 (the Partnership Agreement), is entered into effective as of May 26,
2010, by LE GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the General Partner), as the general
partner of the Partnership, on behalf of itself and the Limited Partners of the Partnership.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used as defined in the Partnership Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Section 5.8 of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner, without
the approval of any Limited Partner except as otherwise provided in the Partnership Agreement, may,
for any Partnership purpose, at any time or from time to time, issue additional Partnership
Securities to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be
established by the General Partner in its sole discretion;
WHEREAS, Section 13.1(d)(i) of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner,
without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of the Partnership Agreement (to
reflect a change that, the General Partner determines, does not adversely affect the Limited
Partners in any material respect);
WHEREAS, Section 13.1(g) of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner,
without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of the Partnership Agreement to
reflect an amendment that, the General Partner determines, is necessary or appropriate in
connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities
pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Partnership Agreement;
WHEREAS, all of the Class C Units were converted into Common Units on February 22, 2007, with
the result that all Class C Units have been canceled and there are no Class C Units Outstanding as
of the date hereof;
WHEREAS, all of the Class B Units were converted into Common Units on March 27, 2007, with the
result that all Class B Units have been canceled and there are no Class B Units Outstanding as of
the date hereof;
WHEREAS, the Partnership has entered into a General Partner Purchase Agreement, dated as of
May 10, 2010 (the GP Purchase Agreement), between the Partnership, ETE GP Acquirer LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company (ETE GP Acquirer) and Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership (Regency GP Seller), pursuant to which Regency GP Seller will transfer (i)
100% of the membership interests in Regency GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (RGPLLC)
and (ii) the 99.999% limited partner interest in
Regency GP LP, a Delaware limited partnership (RGPLP and, together with RGPLLC, the Regency
GP Entities) and the general partner of Regency Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (Regency) (such interests, together the Acquired Regency GP Interests) to ETE GP
Acquirer in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership to Regency GP Seller of 3,000,000 units of
a new class of Partnership Securities to be designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Units
with the rights, preferences and privileges and such other terms as are set forth in this
Amendment;
WHEREAS, the General Partner has determined that the creation of the Series A Preferred Units
(as defined below) will be in the best interests of the Partnership and beneficial to the Limited
Partners, including the holders of the Common Units;
WHEREAS, the issuance of the Series A Preferred Units complies with the requirements of the
Partnership Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the General Partner has determined, pursuant to Section 13.1(g) of the Partnership
Agreement, that the amendments to the Partnership Agreement set forth herein are necessary or
appropriate in connection with the authorization of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Units;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
Section 1. Amendments.
(a) Section 1.1 of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to add or amend and restate
the following definitions:
Combined Accretion Multiple has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(xi)(B).
Election Notice Period has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(ix)(A).
Fair Market Value means, as of a particular date, (i) for any Marketable
Security, the VWAP Price of such Marketable Security and (ii) for all property other
than a Marketable Security, the value of the property on the date it was distributed
by the Partnership in a Special Distribution, as determined in good faith by the
General Partner.
Fractional Unit Cash Consideration has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(G).
Fundamental Change means (i) any merger or consolidation of the Partnership
with another entity, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Partnership, (iii) any dissolution or liquidation of the Partnership, (iv) any other
transaction pursuant to which the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General
Partner exercises its rights to purchase all of the Outstanding Common Units
pursuant to Section 15.1 of this Agreement, (v) the sale or transfer, directly
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or indirectly, of the general partner interest of the MLP by the Partnership
(excluding any such sale or transfer to a, direct or indirect, wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Partnership), (vi) the failure of the Partnership to continue to
maintain, directly or through direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries,
ownership of at least 25,000,000 common units of the MLP (as appropriately adjusted
for unit splits, unit distributions and the like) or (vii) the declaration of a
distribution by the MLP to its unitholders that constitutes a distribution from
Capital Surplus as opposed to Operating Surplus (as each such term is defined in the
MLP Agreement as in effect on the Series A Issuance Date).
Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration means (x) if Common Units will
remain Outstanding and continue to constitute Marketable Securities upon
consummation of a Fundamental Change, a number of Common Units equal to (A) the sum
of (1) the Series A Liquidation Value as of the date of consummation of the
Fundamental Change plus (2) the lesser of (a) the Series A Accretion Amount as of
the date of the consummation of a Fundamental Change or (b) $10.00, divided by (B)
the VWAP Price as of the date of the consummation of the Fundamental Change and (y)
in any circumstance not described in clause (x), the consideration received in
connection with such Fundamental Change by a hypothetical holder of the number of
Common Units that would be received by the holder of one Series A Preferred Unit
pursuant to clause (x) had Common Units remained Outstanding and continued to
constitute Marketable Securities upon consummation of such Fundamental Change.
Fundamental Change Documentation means any documentation (in addition to any
certificates representing a holders Series A Preferred Units) that the General
Partner reasonably requests to be delivered by each holder of Series A Preferred
Units in connection with the conversion or redemption of the Series A Preferred
Units due to a Fundamental Change, including, if applicable, wire transfer
instructions in respect of any cash consideration to be received in connection with
such Fundamental Change.
Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit Consideration has the meaning ascribed
to such term in Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i).
Fundamental Change Elected Cash Consideration has the meaning ascribed to
such term in Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i).
Fundamental Change Forced Redemption Election has the meaning ascribed to
such term in Section 5.13(b)(ix)(A)(a).
Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration means (i) an amount in cash equal
to the Series A Liquidation Value as of the date of the consummation of a
Fundamental Change plus (ii) the Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration
Premium.
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Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration Premium means, in respect of a
Fundamental Change, (x) if Common Units will remain Outstanding and continue to
constitute Marketable Securities upon the consummation of the Fundamental Change, a
number of Common Units equal to (A) the greater of (1) the Series A Accretion Amount
as of the date of the consummation of a Fundamental Change and (2) $10.00 divided by
(B) the VWAP Price of a Common Unit as of the date of consummation of the
Fundamental Change and (y) in any circumstance not described in clause (x), the
consideration received in connection with such Fundamental Change by a hypothetical
holder of the number of Common Units that would be received by the holder of one
Series A Preferred Unit pursuant to clause (x) had Common Units remained Outstanding
and continued to constitute Marketable Securities upon consummation of such
Fundamental Change.
Fundamental Change Trigger Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(ix)(A).
Investor means, collectively, Regency GP Seller and each of its Affiliates
from time to time that is the registered holder of any Series A Preferred Units.
Issue Price means the price at which a Unit is purchased from the
Partnership, after taking into account any sales commission or underwriting discount
charged to the Partnership and after taking into account any other form of discount
with respect to the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership;
provided, however, that in the case of the Series A Preferred Units, the Issue Price
shall be $100.00 per Unit.
Junior Securities means any class or series of Partnership Securities that,
with respect to distributions on such Partnership Securities and distributions upon
liquidation of the Partnership, ranks junior to the Series A Preferred Units,
including but not limited to Common Units.
Marketable Security means any security listed on the New York Stock Exchange
or the NASDAQ Stock Market.
Parity Securities means any class or series of Partnership Securities that,
with respect to distributions on such Partnership Securities or distributions upon
liquidation of the Partnership, ranks pari passu with the Series A Preferred Units.
Partnership Event has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(xi)(A).
Partnership Event Consummation Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(xi)(A).
Post-Partnership Event Accretion Multiple has the meaning ascribed to such
term in Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B)(b).
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Pre-Partnership Event Accretion Multiple has the meaning ascribed to such
term in Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B)(a).
Public Equity Partnership Event has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B).
Record Date means the date established by the General Partner for determining
(a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any
meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of
Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in
respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners, (b) the identity of Record Holders
entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer or (c)
the identity of the Record Holders of Series A Preferred Units entitled to convert
such Units or whose Units are to be redeemed.
Regency GP Purchase Agreement means the General Partner Purchase Agreement,
dated May 10, 2010, by and between the Partnership, ETE GP Acquirer LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company and Regency GP Seller.
Regency GP Seller means Regency GP Acquirer, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership.
Regulation FD means Regulation FD as promulgated by the Commission, as the
same may be amended from time to time.
Securities Law Prohibition has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(vii)(H).
Senior Securities means any class or series of Partnership Securities that,
with respect to distributions on such Partnership Securities or distributions upon
liquidation of the Partnership, ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Units.
Series A Adjustment Event has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(xii)(A).
Series A Accretion Amount means, as of a particular date (i) $100.00
multiplied by (ii) the Trading Price Accretion Percentage as of such date multiplied
by (iii) twenty-five percent (25%), expressed as a decimal.
Series A Conversion Cash Consideration has the meaning ascribed to such term
in Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A)(b)(ii).
Series A Conversion Consideration has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A).
Series A Conversion Documentation has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C)(c).
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Series A Conversion Notice has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(vii)(C).
Series A Conversion Notice Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C).
Series A Distribution Payment Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(ii)(A).
Series A Distribution Rate means a fixed rate of $2.00 per Series A Preferred
Unit per Quarter; provided, however, that with respect to the period commencing on
the Series A Issuance Date and ending on the last day of the Quarter in which the
Series A Issuance Date occurs, Series A Distribution Rate shall mean a fixed rate
of the product of $2.00 per Series A Preferred Unit multiplied by a fraction of
which the numerator is the number of days in such period and the denominator is 90.
Series A Exchange Cap means that number of units of Common Units which the
Partnership may issue upon conversion or redemption, as the case may be, of the
Series A Preferred Units without breaching the Partnerships obligations under the
rules or regulations of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units
are listed or admitted to trading.
Series A Issuance Date means May 26, 2010.
Series A Liquidation Value means as of a particular date, with respect to a
Series A Preferred Unit, the sum of (i) the Issue Price, plus (ii) all accumulated
and unpaid and all accrued and unpaid distributions on such Series A Preferred Unit
pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ii)(A) as of such date.
Series A Maturity Date means May 26, 2014.
Series A Optional Redemption Trigger Date means May 26, 2013.
Series A Preferred Unit means a Partnership Security representing a
fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees,
and having the rights, preferences and privileges and duties and obligations
specified with respect to the Series A Preferred Units in this Agreement. The term
Series A Preferred Unit does not refer to a Common Unit prior to the conversion of
a Series A Preferred Unit into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
Series A Pro Rata Distribution means, in respect of any Parity Security, the
distribution permitted to be made on such Parity Security in the event that the
Partnership fails to pay in full in cash any distribution (or portion thereof) which
any holder of Series A Preferred Units accrues and is entitled to receive, which is
equal to the distribution payable in respect of such Parity Security as of such
date, multiplied by a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the distribution paid
in
6
respect of each Series A Preferred Unit on the most recent Series A
Distribution Payment Date and (ii) the denominator of which is the distribution
accumulated and payable on each Series A Preferred Unit immediately prior to the
payment of such distribution on the most recent Series A Distribution Payment Date.
Series A Redemption Confirmation has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(viii)(C)(b).
Series A Redemption Consideration has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(viii)(A).
Series A Redemption Documentation has the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 5.13(b)(viii)(C)(b).
Series A Redemption Date has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(viii)(C)(a).
Series A Redemption Notice has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(viii)(C)(a).
Special Distribution has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(xii)(A).
Successor Securities has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
5.13(b)(xi)(B).
Trading Price Accretion Percentage as of a particular date means, subject to
adjustment pursuant to Sections 5.13(b)(xi)(B) and 5.13(b)(xii)(A), a fraction, (i)
the numerator of which equals (A) the VWAP Price of a Common Unit as of such date
minus (B) the VWAP Price of a Common Unit as of the Series A Issuance Date and (ii)
the denominator of which equals the VWAP Price of a Common Unit as of the Series A
Issuance Date, provided that, if the numerator of the foregoing fraction is a
negative amount, then the trading Price Accretion Percentage shall equal zero.
VWAP Price as of a particular date means the volume-weighted average trading
price of a Common Unit on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units
are listed or admitted to trading, calculated over the consecutive 10-Trading Day
period ending on the close of trading on the Trading Day immediately prior to such
date; provided, however, that the VWAP Price as of a particular date following
consummation of a Public Equity Partnership Event shall mean the volume-weighted
average trading price of the Successor Securities on the National Securities
Exchange on which the Successor Securities are listed or admitted to trading,
calculated over the consecutive 10-Trading Day period ending on the close of trading
on the Trading Day immediately prior to such date.
(b) Section 1.1 of the Partnership Agreement is hereby further amended to add the following
sentence to the end of the definition of Common Unit:
7
The term Common Unit does not refer to a Series A Preferred Unit prior to
the conversion of such Unit into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms hereof.
(c) Section 4.7(c) of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its
entirety as follows:
(c) The transfer of a Series A Preferred Unit shall be subject to the
restrictions imposed by Section 5.13(b)(x) and Section 6.6.
(d) Section 5.6(a) of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its
entirety as follows:
The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of
Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has
furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section
6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a
Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership
Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and the methodology set forth in Proposed Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the
amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such
Partnership Interest pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) all items of Partnership
income and gain (including, without limitation, income and gain exempt from tax)
computed in accordance with Section 5.6(b) and allocated with respect to such
Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of
cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property
made with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to this Agreement and (y)
all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section
5.6(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section
6.1. The Partnership shall follow the methodology set forth in the proposed
noncompensatory option regulations under Proposed Treasury Regulation Sections
1.704-1, 1.721-2 and 1.761-3 at all times, including when the assets of the
Partnership are revalued or any Series A Preferred Units are converted pursuant to
Section 5.13. For the avoidance of doubt, the Series A Preferred Units will be
treated as a partnership interest in the Partnership for federal income tax
purposes, and, therefore, each holder of a Series A Preferred Unit will be treated
as a partner in the Partnership.
(e) Section 5.6(d)(i) of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in
its entirety as follows:
(i) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and
Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s), on an issuance of
additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of
Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the conversion
of the General Partners Combined Interest to Units pursuant to
8
Section 11.3(b) or the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit, the Capital
Account of all Partners and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property
immediately prior to such issuance, or immediately after such conversion (with
respect to the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit), shall be adjusted upward or
downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such
Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been
recognized on an actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such
issuance or on the date of such conversion. Any such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized
Loss (or items thereof) shall be allocated (A) if the operation of this sentence is
triggered by the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit, first to the Partners
holding converted Series A Preferred Units until the Capital Account of each
converted Series A Preferred Unit is equal to the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then
Outstanding Common Unit (other than a converted Series A Preferred Unit), and (B)
any remaining Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss shall be allocated among the
Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(c) in the same manner as any item of gain or loss
actually recognized would have been allocated. If the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized
Loss allocated as a result of the conversion of a Series A Preferred Unit is not
sufficient to cause the Capital Account of each converted Series A Preferred Unit to
equal the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then Outstanding Common Unit (other than a
converted Series A Preferred Unit), then Capital Account balances shall be
reallocated between the Partners holding converted Series A Preferred Units and the
Partners holding Common Units (other than converted Series A Preferred Units) so as
to cause the Capital Account of each converted Series A Preferred Unit to equal the
Per Unit Capital Amount for a then Outstanding Common Unit (other than a converted
Series A Preferred Unit), in accordance with Proposed Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3). In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss,
the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets
(including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the
issuance of additional Partnership Interests shall be determined by the General
Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt; provided, however, that the
General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account the
fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time and must
reduce the fair market value of all Partnership assets by the excess, if any, of the
fair market value of any Outstanding Series A Preferred Units that have not yet been
converted over the aggregate Issue Price of such Series A Preferred Units to the
extent of any Unrealized Gain that has not been reflected in the Partners Capital
Accounts previously, pursuant to Proposed Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2). The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value
among the assets of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines) to arrive at a
fair market value for individual properties.
(f) Article V of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to add a new Section 5.13
creating a new series of Units as follows:
Section 5.13 Establishment of Series A Preferred Units.
9
(a) General. The General Partner hereby designates and creates a series of
Units to be designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Units and consisting of
a total of 3,000,000 Series A Preferred Units, having the same rights, preferences
and privileges, and subject to the same duties and obligations, as the Common
Units, except as set forth in this Section 5.13 and in Sections 5.6(d)(i), 6.6 and
12.10. The class of Series A Preferred Units shall be closed immediately following
the Series A Issuance Date and thereafter no additional Series A Preferred Units
shall be designated, created or issued without the prior written approval of the
General Partner and the holders of a majority of the Outstanding Series A Preferred
Units. The initial Capital Account balance in respect of each Series A Preferred
Unit issued on the Series A Issuance Date shall be the Issue Price for such Series
A Preferred Unit.
(b) Rights of Series A Preferred Units. The Series A Preferred Units shall
have the following rights, preferences and privileges and shall be subject to the
following duties and obligations:
(i) Allocations.
(A) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
6.1(a), prior to any allocation made pursuant to Section 6.1(a),
but after giving effect to any special allocations set forth in
Section 6.1(d), any Net Income shall be allocated to all
Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until the
Capital Account in respect of each Outstanding Series A Preferred
Unit is equal to the Series A Liquidation Value.
(B) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
6.1(b), Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units shall not
receive any allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(b) unless and until
the Adjusted Capital Accounts of all other Partners have been
reduced to zero, in which case prior to allocating any remaining
Net Losses to the General Partner, Net Losses shall be allocated to
all Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until
the Adjusted Capital Accounts of such Unitholders in respect of
such Units have been reduced to zero.
(C) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
6.1(c)(i), (x) Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units shall be
allocated Net Termination Gain in accordance with Section
6.1(c)(i)(A) but shall not receive any allocation pursuant to
Sections 6.1(c)(i)(B) (D) with respect to their Series A Preferred
Units, and (y) following any allocation made pursuant to Section
6.1(c)(i)(A) and prior to any allocation made pursuant to Section
6.1(c)(i)(B), any remaining Net Termination Gain shall be allocated
to all Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units, Pro
10
Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Outstanding
Series A Preferred Unit is equal to the Series A Liquidation Value.
(D) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section
6.1(c)(ii), (x) Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units shall
not receive any allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(c)(ii)(A) with
respect to their Series A Preferred Units, and (y) following the
allocations made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(A), and prior to any
allocation made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(B), any remaining Net
Termination Loss shall be allocated to all Unitholders holding Series
A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of
each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit has been reduced to zero.
(ii) Distributions.
(A) Commencing on the Series A Issuance Date, the holders of the
Series A Preferred Units as of an applicable Record Date shall accrue
and be entitled to receive cumulative distributions, prior to any
other distributions pursuant to Section 6.3, in cash in an amount
equal to the Series A Distribution Rate on each Outstanding Series A
Preferred Unit. All such distributions shall be paid Quarterly, in
arrears, within fifty (50) days after the end of each Quarter (a
Series A Distribution Payment Date). If the Partnership fails to
pay in full in cash any distribution (or portion thereof) which any
holder of Series A Preferred Units accrues and is entitled to receive
pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ii)(A), then (x) the amount of such
accrued and unpaid distributions will accumulate until paid in full
in cash and (y) the Partnership shall not be permitted to, and shall
not, declare or make (i) any distributions in respect of any Junior
Securities and (ii) any distributions in respect of any Parity
Securities, other than Series A Pro Rata Distributions, unless and
until all accrued and accumulated distributions on the Series A
Preferred Units has been paid in full in cash.
(B) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.13(b)(ii) to the
contrary, with respect to Series A Preferred Units that are converted
into Common Units, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to a
Series A Preferred Unit distribution and a Common Unit distribution
with respect to the same period, but shall be entitled only to the
distribution to be paid based upon the class of Units held as of the
close of business on the Record Date for the distribution in respect
of such period.
11
(C) Accrued and unpaid distributions in respect of the Series A
Preferred Units will not accrue interest.
(iii) Issuance of Series A Preferred Units. The Series A Preferred
Units shall be issued by the Partnership pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the Regency GP Purchase Agreement.
(iv) Liquidation Value. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Partnership, either voluntary or involuntary, the
holders of the Series A Preferred Units shall be entitled to receive, out of
the assets of the Partnership available for distribution to Unitholders,
prior and in preference to any distribution of any assets of the Partnership
to the holders of any other class or series of Partnership Securities, the
positive value in each such holders Capital Account in respect of such
Series A Preferred Units. If in the year of such liquidation, dissolution
or winding up any such holders Capital Account in respect of such Series A
Preferred Units is less than the aggregate Series A Liquidation Value of
such Series A Preferred Units, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, and prior to any other allocation pursuant to
this Agreement for such year and prior to any distribution pursuant to the
preceding sentence, items of gross income and gain shall be allocated to all
Unitholders holding Series A Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital
Account in respect of each Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit is equal to
the Series A Liquidation Value (and no other allocation pursuant to this
Agreement shall reverse the effect of such allocation). If in the year of
such liquidation, dissolution or winding up any such holders Capital
Account in respect of such Series A Preferred Units is less than the
aggregate Series A Liquidation Value of such Series A Preferred Units after
the application of the preceding sentence, then to the extent permitted by
law and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, items of gross income and gain for any preceding taxable
period(s) with respect to which Schedule K-1s have not been filed by the
Partnership shall be reallocated to all Unitholders holding Series A
Preferred Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each
Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit is equal to the Series A Liquidation
Value (and no other allocation pursuant to this Agreement shall reverse the
effect of such allocation).
(v) Voting Rights.
(A) The Series A Preferred Units shall not be entitled to vote on any
matters related to the Partnership other than as expressly provided in this
Section 5.13(b)(v).
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in addition
to all other requirements imposed by Delaware law, and all other
12
voting rights granted under this Agreement, the affirmative vote of
holders of a majority of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting
separately as a class with one vote per Series A Preferred Unit, shall be
necessary to amend this Agreement in any manner that (i) alters or changes
the rights, preferences or privileges or duties and obligations of the
Series A Preferred Units, (ii) increases or decreases the authorized number
of Series A Preferred Units (including without limitation any issuance of
additional Series A Preferred Units), or (iii) otherwise adversely affects
the Series A Preferred Units in any material respect, including without
limitation the creation (by reclassification or otherwise) of any class of
Senior Securities (or amending the provisions of any existing class of
Partnership Securities to make such class of Partnership Securities a class
of Senior Securities); provided, however, that the Partnership may, without
the consent or approval of the holders of the Series A Preferred Units (a)
create (by reclassification or otherwise) and issue Junior Securities and
Parity Securities (including by amending the provisions of any existing
class of Partnership Securities to make such class of Partnership Securities
a class of Junior Securities or Parity Securities) in an unlimited amount
and (b) consummate any Fundamental Change.
(vi) Certificates.
(A) The Series A Preferred Units shall be evidenced by certificates in
such form as the General Partner may approve and, subject to the
satisfaction of any applicable legal, regulatory and contractual
requirements, may be assigned or transferred in a manner identical to the
assignment and transfer of other Units; unless and until the General Partner
determines to assign the responsibility to another Person, the General
Partner will act as the registrar and transfer agent for the Series A
Preferred Units. The certificates evidencing Series A Preferred Units shall
be separately identified and shall not bear the same CUSIP number as the
certificates evidencing Common Units.
(B) The certificate(s) representing the Series A Preferred Units may be
imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form (in addition to
the legend required pursuant to Section 4.7(e)):
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
(THE SECURITIES ACT) AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE THIRD AMENDED AND
RESTATED LIMITED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P., AS
AMENDED. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF ENERGY
13
TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P. THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD,
PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN
APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B)
TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUITY, L.P. TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR
OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE
EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). LE GP, LLC, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P., MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE
TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH
RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUITY, L.P. BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE
AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH
ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS
SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.
(vii) Conversion.
(A) Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 5.13(b)(xi) and
(xii), immediately prior to the close of business on the Series A Maturity
Date, each Series A Preferred Unit shall convert into the right to receive,
upon the satisfaction of the terms and conditions of this Section
5.13(b)(vii), at the election of the Partnership, either:
a. a number of Common Units equal to:
i. the sum of (A) the Series A Liquidation Value as of the
Series A Maturity Date plus (B) the lesser of (1) the Series A
Accretion Amount as of the Series A Maturity Date and (2) $10.00,
divided by
ii. the VWAP Price as of the Series A Maturity Date; or
14
b. a number of Common Units and an amount of cash equal to:
i. a number of Common Units equal to (x) the sum of (A) fifty
percent (50%) of the Series A Liquidation Value as of the Series A
Maturity Date plus (B) the lesser of (1) the Series A Accretion
Amount as of the Series A Maturity Date and (2) $10.00, divided by
(y) the VWAP Price as of the Series A Maturity Date, and
ii. an amount of cash equal to fifty percent (50%) of the
Series A Liquidation Value as of the Series A Maturity Date (the cash
consideration to be received pursuant to this clause (ii), the
Series A Conversion Cash Consideration).
The consideration to be received by the holder of a Series A Preferred Unit
upon the conversion of such Series A Preferred Unit as provided in this
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A) is referred to as the Series A Conversion
Consideration.
(B) Any Common Units received by a holder of Series A Preferred Units
as the Series A Conversion Consideration shall be fully paid, validly issued
and non-assessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by
matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware
Act). Immediately prior to the close of business on the Series A Maturity
Date, all Series A Preferred Units shall be converted automatically into and
shall thereafter represent solely the right to receive the Series A
Conversion Consideration. All Series A Preferred Units that have converted
into the right to receive the Series A Conversion Consideration shall be
automatically canceled and shall cease to exist, and the holders of
converted Series A Preferred Units shall cease to have any rights with
respect to such Series A Preferred Units other than the right to receive the
Series A Conversion Consideration. Upon such conversion, any certificates
representing Series A Preferred Units shall thereafter represent solely the
right to receive the Series A Conversion Consideration.
(C) Within two Business Days following the Series A Maturity Date, the
Partnership shall send written notice (a Series A Conversion Notice) to
each holder of record of Outstanding Series A Preferred Units as of the
Series A Maturity Date, stating:
a. the election of the Partnership as to whether the Series A
Preferred Units have converted into (i) Common Units pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(vii)(A)(a) or (ii) both Common Units and the Series A Conversion
Cash Consideration pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A)(b);
15
b. the Partnerships computation of the number of Common Units to be
issued and the amount of Series A Conversion Cash Consideration, if any, to
be paid in respect of each Series A Preferred Unit pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(vii)(A) (including, in each case, any adjustments pursuant to
Sections 5.13(b)(xi) and (xii)), including the Partnerships computation of
the Series A Liquidation Value, the Series A Accretion Amount and the VWAP
Price, in each case as of the Series A Maturity Date; and
c. that the holder must surrender the certificate or certificates
representing any Series A Preferred Units held by such holder to the
Partnership, and provide such other documentation as reasonably requested by
the General Partner including wire transfer instructions in respect of any
Series A Cash Conversion Cash Consideration or any Fractional Unit Cash
Consideration (the Series A Conversion Documentation), in order to receive
the Series A Conversion Consideration.
In addition to delivery in accordance with the general notice provisions
contained in Section 17.1, the Series A Conversion Notice shall be deemed
properly delivered on the date the Partnership issues a press release
distributed through a widely circulated news or wire service as would
satisfy the requirements of Regulation FD, containing the information
required to be included in the Series A Conversion Notice pursuant to this
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C). The date any Series A Conversion Notice is deemed
delivered shall be referred to as the Series A Conversion Notice Date.
(D) As promptly as practicable following the Series A Conversion Notice
Date and subject to the book-entry provisions set forth below, the holders
of Series A Preferred Units shall surrender the certificate or certificates
representing the Series A Preferred Units being converted, duly endorsed, at
the office of the Partnership or, if identified in the Series A Conversion
Notice to such holder by the Partnership, at the offices of any transfer
agent for such Units, together with the Series A Conversion
Documentation. As promptly as practicable following the receipt of such
certificate or certificates (or a lost unit affidavit reasonably acceptable
to the Partnership in the event of a lost certificate) representing the
Series A Preferred Units and the Series A Conversion Documentation by the
Partnership or the Transfer Agent as provided in the immediately preceding
sentence (but in any event no later than five (5) Business Days thereafter),
the Partnership shall issue to such holder a certificate or certificates for
the number of Common Units to which such holder shall be entitled under
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A) (with the number of and denomination of such
certificates designated by such holder). In lieu of delivering physical
certificates representing the Common Units issuable
16
upon conversion of Series A Preferred Units, provided the Transfer
Agent is participating in the Depositorys Fast Automated Securities
Transfer program, upon request of the holder, the Partnership shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Agent to
electronically transmit the Common Units issuable upon conversion to the
holder, by crediting the account of the holders prime broker with the
Depository through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission (DWAC) system.
The holders of Series A Preferred Units and the Partnership agree to
coordinate with the Depository to accomplish this objective. The conversion
pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(vii) shall be deemed to have occurred
immediately prior to the close of business on the Series A Maturity Date
(whether or not the conversion includes the right to receive Series A Cash
Consideration under Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A)(b) or Fractional Unit Cash
Consideration under Section 5.13(b)(vii)(G)). The Person or Persons
entitled to receive the Common Units issuable upon such conversion shall be
treated for all purposes as the Record Holder or Holders of such Common
Units at the close of business on the Series A Maturity Date.
(E) If the Partnership (i) elects to have the Series A Preferred Units
convert into both Common Units and the right to receive the Series A
Conversion Cash Consideration under Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A)(b) or (ii) is
required to pay Fractional Unit Cash Consideration pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(vii)(G), then, as promptly as practicable following the receipt of
such certificate or certificates (or a lost unit certificate affidavit
reasonably acceptable to the Partnership in the event of a lost certificate)
representing the Series A Preferred Units and the Series A Conversion
Documentation by the Partnership or the Transfer Agent as provided in the
first sentence of Section 5.13(b)(vii)(D) (but in any event within five (5)
Business Days thereafter), the Partnership shall remit the Series A Cash
Conversion Consideration and the Fractional Unit Cash Consideration, as
applicable, to the holder surrendering such certificate or certificates (or
a lost unit affidavit reasonably acceptable to the Partnership in the event
of a lost certificate) representing Series A Preferred Units by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to an account specified by such
holder in writing.
(F) The Partnership shall pay any and all issue, documentary, stamp and
other taxes, excluding any income, franchise or similar taxes, that may be
payable in respect of any issue or delivery of Common Units on conversion
of, or payment of distributions on, Series A Preferred Units pursuant
hereto. However, the holder of any Series A Preferred Units shall pay any
tax that is due because the Common Units issuable upon conversion thereof or
distribution payment thereon are issued in a name other than such holders
name.
17
(G) No fractional Common Units shall be issued upon the conversion of
any Series A Preferred Units. All Common Units (including fractions thereof)
issuable upon conversion of more than one Series A Preferred Unit by a
holder thereof shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the
conversion would result in the issuance of any fractional unit. If, after
the aforementioned aggregation, the conversion would result in the issuance
of a fraction of a Common Unit, the Partnership shall, in lieu of issuing
any fractional unit, either round up the number of units to the next highest
whole number or, at the Partnerships option, pay the holder otherwise
entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to such fraction multiplied by
the VWAP Price as of the Series A Maturity Date. The consideration payable
in lieu of fractional Common Units pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(vii)(G)
as well as any consideration payable in lieu of fractional Common Units
pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(viii)(F), are referred to as Fractional Unit
Cash Consideration.
(H) The Partnership shall not be obligated to issue any Common Units
upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Units, whether pursuant to this
Section 5.13(b)(vii), or otherwise, if the issuance of such Common Units
would exceed the Series A Exchange Cap or if such issuance could reasonably
be expected to violate any applicable federal or state securities laws or
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state
securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction
over such issuance (a Securities Law Prohibition). To the extent that a
holders Series A Preferred Units would otherwise be converted into a number
of Common Units that would exceed the Series A Exchange Cap, the Partnership
shall pay in cash to such holder an amount equal to the VWAP Price as of the
Series A Maturity Date multiplied by the number of Common Units that are not
so issued but would otherwise be issuable as part of the Series A Conversion
Consideration absent such Series A Exchange Cap or Securities Law
Prohibition.
(I) Any Common Units issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred
Units pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(vii) shall not be subject to the
first proviso contained in the definition of Outstanding contained in this
Agreement for so long as held by the Investor.
(viii) Optional Redemption.
(A) Subject to adjustment as provided in Sections 5.13(b)(xi) and
(xii), beginning on the Series A Optional Redemption Trigger Date and ending
on the last Business Day immediately prior to the Series A Maturity Date,
the Partnership may, at its option, cause all, but not less than all, of the
Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed by the Partnership for (a) cash in
an amount per Outstanding Series A Preferred Unit equal to the Series A
Liquidation Value on the Series A Redemption Date plus (b) a
18
number of Common Units per Outstanding Series A Preferred Units equal
to (i) the greater of (x) the Series A Accretion Amount on the Series A
Redemption Date and (y) $10.00 (such cash amount, the Series A Redemption
Consideration) divided by (ii) the VWAP Price as of the Series A Redemption
Date.
(B) Any Common Units received by a holder of Series A Preferred Units
as the Series A Redemption Consideration shall be fully paid, validly issued
and non-assessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by
matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware
Act). At the time of the redemption pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii),
all Series A Preferred Units shall be converted automatically into and shall
thereafter represent solely the right to receive the Series A Redemption
Consideration. All such Series A Preferred Units that have converted into
the right to receive the Series A Redemption Consideration shall be
automatically canceled and shall cease to exist, and the holders of redeemed
Series A Preferred Units shall cease to have any rights with respect to such
Series A Preferred Units other than the right to receive the Series A
Redemption Consideration. Upon such conversion, any certificates
representing Series A Preferred Units shall thereafter represent solely the
right to receive the Series A Redemption Consideration.
(C) To redeem Series A Preferred Units pursuant to this Section
5.13(b)(viii), the Partnership shall:
a. no earlier than 30 days nor later than two days prior to the Series
A Redemption Date, send a written notice (the Series A Redemption Notice)
to each holder of record of Outstanding Series A Preferred Units as of the
date of such notice stating that the Series A Preferred Units will be
redeemed pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii) effective as of the date set
forth in the Series A Redemption Notice (the Series A Redemption Date);
and
b. as promptly as practicable following the Series A Redemption Date,
send a written notice (a Series A Redemption Confirmation) to each holder
of record of Outstanding Series A Preferred Units as of the Series A
Redemption Date stating: (i) that the Series A Preferred Units have been
redeemed pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii) effective as of the Series A
Redemption Date; (ii) the Partnerships computation of the amount of Series
A Redemption Consideration to be paid in respect of each Series A Preferred
Unit pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(viii)(A) (including any adjustments
pursuant to Sections 5.13(b)(xi) and (xii)), including the Partnerships
computation of the Series A Liquidation Value, the Series A Accretion Amount
and the VWAP Price, in each case as of the Series A Redemption Date; and
(iii) that such
19
holder must surrender the certificate or certificates representing any
Series A Preferred Units held by such holder to the Partnership and provide
such other documentation as reasonably requested by the General Partner
including wire transfer instructions in respect of the Series A Redemption
Consideration (the Series A Redemption Documentation), in order to receive
the Series A Redemption Consideration.
In addition to delivery in accordance with the general notice provisions
contained in Section 17.1, the Series A Redemption Notice and/or a Series A
Redemption Confirmation shall be deemed properly delivered on the date the
Partnership issues a press release distributed through a widely circulated
news or wire service as would satisfy the requirements of Regulation FD,
containing the information required to be included in the Series A
Redemption Notice pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii)(C).
(D) As promptly as practicable following the Series A Redemption Date,
the holders of Series A Preferred Units shall surrender the certificate or
certificates representing the Series A Preferred Units being redeemed, duly
endorsed, at the office of the Partnership or, if identified in the Series A
Redemption Notice to such holder by the Partnership, at the offices of any
transfer agent for such Units, together with the Series A Redemption
Documentation. As promptly as practicable following the receipt of such
certificate or certificates (or a lost unit affidavit reasonably acceptable
to the Partnership in the event of a lost certificate) representing the
Series A Preferred Units and the Series A Conversion Documentation by the
Partnership or the Transfer Agent as provided in the immediately preceding
sentence (but in any event no later than five (5) Business Days thereafter),
the Partnership shall:
a. issue to such holder a certificate or certificates for the number of
Common Units to which such holder shall be entitled under Section
5.13(b)(viii)(A) (with the number of and denomination of such certificates
designated by such holder). In lieu of delivering physical certificates
representing the Common Units issuable upon redemption of Series A Preferred
Units, provided the Transfer Agent is participating in the Depositorys Fast
Automated Securities Transfer program, upon request of the holder, the
Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
Transfer Agent to electronically transmit the Common Units issuable upon
redemption to the holder, by crediting the account of the holders prime
broker with the Depository through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission
(DWAC) system. The holders of Series A Preferred Units and the Partnership
agree to coordinate with the Depository to accomplish this objective; and
b. remit the applicable cash portion of the Series A Redemption
Consideration to the holder surrendering such certificate or
20
certificates representing Series A Preferred Units by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account specified by such holder in
writing.
The redemption pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii) shall be deemed to
have occurred immediately prior to the close of business on the Series A
Redemption Date. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the Common Units
issuable upon such redemption shall be treated for all purposes as the
Record Holder or Holders of such Common Units at the close of business on
the Series A Maturity Date.
(E) The Partnership shall pay any and all issue, documentary, stamp and
other taxes, excluding any income, franchise or similar taxes, that may be
payable in respect of any issue or delivery of Common Units on redemption
of, or payment of distributions on, Series A Preferred Units pursuant
hereto. However, the holder of any Series A Preferred Units shall pay any
tax that is due because the Common Units issuable upon redemption thereof or
distribution payment thereon are issued in a name other than such holders
name.
(F) No fractional Common Units shall be issued upon the redemption of
any Series A Preferred Units. All Common Units (including fractions thereof)
issuable upon redemption of more than one Series A Preferred Unit by a
holder thereof shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the
redemption would result in the issuance of any fractional unit. If, after
the aforementioned aggregation, the redemption would result in the issuance
of a fraction of a Common Unit, the Partnership shall, in lieu of issuing
any fractional unit, either round up the number of units to the next highest
whole number or, at the Partnerships option, pay the holder otherwise
entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to such fraction multiplied by
the VWAP Price as of the Series A Redemption Date.
(G) The Partnership shall not be obligated to issue any Common Units
upon redemption of the Series A Preferred Units, whether pursuant to this
Section 5.13(b)(viii), or otherwise, if the issuance of such Common Units
would exceed the Series A Exchange Cap or if such issuance could reasonably
be expected to conflict with a Securities Laws Prohibition. To the extent
that a holders Series A Preferred Units would otherwise be redeemed for a
number of Common Units that would exceed the Series A Exchange Cap, the
Partnership shall pay in cash to such holder an amount equal to the VWAP
Price as of the Series A Redemption Date multiplied by the number of Common
Units that are not so issued but would otherwise be issuable as part of the
Series A Redemption Consideration absent such Series A Exchange Cap or
Securities Law Prohibition.
21
(H) Any Common Units issued upon redemption of the Series A Preferred
Units pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(viii) shall not be subject to the
first proviso contained in the definition of Outstanding contained in this
Agreement for so long as held by the Investor.
(ix) Fundamental Change.
(A) If on the earlier of the date (x) the Partnership enters into a
definitive agreement to consummate a Fundamental Change, (y) of the
consummation of a Fundamental Change or (z) of the declaration of a
distribution by the MLP described in subsection (vii) of the definition of
Fundamental Change (the Fundamental Change Trigger Date), Investor holds,
in the aggregate, at least fifty percent (50%) of the Series A Preferred
Units issued pursuant to the Regency GP Purchase Agreement, then the
Partnership will within 10 Business Days of such date send a written notice
to the Investor stating the nature of the Fundamental Change, including a
description of the material terms of the transaction constituting a
Fundamental Change and, if the Fundamental Change has not yet occurred, the
date or expected date of consummation. No later than 10 Business Days
following delivery of the notice provided for in the previous sentence (the
Election Notice Period), the Investor may, in its sole discretion, deliver
written notice to the Partnership of its election, in its sole discretion,
to:
a. upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in
subsections (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the definition of Fundamental
Change, require the Partnership to redeem all of the Outstanding
Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(a) (a
Fundamental Change Forced Redemption Election); or
b. upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in
subsections (v), (vi) or (vii) of the definition of Fundamental
Change, require the Partnership to elect to convert or redeem the
Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C).
If at any time the Investor does not hold, in the aggregate, at least fifty
percent (50%) of the Series A Preferred Units issued pursuant to the Regency
GP Purchase Agreement, then the provisions of this Section 5.13(b)(ix) shall
immediately cease to have any force or effect and the Investor and the
holders of Series A Preferred Units shall have no rights hereunder,
regardless of whether or not the Investor subsequently acquires additional
Series A Preferred Units.
(B) Upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in subsections
(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the definition of Fundamental Change:
22
a. If the Investor timely makes a Fundamental Change Forced Redemption
Election, then the Partnership will redeem all of the Outstanding Series A
Preferred Units for cash and Common Units in an amount per Outstanding
Series A Preferred Unit equal to the Fundamental Change Redemption
Consideration.
i. Subject to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(a)(ii), in connection with
a redemption pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(a), the
Partnership will deliver notice of the redemption, the Series A
Preferred Units will be canceled, the certificates representing
Series A Preferred Units will be surrendered in exchange for the
issuance of Common Units and the cash portion of the Fundamental
Change Redemption Consideration and any Fractional Unit Cash
Consideration will be paid, each in a manner consistent with the
provisions of Section 5.13(b)(viii)(B)-(H), except that, for purposes
of applying such provisions to a redemption pursuant to this Section
5.13(b)(ix)(B)(a), (A) all references to the Series A Redemption
Consideration will mean the Fundamental Change Redemption
Consideration, (B) all references to Series A Redemption Date will
mean the time immediately prior to the consummation of the
Fundamental Change, (C) all references to Series A Redemption
Documentation will mean Fundamental Change Documentation, (D) the
Partnership must deliver the Series A Redemption Notice no later than
two Business Days following the later of the date of consummation of
the Fundamental Change and the expiration of the Election Notice
Period and (E) references to Section 5.13(b)(viii)(A) shall mean a
redemption pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(a).
ii. In the event the Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration
Premium does not consist of Common Units, the Partnership shall (i)
make appropriate provision, in the definitive transaction document
governing the Fundamental Change or otherwise, to ensure that the
holders of Series A Preferred Units receive the Fundamental Change
Redemption Consideration (including the Fundamental Change Redemption
Consideration Premium) reasonably promptly following such Fundamental
Change upon the surrender of their certificates representing Series A
Preferred Units and (ii) deliver reasonable notice of such provisions
to the holders of Series A Preferred Units (which notice may be
delivered in a manner consistent with that contemplated for delivery
of a Series A Redemption Notice pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(viii)(C)).
23
b. If the Investor does not timely make a Fundamental Change Forced
Redemption Election, then each Series A Preferred Unit Outstanding
immediately prior to the consummation of the Fundamental Change will
automatically be converted into the right to receive the Fundamental Change
Conversion Consideration pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(b).
i. In the event the Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration
consists of Common Units, the Partnership will deliver notice of the
conversion, the Series A Preferred Units will be canceled, the
certificates representing Series A Preferred Units will be
surrendered in exchange for the issuance of Common Units and
Fractional Unit Cash Consideration will be paid, each in a manner
consistent with the provisions of Section 5.13(b)(vii)(B)-(I), except
that, for purposes of applying such provisions to a conversion
pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(B)(b), (A) all references to the
Series A Conversion Consideration will mean the Fundamental Change
Conversion Consideration, (B) all references to the Series A
Maturity Date will mean the time immediately prior to the
consummation of the Fundamental Change, (C) all references to Series
A Conversion Documentation will mean Fundamental Change
Documentation, (D) the Partnership must deliver the Series A
Conversion Notice no later than two Business Days following the later
of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Change and the
expiration of the Election Notice Period, (E) Section
5.13(b)(vii)(C)(a) shall be inapplicable, (F) references to Section
5.13(b)(vii)(A) shall mean a conversion pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(ix)(B)(b) and (G) Section 5.13(b)(vii)(H) shall apply to any
Common Units that would otherwise be issuable as a result of the
Fundamental Change.
ii. In the event the Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration
does not consist of Common Units, the Partnership shall (i) make
appropriate provision, in the definitive transaction document
governing the Fundamental Change or otherwise, to ensure that the
holders of Series A Preferred Units receive the Fundamental Change
Conversion Consideration reasonably promptly following such
Fundamental Change upon the surrender of their certificates
representing Series A Preferred Units and (ii) deliver reasonable
notice of such provisions to the holders of Series A Preferred Units
(which notice may be delivered in a manner consistent with that
contemplated for delivery of a Series A Conversion Notice pursuant to
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C)).
24
(C) a. Upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in
subsections (v), (vi) or (vii) of the definition of Fundamental Change and
the election of the Investor to require the Partnership to elect to convert
or redeem the Series A Preferred Units pursuant to this Section
5.13(b)(ix)(C), the Partnership will, within two Business Days following the
later of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Change and the
expiration of the Election Notice Period, deliver written notice to the
holders of all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units as of the date of
consummation of such Fundamental Change, stating (i) the Partnerships
election to either (x) convert each of the Series A Preferred Units
Outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Fundamental Change
into, for each Series A Preferred Unit then Outstanding, the right to
receive a number of Common Units equal to (A) the Series A Liquidation Value
on the date of consummation of the Fundamental Change divided by (B) the
VWAP Price as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Change (the
Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit Consideration) or (y) redeem each
of the Series A Preferred Units Outstanding immediately prior to the
consummation of the Fundamental Change for an amount in cash per Series A
Preferred Unit then Outstanding equal to the Series A Liquidation Value on
the date of the consummation of the Fundamental Change (the Fundamental
Change Elected Cash Consideration), (ii) the Partnerships calculation of
the Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit Consideration or Fundamental
Change Elected Cash Consideration, as applicable, and (iii) that the holder
must surrender the certificate or certificates representing Series A
Preferred Units to the Partnership, together with the Fundamental Change
Documentation, in order to receive the Fundamental Change Elected Common
Unit Consideration or the Fundamental Change Elected Cash Consideration, as
applicable. In addition to delivery in accordance with the general notice
provisions contained in Section 17.1, any notice required to be delivered by
the Partnership pursuant to this section shall be deemed properly delivered
on the date the Partnership issues a press release distributed through a
widely circulated news or wire service as would satisfy the requirements of
Regulation FD, containing the information required to be included in such
notice.
b. In addition to the requirements of Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a) and
(c), upon the declaration of a distribution by the MLP described in
subsection (vii) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Partnership
will promptly give written notice to the Investor of such declaration and,
if (x) the Investor delivers written notice to the Partnership no later than
two Business Days after receipt of such notice from the Partnership and the
Partnership elects to issue the Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit
Consideration pursuant to Section 5.13(ix)(C)(a), then the Partnership shall
cause such conversion to occur prior to the Record Date for the distribution
on the Common Units next succeeding
25
such election by the Partnership so that the Investor will be a holder
of Common Units as of such Record Date; or (y) if the Investor delivers
written notice to the Partnership no later than two Business Days after
receipt of such notice from the Partnership and the Partnership elects to
redeem the Series A Preferred Units for the Fundamental Change Elected Cash
Consideration pursuant to Section 5.13(ix)(C)(a), then the Partnership shall
cause such redemption to occur prior to payment of the distribution in
respect of the Partnerships Common Units for the Record Date for the
distribution on the Common Units next succeeding such election by the
Partnership.
c. In the event the Partnership elects to convert the Series A
Preferred Units into the right to receive the Fundamental Change Elected
Common Unit Consideration, the Series A Preferred Units will be canceled,
the certificates representing Series A Preferred Units will be surrendered
in exchange for the issuance of Common Units and the Fractional Unit Cash
Consideration, if any, will be paid, each in accordance with the provisions
of Section 5.13(b)(vii)(B)-(I), except that, for purposes of applying such
provisions to a conversion pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i)(x), (A)
all references to the Series A Conversion Consideration will mean the
Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit Consideration, (B) all references
to the Series A Maturity Date will mean the time immediately prior to the
consummation of the Fundamental Change, (C) all references to Series A
Conversion Documentation will mean Fundamental Change Documentation, (D)
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C)(a) shall be inapplicable, (E) references to Section
5.13(b)(vii)(A) shall mean a conversion pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i)(x) and (F) Section 5.13(b)(vii)(H) shall apply to any
Common Units that would otherwise be issuable as a result of the Fundamental
Change.
d. In the event the Partnership elects to redeem the Series A
Preferred Unit for the Fundamental Change Elected Cash Consideration, the
Series A Preferred Units will be canceled, the certificates representing
Series A Preferred Units will be surrendered and the Fundamental Change
Elected Cash Consideration will be paid in accordance with the provisions of
Section 5.13(b)(viii)(B)-(H), except that, for purposes of applying such
sections to a redemption pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i)(y) (A) all
references to the Series A Redemption Consideration will mean the
Fundamental Change Elected Cash Consideration, (B) all references to
Series A Redemption Date will mean the time immediately prior to the
consummation of the Fundamental Change and (C) all references to Series A
Redemption Documentation will mean Fundamental Change Documentation and
(D) references to Section 5.13(b)(viii)(A) shall mean a redemption pursuant
to Section 5.13(b)(ix)(C)(a)(i)(y).
26
(D) If any Fundamental Change that is contemplated by a definitive
agreement is not consummated and therefore the conditions to the applicable
redemption or exchange pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix) have not been
satisfied, the Partnership will send written notice to such effect to the
Investor (which notice may be delivered in a manner consistent with that
contemplated for delivery of a Series A Conversion Notice pursuant to
Section 5.13(b)(vii)(C)). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement, if a Fundamental Change is not consummated, no Series A Preferred
Units will be redeemed or converted pursuant to this Section 5.13(b)(ix).
(x) Limitations on Transfer. Series A Preferred Units may only be transferred to one
or more transferees that, after giving effect to such transfer, each hold at least
1,000,000 Series A Preferred Units, provided that the foregoing limitation shall not apply
to any transfer of Series A Preferred Units to (i) the holders of the class B units in
Regency GP Seller of up to eight percent (8%) of the Series A Preferred Units or (ii)
Regency GP Seller and its Affiliates. In addition, a Unitholder holding a Series A
Preferred Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.13 shall be
subject to the restrictions on transfer imposed by Section 6.6(B). For the avoidance of
doubt, nothing contained in this Section 5.13(b)(x) shall in any way affect the
restrictions on transfers of Partnership Interests contained in Section 4.7, which shall
apply to transfers of Series A Preferred Units.
(xi) Extraordinary Partnership Transactions.
(A) Except to the extent that any such event is a Fundamental Change
as a result of which the Series A Preferred Units are redeemed or converted
pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix), prior to the consummation of any
recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, merger, spin-off or other
business combination in which the holders of Common Units are to receive
securities, cash or other assets or any exchange or conversion of limited
partnership interests pursuant to which all of the Common Units are
converted into Parity Securities (other than, in each case, a Series A
Adjustment Event or a Special Distribution) (any such event being a
Partnership Event), the Partnership shall make appropriate provision to
ensure that the holders of Series A Preferred Units receive in such
Partnership Event a preferred security, issued by the Person surviving or
resulting from such Partnership Event and containing provisions
substantially equivalent to the provisions set forth in this Section 5.13
without abridgement, including, without limitation, the same powers,
preferences, rights to distributions, rights to accumulation upon failure
to pay distributions, and relative participating, optional or other special
rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon, that
the Series A Preferred Units had immediately prior to such Partnership
Event, subject to the adjustments described in Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B) and
Section
27
5.13(b)(xi)(C). The date on which a Partnership Event is consummated
is referred to as the Partnership Event Consummation Date.
(B) If in connection with a Partnership Event the Common Units are
converted in whole or in part into other Marketable Securities (such
securities the Successor Securities and such event, a Public Equity
Partnership Event), then, following the Partnership Event Consummation
Date, (i) upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Units pursuant to
Section 5.13(b)(vii), the redemption of the Series A Preferred Units
pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(viii), or the redemption or conversion of the
Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix), any portion of
the Series A Conversion Consideration, the Series A Redemption
Consideration, the Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration, the
Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration or the Fundamental Change
Elected Common Unit Consideration, as applicable, that would otherwise
consist of Common Units pursuant to the terms of Section 5.13(b)(vii),
5.13(b)(viii) or 5.13(b)(ix), as applicable, shall instead consist of
Successor Securities, (ii) references in Sections 5.13(b)(ii)(B),
5.13(b)(vii), 5.13(b)(viii), 5.13(b)(ix), 6.6(a) and 6.6(b) to Common
Units shall refer to the Successor Securities and (iii) the term Trading
Price Accretion Percentage shall be modified to mean an amount equal to (a)
the Combined Accretion Multiple less (b) 1.00. The Combined Accretion
Multiple shall mean an amount equal to the product of:
a. a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the VWAP Price of
the Common Units as of the Partnership Event Consummation Date and
(ii) the denominator of which is the VWAP Price of the Common Units
as of the Series A Issuance Date (the Pre-Partnership Event
Accretion Multiple); multiplied by
b. a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the VWAP Price of
the Successor Securities as of the Series A Conversion Date, the
Series A Redemption Date or the date of consummation of the
Fundamental Change, as applicable and (ii) the denominator of which
is the VWAP Price of the Successor Securities as of the eleventh
Trading Day following the Partnership Event Consummation Date (the
Post-Partnership Event Accretion Multiple),
provided that, if the foregoing product is less than 1.00, then the
Combined Accretion Multiple shall equal 1.00.
(C) If in connection with a Partnership Event the Common Units do not
remain Outstanding and are converted solely into cash or other assets or
securities that do not constitute Marketable Securities (or any combination
thereof), then following such Partnership Event
28
Consummation Date, upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Units
pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(vii), the redemption of the Series A Preferred
Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(viii), or the redemption or conversion of
the Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(ix):
a. any portion of the Series A Conversion Consideration, the
Series A Redemption Consideration, the Fundamental Change Redemption
Consideration, the Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration or the
Fundamental Change Elected Common Unit Consideration, as applicable,
that would otherwise consist of Common Units pursuant to the terms of
Section 5.13(b)(vii), 5.13(b)(viii) or 5.23(b)(ix), as applicable,
shall instead be payable solely in cash;
b. the Series A Conversion Consideration or the Series A
Redemption Consideration, as applicable, shall be an amount equal to
the Series A Liquidation Amount as of the Series A Maturity Date or
the Series A Redemption Date, as applicable, plus:
i. in the event of a redemption, the greater of (i) the
Series A Accretion Amount as of the Partnership Event
Consummation Date and (ii) $10.00; or
ii. in the event of a conversion, the lesser of (i) the
Series A Accretion Amount as of the Partnership Event
Consummation Date and (ii) $10.00;
c. the term Fundamental Change Redemption Consideration
Premium shall be modified to mean an amount in cash equal to the
greater of (i) the Series A Accretion Amount as of the date of the
Partnership Event Consummation Date and (ii) $10.00;
d. the term Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration shall
be modified to mean an amount in cash equal to the Series A
Liquidation Value as of the date of the consummation of the
Fundamental Change plus the lesser of (i) the Series A Accretion
Amount as of the Partnership Event Consummation Date and (ii) $10;
and
e. the Partnership will no longer have the option to convert the
Series A Preferred Units into Common Units pursuant to Section
5.13(b)(ix)(C), but instead must convert them into the right to
receive the Fundamental Change Elected Cash Consideration.
29
(xii) Distributions, Combinations and Subdivisions; Other Adjustments.
(A) If, after the Series A Issuance Date and prior to the earlier of
the Series A Maturity Date and the Series A Redemption Date, the
Partnership (a) makes a distribution on its Common Units in Common Units,
(b) subdivides or splits its Common Units into a greater number of Common
Units, (c) combines or reclassifies its Common Units into a smaller number
of Common Units, (each of the events described in clauses (a) through (c),
a Series A Adjustment Event) or (d) makes a distribution on its Common
Units in any property other than cash or Common Units (a Special
Distribution), then calculation of the Series A Conversion Consideration
and the Series A Redemption Consideration shall be adjusted as provided in
this Section 5.13(b)(xii)(A) and Sections 5.13(b)(xii)(C) and (D).
a. Solely for the purposes of determining the Trading Price Accretion
Percentage for purposes of Section 5.13(b)(vii)(A) (in the event of a
conversion) or Section 5.13(b)(viii)(A) (in the event of a redemption):
i. for each Series A Adjustment Event, the VWAP Price as of the
Series A Maturity Date or the Series A Redemption Date, as
applicable, shall be adjusted by multiplying such VWAP Price by a
fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of Common
Units Outstanding immediately following such Series A Adjustment
Event and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of Common
Units Outstanding immediately prior to such Series A Adjustment
Event; and
ii. for each Special Distribution, the VWAP Price as of the
Series A Maturity Date or the Series A Redemption Date, as
applicable, shall be adjusted by adding to such VWAP Price the Fair
Market Value of the property distributed on a Common Unit in such
Special Distribution.
b. Solely for the purposes of determining the Trading Price Accretion
Percentage for purposes of Section 5.13(b)(xi)(C) (in the event of
conversion or redemption following a Partnership Event Consummation Date)
and determining the Pre-Partnership Event Accretion Multiple pursuant to
Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B)(a):
i. for each Series A Adjustment Event prior to the Partnership
Event Consummation Date, the VWAP Price as of the Partnership Event
Consummation Date shall be adjusted by multiplying such VWAP Price
by a fraction, (i) the numerator of
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which shall be the number of Common Units Outstanding
immediately following such Series A Adjustment Event and (ii) the
denominator of which shall be the number of Common Units Outstanding
immediately prior to such Series A Adjustment Event; and
ii. for each Special Distribution prior to the Partnership
Event Consummation Date, the VWAP Price as of the Partnership Event
Consummation Date shall be adjusted by adding to such VWAP Price the
Fair Market Value of the property distributed on a Common Unit in
such Special Distribution.
c. Solely for the purposes of determining the Post-Partnership Event
Accretion Multiple pursuant to Section 5.13(b)(xi)(B)(b):
i. for each Series A Adjustment Event following the
Partnership Event Consummation Date, the VWAP Price as of the Series
A Maturity Date or the Series A Redemption Date, as applicable,
shall be adjusted by multiplying such VWAP Price by a fraction, (i)
the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Successor
Securities outstanding immediately following such Series A
Adjustment Event and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the
number of shares of Successor Securities outstanding immediately
prior to such Series A Adjustment Event; and
ii. for each Special Distribution following the Partnership
Event Consummation Date, the VWAP Price as of the Series A Maturity
Date or the Series A Redemption Date, as applicable, shall be
adjusted by adding to such VWAP Price the Fair Market Value of the
property distributed on a share of Successor Securities in such
Special Distribution.
For purposes of this Section 5.13(b)(ix)(A)(c), references to Common
Units in the definitions of Series A Adjustment Event and Special
Distribution set forth in Section 5.13(b)(ix)(A) shall refer to Successor
Securities.
(B) If, after the Series A Issuance Date and prior to the date of the
consummation of a Fundamental Change, a Series A Adjustment Event or a
Special Distribution occurs, then the calculation of the Fundamental Change
Redemption Consideration or the Fundamental Change Conversion Consideration
shall be adjusted as provided in this Section 5.13(b)(xii)(B) and Sections
5.13(b)(xii)(C) and (D). Solely for the purposes of determining the
Trading Price Accretion Percentage for purposes of calculating the
Fundamental Change Conversion
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Consideration (in the event of a conversion) or the Fundamental
Change Redemption Consideration (in the event of a redemption):
a. for each Series A Adjustment Event, the VWAP Price as of the date of
the consummation of a Fundamental Change shall be adjusted by multiplying
such VWAP Price by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the
number of Common Units Outstanding immediately following such Series A
Adjustment Event and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the number of
Common Units Outstanding immediately prior to such Series A Adjustment
Event; and
b. for each Special Distribution, the VWAP Price as of the date of the
consummation of a Fundamental Change shall be adjusted by adding to such
VWAP Price the Fair Market Value of the property distributed on a Common
Unit in such Special Distribution.
(C) Subsequent adjustments to the applicable VWAP Price shall be made
successively in the order of occurrence of any Series A Adjustment Event or
Special Distribution whenever more than one Series A Adjustment Event or
Special Distribution occurs during an applicable period.
(D) If a Partnership Event, a Series A Adjustment Event or a Special
Distribution occurs during a ten Trading Day period used for purposes of
calculating a VWAP Price as of any particular date under any provision of
this Agreement, the Partnership shall make appropriate adjustments to the
VWAP Price to insure that the VWAP Price properly reflects the value of the
Common Units or Successor Securities, as applicable, as of any particular
date.
(g) The first sentence of Section 6.1 of the Partnership Agreement is amended and restated in
its entirety to read as follows:
For purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of
the Partners among themselves, the Partnerships items of income, gain, loss and
deduction (computed in accordance with 5.6(b)) shall be allocated (subject to
Section 5.13(b)) among the Partners in each taxable year (or portion thereof) as
provided herein below.
(h) Section 6.1(d)(ix) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
(ix) Redemption of Series A Preferred Units. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this 6.1 (other than the Regulatory Allocations), with respect to any
taxable period during which Series A Preferred Units are redeemed pursuant to the
terms of Section 5.13(b), each Partner holding redeemed Series A Preferred Units
shall be allocated items of income, gain, loss and deduction in a manner that
results in the Capital Account balance of each such Partner attributable to its
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redeemed Series A Preferred Units immediately prior to such redemption (and
after taking into account any applicable Regulatory Allocations) to equal (i) the
amount of cash paid to such Partner in redemption of such Series A Preferred Units,
and (ii) the product of the number of Common Units received in the redemption and
the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then Outstanding Common Unit (but only to the
extent not otherwise achieved by operation of section 5.6(d)(ii)).
(i) Section 6.2 of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to add the following as
Section 6.2(i) immediately following Section 6.2(h):
Section 6.2(i). If Capital Account balances are reallocated between the
Partners in accordance with Section 5.6(d)(i) hereof and Proposed Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(4), beginning with the year of reallocation
and continuing until the allocations required are fully taken into account, the
Partnership shall make corrective allocations (allocations of items of gross income
or gain or loss or deduction for federal income tax purposes that do not have a
corresponding book allocation) to take into account the Capital Account
reallocation, as provided in Proposed Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(4)(x).
(j) Article VI of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to add a new Section 6.6 as
follows:
Section 6.6 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Series A Preferred Units.
(A) A Unitholder holding a Series A Preferred Unit that has converted
into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.13 shall be required to provide
notice to the General Partner of the transfer of the converted Series A
Preferred Unit within the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days following such
transfer and (ii) the last Business Day of the calendar year during which
such transfer occurred, unless (x) the transfer is to an Affiliate of the
holder or (y) by virtue of the application of Section 5.6(d)(i), the General
Partner has previously determined, based on advice of counsel, that the
converted Series A Preferred Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like
intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial
Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.6,
the General Partner shall take whatever steps are required to provide
economic uniformity to the converted Series A Preferred Unit in preparation
for a transfer of such Units; provided, however, that no such steps may be
taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding
Common Units represented by Common Unit Certificates (for this purpose the
allocations of income, gain, loss and deductions with respect to Series A
Preferred Units or Common Units will be deemed not to have a material
adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units).
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(B) A Unitholder holding a Series A Preferred Unit that has converted
into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.13 shall not be permitted to
transfer, by assignment or otherwise, any such Common Unit until after 32
calendar days have elapsed from the date that the Series A Preferred Unit
was converted into such Common Unit.
(C) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this
Agreement, the holders of the Series A Preferred Units (a) shall (i) possess
the rights, preferences and privileges and the duties and obligations
provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to
Article III and Article VII and (ii) have a Capital Account as a Partner
pursuant to Section 5.6 and all other provisions related thereto and
(b) shall not (i) be entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval
or vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, except as provided in Section
5.13, (ii) be entitled to any distributions other than as provided in
Section 5.13, Article VI or Article XII or (iii) be allocated items of
income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in Section 5.13 or
Article VI.
(k) Article XII of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to add a new Section 12.10 as
follows:
Section 12.10. Series A Liquidation Value. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the Series A Preferred Units
shall have the rights, preferences and privileges set forth in Section 5.13(b)(iv)
upon liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XII.
(l) The Partnership Agreement is hereby amended to eliminate any references therein to Class
B Units or Class C Units.
Section 2. Ratification of Partnership Agreement. Except as expressly modified and
amended herein, all of the terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect.
Section 3. Governing Law. This Amendment will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 4. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, all of which
together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all
such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been executed as of the date first written above.
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GENERAL PARTNER: |
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LE GP, LLC |
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By:
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/s/ John W. McReynolds
John W. McReynolds,
President and Chief Financial Officer
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LIMITED PARTNERS: |
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All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as limited
partners of the Partnership, pursuant to Powers of Attorney
now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and
delivered to, the General Partner. |
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By: LE GP, LLC, General Partner of |
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Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., as |
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attorney-in-fact for all Limited Partners pursuant to the
powers of Attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6 of the
Partnership Agreement. |
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By:
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/s/ John W. McReynolds |
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John W. McReynolds,
President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Signature Page to
Amendment No. 3 to ETE Partnership Agreement
exv4w1
Exhibit 4.1
Execution Version
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
AND
REGENCY GP ACQUIRER, L.P.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is made and entered into as of May 26,
2010, by and among ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (ETE) and REGENCY
GP ACQUIRER, L.P. (GE).
This Agreement is made in connection with this issuance of the ETE Common Units to GE pursuant
to that certain General Partner Purchase Agreement dated as of May 10, 2010 (the GP Purchase
Agreement) by and among GE, ETE and ETE GP Acquirer, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
ETE and GE have agreed to enter into this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.3 of the GP Purchase
Agreement. In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by each
party hereto, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have
the meanings given to them in the Purchase Agreement. The terms set forth below are used herein as
so defined:
Commission means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Units means the common units issuable upon conversion of the Series A
Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in ETE.
Contribution Agreement has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble of this
Agreement.
Effectiveness Period has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a) of this
Agreement.
ETE has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble of this Agreement.
ETP means Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
GE has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble of this Agreement.
GP Purchase Agreement has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble of this
Agreement.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
2
Holder means the record holder of any Registrable Securities.
Losses has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.07(a) of this Agreement.
Managing Underwriter means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the book
running lead manager of such Underwritten Offering.
Registrable Securities means the Common Units until such time as such securities
cease to be Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 1.02 hereof.
Registration Expenses has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.06(a) of this
Agreement.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Selling Expenses has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.06(a) of this
Agreement.
Selling Holder means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a
Shelf Registration Statement.
Series A Preferred Units means the Series A Preferred Units representing limited
partner interest in ETE issued to GE pursuant to the GP Purchase Agreement.
Shelf Registration has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a) of this
Agreement.
Shelf Registration Statement has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a)
of this Agreement.
Underwritten Offering means an offering (including an offering pursuant to a Shelf
Registration Statement) in which Common Units are sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis
for reoffering to the public or an offering that is a bought deal with one or more investment
banks.
Section 1.02 Registrable Securities. Any Registrable Security will cease to be a
Registrable Security when (a) a registration statement covering such Registrable Security has been
declared effective by the Commission and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of
pursuant to such effective registration statement; (b) such Registrable Security has been disposed
of pursuant to any section of Rule 144 (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144); (c) such
Registrable Security is held by ETE or one of its subsidiaries; or (d) such Registrable Security is
eligible for resale (without restriction, including but not limited to, volume limitations) under
Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force under the Securities Act) under the Securities
Act.
3
ARTICLE II.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 2.01 Shelf Registration.
(a) Shelf Registration. (a) At the option and upon the request of the holders of a
majority of the Common Units issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Units, ETE shall
prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act to permit the public resale of
the Registrable Securities from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 (or any similar provision
then in force) of the Securities Act (the Shelf Registration Statement). ETE shall use its
reasonable best efforts to file the Shelf Registration Statement within 45 days of any such request
and cause it to be effective as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter (the Shelf
Registration); provided, however, that ETE shall not be required to effect more than one
registration pursuant to this Section 2.01(a). The Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to
this Section 2.01(a) shall be on such appropriate registration form of the Commission as shall be
selected by ETE; provided, however, that if a prospectus supplement will be used in connection with
the marketing of an Underwritten Offering from the Shelf Registration Statement and the Managing
Underwriter at any time shall notify GE in writing that, in the sole judgment of such Managing
Underwriter, inclusion of detailed information to be used in such prospectus supplement is of
material importance to the success of the Underwritten Offering of such Registrable Securities, ETE
shall use its reasonable best efforts to include such information in such a prospectus supplement.
ETE will cause the Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.01(a) to be
continuously effective under the Securities Act until all Registrable Securities covered by the
Shelf Registration Statement have been distributed in the manner set forth and as contemplated in
the Shelf Registration Statement or there are no longer any Registrable Securities outstanding (the
Effectiveness Period). The Shelf Registration Statement when declared effective (including the
documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply as to form with all applicable
requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not contain an untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading. If ETE determines in good faith that the requested
registration would be materially detrimental to ETE or ETP because such registration would (x)
materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction
involving ETE or ETP, (y) require premature disclosure of material information that ETE has a bona
fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render ETE unable to comply with
requirements under applicable securities laws, then ETE shall have the right to postpone such
requested registration for a period of not more than three months after receipt of GEs request,
such right pursuant to this Section 2.01(b) not to be utilized more than twice in any twelve-month
period.
(b) Delay Rights. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, ETE may,
upon written notice to any Selling Holder whose Registrable Securities are included in the Shelf
Registration Statement, suspend such Selling Holders use of any prospectus which is a part of the
Shelf Registration Statement (in which event the Selling Holder shall discontinue sales of the
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement) if ETE or ETP (i) is pursuing
a financing, acquisition, merger, reorganization, disposition or other similar transaction and
determines in good faith that its ability to pursue or consummate such a transaction would be
materially adversely affected by any required disclosure of such transaction
4
in the Shelf Registration Statement or (ii) has experienced some other material non-public
event the disclosure of which at such time, in the good faith judgment of ETE or ETP would
materially adversely affect ETE or ETP. Upon disclosure of such information or the termination of
the condition described above, ETE shall provide prompt notice to the Selling Holders whose
Registrable Securities are included in the Shelf Registration Statement, and shall promptly
terminate any suspension of sales it has put into effect and shall take such other actions to
permit registered sales of Registrable Securities as contemplated in this Agreement.
Section 2.02 Underwritten Offering. In the event that the Selling Holders holding a
majority of the Registrable Securities outstanding at such time elect to dispose of Registrable
Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to an Underwritten Offering, ETE shall
enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Managing Underwriter or
Underwriters, which shall include, among other provisions, indemnities to the effect and to the
extent provided in Section 2.07, and shall take all such other reasonable actions as are requested
by the Managing Underwriter in order to expedite or facilitate the registration and disposition of
the Registrable Securities; provided, however, that ETE shall not be required to facilitate,
participate in, or otherwise have any obligations whatsoever with respect to, any Underwritten
Offering pursuant to this Section 2.02 unless such Underwritten Offering covers at least
$100,000,000 of Registerable Securities based on the closing price of the ETE Common Units on the
trading day immediately prior to such requested Underwritten Offering. In connection with any
Underwritten Offering under this Agreement, ETE shall be entitled to select the Managing
Underwriter or Underwriters, subject to the consent of GE not to be unreasonably withheld. No
Selling Holder may participate in such Underwritten Offering unless such Selling Holder agrees to
sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in such underwriting agreement and completes
and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities and other documents reasonably
required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. Each Selling Holder may, at its option,
require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the
part of, ETE to and for the benefit of such underwriters also be made to and for such Selling
Holders benefit and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such
underwriters under such underwriting agreement also be conditions precedent to its obligations. No
Selling Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with
ETE other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Selling Holder and its
ownership of the securities being registered on its behalf and its intended method of distribution
and any other representation required by law. If any Selling Holder disapproves of the terms of an
underwriting, such Selling Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by notice to ETE and the Managing
Underwriter; provided, however, that such withdrawal must be made up to and including the time of
pricing of such offering to be effective. No such withdrawal or abandonment shall affect ETEs
obligation to pay Registration Expenses.
Section 2.03 Registration Procedures. In connection with its obligations contained in
Section 2.01, ETE will, as expeditiously as possible:
(a) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to the Shelf
Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep
the Shelf Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period and as may be necessary to
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement;
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(b) furnish to each Selling Holder (i) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before
filing the Shelf Registration Statement or any supplement or amendment thereto, upon request,
copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including
furnishing or making available exhibits and each document incorporated by reference therein to the
extent then required by the rules and regulations of the Commission), and provide each such Selling
Holder the opportunity to object to any information pertaining to such Selling Holder and its plan
of distribution that is contained therein and make the corrections reasonably requested by such
Selling Holder with respect to such information prior to filing the Shelf Registration Statement or
supplement or amendment thereto, and (ii) such number of copies of the Shelf Registration Statement
and the prospectus included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Persons may
reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable
Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement;
(c) if applicable, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable
Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement under the securities or blue sky laws of
such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the Managing
Underwriter, shall reasonably request, provided that neither ETE nor its general partner will be
required to qualify generally to transact business in any jurisdiction where it is not then
required to so qualify or to take any action which would subject it to general service of process
in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;
(d) promptly notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus
relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (i) the filing of the
Shelf Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement to be used in connection
therewith, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and, with respect to such Shelf Registration
Statement, when the same has become effective; and (ii) any written comments from the Commission
with respect to any filing referred to in clause (i) and any written request by the Commission for
amendments or supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus
supplement thereto;
(e) immediately notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus
relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (i) the happening of any
event as a result of which the prospectus or prospectus supplement contained in the Shelf
Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, in the light of the circumstances then existing; (ii) the issuance or
threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; or (iii) the receipt
by ETE of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable
Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction.
Following the provision of such notice, ETE agrees to as promptly as practicable amend or
supplement the prospectus or prospectus supplement or take other appropriate action so that the
prospectus or prospectus supplement does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, in the light of the circumstances then existing, and to take such other
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action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings
related thereto;
(f) furnish to each Selling Holder copies of any and all transmittal letters or other
correspondence with the Commission or any other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or
other body having jurisdiction (including any domestic or foreign securities exchange) relating to
such offering of Registrable Securities;
(g) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, furnish upon request and addressed to the
underwriters and to the Selling Holders, (i) an opinion of counsel for ETE, dated the effective
date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, and (ii) a comfort letter, dated the
effective date of the applicable registration statement or the date of any amendment or supplement
thereto and a letter of like kind dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement,
in each case, signed by the independent public accountants who have certified ETEs financial
statements included or incorporated by reference into the applicable registration statement, and
each of the opinion and the comfort letter shall be in customary form and covering substantially
the same matters with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus and any prospectus
supplement included therein) and as are customarily covered in opinions of issuers counsel and in
accountants letters delivered to the underwriters in Underwritten Offerings of securities, and
such other matters as such underwriters may reasonably request;
(h) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably
practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least 12 months, but not more than 18
months, beginning with the first full calendar month after the effective date of such registration
statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities
Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder;
(i) make available to the appropriate representatives of the Managing Underwriter and Selling
Holders access to such information and ETE personnel as is reasonable and customary to enable such
parties to establish a due diligence defense under the Securities Act; provided that ETE need not
disclose any information to any such representative unless and until such representative has
entered into a confidentiality agreement with ETE;
(j) cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement to be listed
on each securities exchange or nationally recognized quotation system on which similar securities
issued by ETE are then listed;
(k) use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be registered with
or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the
business and operations of ETE to enable the Selling Holders to consummate the disposition of such
Registrable Securities;
(l) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such
registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement; and
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(m) enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by
the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, including participation in roadshows, as are
reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable
Securities.
Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from ETE of the happening of any event of the kind
described in subsection (e) of this Section 2.03, shall forthwith discontinue disposition of the
Registrable Securities until such Selling Holders receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended prospectus contemplated by subsection (e) of this Section 2.03 or until it is advised in
writing by ETE that the use of the prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any
additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus, and, if so directed
by ETE, such Selling Holder will, or will request the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any,
to deliver to ETE (at ETEs expense) all copies in their possession or control, other than
permanent file copies then in such Selling Holders possession, of the prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
Section 2.04 Cooperation by Holders. ETE shall have no obligation to include in the
Shelf Registration Statement units of a Holder who has failed to timely furnish such information
which, in the opinion of counsel to ETE, is reasonably required in order for the Shelf Registration
Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement thereto, as applicable, to comply with the
Securities Act.
Section 2.05 Restrictions on Public Sale by Holders of Registrable Securities. Each
Holder of Registrable Securities who is included in the Shelf Registration Statement agrees not to
effect any public sale or distribution of the Registrable Securities during the lock-up period
contained in a prospectus supplement filed with the Commission with respect to the pricing of an
Underwritten Offering, provided that (i) ETE gives written notice to such Holder of the date of the
commencement and termination of such period with respect to any such Underwritten Offering and (ii)
the duration of the foregoing restrictions shall be no longer than the duration of the shortest
restriction generally imposed by the underwriters on ETE or on the officers or directors or any
other unitholder of ETE on whom a restriction is imposed.
Section 2.06 Expenses.
(a) Certain Definitions. Registration Expenses means all expenses incident
to ETEs performance under or compliance with this Agreement to effect the registration of
Registrable Securities in a Shelf Registration, and the disposition of such securities, including,
without limitation, all registration, filing, securities exchange listing fees, all registration,
filing, qualification and other fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws,
fees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, transfer taxes and fees of transfer agents and
registrars, all word processing, duplicating and printing expenses, the fees and disbursements of
counsel and independent public accountants for ETE, including the expenses of any special audits or
comfort letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 2.07 hereof, ETE shall not be responsible for legal fees incurred by Holders in
connection with the exercise of such Holders rights hereunder. In addition, ETE shall not be
responsible for any Selling Expenses, which means all underwriting fees, discounts and selling
commissions allocable to the sale of the Registrable Securities.
8
(b) Expenses. ETE will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any Shelf
Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement, whether or not the
Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective or any sale is made pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement. Each Selling Holder shall pay all Selling Expenses in connection with any
sale of its Registrable Securities hereunder.
Section 2.07 Indemnification.
(a) By ETE. In the event of a registration of any Registrable Securities under the
Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, ETE will indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder
thereunder, its directors and officers and each underwriter pursuant to the applicable underwriting
agreement with such underwriter and each Person, if any, who controls such Selling Holder or
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, against any losses,
claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses)
(collectively, Losses), joint or several, to which such Selling Holder or underwriter or
controlling Person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise,
insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in the Shelf Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or final
prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and will reimburse each such Selling
Holder, its directors and officers, each such underwriter and each such controlling Person for any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending
any such Loss or actions or proceedings; provided, however, that ETE will not be liable in any such
case if and to the extent that any such Loss arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with information
furnished by such Selling Holder, such underwriter or such controlling Person in writing
specifically for use in the Shelf Registration Statement or any prospectus contained therein or any
amendment or supplement thereof. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of
any investigation made by or on behalf of such Selling Holder or any such director, officer or
controlling Person, and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Selling Holder.
(b) By Each Selling Holder. Each Selling Holder agrees severally and jointly to
indemnify and hold harmless ETE, its directors and officers, and each Person, if any, who controls
ETE within the meaning of the Securities Act or of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity from ETE to the Selling Holders, but only with respect to information regarding
such Selling Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for
inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement or any prospectus contained therein or any amendment
or supplement thereof relating to the Registrable Securities; provided, however, that the liability
of each Selling Holder shall not be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net
of any Selling Expenses) received by such Selling Holder from the sale of the Registrable
Securities giving rise to such indemnification.
9
(c) Notice. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the
commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof,
but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which
it may have to any indemnified party other than under this Section 2.07. The indemnifying party
shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the
defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice
from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake
the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under
this Section 2.07 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison
with counsel so selected; provided, however, that, (i) if the indemnifying party has failed to
assume the defense and employ counsel or (ii) if the defendants in any such action include both the
indemnified party and the indemnifying party and counsel to the indemnified party shall have
concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or if the interests of
the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the indemnifying
party, then the indemnified party shall have the right to select a separate counsel and to assume
such legal defense and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the reasonable
expenses and fees of one such separate counsel (firm) and other reasonable expenses related to such
participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, no indemnified party shall settle any action brought against it with
respect to which it is entitled to indemnification hereunder without the consent of the
indemnifying party, unless the settlement thereof imposes no liability or obligation on, and
includes a complete and unconditional release from all liability of, the indemnifying party.
(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.07 is held by
a court or government agency of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to ETE or any Selling
Holder or is insufficient to hold it harmless in respect of any Losses, then each such indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses as between ETE on the one hand and
such Selling Holder on the other hand, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
fault of ETE on the one hand and of such Selling Holder on the other in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations; provided, however, that in no event shall such Selling Holder be required to
contribute an aggregate amount in excess of the dollar amount of proceeds (net of Selling Expenses)
received by such Selling Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities giving rise to such
indemnification. The relative fault of ETE on the one hand and each Selling Holder on the other
hand 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 has been
made by, or relates to, information supplied by such party, and the parties relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this
paragraph were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which
does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this
paragraph. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses
10
referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be deemed to include any legal and
other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or
defending any Loss which is the subject of this paragraph. 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 is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(e) Other Indemnification. The provisions of this Section 2.07 shall be in addition
to any other rights to indemnification or contribution which an indemnified party may have pursuant
to law, equity, contract or otherwise.
Section 2.08 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits of
certain rules and regulations of the Commission that may permit the sale of the Registrable
Securities to the public without registration, ETE agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to:
(a) Make and keep public information regarding ETE available, as those terms are understood
and defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act, at all times from and after the date hereof;
(b) File with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of
ETE under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at all times from and after the date hereof; and
(c) So long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, furnish to such Holder forthwith upon
request a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of ETE, and such other reports and
documents so filed as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or
regulation of the Commission allowing such Holder to sell any such securities without registration.
Section 2.09 Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights. The rights to cause ETE
to include Registrable Securities in a Shelf Registration Statement may be transferred or assigned
by GE to one or more transferee(s) or assignee(s) of such Registrable Securities, provided that (a)
such transferee or assignee receives at least 20% of the Common Units (or 20% of the Series A
Preferred Units prior to conversion) covered by this Agreement, (b) ETE is given written notice
prior to any said transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of each such transferee and
identifying the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or
assigned, and (c) each such transferee or assignee assumes in writing responsibility for its
portion of the obligations of GE under this Agreement.
Section 2.10 Information by Holder. Any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities
included in any registration statement shall promptly furnish to ETE such information regarding
such Holder or Holders and the distribution proposed by such Holder or Holders as ETE may
reasonably request and as shall be required in connection with any registration, qualification or
compliance referred to herein.
11
ARTICLE III.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 3.01 Communications. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by facsimile, courier service or personal delivery:
If to GE to:
GE Energy Financial Services
800 Long Ridge Road
Stanford, Connecticut 06927
Telephone: (203) 316-7355
Facsimile: (203) 961-2606
Attention: Portfolio-Regency
With a copy (not itself constituting notice) to:
GE Energy Financial Services
800 Long Ridge Road
Stanford, Connecticut 06927
Telephone: (203) 357-4151
Facsimile: (203) 357-6632
Attention: General Counsel
and
Latham & Watkins LLP
885 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Telephone: (212) 906-1259
Facsimile: (212) 751-4864
Attention: Charles E. Carpenter
If to the ETE to:
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
3738 Oak Lawn
Dallas, Texas 75219
Telephone: (832) 668-1210 or (214) 981-0763
Facsimile: (832) 668-1127
Attention: General Counsel
and
Vinson & Elkins LLP
2500 First City Tower
1001 Fannin, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77007
12
Telephone: (713) 758-3613
Facsimile: (713) 615-5725
Attention: Douglas E. McWilliams
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been received at the time
delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when receipt acknowledged, if sent via facsimile or
sent via Internet electronic mail; and when actually received, if sent by any other means.
Section 3.02 Successor and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including subsequent Holders of
Registrable Securities to the extent permitted herein.
Section 3.03 Assignment of Rights. All or any portion of the rights and obligations
of GE under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned by GE only in accordance with Section
2.09 of this Agreement.
Section 3.04 Recapitalization, Exchanges, etc. Affecting the Common Units. The
provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to any
and all units of ETE or any successor or assign of ETE (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of
assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the
Registrable Securities, and shall be appropriately adjusted for combinations, recapitalizations and
the like occurring after the date of this Agreement.
Section 3.05 Specific Performance. Damages in the event of breach of this Agreement
by a party hereto may be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed
that each such Person, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have,
will have the right to an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent
jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions
hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives any and all defenses it may have on the ground
of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable
relief. The existence of this right will not preclude any such Person from pursuing any other
rights and remedies at law or in equity which such Person may have.
Section 3.06 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which counterparts,
when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts,
taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.
Section 3.07 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
Section 3.08 Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern this
Agreement without regard to principles of conflict of laws.
Section 3.09 Severability of Provisions. Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to
the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions
13
hereof or affecting or impairing the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other
jurisdiction.
Section 3.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final
expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the
agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained
herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set
forth or referred to herein with respect to the rights granted by ETE set forth herein. This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to
such subject matter.
Section 3.11 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by means of a written
amendment signed by ETE and the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable
Securities; provided, however, that no such amendment shall materially and adversely affect the
rights of any Holder hereunder without the consent of such Holder.
Section 3.12 No Presumption. In the event any claim is made by a party relating to
any conflict, omission, or ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or
persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement was prepared by or at the
request of a particular party or its counsel.
[Signature page follows]
14
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above.
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REGENCY GP ACQUIRER, L.P.
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By: REGENCY GP HOLDCO I LLC, its
general partner
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By: AIRCRAFT SERVICES
CORPORATION, its managing member
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By: |
/s/ Mark Mellana
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Mark Mellana, |
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Authorized Signatory |
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
By: LE GP, LLC, its general partner
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By: |
/s/ John W. McReynolds
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John W. McReynolds, |
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President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement
exv10w1
Exhibit 10.1
Revolving Credit Facility CUSIP Number: 29273XAA4
Term Loan Facility CUSIP Number: 29273XAC0
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of May 19, 2010
Amending and Restating that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
dated as of July 13, 2006 among
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.,
as the Borrower,
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent, LC Issuer and
Swingline Lender,
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.,
as Co-Syndication Agent,
BNP PARIBAS
and
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND plc,
as Co-Documentation Agents,
CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH,
DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH,
and
UBS SECURITIES LLC,
as Senior Managing Agents,
FORTIS CAPITAL CORP.
and
SUNTRUST BANK,
as Managing Agents,
and
The Other Lenders Party Hereto
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,
as
Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
Revolving Credit Facility
Term Loan Facility
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Section |
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Page |
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ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS |
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1 |
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1.01 Defined Terms |
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1 |
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1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions |
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30 |
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1.03 Accounting Terms |
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30 |
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1.04 Rounding |
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31 |
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1.05 Times of Day |
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31 |
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1.06 Letter of Credit Amounts |
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31 |
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ARTICLE II. THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
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31 |
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2.01 Loans |
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31 |
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2.02 Swingline Loans |
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32 |
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2.03 Requests for New Loans |
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34 |
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2.04 Continuations and Conversions of Existing Loans |
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35 |
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2.05 Use of Proceeds |
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36 |
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2.06 Prepayments of Loans |
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36 |
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2.07 Letters of Credit |
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37 |
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2.08 Requesting Letters of Credit |
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38 |
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2.09 Reimbursement and Participations |
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38 |
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2.10 No Duty to Inquire |
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40 |
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2.11 LC Collateral |
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41 |
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2.12 Interest Rates and Fees |
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42 |
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2.13 Evidence of Debt |
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44 |
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2.14 Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback |
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44 |
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2.15 Sharing of Payments by Lenders |
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46 |
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2.16 Reductions in Commitment |
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47 |
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ARTICLE III. TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY |
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50 |
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3.01 Taxes |
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50 |
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3.02 Illegality |
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52 |
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3.03 Inability to Determine Rates |
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53 |
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3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Loans |
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53 |
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3.05 Compensation for Losses |
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55 |
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3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders |
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55 |
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3.07 Survival |
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56 |
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ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
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56 |
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4.01 Execution |
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56 |
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4.02 Conditions of Effectiveness |
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56 |
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4.03 Conditions to all Credit Extensions |
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57 |
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ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
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58 |
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5.01 No Default |
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58 |
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5.02 Organization and Good Standing |
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58 |
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5.03 Authorization |
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58 |
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5.04 No Conflicts or Consents |
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58 |
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Section |
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Page |
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5.05 Enforceable Obligations |
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59 |
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5.06 Initial Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect |
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59 |
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5.07 Taxes and Obligations |
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59 |
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5.08 Full Disclosure |
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59 |
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5.09 Litigation |
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60 |
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5.10 ERISA |
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60 |
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5.11 Compliance with Laws |
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60 |
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5.12 Environmental Laws |
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61 |
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5.13 Borrowers Subsidiaries |
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62 |
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5.14 Title to Properties; Licenses |
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62 |
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5.15 Government Regulation |
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62 |
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5.16 Solvency |
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63 |
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5.17 Use of Proceeds |
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63 |
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5.18 Collateral Documents |
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63 |
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ARTICLE VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
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64 |
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6.01 Payment and Performance |
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64 |
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6.02 Books, Financial Statements and Reports |
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64 |
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6.03 Other Information and Inspections |
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67 |
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6.04 Notice of Material Events |
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67 |
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6.05 Maintenance of Properties |
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68 |
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6.06 Maintenance of Existence and Qualifications |
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68 |
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6.07 Payment of Trade Liabilities, Taxes, etc |
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68 |
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6.08 Insurance |
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69 |
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6.09 Compliance with Agreements and Law |
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69 |
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6.10 Environmental Matters |
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69 |
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6.11 Guaranties of Subsidiaries |
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70 |
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6.12 Compliance with Agreements |
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71 |
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6.13 Further Assurances |
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71 |
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6.14 Miscellaneous Business Covenants |
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71 |
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6.15 Restricted/Unrestricted Subsidiaries |
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71 |
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ARTICLE VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
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72 |
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7.01 Indebtedness |
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72 |
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7.02 Limitation on Liens |
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74 |
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7.03 Limitation on Mergers, Issuances of Subsidiary Securities |
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76 |
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7.04 Limitation on Sales of Property |
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76 |
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7.05 Limitation on Restricted Payment |
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78 |
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7.06 Limitation on Investments, Loans and Advances |
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78 |
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7.09 Restrictive and Negative Pledge Agreements |
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79 |
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7.10 Hedging Contracts |
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79 |
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7.11 Commingling of Deposit Accounts and Accounts |
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80 |
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7.12 Financial Covenants |
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80 |
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7.13 Amendments or Waivers of Certain Agreements; Material Contracts |
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81 |
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7.15 Fiscal Year |
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81 |
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7.16 Tax Status |
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81 |
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ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES |
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81 |
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8.01 Events of Default |
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81 |
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8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default |
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85 |
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8.03 Application of Funds |
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86 |
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Section |
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Page |
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ARTICLE IX. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT |
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87 |
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9.01 Appointment and Authority |
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87 |
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9.02 Rights as a Lender |
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87 |
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9.03 Exculpatory Provisions |
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87 |
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9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent |
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88 |
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9.05 Delegation of Duties |
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88 |
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9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent |
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89 |
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9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders |
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90 |
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9.08 No Other Duties, Etc |
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90 |
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9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim |
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90 |
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9.10 Guaranty and Collateral Matters |
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91 |
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ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS |
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91 |
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10.01 Amendments, Etc |
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91 |
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10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication |
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92 |
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10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies |
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94 |
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10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver |
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94 |
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10.05 Payments Set Aside |
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96 |
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10.06 Successors and Assigns |
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96 |
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10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality |
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99 |
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10.08 Right of Setoff |
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100 |
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10.09 Interest Rate Limitation |
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100 |
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10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness |
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101 |
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10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties |
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101 |
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10.12 Severability |
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101 |
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10.13 Replacement of Lenders |
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101 |
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10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc |
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102 |
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10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial |
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103 |
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10.16 USA PATRIOT Act Notice |
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103 |
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10.17 Time of the Essence |
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103 |
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10.18 No Recourse |
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103 |
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10.19 Amendment and Restatement |
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104 |
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10.20 Intercreditor Agreement |
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104 |
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iii
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (Agreement) is entered into as of
May 19, 2010, among ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the
Borrower), formerly known as Energy Transfer Company, L.P., WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, LC Issuer and Swingline Lender, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and
CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC., as Co-Syndication Agents, BNP PARIBAS and THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND
plc, as Co-Documentation Agents, CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK
BRANCH, and UBS SECURITIES LLC, as Senior Managing Agents, FORTIS CAPITAL CORP. and SUNTRUST BANK,
as Managing Agents and each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the
Lenders and individually, a Lender).
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and in consideration
of the loans which may hereafter be made by Lenders to, and the Letters of Credit that may
hereafter be issued by the LC Issuer for the account of, the Borrower, and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties
hereto do hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:
Administrative Agent means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity
as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.
Administrative Agents Office means the Administrative Agents address and, as
appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as
the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the Lenders.
Administrative Questionnaire means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form
supplied by the Administrative Agent.
Affiliate means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly,
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common
Control with the Person specified.
Aggregate Commitments means the Commitments of all the Lenders.
Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments means the Revolving Credit Commitments of all
the Revolving Credit Lenders. The initial amount of the Aggregate Revolving Credit
Commitments is $500,000,000, subject to optional reductions pursuant to Section 2.16
and increases as provided in Section 2.17.
Agreement means this Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
Applicable ETP Credit Agreement means the ETP Credit Agreement, as amended,
modified, supplemented, waived, restated, refinanced, extended or renewed after the Closing Date.
Applicable MLP Credit Agreement means the Applicable ETP Credit Agreement and the
Applicable Regency Credit Agreement.
Applicable Hedging Contract Termination Payments means, with respect to the
principal payment of Revolving Credit Loans upon the termination in full of the Revolving Credit
Commitments and with respect to each principal payment of Term Loans, payments due upon a
substantially contemporaneously novation or early termination of a Hedging Contract previously
entered into by the Borrower for the purpose of fixing the interest rates in respect the
Obligations, provided that the aggregate notional principal amount under such Hedging Contracts
novated or terminated does not exceed the amount of such principal payments of Revolving Credit
Loans or Term Loans.
Applicable Leverage Level means the level set forth below that corresponds to the
applicable Leverage Ratio:
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Applicable |
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Leverage Level |
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Leverage Ratio |
Level I
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Less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.0 |
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Level II
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greater than 3.00 to 1.0 but less than or equal to 3.50 to
1.0 |
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Level III
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greater than 3.50 to 1.0 but less than or equal to 4.00 to
1.0 |
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Level IV
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greater than 4.00 to 1.00 |
On the Closing Date, the Applicable Leverage Level shall be Level I. Thereafter, the
Applicable Leverage Level will be determined after each Quarterly Testing Date using the
Consolidated Funded Debt of the Borrower outstanding on such day and using Consolidated EBITDA of
the Borrower for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending on such day. On the date on which financial
statements are delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b), the Administrative Agent will confirm
or determine the Leverage Ratio of the Borrower set forth in the Compliance Certificate delivered
with such financial statements and determine the Applicable Leverage
Level on or within two Business Days after such date. The Applicable Leverage Level shall
become effective on the Business Day following such determination by the Administrative Agent and
shall remain effective until the next such determination by the Administrative Agent. If the
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Borrower shall fail to deliver the financial statements by the time required pursuant to
Section 6.02(b), the Applicable Leverage Level shall be deemed to be Level IV until such
financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent
has so confirmed or determined the Leverage Ratio.
Applicable Percentage means with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the
Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lenders Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated
or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently
in effect, giving effect to any assignments.
Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage means with respect to any Lender, the
percentage of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments represented by such Lenders Revolving
Credit Commitment. If the Revolving Credit Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable
Revolving Credit Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Credit Commitments most
recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.
Applicable Term Percentage means with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the
total outstanding Term Commitments represented by such Lenders outstanding Term Commitment.
Applicable Regency Credit Agreement means the Regency Credit Agreement, as amended,
modified, supplemented, waived, restated, refinanced, extended or renewed after the Closing Date.
Applicable Revolving Credit Rate means, on any day, with respect to any Eurodollar
Loan, Base Rate Loan or commitment fees hereunder, respectively, the percent per annum set forth
below under the caption Eurodollar Margin, Base Rate Margin or Commitment Fee Rate,
respectively, based on the Applicable Leverage Level in effect on such day.
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Applicable Leverage |
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Eurodollar |
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Base Rate |
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Commitment Fee |
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Level |
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Margin |
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Margin |
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Rate |
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Level I |
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1.250 |
% |
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0.000 |
% |
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0.300 |
% |
Level II |
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1.500 |
% |
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0.000 |
% |
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0.375 |
% |
Level III |
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1.750 |
% |
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0.250 |
% |
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0.375 |
% |
Level IV |
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2.00 |
% |
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0.500 |
% |
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0.500 |
% |
Each change in the Applicable Revolving Credit Rate shall apply during the period commencing on the
effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of
the next such change. Changes in the Applicable Revolving Credit Rate will occur automatically as
changes in the Applicable Leverage Level occur as provided in the definition of Applicable Leverage
Level.
Applicable Term Loan Rate means, on any day (a) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan,
1.75% per annum and (b) with respect to any Base Rate Loan, 0.25% per annum, except as
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otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.18 in respect of Term Loans made in connection with a
particular Term Loan Increase.
Approved Fund means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an
Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a
Lender.
Asset Sale means a sale, lease or sublease (as lessor or sublessor), sale and
leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition to, or any exchange of property
with, any Person (other than a Restricted Person), in one transaction or a series of transactions,
of all or any part of a Restricted Persons businesses, assets or properties of any kind, whether
real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, including, without limitation, the Equity Interests of an MLP or any of the Borrowers
Subsidiaries.
Assignment and Assumption means an assignment and assumption entered into by a
Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by
Section 10.06(b), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of
Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Attributable Debt means, with respect to any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction not
involving a Capital Lease Obligation, as of any date of determination, the total obligation
(discounted to present value at the rate of interest implicit in the lease included in such
transaction) of the lessee for rental payments (other than accounts required to be paid on account
of property taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, assessments, utilities, operating and labor
costs and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining
portion of the term (including extensions which are at the sole option of the lessor) of the lease
included in such transaction (in the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the
payment of a penalty, such rental obligation shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no
rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon
which it may be so terminated).
Base Rate means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Prime
Rate in effect on such day, and (b) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. Any
change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Rate shall be
effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal
Funds Rate, respectively.
Base Rate Loan means a Loan or portion of a Loan that bears interest based on the
Base Rate.
Borrower means Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
Borrowing means Loans of the same Type, made, Converted or Continued on the same
date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
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Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state
where the Administrative Agents Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Loan,
means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the
London interbank eurodollar market.
Capital Lease means a lease with respect to which the lessee is required
concurrently to recognize the acquisition of an asset and the incurrence of a liability in
accordance with GAAP.
Capital Lease Obligation means, with respect to any Person and a Capital Lease, the
amount of the obligation of such Person as the lessee under such Capital Lease which would, in
accordance with GAAP, appear as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person.
Cash means money, currency or a credit balance in any deposit account.
Cash Collateralize means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the LC Issuer and the Lenders, as collateral for the LC Obligations, Cash
pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
and the LC Issuer. Derivatives of such term have corresponding meanings.
Cash Equivalents means Investments in:
(a) marketable obligations, maturing within 12 months after acquisition thereof, issued or
unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or an instrumentality or agency thereof and
entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States;
(b) demand deposits and time deposits (including certificates of deposit) maturing within 12
months from the date of deposit thereof, (i) with any office of any Lender or (ii) with a domestic
office of any national or state bank or trust company which is organized under the Laws of the
United States or any state therein, which has capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least
$500,000,000, and whose long-term certificates of deposit are rated BBB+ or Baa1 or better,
respectively, by either Rating Agency;
(c) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities
of the types described in subsection (a) above entered into with (i) any Lender or (ii) any other
commercial bank meeting the specifications of subsection (b) above;
(d) open market commercial paper, maturing within 270 days after acquisition thereof, which
are rated at least P-1 by Moodys or A-1 by S&P; and
(e) money market or other mutual funds substantially all of whose assets comprise securities
of the types described in subsections (a) through (d) above.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the
following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change
in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application
thereof
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by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or
directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.
Change of Control means the existence of any of the following: (a) any person or
group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than an
Exempt Person, shall be the direct or indirect legal or beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then total Equity
Interests of the General Partner or (b) the General Partner shall not be the sole legal and
beneficial owner of all of the general partner interests of the Borrower. As used herein Exempt
Person means any (i) of Ray C. Davis, Kelcy L. Warren, the heirs at law of such individuals,
entities or trusts owned by or established for the benefit of such individuals or their respective
heirs at law (such as entities or trusts established for estate planning purposes) or (ii) entities
owned solely by existing and former management employees of the General Partner.
Closing Date means the first date all the conditions precedent in
Section 4.02 and Section 4.03 are satisfied or waived in accordance with
Section 10.01.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, together with all rules and
regulations promulgated with respect thereto.
Collateral means, collectively, all of the real, personal and mixed property
(including Equity Interests) in which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to the Collateral
Documents as security for the Obligations and Lender Hedging Obligations.
Collateral Documents means the Pledge and Security Agreement and all other
instruments, documents and agreements delivered by any Restricted Person pursuant to this Agreement
or any other Loan Document in order to grant to Administrative Agent for the benefit of the
Lenders, a Lien on any real, personal or mixed property of such Restricted Person as security for
the Obligations and the Lender Hedging Obligations.
Commission means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Commitment means, as to each Lender, (a) its Revolving Credit Commitment, and (b)
its Term Commitment.
Commitment Increase Agreement has the meaning given to such term in Section
2.18.
Commitment Period means the period from and including the Closing Date to the
earliest of (a) the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate
Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.16, and (c) the date of termination of
the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and of the obligation
of the LC Issuer to make LC Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit
B.
Consolidated refers to the consolidation of any Person, in accordance with GAAP,
with its properly consolidated subsidiaries. References herein to a Persons consolidated
financial
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statements, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, assets, liabilities,
etc. refer to the Consolidated financial statements, financial condition, results of operations,
cash flows, assets, liabilities, etc. of such Person and its properly consolidated subsidiaries.
Consolidated EBITDA of ETP means, for any period, Consolidated EBITDA as defined
in the ETP Credit Agreement, except that for purposes of this Agreement all references to the
Restricted Subsidiaries of Borrower in such definition and in the defined terms used therein
(such as Consolidated Net Income) shall mean subsidiaries of ETP, including all subsidiaries
of ETP whether designated as Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the ETP
Credit Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the adjustments in such definitions for general and
administrative expenses allocated to the HOLP Companies and for dividends and distributions from
HOLP and its subsidiaries shall be disregarded.
Consolidated EBITDA of Regency means, for any period, Consolidated EBITDA as
defined in the Regency Credit Agreement.
Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower means, for any period of four Fiscal Quarters,
the sum of:
(a) the product of four (4) times the amount of cash distributions payable with respect to the
last Fiscal Quarter in such period by an MLP to the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in
respect of limited partnership units in such MLP to the extent actually received on or prior to the
date the financial statements with respect to such Fiscal Quarter referred in the Section
6.02 are required to be delivered by the Borrower; provided that if the Borrower has acquired
or disposed of any limited partnership units in such MLP at any time after the first day of such
Fiscal Quarter, the determinations in this clause (a) shall be made (other than for purposes of
Section 7.12(c)) giving pro forma effect to such acquisition or disposition as if such
acquisition or disposition had occurred on the first day of the Fiscal Quarter; plus
(b) the product of four (4) times the amount of cash distributions payable with respect to the
last Fiscal Quarter in such period by an MLP to the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in
respect of the general partnership interests or incentive distribution rights to the extent
actually received on or prior to the date the financial statements with respect to such Fiscal
Quarter referred in the Section 6.02 are required to be delivered by the Borrower; plus
(c) Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such four
Fiscal Quarter period, plus (i) each of the following to the extent deducted in determining such
Consolidated Net Income (A) all Consolidated Interest Expense, (B) all income taxes (including any
franchise taxes to the extent based upon net income), (C) all depreciation and amortization
(including amortization of good will and debt issue costs), and (D) any other non-cash charges or
losses, minus (ii) each of the following (A) all non-cash items of income or gain which were
included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, and (B) any cash payments made during such
period in respect of items described in clause (i)(D) of this clause (c) subsequent to the Fiscal
Quarter in which the relevant non-cash charges or losses were reflected
as a charge in the statement of Consolidated Net Income; provided that the
determinations in this clause (c) shall be made excluding each MLP and its subsidiaries. For the
avoidance of doubt,
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the determinations in this clause (c) shall not include Consolidated Net Income
attributable to distributions by an MLP.
Consolidated Fixed Charges means, for any period, without duplication, the sum of
(i) the preferred distributions paid in cash during such period on the Restructuring Preferred
Units plus (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period.
Consolidated Funded Debt of ETP means, as at any date of determination, the sum of
the following (without duplication): (i) all Indebtedness on a Consolidated balance sheet of the
ETP and its Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, (ii) Indebtedness for
borrowed money of ETP and its subsidiaries outstanding under a revolving credit or similar
agreement, notwithstanding the fact that any such borrowing is made within one year of the
expiration of such agreement, (iii) obligations of ETP and its subsidiaries in respect of Capital
Leases, and (iv) all Indebtedness in respect of any Guarantee by ETP or any of its subsidiaries of
Indebtedness of any Person other than ETP or any of its subsidiaries, but excluding (i)
Attributable Debt of ETP and its subsidiaries and (ii) Performance Guaranties (as defined in the
ETP Credit Agreement); provided, however, on each day, Consolidated Funded
Indebtedness shall exclude the amount of Excluded Inventory Indebtedness (as defined in the ETP
Credit Agreement).
Consolidated Funded Debt of Regency means, as at any date of determination, the sum
of the following (without duplication): (i) all Indebtedness on a Consolidated balance sheet of the
Regency and its Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, (ii) Indebtedness
for borrowed money of Regency and its subsidiaries outstanding under a revolving credit or similar
agreement, notwithstanding the fact that any such borrowing is made within one year of the
expiration of such agreement, (iii) obligations of Regency and its subsidiaries in respect of
Capital Leases, and (iv) all Indebtedness in respect of any Guarantee by Regency or any of its
subsidiaries of Indebtedness of any Person other than Regency or any of its subsidiaries, but
excluding Attributable Debt of Regency and its subsidiaries.
Consolidated Funded Debt of the Borrower means, as at any date of determination, the
sum of the following (without duplication): (i) all Indebtedness on a Consolidated balance sheet of
the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, (ii)
Indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under a
revolving credit or similar agreement, notwithstanding the fact that any such borrowing is made
within one year of the expiration of such agreement, (iii) obligations of the Borrower and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of Capital Leases, (iv) all Indebtedness in respect of any
Guarantee by a Restricted Person of Indebtedness of any Person other than a Restricted Person;
provided that the determinations in this definition shall be made excluding each MLP and its
subsidiaries and (v) the maximum amount required to be paid to the holders thereof in cash upon the
exercise of any redemption (other than an optional redemption elected by the Borrower) or put right
in respect of the Restructuring Preferred Units.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, for any period, without duplication, all
interest reflected on the income statement of the Borrower during such period on, and all fees and
related charges in respect of, Indebtedness which was deducted in determining Consolidated Net
Income
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of the Borrower during such period; provided that the determinations in this definition
shall be made excluding each MLP and its subsidiaries.
Consolidated Net Income means, for any Person and any period, such Persons and its
subsidiaries gross revenues for such period, minus such Persons and its subsidiaries expenses
and other proper charges against income (including taxes on income to the extent imposed),
determined on a Consolidated basis after eliminating earnings or losses attributable to outstanding
minority interests and excluding the net earnings or losses of any Person, other than a subsidiary
of such Person, in which such Person or any of its subsidiaries has an ownership interest.
Consolidated Net Income shall not include (a) any gain or loss from the sale of assets other than
in the ordinary course of business, (b) any extraordinary gains or losses, or (c) any non-cash
gains or losses resulting from mark to market activity as a result of SFAS 133. Consolidated Net
Income of a Person for any period shall include any cash dividends and distributions actually
received during such period from any Person, other than a subsidiary, in which such Person or any
of its subsidiaries has an ownership interest.
Continue, Continuation, and Continued shall refer to the
continuation pursuant to Section 2.04 of a Eurodollar Loan as a Eurodollar Loan from one
Interest Period to the next Interest Period.
Control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to
exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. Controlling and Controlled have meanings
correlative thereto.
Controlling Agent means the Controlling Agent named in the Intercreditor Agreement.
Convert, Conversion, and Converted shall refer to a conversion
pursuant to Section 2.04 or Article III of one Type of Loan into another Type of
Loan.
Credit Extension means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an LC Credit
Extension.
Debtor Relief Laws means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other
liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium,
rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the
United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the
rights of creditors generally.
Default means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that,
with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
Default Rate means, at the time in question, (a) for any Revolving Credit Loan that
is a Eurodollar Loan (up to the end of the applicable Interest Period), two percent (2%) per annum
plus the Applicable Revolving Credit Rate for Eurodollar Loans plus the Eurodollar Rate then
in effect, (b) for each Revolving Credit Loan that is a Base Rate Loan, each Swingline Loan and
each LC Obligation, two percent (2%) per annum plus the Applicable Revolving Credit Rate for
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Base Rate Loans plus the Base Rate, (c) for each Letter of Credit, two percent (2%) per annum plus the
Applicable Revolving Credit Rate for Eurodollar Loans, or (d) for any Term Loan that is a
Eurodollar Loan (up to the end of the applicable Interest Period) two percent (2%) per annum plus
the Applicable Term Loan Rate for Eurodollar Loans plus the Eurodollar Rate then in effect and (e)
for any Term Loan that is a Base Rate Loan two percent (2%) per annum plus the Applicable Term Loan
Rate for Base Rate Loans plus the Base Rate; provided, however, the Default Rate
shall never exceed the Maximum Rate.
Default Rate Period means (i) any period during which any Event of Default specified
in Section 8.01(a), (b) or (j) is continuing and (ii) upon the request of
the Majority Lenders, any period during which any other Event of Default is continuing.
Disclosure Schedule means Schedule 3 hereto.
Dollar and $ mean lawful money of the United States.
Eligible Assignee means (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender; (c) an Approved
Fund; and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by (i) the Administrative
Agent and the LC Issuer, and (ii) unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Borrower (each such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that
notwithstanding the foregoing, Eligible Assignee shall not include the Borrower or any of the
Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
Environmental Laws means any and all Laws relating to the environment or to
emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or
industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment including ambient air,
surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing,
distribution use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of pollutants, contaminants,
chemicals, or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.
Equity Interests means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital
stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or
other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or
other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person
or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or
such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including
partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not
such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of
determination.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, together with all
rules and regulations promulgated with respect thereto.
ERISA Affiliate means each Restricted Person and all members of a controlled group
of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control
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that, together with such Restricted Person, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of
the Code.
ERISA Plan means any employee pension benefit plan subject to Title IV of ERISA
maintained by any ERISA Affiliate with respect to which any Restricted Person has a fixed or
contingent liability.
ETP means Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or the
corporate, partnership or limited liability successor thereto.
ETP Credit Agreement means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of
June 20, 2007, by and among ETP, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, successor to Wachovia
Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and the other agents and the lenders from time
to time party thereto, as amended, modified, waived or otherwise supplemented prior to the date
hereof.
ETP GP means Energy Transfer Partners GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or
the corporate, partnership or limited liability successor thereto, in either case which is the
general partner of ETP.
ETP LLC means Energy Transfer Partners, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability
company, or the corporate, partnership or limited liability successor thereto, in either case which
is the general partner of ETP GP.
ETP Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on (i) the financial
condition, operations, properties or prospects of ETP and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or
(ii) the ability of ETP to perform its obligations under the Applicable ETP Credit Agreement or the
ability of its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to perform their respective obligations under the
guarantee of the Applicable ETP Credit Agreement, or (iii) the validity or enforceability of the
Applicable ETP Credit Agreement and related documents.
ETP Reporting means all information or reports that relates to ETP and its
subsidiaries (including their respective financial condition, operations, properties, prospects,
business, liabilities, or compliance): (i) required to be provided pursuant to Sections
6.02 or 6.04, (ii) provided to the management of the Borrower, or (iii) that has become
publicly available.
Eurodollar Loan means a Loan or portion of a Loan that bears interest at a rate
based on the Eurodollar Rate.
Eurodollar Rate means, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period,
(a) the rate per annum appearing on Page 3750 of the Bridge Telerate Service (formerly Dow Jones
Market Service) (or on any successor or substitute page of such Service, or any successor to or
substitute for such Service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on
such page of such Service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes
of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the
London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to
the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity
11
comparable to such Interest Period; (b) if for any reason the rate specified in clause (a) of this
definition does not so appear on Page 3750 of the Bridge Telerate Service (or any successor or
substitute page or any such successor to or substitute for such Service), the rate per annum
appearing on Reuters Screen LIBO page (or any successor or substitute page) as the London interbank
offered rate for deposits in dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days
prior to the commencement of such Interest Period for a maturity comparable to such Interest
Period; and (c) if the rate specified in clause (a) of this definition does not so appear on Page
3750 of the Bridge Telerate Service (or any successor or substitute page or any such successor to
or substitute for such Service) and if no rate specified in clause (b) of this definition so
appears on Reuters Screen LIBO page (or any successor or substitute page), the average of the
interest rates per annum at which dollar deposits of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to
such Interest Period are offered by the principal London offices of Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately
11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.
Event of Default has the meaning given to such term in Section 8.01.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Excluded Taxes means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the LC
Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the
Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however
denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction
(or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in
which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable
Lending Office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar
tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located and (c) in the case of a
Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under
Section 10.13), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign
Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office)
or is attributable to such Foreign Lenders failure or inability (other than as a result of a
Change in Law) to comply with Section 3.01(e), except to the extent that such Foreign
Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office
(or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding
tax pursuant to Section 3.01(a).
Existing Credit Agreement means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
dated as of July 13, 2006, among Borrower, Administrative Agent, LC Issuer, Swingline Lender and
the syndication agents, documentation agents, and lenders party thereto, as amended from time to
time prior to the date hereof.
Facility Usage means, at the time in question, the aggregate amount of outstanding
Loans and LC Obligations at such time.
Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the
weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
12
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such
day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such
transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business
Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal
Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole
multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to the Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as
determined by the Administrative Agent.
Fee Letter means the letter agreement, dated October 26, 2005, among the Borrower,
the Administrative Agent and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC.
Fiscal Quarter means a three-month period ending on the last day of November,
February, May and August or such other four consecutive three-month periods in a Fiscal Year as may
be adopted by the General Partner.
Fiscal Year means a twelve month period ending on August 31 or such other day as may
be adopted by the General Partner.
Foreign Lender means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction
other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this
definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to
constitute a single jurisdiction.
Fund means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in
making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of
credit in the ordinary course.
GAAP means those generally accepted accounting principles and practices which are
recognized as such by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or any generally recognized
successor) and which, in the case of the Borrower and its Consolidated subsidiaries, are applied
for all periods after the date hereof in a manner consistent with the manner in which such
principles and practices were applied to the Initial Financial Statements. If any change in any
accounting principle or practice is required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or any
such successor) in order for such principle or practice to continue as a generally accepted
accounting principle or practice, all reports and financial statements required hereunder with
respect to the Borrower or with respect to the Borrower and its Consolidated subsidiaries may be
prepared in accordance with such change, but all calculations and determinations to be made
hereunder may be made in accordance with such change only after notice of such change is given to
each Lender, and the Borrower and Majority Lenders agree to such change insofar as it affects the
accounting of the Borrower or of the Borrower and its Consolidated subsidiaries
GE EFS means, collectively, General Electric Energy Financial Services, a unit of
General Electric Capital Corporation, Regency GP Acquirer LP and Regency LP Acquirer LP.
13
General Partner means LE GP, LLC, a Delaware limited partnership, or the corporate,
partnership or limited liability successor thereto, in either case, which is the sole general
partner of the Borrower.
Governmental Authority means the government of the United States or any other
nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority,
instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to
government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central
Bank).
Guarantee means, as to any Person, any (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise,
of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other
obligation payable or performable by another Person (the primary obligor) in any manner, whether
directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to
purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or
other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of
assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or
performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity
capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of
the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other
obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in
respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to
protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any
assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or
not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or
otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The term Guarantee shall
exclude endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments in the course of
collection. The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the lesser of (i)
the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect
of which such Guarantee is made, or (ii) if not stated or determinable or if such Guarantee by its
terms is limited to less than the full amount of such primary obligation, the maximum reasonably
anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith or
the amount to which such Guarantee is limited. The term Guarantee as a verb has a corresponding
meaning.
Guarantors means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that now or hereafter executes and
delivers a Guaranty to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.11.
Guaranty means, collectively, one or more Guarantees of the Obligations made by the
Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, substantially in the form of
Exhibit C, including any supplements to an existing Guaranty in substantially the form that
is a part of Exhibit C.
Haynesville JV means RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co., a general partnership that
owns 100 percent of Regency Intrastate Gas LP.
14
Hazardous Materials means any substances regulated under any Environmental Law,
whether as pollutants, contaminants, or chemicals, or as industrial, toxic or hazardous substances
or wastes, or otherwise.
Hedging Contract means (a) any agreement providing for options, swaps, floors, caps,
collars, forward sales or forward purchases involving interest rates, commodities or commodity
prices, equities, currencies, bonds, or indexes based on any of the foregoing, (b) any option,
futures or forward contract traded on an exchange, and (c) any other derivative agreement or other
similar agreement or arrangement.
Hedging Termination Value means, in respect of any one or more Hedging Contracts,
after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such
Hedging Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Hedging Contracts have been closed
out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b)
for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the
mark-to-market value(s) for such Hedging Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market
or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Hedging Contracts
(which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:
(a) indebtedness for borrowed money, all obligations upon which interest charges are
customarily paid and all obligations evidenced by any bond, note, debenture or other similar
instrument which such Person has directly or indirectly created, incurred or assumed;
(b) obligations of others secured by any Lien in respect of property owned by such Person,
whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness;
provided that the amount of such Indebtedness, if such Person has not assumed the same or
become liable therefor, shall in no event be deemed to be greater than the fair market value from
time to time of the property subject to such Lien;
(c) indebtedness, whether or not for borrowed money (excluding trade payables and accrued
expenses arising in the ordinary course of business and payable in the ordinary course of
business), with respect to which such Person has become directly or indirectly liable and which
represents the deferred purchase price (or a portion thereof) or has been incurred to finance the
purchase price (or a portion thereof) of any property or service or business acquired by such
Person, whether by purchase, consolidation, merger or otherwise;
(d) the principal component of Capital Lease Obligations to the extent such obligations would,
in accordance with GAAP, appear on a balance sheet of such Person;
(e) Attributable Debt of such Person in respect of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions not
involving a Capital Lease Obligation;
(f) mandatory obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise
make any payment in cash in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other
15
Person, valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference
plus accrued and unpaid dividends or distribution;
(g) obligations, contingent or fixed, of such person as an account party in respect of letters
of credit (other than letters of credit incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practice or letters of credit outstanding on the effective date of this Agreement);
(h) liabilities of such Person in respect of unfunded vested benefits under pension plans
(determined on a net basis for all such plans) and all asserted withdrawal liabilities of such
Person or a commonly controlled entity to a multiemployer plan;
(i) obligations of such Person in respect of bankers acceptances (other than in respect of
accounts payable to suppliers incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice); and
(j) Guarantees by such Person in respect of obligations of the character referred to in clause
(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (i) of this definition of any other Person;
(k) obligations of the character referred to in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h),
(i) or (j) of this definition deemed to be extinguished under GAAP but for which such Person
remains legally liable;
(l) amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension or refunding of any
obligation or liability of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (k) above; and
(m) obligations arising out of Hedging Contracts (on a net basis to the extent netting is
provided for in the applicable Hedging Contract); provided that only the Hedging
Termination Value of Lender Hedging Obligations shall be deemed Indebtedness for any purposes
under Section 7.12.
Indemnified Taxes means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
Indemnitees has the meaning given to such term in Section 10.04(b).
Intercreditor Agreement means an Intercreditor Agreement entered into by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.02(p), substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto,
with such changes as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
Initial Borrower Financial Statements means (a) the audited Consolidated annual
financial statements of the Borrower as of December 31, 2009 and (b) the unaudited Consolidated
interim financial statements of the Borrower as of March 31, 2010.
Initial Financial Statements means (a) the Initial Borrower Financial Statements,
(b) the Initial ETP Financial Statements and (c) the Initial Regency Financial Statements.
16
Initial ETP Financial Statements means (a) the audited Consolidated annual financial
statements of ETP as of December 31, 2009 and (b) the unaudited Consolidated interim financial
statements of ETP as of March 31, 2010.
Initial Regency Financial Statements means (a) the audited Consolidated annual
financial statements of Regency as of December 31, 2009 and (b) the unaudited Consolidated interim
financial statements of Regency as of March 31, 2010.
Interest Payment Date means, (a) as to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan, the
last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, in
the case of Revolving Credit Loans, and the Term Loan Maturity Date, in the case of Term Loans;
provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan exceeds three
months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest
Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business
Day of each Fiscal Quarter and the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, in the case of Revolving Credit
Loans, and the Term Loan Maturity Date, in the case of Term Loans.
Interest Period means, as to each Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the date
such Eurodollar Loan is disbursed or Converted to or Continued as a Eurodollar Loan and ending on
the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice
or such period that is nine or twelve months if requested by the Borrower and consented to by all
the Lenders; provided that: (a) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that
is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business
Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next
preceding Business Day; (b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar
month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the
end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of
such Interest Period; and (c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Revolving Credit Maturity
Date, in the case of Revolving Credit Loans, or the Term Loan Maturity Date applicable to such
Loans, in the case of Term Loans.
Investment means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment
by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of capital stock or other
securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or
assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation
or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other
Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees obligations of such other
Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions)
of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of determining the
outstanding amount of an Investment, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually
invested (without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment)
reduced by the cash proceeds received upon the sale, liquidation, repayment or disposition of such
Investment (less all costs thereof) or other cash proceeds received as a return of capital of such
Investment in an aggregate amount up to but not in excess of the amount of such Investment.
17
Issuer Documents means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit
Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the LC Issuer and the
Borrower (or any Restricted Subsidiary) or in favor the LC Issuer and relating to any such Letter
of Credit.
Laws means any statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, treaty, judgment, order,
decree, permit, concession, franchise, license, agreement or other governmental restriction of the
United States or any state or political subdivision thereof or of any foreign country or any
department, state, province or other political subdivision thereof.
LC Collateral means cash or deposit account balances pledged and deposited with or
delivered to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the LC Issuer and the Lenders, as
collateral for the LC Obligations.
LC Credit Extension means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance
thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
LC Issuer means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor to Wachovia Bank,
National Association) in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder or any successor
issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.
LC Obligations means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount
available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all
Matured LC Obligations. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any
Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with
Section 1.06. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter
of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the
operation of Rule 3.14 of the International Standby Practices 1998 (published by the Institute of
International Banking Law & Practice or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time
of issuance), such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be outstanding in the amount so remaining
available to be drawn.
Lender has the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the term Lenders includes the Revolving Credit Lenders,
the Term Lenders and the Swingline Lender.
Lender Hedging Obligations means all obligations arising from time to time under
Hedging Contracts entered into from time to time between the Borrower or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries and a counterparty that is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender; provided (a) that if
such counterparty ceases to be a Lender hereunder or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder, Lender
Hedging Obligations shall only include such obligations to the extent arising from transactions
entered into at the time such counterparty was a Lender hereunder or an Affiliate of a Lender
hereunder, and (b) that for any of the foregoing to be included within Lender Hedging Obligations
hereunder, the applicable counterparty or Borrower must have provided Administrative Agent written
notice of the existence thereof certifying that such transaction is a Lender Hedging Obligation and
is not prohibited under this Agreement.
18
Lending Office means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender
described as such in such Lenders Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as
a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Letter of Credit means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder and shall
include the Existing Letters of Credit.
Letter of Credit Application means an application and agreement for the issuance or
amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the LC Issuer.
Leverage Ratio of the Borrower means the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt of
the Borrower outstanding on the specified date to (b) the Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for
the four Fiscal Quarter period most recently ended.
Liabilities means, as to any Person, all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations
of such Person, whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, primary or secondary,
direct or indirect, absolute, fixed or contingent, and whether or not required to be considered
liabilities pursuant to GAAP.
LIBOR Reference Rate means a rate of interest for Swingline Loans determined by
reference to the Eurodollar Rate for a one (1) month interest period that would be applicable for a
Revolving Credit Loan, as that rate may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the Eurodollar Rate
as determined on a day-to-day basis.
Lien means, with respect to any property or assets, any right or interest therein of
a creditor to secure Liabilities owed to it or any other arrangement with such creditor which
provides for the payment of such Liabilities out of such property or assets or which allows such
creditor to have such Liabilities satisfied out of such property or assets prior to the general
creditors of any owner thereof, including any lien, mortgage, security interest, pledge, deposit,
production payment, rights of a vendor under any title retention or conditional sale agreement or
lease substantially equivalent thereto, tax lien, mechanics or materialmans lien, or any other
charge or encumbrance for security purposes, whether arising by Law or agreement or otherwise, but
excluding any right of offset which arises without agreement in the ordinary course of business.
Lien also means any filed financing statement, any registration of a pledge (such as with an
issuer of uncertificated securities), or any other arrangement or action which would serve to
perfect a Lien described in the preceding sentence, regardless of whether such financing statement
is filed, such registration is made, or such arrangement or action is undertaken before or after
such Lien exists.
Loans means the Term Loans and, prior to the New Revolving Credit Effective Date,
the Revolving Credit Loans and the Swingline Loans.
Loan Documents means this Agreement, each Note, each Issuer Document, the Fee
Letter, each Guaranty, the Perfection Certificate, each Collateral Document, if Liens are incurred
pursuant to Section 7.02(p), the Intercreditor Agreement and all other agreements, certificates,
19
documents, instruments and writings at any time delivered in connection herewith or therewith
(exclusive of term sheets and commitment letters).
Loan Notice means a notice of (a) a Borrowing, (b) a Conversion of Loans from one
Type to the other, pursuant to Section 2.04, or (c) a Continuation of Eurodollar Loans,
pursuant to Section 2.04, which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of
Exhibit D.
Majority Lenders means, as of any date of determination, Lenders having more than
50% of the Aggregate Commitments or, if the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the
obligation of the LC Issuer to make LC Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to
Section 8.02, Lenders holding in the aggregate more than 50% of the Facility Usage (with
the aggregate amount of each Lenders risk participation and funded participation in LC Obligations
being deemed held by such Lender for purposes of this definition).
Margin Regulations means Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.
Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on (i) the financial
condition, operations, properties or prospects of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of any Restricted Person to fully and timely perform its
obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, or (iii) the validity or
enforceability against a Restricted Person of a Loan Document to which it is a party, or (iv) the
material rights, remedies and benefits available to, or conferred upon, the Administrative Agent or
any Lender under any Loan Document.
Matured LC Obligations means all amounts paid by LC Issuer on drafts or demands for
payment drawn or made under or purported to be under any Letter of Credit and all other amounts due
and owing to LC Issuer under any Letter of Credit Application, to the extent the same have not been
repaid to LC Issuer (with the proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans or otherwise).
Maximum Rate has the meaning given to such term in Section 10.09.
MEP Interests means (a) ETPs 100% interest in Midcontinent Express Pipeline III,
L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and the owner of a 49.9% interest in Midcontinent
Express Pipeline, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and (b) an Option Agreement to acquire
ETPs 100% interest in Midcontinent Express Pipeline II, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability
company and the owner of a .1% interest in Midcontinent Express Pipeline, LLC.
MLP means either of ETP or Regency, as applicable, and MLPs means both of
ETP and Regency.
MLP Credit Document means the Applicable MLP Credit Agreement and all other
documents, instruments or agreements executed and delivered by the MLP party thereto or its
subsidiaries in connection therewith.
20
MLP Limited Partnership Agreement means the Agreement of Limited Partnership of each
of ETP and Regency, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc., or its successor.
Net Asset Sale Proceeds means, with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to:
(a) Cash payments (including any Cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by
monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) received by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from such Asset Sale, minus (b) any bona fide direct costs
incurred in connection with such Asset Sale, including income or gains taxes payable by the seller
as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale.
Net Issuance Proceeds means, an amount equal to: Cash payments received by any
Restricted Person (other than from another Restricted Person) from (i) the issuance and sale of any
capital stock or other equity interest by the Borrower or any other Cash contribution to the equity
capital of a Restricted Person, except to the extent that Cash proceeds are intended at the time of
receipt to be used to fund a Permitted Acquisition, an acquisition of limited partnership units of
an MLP or a capital expenditure (other than capital expenditures for repair, replacement or
maintenance of existing capital assets of a Restricted Person) by a Restricted Person and are so
used within 120 days after such receipt (or in the case of such a capital expenditure, construction
with respect thereto has begun within 120 days), or (ii) from the incurrence of Indebtedness for
borrowed money by a Restricted Person, other than as permitted by clauses (a) through (h) or clause
(j) of Section 7.01, minus, (a) only in the case of the initial incurrence of Senior Note
Indebtedness in connection with the Senior Notes Effective Date, the Revolving Credit Prepayment on
the Senior Notes Effective Date, (b) the payment of any Applicable Hedging Contract Termination
Payments and (c) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such sale, contribution or
issuance.
New Revolving Credit Effective Date means the date on or prior to November 12, 2010
on which each of the following has occurred, or shall have been satisfied in a substantially
contemporaneous manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (a) the Borrower shall have
received commitments under a definitive credit agreement providing for New Revolving Credit
Indebtedness in a principal amount of not less than $200,000,000, (b) the Borrower shall have
terminated the Revolving Commitments, and repaid in full the outstanding principal of, and interest
and fees on the Revolving Credit Loans and the amount of any Applicable Hedging Contract
Termination Payments, (c) the Administrative Agent shall have received the Intercreditor Agreement
executed by the administrative agent or collateral agent for the lenders in respect of the New
Revolving Credit Indebtedness and such amendments or supplements to the Collateral Documents as the
Administrative Agent shall have reasonably requested executed by the Restricted Persons, (d) the
Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of the
Borrower dated the New Revolving Credit Effective Date, to the effect that, after giving effect to
New Revolving Credit Indebtedness and the applications of the proceeds thereof to the Revolving
Credit Loans and the Applicable Hedging Contract Termination Payments: (i) the representations and
warranties contained in each of the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on
and as of New Revolving Credit Effective Date as though made on and as of such date (unless stated
to relate solely to an earlier
21
date, in which case such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material
respects as of such earlier date); and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing and (e) each
of such conditions to the New Revolving Credit Effective Date shall have occurred or been so
satisfied on or prior to November 12, 2010.
New Revolving Credit Indebtedness means Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower and
Guarantors pursuant to Section 7.01(h).
Note means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing
Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1, in the case of
Revolving Credit Loans, or the form of Exhibit E-2, in the case of Term Loans.
Obligations means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants
and duties of, any Restricted Person, arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to
any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption),
absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including
interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Restricted Person or any
Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor
in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such
proceeding.
Other Taxes means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other
excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or
under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with
respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
Participant has the meaning given to such term in Section 10.06(d).
Partnership Agreement means the Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Borrower as
in effect on the date of this Agreement.
Perfection Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit
F that provides information with respect to the personal or mixed property of any Restricted
Person.
Permitted Acquisitions means (A) the acquisition of all of the Equity Interests in a
Person (exclusive of director qualifying shares and other Equity Interests required to be held by
an Affiliate to comply with a requirement of Law) or (B) any other acquisition of all or a
substantial portion of the business, assets or operations of a Person (whether in a single
transaction or a series of related transactions) (C) a merger or consolidation of any Person with
or into a Restricted Person so long as the survivor is or becomes a Restricted Person upon
consummation thereof (and Borrower is the survivor, if it is a party) or (D) the acquisitions
included in the Restructuring Transactions; provided, that (i) prior to and after
giving effect to such acquisition no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing; and (ii) all representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents shall be
true and correct in all material respects as if restated immediately following the consummation of
such acquisition; and (iii) the Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent an officers
certificate, in form
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satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, certifying that each of the foregoing conditions has
been satisfied.
Permitted Investments means:
(a) Cash Equivalents,
(b) Investments in any Restricted Subsidiary,
(c) (i) Investments held directly by ETP GP in its 2% general partnership units and incentive
distribution rights of ETP, plus additional contributions by ETP GP to maintain its 2% general
partnership interest in ETP, and (ii) Investments held directly by Regency GP in its 2% general
partnership units and incentive distribution rights of Regency, plus additional contributions by
Regency GP to maintain its 2% general partnership interest in Regency,
(d) unsecured Guarantees of Indebtedness of Unrestricted Persons (other than an MLP and their
respective subsidiaries) in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 at any one time,
(e) Investments held directly by the Borrower in limited partnership units of an MLP,
(f) Investments (other than Guarantees) in Unrestricted Persons (other than an MLP and their
respective subsidiaries) made after the Closing Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$15,000,000 at any one time outstanding to the extent permitted by Section 6.11,
(g) Investments (other than Guarantees) in Unrestricted Persons sourced from funds derived
from equity offerings of the Borrower not to exceed $75,000,000 at any one time outstanding, and
(h) Investments in the MEP Interests contemplated as a part of the Restructuring Transactions.
Permitted Lien has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.02.
Permitted Line of Business means, with respect to the specified Person, lines of
business engaged in by such Person and its subsidiaries such that such Person and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, are substantially engaged in businesses that are (i) qualified business of master
limited partnerships and (ii) energy-related.
Permitted Unit Purchase means, the purchase of 9,642,757 of the Borrowers
outstanding common limited partnership units from Kellen Holdings, LLC for an aggregate Cash
purchase price not to exceed $245,000,000.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust,
joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
Pledge and Security Agreement means the Pledge and Security Agreement to be executed
by Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary (other than ETP GP and Regency GP)
23
substantially in the form of Exhibit G, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time.
Prime Rate means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time
by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in
Charlotte, North Carolina. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the
date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
Quarterly Testing Date means the last day of each Fiscal Quarter.
Rating Agency means Fitch, S&P or Moodys.
Regency means Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
Regency Credit Agreement means the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated
March 3, 2010 among Regency, Regency Gas Services LP, as borrower, the subsidiary guarantors named
therein, Well Fargo Bank, National Association, successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association,
as administrative agent, and the other agents and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as
amended, modified, waived or otherwise supplemented prior to the date hereof.
Regency GP means Regency GP LP, a Delaware limited partnership, or the corporate,
partnership or limited liability successor thereto, in either case which is the general partner of
Regency.
Regency LLC means Regency GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or the
corporate, partnership or limited liability successor thereto, in either case which is the general
partner of Regency GP.
Regency Material Adverse Effect means a material adverse effect on (i) the financial
condition, operations, properties or prospects of Regency and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
or (ii) the ability of Regency to perform its obligations under the Applicable Regency Credit
Agreement or the ability of its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to perform their respective
obligations under the guarantee of the Applicable Regency Credit Agreement, or (iii) the validity
or enforceability of the Applicable Regency Credit Agreement and related documents.
Regency Reporting means all information or reports that relates to Regency and its
subsidiaries (including their respective financial condition, operations, properties, prospects,
business, liabilities, or compliance): (i) required to be provided pursuant to Sections
6.02 or 6.04, (ii) provided to the management of the Borrower, or (iii) that has become
publicly available.
Register has the meaning given to such term in Section 10.06(c).
Related Parties means, with respect to any Person, such Persons Affiliates and the
partners, directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such
Persons Affiliates.
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Request for Credit Extension means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, Conversion or
Continuation of Loans, a Loan Notice, and (b) with respect to an LC Credit Extension, a Letter of
Credit Application.
Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial
officer, or treasurer of a Restricted Person. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a
Responsible Officer of a Restricted Person shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized
by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Restricted Person
and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such
Restricted Person.
Restricted Payment means any dividends on, or other distribution in respect of, any
Equity Interests in any Restricted Person, or any purchase, redemption, acquisition, or retirement
of any Equity Interests in any Restricted Person (whether such interests are now or hereafter
issued, outstanding or created), or any reduction or retirement of the Equity Interest of any
Restricted Person, except, in each case, distributions, dividends or any other of the above actions
payable solely in shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such
Restricted Person, or warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such
Restricted Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such
Restricted Person.
Restricted Person means each of the Borrower, ETP GP, ETP LLC, Regency GP, Regency
LLC and any other Person who is designated a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the requirements of
Section 6.11.
Restricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than the
Unrestricted Persons.
Restructuring Transactions means (i) the redemption by ETP of 12,273,830 common
limited partnership units of ETP held by the Borrower in exchange for the MEP Interests, (ii) the
exchange by the Borrower with Regency of the MEP Interests for 26,266,791 limited partnership units
of Regency, and (iii) the acquisition by the Borrower from GE EFS and certain of Regency GPs
management parties of 100% of the equity interest in Regency GP and Regency LLC in consideration
for the Restructuring Preferred Units.
Restructuring Preferred Units means the 3,000,000 units of the class of new units of
the Borrower designated as the Series A Convertible Preferred Units of the Borrower issued
pursuant to the Restructuring Transactions with an aggregate redemption value of $300,000,000 on
the date of issuance, with an quarterly cumulative preferred distribution of $2.00 per unit (8% per
annum) and subject to mandatory redemption and other provisions as described in Schedule 1.01 to
this Agreement.
Revolving Credit Commitment means, as to each Lender, (a) its Commitment to make
Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount set forth as its Revolving
Credit Commitment on Schedule 1 or in an Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender
becomes a party hereto, or in an commitment increase document pursuant to
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Section 2.17 pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, in each case as applicable,
as increased or decreased in an Assignment and Assumption or increased in a commitment increase
document pursuant to Section 2.17, in each case as applicable, and (b) such Lenders corresponding
Commitment to purchase participations in LC Obligations and Swingline Loans.
Revolving Credit Lender means any Lender who maintains a Revolving Credit Commitment
or has outstanding Revolving Credit Loans or has participations hereunder in outstanding LC
Obligations or outstanding Swingline Loans.
Revolving Credit Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(a).
Revolving Credit Facility Usage means, the Facility Usage with respect to Revolving
Credit Loans, LC Obligations and Swingline Loans.
Revolving Credit Maturity Date means February 8, 2011.
Revolving Credit Prepayment means (i) if the New Revolving Credit Effective Date
occurs contemporaneously with Senior Note Effective Date, the repayment in full the outstanding
principal of, and interest and fees on the Revolving Credit Loans and the amount of any Applicable
Hedging Contract Termination Payments or (ii) if the New Revolving Credit Effective Date has
occurred prior to Senior Note Effective Date, the repayment in full the outstanding principal of,
and interest and fees on the New Revolving Credit Indebtedness.
Risk Management Policy means the Risk Management Policy of the Borrower in effect on
the date of this Agreement as amended from time to time.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Services (a division of McGraw Hill, Inc.) or
its successor.
Sale and Lease-Back Transaction means, with respect to any Person (a
Transferor), any arrangement (other than between the Borrower and a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Restricted Person or between Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the
Borrower that are each Restricted Persons) whereby (a) property (the Subject Property)
has been or is to be disposed of by such Transferor to any other Person with the intention on the
part of such Transferor of taking back a lease of such Subject Property pursuant to which the
rental payments are calculated to amortize the purchase price of such Subject Property
substantially over the useful life of such Subject Property, and (b) such Subject Property is in
fact so leased by such Transferor or an Affiliate of such Transferor.
Senior Notes Effective Date means the date on or prior to November 12, 2010 on which
each of the following has occurred, or shall be satisfied in a substantially contemporaneous manner
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (a) the New Revolving Credit Effective Date shall have
occurred prior to or contemporaneously with such date, (b) the Borrower shall have received the
proceeds of the initial issuance of Senior Note Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount
(after discounts and costs of issuance) of not less than $500,000,000, (c) the Borrower shall have
made the Revolving Credit Prepayment and applied the Net Issuance Proceeds to the prepayment of the
Term Loans and no principal amount of New
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Revolving Credit Indebtedness loans shall be outstanding, (d) the Administrative Agent shall
have received the Intercreditor Agreement executed by each of the parties thereto and such
amendments or supplements to the Collateral Documents as the Administrative Agent shall have
reasonably requested executed by the Restricted Persons, (e) the Administrative Agent shall have
received a certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower dated the Senior Notes
Effective Date, to the effect that, after giving effect to the incurrence of the Senior Note
Indebtedness and the applications of the proceeds thereof as required pursuant to clause (c) above:
(i) the representations and warranties contained in each of the Loan Documents are true and correct
in all material respects on and as of Senior Notes Effective Date as though made on and as of such
date (unless stated to relate solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and
warranties are true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date); and (ii) no
Default has occurred and is continuing and (f) each of such conditions to the Senior Notes
Effective Date shall have occurred or been so satisfied on or prior to November 12, 2010.
Senior Note Indebtedness means Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower and Guarantors
pursuant to Section 7.01(i) or Section 7.01(j).
Senior Note Refinancing Indebtedness has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(j).
Specified Acquisition means an acquisition of assets or entities or operating lines
or divisions by a Restricted Person for a purchase price of not less than $25,000,000; for
avoidance of doubt, it is agreed that the Restructuring Transactions constitute a Specified
Acquisition.
Specified Acquisition Period means a period elected by the Borrower that commences
on the date elected by the Borrower, by notice to the Administrative Agent, following the
occurrence of a Specified Acquisition and ending on the earliest of (a) the third Quarterly Testing
Date occurring after the consummation of such Specified Acquisition, (b) the date of a Specified
Equity Offering and (c) if the Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00 on such date,
the date of the Borrowers delivery of a notice to the Administrative Agent terminating such
Specified Acquisition Period accompanied by a certificate reflecting compliance with such Leverage
Ratio; provided, in the event the Leverage Ratio exceeds 4.50 to 1.00 as of the end of any
Fiscal Quarter in which a Specified Acquisition has occurred, the Borrower shall be deemed to have
so elected a Specified Acquisition Period with respect thereto on such last day of such Fiscal
Quarter; provided, further, following the election (or deemed election) of a
Specified Acquisition Period, the Borrower may not elect (or be deemed to have elected) a
subsequent Specified Acquisition Period unless, at the time of such subsequent election, the
Leverage Ratio does not exceed 4.50 to 1.00. Only one Specified Acquisition Period may be elected
(or deemed elected) with respect to any particular Specified Acquisition.
Specified Equity Offering means the date (or the last such date if more than one
issuances are aggregated) that the proceeds are received by the Borrower of one or more issuances
of equity by the Borrower for aggregate net cash proceeds of not less than twenty-five percent
(25%) of the aggregate purchase price of the Specified Acquisition. For purposes of clarification,
the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that nothing in this Agreement,
including this definition, shall obligate the Borrower at any time to issue equity for
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the purpose of financing all or any portion of the purchase price associated with a Specified
Acquisition.
subsidiary of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited
liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other
interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other
than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency)
are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly,
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.
Subsidiary means, except as used in connection with Consolidated financial
statements, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, assets, liabilities, etc., or
unless otherwise specified, any subsidiary of the Borrower, excluding each MLP and its respective
subsidiaries.
Swingline Commitment means the commitment of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline
Loans, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement by the
Borrower and the Swingline Lender. The Swingline Commitment is $10,000,000.
Swingline Lender means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
Swingline Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.02.
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions,
withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including
any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Term Commitment means, as to each Lender, (i) prior to the making of its Term Loan,
its Commitment to make Term Loans in an aggregate principal amount set forth as its Term Commitment
on Schedule 1 or in an Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party
hereto or a commitment increase document pursuant to Section 2.18 pursuant to which such Lender
becomes a party hereto, in each case as applicable, and (ii) after the making of its Term Loan and
giving effect to any assignment pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or a commitment increase
document pursuant to Section 2.18, in each case as applicable, the outstanding balance of its Term
Loans.
Term Loan means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.01(b).
Term Loan Increase has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.18.
Term Loan Maturity Date means November 1, 2012 or such other date as is otherwise
provided pursuant to Section 2.18 in respect of the Term Loans made in connection with a
particular Term Loan Increase.
Termination Event means (a) the occurrence with respect to any ERISA Plan of (i) a
reportable event described in Sections 4043(c)(5) or (6) of ERISA or (ii) any other reportable
event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA other than a reportable event not subject to the
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provision for 30 day notice to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation pursuant to a waiver
by such corporation under Section 4043(a) of ERISA, or (b) the withdrawal of any ERISA Affiliate
from an ERISA Plan during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer as defined in
Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or (c) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate any ERISA Plan or
the treatment of any ERISA Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, or (d) the
institution of proceedings to terminate any ERISA Plan by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
under Section 4042 of ERISA, or (e) any other event or condition which might constitute grounds
under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer,
any ERISA Plan.
Tribunal means any government, any arbitration panel, any court or any governmental
department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the United States or any state,
province, commonwealth, nation, territory, possession, county, parish, town, township, village or
municipality, whether now or hereafter constituted or existing.
Type means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a
Eurodollar Loan.
UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York from
time to time.
United States and U.S. mean the United States of America.
Unrestricted Persons means each MLP and its respective subsidiaries and, unless
subsequently designated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.11, any Subsidiary
of the Borrower which is designated as an Unrestricted Person pursuant to Section 6.11.
Value means as of any date of determination (i) the combined market value of limited
partnership units of each MLP held by the Borrower as determined by reference to the price of the
common units of such MLP as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange at the close of business on the
date of determination plus (ii) 12 times Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower derived from the
general partnership interests and incentive distribution rights under the Agreement of Limited
Partnership of such MLP as in effect from time to time (other than expenses relating to the
Borrower) for the four Fiscal Quarter period most recently ended prior to the date of determination
(for clarity, being the product of 4 times such amount for the last Fiscal Quarter in such period)
as set forth in clause (b) of the definition of Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower.
Wholly Owned Subsidiary means, with respect to a Person, any subsidiary of such
Person, all of the issued and outstanding stock, limited liability company membership interests, or
partnership interests of which (including all rights or options to acquire such stock or interests)
are directly or indirectly (through one or more subsidiaries) owned by such Person, excluding any
general partner interests owned, directly or indirectly, by General Partner in any such subsidiary
that is a partnership, in each case such general partner interests not to exceed two percent (2%)
of the aggregate ownership interests of any such partnership and directors qualifying shares if
applicable.
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1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document,
unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of
the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding
masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and
including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. The word
will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall.
Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement,
instrument or other document shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other
document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any
restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan
Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons
successors and assigns, (iii) the words herein, hereof and hereunder,
and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such
Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a
Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles
and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear,
(v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating,
amending replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall,
unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented
from time to time, and (vi) the words asset and property shall be construed to
have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and
properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the
word from means from and including; the words to and until
each mean to but excluding; and the word through means to and
including.
(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of
reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document.
1.03 Accounting Terms.
(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein
shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other
financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in
conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a
manner consistent with that used in preparing the Initial Financial Statements, except as otherwise
specifically prescribed herein.
(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation
of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or
the Majority Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall
negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the
30
original intent thereof
in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Majority Lenders); provided
that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance
with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as
reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or
requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
1.04 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to
this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component,
carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed
herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no
nearest number).
1.05 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be
references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.06 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to the
amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of
Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter
of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one
or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall
be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such
increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
ARTICLE II.
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01 Loans.
(a) Revolving Credit Loans. Prior to the New Revolving Credit Effective Date, subject
to the terms and conditions hereof, each Revolving Credit Lender agrees to make loans
(Revolving Credit Loans) to the Borrower upon the Borrowers request from time to time
during the Commitment Period, provided that (a) subject to Sections 3.03, 3.04 and
3.06, all Revolving Credit Lenders are requested to make Revolving Credit Loans of the same
Type in accordance with their respective Applicable Revolving Credit
Percentages and as part of the same Borrowing, and (b) after giving effect to such Revolving Credit Loans, the Revolving
Credit Facility Usage does not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, and the Revolving
Credit Loans of any Revolving Credit Lender plus such Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit
Percentage of all LC Obligations does not exceed such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment. The
aggregate amount of all Revolving Credit Loans that are Base Rate Loans in any Borrowing must be
equal to $3,000,000 or any higher integral multiple of $1,000,000. The aggregate amount of all
Eurodollar Loans in any Borrowing must be equal to $3,000,000 or any higher integral multiple of
$1,000,000. The Borrower may have no more than eight (8) Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans
outstanding at any time. All Revolving Credit Loans shall be due and payable in full on the
Revolving Credit Maturity Date, subject to prepayments
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provided herein. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay, and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans
under this Section 2.01(a).
(b) Term Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term
Lender severally agrees to make a loan (each a Term Loan) to the Borrower on the Closing
Date in a single advance in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount of such Lenders Term
Commitment; provided that subject to Sections 3.03, 3.04 and 3.06, all Term Lenders are
requested to make Term Loans of the same Type in accordance with their respective Applicable Term
Percentages and as part of the same Borrowing, and (b) the Term Loan of any Lender does not exceed
such Lenders Term Commitment. Term Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans as provided
herein. All Terms Loans shall be due and payable in full on the Term Loan Maturity Date applicable
to such Term Loans, subject to prepayments provided herein. No portion of any Term Loan that has
been repaid may be reborrowed.
(c) Termination of Revolving Credit Commitments. On the New Revolving Credit Effective
Date, (i) the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender is terminated by the
Borrower, (ii) all loans by Revolving Credit Lenders (Revolving Credit Loans) and all
Swingline Loans shall be due and payable, and (iii) the power and obligation of LC Issuer to issue,
amend or extend Letters of Credit shall terminate.
2.02 Swingline Loans.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Swingline Lender agrees to make
Swingline Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Commitment Period; provided,
that the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Loans (after giving effect
to any amount requested), shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the Aggregate Revolving Credit
Commitments less the sum of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and the LC Obligations and (ii)
the Swingline Commitment; provided further that the Swingline Lender will not make a
Swingline Loan from and after the date which is one (1) day after it has received written notice
from the Borrower or any Revolving Credit Lender that one or more of the applicable conditions to
Credit Extensions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied until such conditions are
satisfied or waived in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement (and the Swingline Lender
shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any such notice and shall have no obligation to
independently investigate the accuracy of such notice and shall have no liability to the Borrower
in respect thereof if such notice proves to be inaccurate). The aggregate amount of Swingline
Loans in any Borrowing shall not be subject to a minimum amount or increment.
(b) Swingline Loans shall be refunded by the Revolving Credit Lenders on demand by the
Swingline Lender. Such refundings shall be made by each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with
its Applicable Percentage and shall thereafter be reflected as Revolving Credit Loans of the
Revolving Credit Lenders on the books and records of the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving
Credit Lender shall fund its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of Revolving Credit Loans as
required to repay Swingline Loans outstanding to the Swingline Lender upon demand by the Swingline
Lender but in no event later than 1:00 p.m. on the next succeeding Business Day after such demand
is made. No Revolving Credit Lenders obligation to fund its Applicable Revolving Credit
Percentage of a Swingline Loan shall be affected by any
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other Revolving Credit Lenders failure to
fund its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of a Swingline Loan, nor shall any Revolving Credit
Lenders Applicable Percentage be increased as a result of any such failure of any other Revolving
Credit Lender to fund its Applicable Percentage of a Swingline Loan.
(c) The Borrower shall pay to the Swingline Lender the amount of each Swingline Loan (unless
such Swingline Loan is fully refunded by the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Section
2.02(b)), on demand and in no event later than the Revolving Credit Maturity Date. In
addition, the Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to charge any account maintained
by the Borrower with the Swingline Lender (up to the amount available therein) in order to
immediately pay the Swingline Lender the amount of such Swingline Loans. If any portion of any
such amount paid to the Swingline Lender shall be recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower from
the Swingline Lender in bankruptcy or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be
ratably shared among all the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Revolving
Credit Percentages (unless the amounts so recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower pertain to a
Swingline Loan extended after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default of
which the Administrative Agent has received notice in the manner required pursuant to Section
10.02 and which such Event of Default has not been waived by the Majority Lenders or the
Lenders, as applicable).
(d) Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to refund
Swingline Loans in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.02 is absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without
limitation, non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article IV. Further, each
Revolving Credit Lender agrees and acknowledges that if prior to the refunding of any outstanding
Swingline Loans pursuant to this Section 2.02, one of the events described in
subsections (j)(i), (j)(ii) or (j)(iii) of Section 8.01 shall have occurred, each
Revolving Credit Lender will, on the date the applicable Revolving Credit Loan would have been
made, purchase an undivided, irrevocable and unconditional participating interest in the Swingline
Loans to be refunded in an amount equal to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the
aggregate amount of such Swingline Loans. Each Revolving Credit Lender will immediately transfer
to the Swingline Lender, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation, and upon
receipt thereof, the Swingline Lender will deliver to such Revolving Credit Lender a certificate
evidencing such participation dated the date of receipt of such funds and for such amount.
Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such
Revolving Credit Lenders participating interest in a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender receives
any payment on account thereof, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit
Lender its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of
interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Revolving Credit Lenders
participating interest was outstanding and funded). Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
this Section 2.02(d), a Revolving Credit Lender shall have no obligation to refund a
Swingline Loan pursuant to Section 2.02(b) if (i) a Default shall exist at the time such
refunding is requested by the Swingline Lender, (ii) such Default had occurred and was continuing
at the time such Swingline Loan was made by the Swingline Lender and (ii) such Revolving Credit
Lender notified the Swingline Lender in writing, not less than one Business Day prior to the making
by the Swingline Lender of such Swingline Loan, that such Default has occurred and is continuing
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and that such Revolving Credit Lender will not refund Swingline Loans made while such Default is
continuing.
2.03 Requests for New Loans. The Borrower must give to the Administrative Agent written
notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of any requested Borrowing of Revolving
Credit Loans or Swingline Loans to be funded by Revolving Credit Lenders or Swingline Lender,
except in the case of Swingline Loans under a cash management arrangement as provided below. Each
such notice constitutes a Loan Notice hereunder and must:
(a) specify (i) the aggregate amount of any such Borrowing of Base Rate Loans and the date on
which such Base Rate Loans are to be advanced, (ii) the aggregate amount of any such Borrowing of
Eurodollar Loans, the date on which such Eurodollar Loans are to be advanced (which shall be the
first day of the Interest Period which is to apply thereto), and the length of the applicable
Interest Period, or (iii) the aggregate amount of any such Borrowing of Swingline Loans and the
date on which such Swingline Loans are to be advanced; and
(b) be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. on (i) the day on which
any such Base Rate Loans or Swingline Loans are to be made, or (ii) the third Business Day
preceding the day on which any such Eurodollar Loans are to be made.
Each such written request or confirmation must be made in the form and substance of the Loan
Notice, duly completed. Each such telephonic request shall be deemed a representation, warranty,
acknowledgment and agreement by the Borrower as to the matters which are required to be set out in
such written confirmation. Upon receipt of any such Loan Notice requesting Revolving Credit Loans,
the Administrative Agent shall give each Revolving Credit Lender prompt notice of the terms
thereof. Upon receipt of any such Loan Notice requesting Swingline Loans, the Administrative Agent
shall give the Swingline Lender prompt notice of the terms thereof. In the case of Revolving
Credit Loans, if all conditions precedent to such new Loans have been met, each Revolving Credit
Lender will on the date requested promptly remit to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative
Agents Office the amount of such Revolving Credit Lenders Loan in immediately available funds,
and upon receipt of such funds, unless to its actual knowledge any conditions precedent to such
Loans have been neither met nor waived as provided herein, the Administrative Agent shall promptly
make such Loans available to the Borrower. In the case of Swingline Loans, if all conditions
precedent to such new Loans have been met, the Swingline Lender will on the date requested promptly
remit to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agents Office the amount of such Swingline
Loan in immediately available funds, and upon receipt of such funds, unless to its actual knowledge
any conditions
precedent to such Swingline Loan have been neither met nor waived as provided herein, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly make such Loans available to the Borrower. Revolving Credit
Loans to be made for the purpose of refunding Swingline Loans shall be made by the Revolving Credit
Lenders as provided in Section 2.02(b). The Borrower may maintain with the Swingline
Lender operating accounts with a cash management arrangement for the automatic funding and
repayment of Swingline Loans according to cash needs or excess cash existing in the operating
accounts at the end of each Business Day. No request to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower
is required for the funding or repayment of Swingline Loans in connection with such arrangement;
provided, however, the Borrower must notify the Swingline Lender and the
34
Administrative Agent
immediately on any Business Day if one or more of the applicable conditions specified in
Article IV is not then satisfied and instruct the Swingline Lender not to fund Swingline
Loans under such arrangement until the Borrower has notified the Swingline Lender and the
Administrative Agent that all applicable conditions specified in Article IV are satisfied.
2.04 Continuations and Conversions of Existing Loans. The Borrower may make the following
elections with respect to Revolving Credit Loans and Term Loans already outstanding: to Convert,
in whole or in part, Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans, to Convert, in whole or in part,
Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, and
to Continue, in whole or in part, Eurodollar Loans beyond the expiration of such Interest Period by
designating a new Interest Period to take effect at the time of such expiration. In making such
elections, the Borrower may combine existing Revolving Credit Loans or Term Loans made pursuant to
separate Borrowings into one new Borrowing or divide existing Revolving Credit Loans or Term Loans
made pursuant to one Borrowing into separate new Borrowings, provided, that (i) the
Borrower may have no more than eight (8) Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans outstanding at any time,
(ii) the aggregate amount of all Base Rate Loans in any Borrowing must be equal to $1,000,000 or
any higher integral multiple of $500,000, (iii) the aggregate amount of all Eurodollar Loans in any
Borrowing must be equal to $3,000,000 or any higher integral multiple of $1,000,000, and (iv)
Borrowings of Revolving Credit Loans may not be combined with Borrowings of Term Loans and
Borrowings of Term Loans may not be combined with Borrowings of Revolving Credit Loans. To make
any such election, the Borrower must give to the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic
notice promptly confirmed in writing) of any such Conversion or Continuation of existing Loans,
with a separate notice given for each new Borrowing. Each such notice must:
(a) specify the existing Loans which are to be Continued or Converted;
(b) specify (i) the aggregate amount of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans into which such
existing Loans are to be Continued or Converted and the date on which such Continuation or
Conversion is to occur, or (ii) the aggregate amount of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans into
which such existing Loans are to be Continued or Converted, the date on which such Continuation or
Conversion is to occur (which shall be the first day of the Interest Period which is to apply to
such Eurodollar Loans), and the length of the applicable Interest Period; and
(c) be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. on (i) the day on which
any such Conversion to Base Rate Loans is to occur, or (ii) the third Business Day
preceding the day on which any such Continuation or Conversion to Eurodollar Loans is to
occur.
Each such written request or confirmation must be made in the form and substance of the Loan
Notice, duly completed. Each such telephonic request shall be deemed a representation, warranty,
acknowledgment and agreement by the Borrower as to the matters which are required to be set out in
such written confirmation. Upon receipt of any such Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall
give each Revolving Credit Lender in the case of Revolving Credit Loans or each Term Lender in the
case of Term Loans prompt notice of the terms thereof. Each
35
Loan Notice shall be irrevocable and
binding on the Borrower. During the continuance of any Default, the Borrower may not make any
election to Convert existing Loans into Eurodollar Loans or Continue existing Loans as Eurodollar
Loans beyond the expiration of their respective and corresponding Interest Period then in effect.
If (due to the existence of a Default or for any other reason) the Borrower fails to timely and
properly give any Loan Notice with respect to a Borrowing of existing Eurodollar Loans at least
three days prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, such Eurodollar Loans, to
the extent not prepaid at the end of such Interest Period, shall automatically be Converted into
Base Rate Loans at the end of such Interest Period. No new funds shall be repaid by the Borrower
or advanced by any Lender in connection with any Continuation or Conversion of existing Loans
pursuant to this Section, and no such Continuation or Conversion shall be deemed to be a new
advance of funds for any purpose; such Continuations and Conversions merely constitute a change in
the interest rate, Interest Period or Type applicable to already outstanding Loans.
2.05 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of all Revolving Credit Loans for
general business purposes of the Borrower. The Letters of Credit shall be used for general business
purposes of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will
be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of, or is
inconsistent with, any of the Regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
including the Margin Regulations. Without limiting the foregoing, (i) the Borrower represents and
warrants that the Borrower is not engaged principally, or as one of the Borrowers important
activities, in the business of extending credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying
margin stock, and (ii) no proceeds of any Credit Extension shall be used to purchase or carry
margin stock (as those terms are used in such the Margin Regulations), including MLP partnership
units, unless the Borrower and the Lenders (or the Administrative Agent with the approval of the
Lenders) shall have executed an appropriate Form U-1 evidencing compliance with the Margin
Regulations.
2.06 Prepayments of Loans.
(a) Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower may, upon three Business Days notice to the
Administrative Agent (which notice shall be irrevocable, and the Administrative Agent will promptly
give notice to the other Lenders), from time to time and without premium or penalty (other than
Eurodollar Loan breakage costs, if any, pursuant to Section 3.05) prepay the Loans, in
whole or in part, so long as the aggregate amounts of all partial prepayments of principal on the
Loans equals $3,000,000 or any higher integral multiple of $1,000,000. Each prepayment of
principal under this Section shall be accompanied by all interest then accrued and unpaid on the
principal so prepaid. Any principal or interest prepaid pursuant to this Section shall be in
addition to, and not in lieu of, all payments otherwise required to be paid under the Loan
Documents at the time of such prepayment
(b) Prepayment upon Asset Sales; Prepayments upon Equity or Indebtedness Issuances. In
the event that the Leverage Ratio exceeds 4.00 to 1.00, no later than the third Business Day
following the date of receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Asset Sale
Proceeds (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Net Asset Sale Proceeds received by the Borrower
from any Asset Sale of Equity Interests of its Subsidiaries or in Equity Interests of
36
an MLP), the
Borrower shall prepay, without premium or penalty, the Loans with 50% of such Net Asset Sale
Proceeds until such time as the Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00. In the event
any Term Loans are outstanding and provided that Section 8.03 is not applicable, the
Borrower shall prepay, without premium or penalty, the Term Loans with 100% of such Net Issuance
Proceeds no later than the third Business Day following the date of receipt by the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries of any Net Issuance Proceeds or, any Cash constituted Net Issuance Proceeds
after the date of its receipt, the third Business Day following the date that such Cash becomes Net
Issuance Proceeds.
(c) Prepayment Certificate. Concurrently with any prepayment of the Loans pursuant to
Section 2.06(b), the Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of a
Responsible Officer demonstrating the calculation of the amount of the applicable Net Asset Sale
Proceeds or Net Issuance Proceeds. In the event that the Borrower shall subsequently determine that
the actual amount received exceeded the amount set forth in such certificate, the Borrower shall
promptly make an additional prepayment of the Loans in an amount equal to such excess, and the
Borrower shall concurrently therewith deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of an
Responsible Officer demonstrating the derivation of such excess.
(d) Application of Prepayments. Any prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this
Section 2.06, so long as Section 8.03 is not applicable, shall be applied first to
the Term Loans until the Term Loans have been paid in full and then to the Revolving Credit Loans
(but without reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments). Any prepayment of the Loans pursuant
to this Section 2.06 shall be applied to reduce the principal on the Loan and shall be
applied first to Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof before application to Eurodollar Loans,
in each case in a manner which minimizes the amount of any payments required to be made by the
Borrower pursuant to Section 3.05.
2.07 Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, during the Commitment
Period the Borrower may request LC Issuer to issue, amend, or extend the expiration date of, one or
more Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower or any or its Restricted Subsidiaries,
provided that:
(a) after taking such Letter of Credit into account (i) the aggregate amount of all
outstanding LC Obligations does not exceed $100,000,000 and (ii) the Revolving Credit Facility
Usage does not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments at such time;
(b) the expiration date of such Letter of Credit is prior to the earlier of (i) 365 days after
the issuance thereof, provided that such Letter of Credit may provide for automatic
extensions of such expiration date (such Letter of Credit an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit) for
additional periods of 365 days thereafter, and (ii) five Business Days prior to the end of the
Commitment Period;
(c) the issuance of such Letter of Credit will be in compliance with all applicable
governmental restrictions, policies, and guidelines and will not subject LC Issuer to any cost
which is not reimbursable under Article III;
37
(d) such Letter of Credit is in form and upon terms as shall be acceptable to LC Issuer in its
sole and absolute discretion; and
(e) all other conditions in this Agreement to the issuance of such Letter of Credit have been
satisfied.
LC Issuer will honor any such request if the foregoing conditions (a) through (e) (in the following
Section 2.08 called the LC Conditions) have been met as of the date of issuance,
amendment, or extension of such Letter of Credit.
2.08 Requesting Letters of Credit. The Borrower must make written application for any Letter
of Credit at least three Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed upon by the LC
Issuer) before the date on which the Borrower desires for LC Issuer to issue such Letter of Credit.
By making any such written application, unless otherwise expressly stated therein, the Borrower
shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that the LC Conditions described in Section
2.07 will be met as of the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit. Each such written
application for a Letter of Credit must be made in the form of the Letter of Credit Application.
If all LC Conditions for a Letter of Credit have been met as described in Section 2.07 on
any Business Day before 11:00 a.m., LC Issuer will issue such Letter of Credit on the same Business
Day at LC Issuers Lending Office. If the LC Conditions are met as described in Section
2.07 on any Business Day on or after 11:00 a.m., LC Issuer will issue such Letter of Credit on
the next succeeding Business Day at LC Issuers Lending Office. If any provisions of any LC
Application conflict with any provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall
govern and control. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be
required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any extension of an Auto-Extension Letter
of Credit. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to
have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of
Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than five Business Days prior to the end of the
Commitment Period; provided, however, that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if
(A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted at such time to issue such Letter
of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof, or (B) it has received notice
from the Administrative Agent, any Revolving Credit Lender or the Borrower (which may be by
telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is five Business Days before the last day in
which notice of non-extension for such Letter of Credit may be given that one or more of the
applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and directing the
L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.
2.09 Reimbursement and Participations.
(a) Reimbursement. Each Matured LC Obligation shall constitute a loan by LC Issuer to
the Borrower. The Borrower promises to pay to LC Issuer, or to LC Issuers order, on demand, the
full amount of each Matured LC Obligation together with interest thereon (i) at the Base Rate plus
the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans to and including the second Business Day after the
Matured LC Obligation is incurred, subject to Section 2.09(b), and (ii) at the Default Rate
applicable to Base Rate Loans on each day thereafter.
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(b) Letter of Credit Advances. If the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit makes a
draft or other demand for payment thereunder, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested
the Revolving Credit Lenders make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower in the amount of such
draft or demand, which Revolving Credit Loans shall be made concurrently with LC Issuers payment
of such draft or demand and shall be immediately used by LC Issuer to repay the amount of the
resulting Matured LC Obligation. Such deemed request by the Borrower shall be made in compliance
with all of the provisions hereof, provided that for the purposes of the first sentence of
Section 2.01, the amount of such Revolving Credit Loans shall be considered, but the amount
of the Matured LC Obligation to be concurrently paid by such Revolving Credit Loans shall not be
considered.
(c) Participation by Lenders. LC Issuer irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants
to each Revolving Credit Lender, and to induce LC Issuer to issue Letters of Credit hereunder
each Revolving Credit Lender irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and
purchases from LC Issuer, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated and for such Revolving
Credit Lenders own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such Revolving Credit Lenders
Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of LC Issuers obligations and rights under each Letter of
Credit issued hereunder and the amount of each Matured LC Obligation paid by LC Issuer thereunder.
Each Revolving Credit Lender unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with LC Issuer that, if a
Matured LC Obligation is paid under any Letter of Credit for which LC Issuer is not reimbursed in
full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the related LC Application
(including any reimbursement by means of concurrent Revolving Credit Loans or by the application of
LC Collateral), such Revolving Credit Lender shall (in all circumstances and without set-off or
counterclaim) pay to LC Issuer on demand, in immediately available funds at LC Issuers Lending
Office, such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of such Matured LC
Obligation (or any portion thereof which has not been reimbursed by the Borrower). Each Revolving
Credit Lenders obligation to pay LC Issuer pursuant to the terms of this subsection is irrevocable
and unconditional. If any amount required to be paid by any Revolving Credit Lender to LC Issuer
pursuant to this subsection is paid by such Revolving Credit Lender to LC Issuer within three
Business Days after the date such payment is due, LC Issuer shall in addition to such amount be
entitled to recover from such Revolving Credit Lender, on demand, interest thereon calculated from
such due date at the Federal Funds Rate. If any amount required to be paid by any Revolving Credit
Lender to LC Issuer pursuant to this subsection is not paid by such Revolving Credit Lender to LC
Issuer within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, LC Issuer shall in addition
to such amount be entitled to recover from such Revolving Credit Lender,
on demand, interest thereon calculated from such due date at the Base Rate plus the Base Rate
Margin.
(d) Distributions to Participants. Whenever LC Issuer has in accordance with this
Section received from any Revolving Credit Lender payment of such Revolving Credit Lenders
Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of any Matured LC Obligation, if LC Issuer thereafter
receives any payment of such Matured LC Obligation or any payment of interest thereon (whether
directly from the Borrower or by application of LC Collateral or otherwise, and excluding only
interest for any period prior to LC Issuers demand that such Revolving Credit Lender make such
payment of its Applicable Percentage), LC Issuer will distribute to such
39
Revolving Credit Lender
its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the amounts so received by LC Issuer;
provided, however, that if any such payment received by LC Issuer must thereafter
be returned by LC Issuer, such Revolving Credit Lender shall return to LC Issuer the portion
thereof which LC Issuer has previously distributed to it.
(e) Calculations. A written advice setting forth in reasonable detail the amounts
owing under this Section, submitted by LC Issuer to the Borrower or any Revolving Credit Lender
from time to time, shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, as to the amounts thereof.
(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers obligation to reimburse Matured LC
Obligations shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and
irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this
Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a
Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement
therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter
of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of
such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar
to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or
equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrowers obligations hereunder.
Neither the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Credit Lenders nor the LC Issuer, nor any of their
Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the
issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment
thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any
error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or
other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to
make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence
arising from causes beyond the control of the LC Issuer; provided that the foregoing shall
not be construed to excuse the LC Issuer from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct
damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the
Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the
LC Issuers failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented
under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that,
in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the LC Issuer (as finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the LC Issuer shall be deemed to have exercised
care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without
limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented
which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit,
the LC Issuer may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents
without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the
contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in
strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.
2.10 No Duty to Inquire.
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(a) Drafts and Demands. LC Issuer is authorized and instructed to accept and pay
drafts and demands for payment under any Letter of Credit without requiring, and without
responsibility for, any determination as to the existence of any event giving rise to said draft,
either at the time of acceptance or payment or thereafter. LC Issuer is under no duty to determine
the proper identity of anyone presenting such a draft or making such a demand (whether by tested
telex or otherwise) as the officer, representative or agent of any beneficiary under any Letter of
Credit, and payment by LC Issuer to any such beneficiary when requested by any such purported
officer, representative or agent is hereby authorized and approved. The Borrower releases LC
Issuer and each Lender from, and agrees to hold LC Issuer and each Lender harmless and indemnified
against, any liability or claim in connection with or arising out of the subject matter of this
Section, which indemnity shall apply whether or not any such liability or claim is in any way or to
any extent caused, in whole or in part, by any negligent act or omission of any kind by LC Issuer
or any Lender, provided only that neither LC Issuer nor any Lender shall be
entitled to indemnification for that portion, if any, of any liability or claim which is
proximately caused by its own individual gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined in a
final judgment.
(b) Extension of Maturity. If the maturity of any Letter of Credit is extended by its
terms or by Law or governmental action, if any extension of the maturity or time for presentation
of drafts or any other modification of the terms of any Letter of Credit is made at the request of
the Borrower, or if the amount of any Letter of Credit is increased or decreased at the request of
the Borrower, this Agreement shall be binding upon all Restricted Persons with respect to such
Letter of Credit as so extended, increased, decreased or otherwise modified, with respect to drafts
and property covered thereby, and with respect to any action taken by LC Issuer, LC Issuers
correspondents, or any Lender in accordance with such extension, increase, decrease or other
modification.
(c) Transferees of Letters of Credit. If any Letter of Credit provides that it is
transferable, LC Issuer shall have no duty to determine the proper identity of anyone appearing as
transferee of such Letter of Credit, nor shall LC Issuer be charged with responsibility of any
nature or character for the validity or correctness of any transfer or successive transfers, and
payment by LC Issuer to any purported transferee or transferees as determined by LC Issuer is
hereby authorized and approved, and the Borrower releases LC Issuer and each Lender from, and
agrees to hold LC Issuer and each Lender harmless and indemnified against, any liability or claim
in connection with or arising out of the foregoing, which indemnity shall apply whether or not any
such liability or claim is in any way or to any extent caused, in whole or in part, by any
negligent act or omission of any kind by LC Issuer or any Lender, provided
only that neither LC
Issuer nor any Lender shall be entitled to indemnification for that portion, if any, of any
liability or claim which is proximately caused by its own individual gross negligence or willful
misconduct, as determined in a final judgment.
2.11 LC Collateral.
(a) Acceleration of LC Obligations. If the Obligations or any part thereof become
immediately due and payable pursuant to Section 8.02 then, unless the Administrative Agent,
acting on the instruction of Majority Revolving Credit Lenders, shall otherwise specifically elect
41
to the contrary (which election may thereafter be retracted by the Administrative Agent, acting on
the instruction of Majority Revolving Credit Lenders, at any time), the Borrower shall be obligated
to pay to LC Issuer immediately an amount equal to the aggregate LC Obligations which are then
outstanding to be held as LC Collateral. Nothing in this subsection shall, however, limit or
impair any rights which LC Issuer may have under any other document or agreement relating to any
Letter of Credit, LC Collateral or LC Obligation, including any LC Application, or any rights which
LC Issuer or any Lender may have to otherwise apply any payments by the Borrower and any LC
Collateral under Section 2.14.
(b) Investment of LC Collateral. Pending application thereof, all LC Collateral shall
be invested by LC Issuer in such Cash Equivalents as LC Issuer may choose in its sole discretion.
All interest on (and other proceeds of) such Investments shall be reinvested or applied to Matured
LC Obligations or other Obligations which are due and payable. When all Obligations have been
satisfied in full, including all LC Obligations, all Letters of Credit have expired or been
terminated, and all of the Borrowers reimbursement obligations in connection therewith have been
satisfied in full, LC Issuer shall release to the Borrower any remaining LC Collateral. The
Borrower hereby assigns and grants to LC Issuer for the benefit of Revolving Credit Lenders a
continuing security interest in all LC Collateral paid by it to LC Issuer, all Investments
purchased with such LC Collateral, and all proceeds thereof to secure its Matured LC Obligations
and its Obligations under this Agreement, each Note, and the other Loan Documents. The Borrower
further agrees that LC Issuer shall have all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under
the UCC with respect to such security interest and that an Event of Default under this Agreement
shall constitute a default for purposes of such security interest.
(c) Payment of LC Collateral. If the Borrower is required to provide LC Collateral
for any reason but fails to do so as required, LC Issuer or the Administrative Agent may without
prior notice to the Borrower or any other Restricted Person provide such LC Collateral (whether by
transfers from other accounts maintained with LC Issuer, or otherwise) using any available funds of
the Borrower or any other Person also liable to make such payments, and LC Issuer or the
Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to the Borrower promptly after such application or
transfer. Any such amounts which are required to be provided as LC Collateral and which are not
provided on the date required shall be considered past due Obligations owing hereunder.
2.12 Interest Rates and Fees.
(a) Interest Rates. Unless the Default Rate shall apply, (i) each Revolving Credit
Loan that is a Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on each day outstanding at the Base Rate plus the
Applicable Revolving Credit Rate for Base Rate Loans in effect on such day, (ii) each Revolving
Credit Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest on each day during the related Interest
Period at the related Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Revolving Credit Rate for Eurodollar
Loans in effect on such day, (iii) each Swingline Loan shall bear interest on each day outstanding
at the LIBOR Reference Rate plus the Applicable Revolving Credit Rate for Eurodollar Loans in
effect on such day, (iv) each Term Loan that is a Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on each day
outstanding at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Term Loan Rate for Base Rate Loans in effect on
such day, and (v) each Term Loan that is a Eurodollar Loan shall bear
42
interest on each day during
the related Interest Period at the related Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Term Loan Rate for
Eurodollar Loans in effect on such day, with accrued unpaid interest being due and payable, whether
on the Revolving Credit Loans or any of the Term Loans, on each Interest Payment Date and, on past
due amounts, on demand. During a Default Rate Period, all Loans and other Obligations shall bear
interest on each day outstanding at the applicable Default Rate. The interest rate shall change
whenever the applicable Base Rate, the Applicable Revolving Credit Rate for Base Rate Loans, the
Eurodollar Rate, the LIBOR Reference Rate or the Applicable Revolving Credit Rate for Eurodollar
Loans changes. In no event shall the interest rate on any Loan exceed the Maximum Rate.
(b) Commitment Fees. In consideration of each Lenders commitment to make Revolving
Credit Loans, the Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving
Credit Lender a commitment fee determined on a daily basis equal to the Applicable Revolving Credit
Rate for commitment fees in effect on such day times such Revolving Credit Lenders Applicable
Revolving Credit Percentage of the unused portion of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments on
each day during the Commitment Period, determined for each such day by deducting from the amount of
the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments at the end of such day the Revolving Credit Facility
Usage. For the purposes of calculating the commitment fee pursuant to this subsection (b), the
aggregate amount of outstanding Swingline Loans shall not be included in the term Revolving Credit
Facility Usage. This commitment fee shall be due and payable in arrears on the last day of each
Fiscal Quarter and at the end of the Commitment Period.
(c) Letter of Credit Fees. In consideration of LC Issuers issuance of any Letter of
Credit, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of all Revolving
Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages, a
letter of credit fee equal to the Applicable Revolving Credit Rate for Eurodollar Loans that are
Revolving Credit Loans then in effect (or the applicable Default Rate for Revolving Credit Loans
during the Default Rate Period) applicable each day times the face amount of such Letter of Credit.
Such fee will be calculated on the face amount of each Letter of Credit outstanding on each day at
the above applicable rates and will be payable in arrears on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter.
In addition, the Borrower will pay a minimum administrative issuance fee equal to the greater of
$150 or one-eighth percent (0.125%) per annum of the face amount of each Letter of Credit and such
other fees and charges customarily charged by the LC Issuer in respect of any issuance, amendment
or negotiation of any Letter of Credit in accordance with the LC
Issuers published schedule of such charges effective as of the date of such amendment or
negotiation; such fees will be payable in arrears on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter.
(d) Administrative Agents Fees. In addition to all other amounts due to the
Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents, the Borrower will pay fees to the Administrative
Agent as described in the Fee Letter.
(e) Calculations and Determinations. All calculations of interest chargeable with
respect to the Eurodollar Rate and of fees shall be made on the basis of actual days elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last) and a year of 360 days. All calculations under
the Loan Documents of interest chargeable with respect to the Base Rate shall be made on the basis
43
of actual days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last) and a year of 365 or 366
days, as appropriate.
(f) Past Due Obligations. The Borrower hereby promises to each Lender to pay
interest at the Default Rate on all Obligations (including Obligations to pay fees or to reimburse
or indemnify any Lender) which the Borrower has in this Agreement promised to pay to such Lender
and which are not paid when due. Such interest shall accrue from the date such Obligations become
due until they are paid.
2.13 Evidence of Debt.
(a) Credit Extensions. The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced
by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the
ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and
each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made
by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or
any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower
hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict
between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the
Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative
Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through
the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the
Administrative Agent) a Note (in the form of Exhibit E-1 in the case of Revolving Credit Loans and
in the form of Exhibit E-2 in the case of Term Loans), which shall evidence such Lenders Loans in
addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse
thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect
thereto.
(b) Letters of Credit. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in
subsection (a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its
usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of
participations in Letters of Credit. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and
records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in
respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the
absence of manifest error.
2.14 Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback.
(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition
or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made (i) with respect to Revolving
Credit Loans, to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Revolving Credit
Lenders to which such payment is owed, (ii) with respect to Term Loans, to the Administrative
Agent, for the account of the respective Term Lenders to which such payment is owed, and (iii) with
respect to Swingline Loans, to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender.
Each such payment shall be made at the Administrative Agents Office in
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Dollars and in immediately
available funds not later than 3:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent
will promptly distribute to each Revolving Credit Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage
(or other applicable share as provided herein) of each such payment with respect to Revolving
Credit Loans in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lenders Lending Office. The
Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Term Lender its Applicable Term Percentage
(or other applicable share as provided herein) of each such payment with respect to Term Loans in
like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lenders Lending Office. All payments received by
the Administrative Agent after 3:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business
Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the
Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next
following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or
fees, as the case may be.
(b) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any
Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share
of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share
available on such date in accordance with Section 2.01 and Section 2.03 and may, in
reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such
event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the
Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the
Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds
with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to
the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case
of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined
by the Administrative Agent in accordance with
banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (B) in the case of a payment to be made
by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender
shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the
Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the
Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in such
Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may
have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(i) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which
any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the LC
Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may
assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may,
in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the LC Issuer, as the case
may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment,
then each of the Lenders or the LC Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to
the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the
LC Issuer, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and
including the date such
45
amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to
the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by
the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank
compensation.
A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount
owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the
Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing
provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the
Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in
Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the
Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such
Lender, without interest.
(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make
Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and to make payments pursuant to Section
10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any
such participation or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required
hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date,
and no Lender shall be responsible
for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to
make its payment under Section 10.04(c).
(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain
the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any
Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or
manner.
2.15 Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff
or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of
the Loans made by it, or the participations in LC Obligations held by it resulting in such Lenders
receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans or participations and
accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided
herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent
of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and
subparticipations in LC Obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall
be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in
accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans
and other amounts owing them, provided that:
(a) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of
the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be
rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
46
(b) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (i) any payment made by
the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or (ii) any
payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in
any of its Loans or subparticipations in LC Obligations to any assignee or participant, other than
to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).
Each Restricted Person consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively
do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing
arrangements may exercise against such Restricted Person rights of setoff and counterclaim with
respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Restricted
Person in the amount of such participation.
2.16 Reductions in Commitment. The Borrower shall have the right from time to time to
permanently reduce the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, provided that (i) notice of
such reduction is given not less than two Business Days prior to such reduction, (ii) the resulting
Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments are not less than the Revolving Credit Facility Usage, and
(iii) each partial reduction shall be in an amount at least equal to $3,000,000 and in multiples of
$1,000,000 in excess thereof.
2.17 Increase in Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments.
(a) The Borrower shall have the option, without the consent of the Lenders, from time to time
to cause one or more increases in the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments by adding, subject to
the prior approval of the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), to
this Agreement one or more financial institutions as Lenders (collectively, the New Revolving
Credit Lenders) or by allowing one or more Lenders to increase their respective Revolving
Credit Commitments; provided however that: (i) prior to and after giving effect to
the increase, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred hereunder and be continuing, (ii)
no such increase shall cause the aggregate increases in Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to
this Section 2.17 plus the aggregate Term Commitments obtained pursuant to Section
2.18(b) to exceed $100,000,000, (iii) no Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment shall be
increased without such Lenders consent, (iv) no more than three requests may be made for increases
in Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.17 or for increases in Term
Commitments pursuant to Section 2.18, and (v) such increase shall be evidenced by a
commitment increase agreement in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and
executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, New Revolving Credit Lenders, if any, and
Lenders increasing their Revolving Credit Commitments, if any, and which shall indicate the amount
and allocation of such increase in the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments and the effective
date of such increase (the Increase Effective Date). Each financial institution that
becomes a New Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to this Section by the execution and delivery to the
Administrative Agent of the applicable commitment increase agreement shall be a Revolving Credit
Lender and a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement on the applicable Increase Effective
Date. The Borrower shall borrow and prepay Revolving Credit Loans on each Increase Effective Date
(and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.06) to the extent necessary
to keep the outstanding Revolving
47
Credit Loans of each Lender ratable with such Lenders revised
Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage after giving effect to any nonratable increase in the
Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments under this Section.
(b) As a condition precedent to each increase pursuant to subsection (a) above, the Borrower
shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, the
following in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i) a certificate dated as of the Increase Effective Date, signed by a Responsible
Officer of the Borrower certifying that each of the conditions to such increase set forth in
this Section shall have occurred and been complied with and that, before and after giving
effect to such increase, (A) the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
Increase Effective Date after giving effect to such increase, except to the extent that such
representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they
were true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and (B) no Default
or Event of Default exists;
(ii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or
other certificates of Responsible Officers of the Borrower and each Guarantor as
the Administrative Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of
each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection
with such increase agreement and any Guarantors Consent to such increase agreement, and
such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may require to evidence that
the Borrower and each Guarantor is validly existing and in good standing in its jurisdiction
of organization; and
(iii) a favorable opinion of independent legal counsel reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, relating to such increase agreement and any Guarantors Consent to such increase
agreement, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender.
(c) This Section 2.17 shall be deemed to have been deleted and shall have no further
force or effect upon and after the New Revolving Credit Effective Date.
2.18 Increase of Term Loans.
(a) The Borrower shall have the option, without the consent of the Lenders, to cause one or
more increases in the Term Commitments pursuant to Section 2.18(b) or (c) (each a
Term Loan Increase) by adding, subject to the prior approval of the Administrative Agent
(such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), to this Agreement one or more financial
institutions as Term Lenders (collectively, the New Term Lenders) or by allowing one or
more Lenders to make a Term Commitment or increase their respective existing Term Commitments
evidenced by a commitment increase agreement (each a Commitment Increase Agreement)
meeting the requirements of Section 2.18(d).
48
(b) The Borrower shall have the option from time to time to cause one or more Term Loan
Increases by adding New Term Lenders or by allowing one or more Lenders to make a Term Commitment
or increase their respective existing Term Commitments; provided however that: (i)
prior to and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
hereunder and be continuing, (ii) no such increase shall cause the aggregate increases in Revolving
Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.17 plus the aggregate Term Commitments obtained
pursuant to this Section 2.18(b) to exceed $100,000,000, (iii) no Lender shall make a Term
Commitment nor shall any Lenders Term Commitment be increased without such Lenders consent and
(iv) no more than three requests may be made for increases in Revolving Credit Commitments
pursuant to Section 2.17 or for increases in Term Commitments pursuant to this Section
2.18(b).
(c) Each Commitment Increase Agreement required pursuant to Section 2.18(b) shall (i)
be in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (ii) be executed by the Borrower,
the Administrative Agent, New Term Lenders, if any, making an initial Term Commitment and Lenders,
if any, increasing their existing Term Commitments, and (iii) indicate the amount and allocation of
such Term Commitments and the effective date thereof (the applicable Term Commitment Effective
Date). Each of the Applicable Term Loan Rates in respect of the Term Loans made in connection
with any Term Loan Increase may be increased by the applicable Commitment Increase Agreement or by
an amendment to this Agreement or by
a separate agreement entered into between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, with the
consent of the Lenders making the Term Loans in connection with such Term Loan Increase, but
without the consent of any other Lender. Each Term Loan made pursuant to a Term Loan Increase that
has a Term Loan Maturity Date or Applicable Term Loan Rate that is different than those of the Term
Loans originally made pursuant to Section 2.01 shall be designed as a separate Series
(Series B, Series C, etc) in the applicable Commitment Increase Agreement, and each assignment
or participation of any such Term Loan shall identify such Terms Loan by such Series designation
and disclose the Term Loan Maturity Date or Applicable Term Loan Rate, as applicable, for such Term
Loan. Each financial institution that becomes a New Term Lender pursuant to this Section
2.18 by the execution and delivery to the Administrative Agent of the applicable Commitment
Increase Agreement shall be a Term Lender and a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement on
the applicable Term Commitment Effective Date and shall make its Term Loan on such Term Commitment
Effective Date. The Borrower shall continue or convert Term Loans on each Term Commitment
Effective Date (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.06) to the
extent necessary to keep the outstanding Term Loans of each Lender of the same Type ratable with
existing Term Loans of the same Type.
(d) As a condition precedent to each Term Commitment pursuant to Section 2.18(b)
above, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, to the extent requested by the
Administrative Agent, the following in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i) a certificate dated as of the applicable Term Commitment Effective Date, signed by
a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that each of the conditions to such
increase set forth in this Section shall have occurred and been complied with and that,
before and after giving effect to such increase, (A) the representations and
49
warranties
contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all
material respects on and as of the Term Commitment Effective Date after giving effect to
such increase, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically
refer to an earlier date, in which case they were true and correct in all material respects
as of such earlier date, and (B) no Default or Event of Default exists;
(ii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or
other certificates of Responsible Officers of the Borrower and each Guarantor as the
Administrative Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each
Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with
such Commitment Increase Agreement and any Guarantors Consent to such Commitment Increase
Agreement, and such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may require to
evidence that the Borrower and each Guarantor is validly existing and in good standing in
its jurisdiction of organization; and
(iii) a favorable opinion of independent legal counsel reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, relating to such Commitment Increase Agreement, the any Guarantors Consent to such
Commitment Increase Agreement, and any related or contemporaneous transactions, addressed to
the Administrative Agent and each Lender.
(f) This Section 2.18 shall be deemed to have been deleted and shall have no further
force or effect upon and after the Senior Notes Effective Date.
ARTICLE III.
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation
of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and
without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that if
the Borrower shall be required by applicable law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any
Other Taxes) from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that
after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable
under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or LC Issuer, as the case may be, receives an
amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower
shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions of
subsection (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental
Authority in accordance with applicable law.
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(c) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative
Agent, each Lender and the LC Issuer, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of
any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or
asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Administrative
Agent, such Lender or the LC Issuer, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable
expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto (provided that the Borrower shall not
indemnify the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the LC Issuer for any such penalties, interest
and reasonable expenses arising solely from such partys failure to notify the Borrower of such
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes within a reasonable period of time after such party has actual
knowledge of such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes), whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other
Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A
certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or
the LC Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own
behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the LC Issuer, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified
Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental
Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of
such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Status of Lenders. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or
reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is resident
for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments
hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by
the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation
prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a
reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the
Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or
reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the
Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or
information reporting requirements.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Foreign Lender shall deliver to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the
recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this
Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative
Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is
applicable:
(i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility
for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,
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(ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,
(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for
portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that
such Foreign Lender is not (A) a bank within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the
Code, (B) a 10 percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of section
881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a controlled foreign corporation described in section
881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form
W-8BEN, or
(iv) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from
or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together with such
supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to
determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the LC
Issuer determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other
Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has
paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to
such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the
Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund),
net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the LC Issuer, as the
case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental
Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the
Administrative Agent, such Lender or the LC Issuer, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the
Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental
Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the LC Issuer in the event the
Administrative Agent, such Lender or the LC Issuer is required to repay such refund to such
Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative
Agent, any Lender or the LC Issuer to make available its tax returns (or any other information
relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.
3.02 Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any
Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending
Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based
upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the
authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London
interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative
Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Loans or to Convert Base Rate
Loans to Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination
no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender
(with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, Convert all Eurodollar Loans
of such Lender to Base Rate Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such
Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loans to such day, or immediately, if such
Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Loans. Upon any such
52
prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
3.03 Inability to Determine Rates. If the Majority Lenders determine that for any reason in
connection with any request for a Eurodollar Loan or a Conversion to or Continuation thereof that
(a) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for
the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable
means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with
respect to a proposed Eurodollar Loan, or (c) the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period
with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such
Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and
each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans shall
be suspended until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Majority Lenders) revokes
such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a
Borrowing of, Conversion to or Continuation of Eurodollar Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to
have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount
specified therein.
3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Loans.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan,
insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account
of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement
contemplated by Section 3.04(e)) or the LC Issuer;
(ii) subject any Lender or the LC Issuer to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect
to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any
Eurodollar Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or
the LC Issuer in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by
Section 3.01 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Excluded Tax
payable by such Lender or the LC Issuer); or
(iii) impose on any Lender or the LC Issuer or the London interbank market any other
condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender
or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or
maintaining any Eurodollar Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to
increase the cost to such Lender or the LC Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any
Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of
Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the LC Issuer
hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or
the LC Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the LC Issuer, as the case may be, such
53
additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the LC Issuer, as the case may be,
for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the LC Issuer determines that any Change
in Law affecting such Lender or the LC Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lenders
or the LC Issuers holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the
effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or the LC Issuers capital or on the capital
of such Lenders or the LC Issuers holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement,
the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held
by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the LC Issuer, to a level below that which such
Lender or the LC Issuer or such Lenders or the LC Issuers holding company could have achieved but
for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or the LC Issuers policies and the
policies of such Lenders or the LC Issuers holding company with respect to capital adequacy),
then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the LC Issuer, as the case may be,
such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the LC Issuer or such Lenders
or the LC Issuers holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the LC Issuer
setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the LC Issuer or its
holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and
delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such
Lender or the LC Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within
10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the LC Issuer to
demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a
waiver of such Lenders or the LC Issuers right to demand such compensation, provided that
the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the LC Issuer pursuant to the
foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more
than nine months prior to the date that such Lender or the LC Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the
Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders or the LC
Issuers intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to
such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above
shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
(e) Reserves on Eurodollar Loans. The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as
such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting
of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as Eurocurrency liabilities),
additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan equal to the actual
costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good
faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on
which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least 10 days
prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest from such
Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such
additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.
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3.05 Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent)
from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender
harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(a) any Continuation, Conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate
Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary,
mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);
(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a
Loan) to prepay, borrow, Continue or Convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in
the amount notified by the Borrower; or
(c) any assignment of a Eurodollar Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest
Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13;
including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it
to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were
obtained (but excluding any loss of anticipated profits). The Borrower shall also pay any
customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.
For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this
Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Loan made by it at
the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank
eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such
Eurodollar Loan was in fact so funded.
3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation
under Section 3.04, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender
or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if
any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender shall use reasonable
efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to
assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if,
in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce
amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the
future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and
(ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not
otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable
costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under
Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or
any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, the
Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.
55
3.07 Survival. All of the Borrowers obligations under this Article III shall survive
termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE IV.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01 Execution. [Intentionally omitted]
4.02 Conditions of Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be effective to amend and restate the
Existing Credit Agreement when the following conditions precedent have been satisfied:
(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received all of the following, each dated the Closing
Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing
Date) and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i) counterparts of this Agreement executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent,
the LC Issuer, the Swingline Lender and by Lenders constituting Majority Lenders under the
Existing Credit Agreement.
(ii) a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;
(iii) a Supplement and Third Amendment to Pledge and Security Agreement executed by the
parties thereto;
(iv) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or
other certificates of Responsible Officers of the Borrower as the Administrative Agent may
require, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, evidencing the
identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a
Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which
the Borrower is a party;
(v) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
require to evidence that each Restricted Person is duly organized or formed, and that each
of the Borrower and each Restricted Person is validly existing, in good standing and
qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation
of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the
extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect;
(vi) a favorable opinion of Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP, counsel to the Restricted
Persons in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent,
addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender;
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(vii) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Restricted Person either (A)
attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance by such Restricted Person and the validity against such
Restricted Person of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses
and approvals shall be in full force and effect, or (B) stating that no such consents,
licenses or approvals are so required;
(viii) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying
(A) that the conditions specified in Sections 4.03(a) and (b) have been
satisfied, and (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the
Initial Financial Statements that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
(ix) a duly completed pro forma Compliance Certificate as of the last day of the Fiscal
Quarter of the Borrower most recently ended prior to the Closing Date, signed by a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower, reflecting, among other matters, compliance by the Borrower, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the
Restructuring Transaction; and
(x) such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the
Administrative Agent, the LC Issuer or the Majority Lenders reasonably may require.
(b) The Borrower shall be concurrently closing the Restructuring Transactions.
(c) Any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid.
(d) Unless waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have paid all reasonable
fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent to the extent invoiced prior
to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as
shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be
incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not
thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent).
4.03 Conditions to all Credit Extensions. No Lender has any obligation to make any Loan (including
its first), and LC Issuer has no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit (including its first),
unless the following conditions precedent have been satisfied:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement shall be
true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable (but with respect
to any amendment, renewal or extension, only in the event that the face amount of such Letter of
Credit is actually increased), both before and after giving effect to such Borrowing or other
Credit Extension, provided, however, for purposes of this Section 4.03, (i)
to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, they
shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, and (ii) the representations and warranties
contained in Section
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5.06(a) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent financial
statements furnished pursuant to Section 6.02; and
(b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance,
amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing.
Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall
be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the
matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.
ARTICLE V.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To confirm each Lenders understanding concerning Restricted Persons and Restricted Persons
businesses, properties and obligations and to induce each Lender to enter into this Agreement and
to extend credit hereunder, the Borrower represents and warrants to each Lender that:
5.01 No Default. No Restricted Person is in default in the performance of any of the covenants and
agreements contained in any Loan Document. No event has occurred and is continuing which
constitutes a Default.
5.02 Organization and Good Standing. Each of the Restricted Persons and the General Partner is
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of
organization, having all powers required to carry on its business and enter into and carry out the
transactions contemplated hereby. Each of the Restricted Persons and the General Partner is duly
qualified, in good standing, and authorized to do business in all other jurisdictions wherein the
character of the properties owned or held by it or the nature of the business transacted by it
makes such qualification necessary except where the failure to so qualify has not had, and could
not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
5.03 Authorization. Each Restricted Person has duly taken all action necessary to authorize the
execution and delivery by it of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to authorize the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and the performance of its obligations
thereunder. The Borrower is duly authorized to borrow funds hereunder and obtain Letters of Credit
hereunder.
5.04 No Conflicts or Consents. The execution and delivery by the various Restricted Persons of the
Loan Documents to which each is a party, the performance by each of its obligations under such Loan
Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the various Loan Documents, do
not and will not (i) conflict with any provision of (1) any Law, (2) the organizational documents
of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or the General Partner, or (3) any material agreement,
judgment, license, order or permit applicable to or binding upon the Borrower, any of its
Subsidiaries or the General Partner, (ii) result in the acceleration of any Indebtedness owed by
the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or the General
58
Partner, or (iii) result in or require the creation of any Lien upon any assets or properties of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or the
General Partner. Except as expressly contemplated in the Loan Documents or disclosed in the
Disclosure Schedule, no permit, consent, approval, authorization or order of, and no notice to or
filing, registration or qualification with, any Tribunal or third party is required in connection
with the execution, delivery or performance by any Restricted Person of any Loan Document or to
consummate any transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents. Neither the Borrower, nor
any of its Subsidiaries nor the General Partner is in breach of or in default under any
instrument, license or other agreement applicable to or binding upon it, which breach or default
has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
5.05 Enforceable Obligations. This Agreement is, and the other Loan Documents when duly executed and
delivered will be, legal, valid and binding obligations of each Restricted Person which is a party
hereto or thereto, enforceable in accordance with their terms except as such enforcement may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar Laws of general application relating to the
enforcement of creditors rights.
5.06 Initial Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a) The Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Lenders true, correct and complete copies of
the Initial Financial Statements. The Initial Borrower Financial Statements were prepared in
accordance with GAAP. The Initial Borrower Financial Statements fairly present the Borrowers
Consolidated financial position at the date thereof, the Consolidated results of the Borrowers
operations for the periods thereof and the Borrowers Consolidated cash flows for the period
thereof.
(b) Since the date of the Initial Borrower Financial Statements, no event or circumstance has
occurred that has had a Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the Initial ETP Financial
Statements, based upon the ETP Reporting, no event or circumstance has occurred that has had or
would reasonably be expected to have an ETP Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of the Initial
Regency Financial Statements, based upon the Regency Reporting, no event or circumstance has
occurred that has had or would reasonably be expected to have an Regency Material Adverse Effect.
5.07 Taxes and Obligations. No Restricted Person has any outstanding Liabilities of any kind (including
contingent obligations, tax assessments, and unusual forward or long term commitments) that exceed
$10,000,000 in the aggregate and not shown in the Initial Financial Statements, disclosed in the
Disclosure Schedule or otherwise permitted under Section 7.01. Each Restricted Person has
timely filed all tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid all taxes,
assessments, and other governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income, profits
or property, except to the extent that any of the foregoing is not yet due or is being in good
faith contested as permitted by Section 6.07.
5.08 Full Disclosure. No written certificate, statement or other information, taken as a whole,
delivered herewith or heretofore by any Restricted Person to any Lender in connection with the
negotiation of this Agreement or in connection with any transaction contemplated
59
hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading as of the date made or deemed made. All information regarding the Borrowers
Consolidated financial position or results of operations and all other written information
regarding Restricted Persons, taken as a whole, furnished after the date hereof by or on behalf of
any Restricted Person to the Administrative Agent, LC Issuer or any Lender in connection with this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will be
true, complete and accurate in every material respect in light of the circumstances in which made,
or based on reasonable estimates on the date as of which such information is stated or certified.
There is no fact known to any Restricted Person that has not been disclosed to each Lender in
writing which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
5.09 Litigation. Except as disclosed in the Initial Financial Statements, the Applicable Regency Credit
Agreement or in the Applicable ETP Credit Agreement and except for matters that could not, in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (i) there are no actions, suits
or legal, equitable, arbitrative or administrative proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the
Borrower, threatened, by or before any Tribunal against the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or
the General Partner or affecting any property of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or the
General Partner, and (ii) there are no outstanding judgments, injunctions, writs, rulings or orders
by any such Tribunal against the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or the General Partner or the
Borrowers, any of its Subsidiaries or the General Partners stockholders, partners, directors or
officers or affecting any property of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or the General Partner.
Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of any matters disclosed
in the Initial Financial Statements or in the Disclosure Schedule that, individually or in the
aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
5.10 ERISA. All currently existing ERISA Plans are listed in the Disclosure Schedule. Except as
disclosed in the Initial Financial Statements or in the Disclosure Schedule, no Termination Event
has occurred with respect to any ERISA Plan and all ERISA Affiliates are in compliance with ERISA
in all material respects. No ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute to, or has any other
absolute or contingent liability in respect of, any multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001
of ERISA. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule: (i) no accumulated funding deficiency
(as defined in Section 412(a) of the Code exists with respect to any ERISA Plan, whether or not
waived by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, and (ii) the current value of each ERISA
Plans benefits does not exceed the current value of such ERISA Plans assets available for the
payment of such benefits by more than $10,000,000.
5.11 Compliance with Laws. Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Borrower, its
Subsidiaries and the General Partner has all permits, licenses and authorizations required in
connection with the conduct of its businesses, except to the extent failure to have any such
permit, license or authorization has not had, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
Each of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the General Partner is in compliance with the terms and
conditions of all such permits, licenses and authorizations, and is also in compliance with all
other limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions,
60
requirements, obligations, schedules and timetables contained in any Law or in any regulation, code, plan, order, decree,
judgment, injunction, notice or demand letter issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder,
except to the extent failure to comply has not had, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a
Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the General Partner (i) has
filed and maintained all tariffs applicable to its business with each applicable agency, (ii) and
all such tariffs are in compliance with all Laws administered or promulgated by each applicable
agency and (iii) has imposed charges on its customers in compliance with such tariffs, all
contracts applicable to its business and all applicable Laws except to the extent such failure to
file or impose has not had, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse
Effect. As used herein, agency includes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and each other
United States federal, state, or local governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency
or instrumentality having jurisdiction over any Restricted Person or its properties.
5.12 Environmental Laws. Without limiting the provisions of Section 5.11 and except as
disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule or as has not had, and could not reasonably be expected to
have, a Material Adverse Effect (or with respect to (c), (d) and (e) below, where the failure to
take such actions has not had and could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse
Effect):
(a) Neither any property of any of the Borrower, or its Subsidiaries nor the operations
conducted thereon violate any order or requirement of any court or Governmental Authority or any
Environmental Laws;
(b) Without limitation of clause (a) above, no property of any of the Borrower, or its
Subsidiaries nor the operations currently conducted thereon or, to the best knowledge of the
Borrower, by any prior owner or operator of such property or operation, are in violation of or
subject to any existing, pending or threatened action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding
by or before any court or Governmental Authority or to any remedial obligations under Environmental
Laws;
(c) All notices, permits, licenses or similar authorizations, if any, required to be obtained
or filed in connection with the operation or use of any and all property of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, including without limitation past or present treatment, storage, disposal or release
of a hazardous substance, hazardous waste or solid waste into the environment, have been duly
obtained or filed, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and
conditions of all such notices, permits, licenses and similar authorizations;
(d) All hazardous substances, hazardous waste, solid waste, and oil and gas exploration and
production wastes, if any, generated at any and all property of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries have in the past been transported, treated and disposed of in accordance
with Environmental Laws and so as not to pose an endangerment to public health or welfare or
the environment, and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, all such transport carriers and
treatment and disposal facilities have been and are operating in compliance with Environmental Laws
and so as not to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the
environment, and are not the subject of any existing, pending or threatened action,
61
investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority in connection with any Environmental Laws;
(e) The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have taken all steps reasonably necessary to determine
and have determined that no hazardous substances, hazardous waste, solid waste, or oil and gas
exploration and production wastes, have been disposed of or otherwise released and there has been
no threatened release of any hazardous substances on or to any property of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries;
(f) To the extent applicable, all property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries currently
satisfies all design, operation, and equipment requirements imposed by the Environmental Laws or
scheduled as of the date hereof to be imposed by the Environmental Laws during the term of this
Agreement, and the Borrower does not have any reason to believe that such property, to the extent
subject to the Environmental Laws, will not be able to maintain compliance with the Environmental
Laws requirements during the term of this Agreement; and
(g) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any known contingent liability in
connection with any release or threatened release of any oil, hazardous substance, hazardous waste
or solid waste into the environment.
5.13 Borrowers Subsidiaries. The Borrower does not have any Subsidiary or own any stock in any other
corporation or association except those listed in the Disclosure Schedule or disclosed to the
Administrative Agent in writing. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a member of
any general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or association of any
type whatsoever except those listed in the Disclosure Schedule or disclosed to the Administrative
Agent in writing. The Borrower owns, directly or indirectly, the equity membership or partnership
interest in each of its Subsidiaries which is indicated in the Disclosure Schedule or as disclosed
to the Administrative Agent in writing.
5.14 Title to Properties; Licenses. Each Restricted Person has good and defensible title to or valid
leasehold interests in all of its material properties and assets, free and clear of all Liens other
than Permitted Liens and of all impediments to the use of such properties and assets in such
Restricted Persons business. Each Restricted Person possesses all licenses, permits, franchises,
patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names, and other intellectual property (or otherwise
possesses the right to use such intellectual property without violation of the rights of any other
Person) which are necessary to carry out its business as presently conducted and as presently
proposed to be conducted hereafter, and no Restricted Person is in violation in any material
respect of the terms under which it possesses such intellectual property or the right to use such intellectual property
unless, in each case, such failure to possess or violation has not had, and could not reasonably be
expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
5.15 Government Regulation. Neither the Borrower nor any other Restricted Person owing Obligations is
subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940 (as any of
the preceding acts have been amended) or any other Law which regulates the incurring by such Person
of Indebtedness. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, nor any Person
having control (as that term is defined in 12 U.S.C. §
62
375b(9) or in regulations promulgated pursuant thereto) of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, is a director or an
executive officer or principal shareholder (as those terms are defined in 12 U.S.C. § 375b(8)
or (9) or in regulations promulgated pursuant thereto) of any Lender, of a bank holding company of
which any Lender is a subsidiary or of any subsidiary of a bank holding company of which any Lender
is a subsidiary. Neither the Borrower nor any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Borrower is (i) named
on the list of Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons maintained by the U.S. Department
of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control available at
http://www.treas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/sdn/index.html, or (ii) (A) an agency of the government of
a country, (B) an organization controlled by a country, or (C) a person resident in a country that
is subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by the U.S. Department of the
Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control and available at
http://www.treas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/sanctions/index.html, or as otherwise published
from time to time, as such program may be applicable to such agency, organization or person, and
the proceeds from the loan will not be used to fund any operations in, finance any investments or
activities in, or make any payments to, any such country, agency, organization or person.
5.16 Solvency. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is solvent (as such term is used in applicable
bankruptcy, liquidation, receivership, insolvency or similar Laws), and the sum of the Borrowers
and each of its Subsidiaries absolute and contingent liabilities, including the Obligations or
guarantees thereof, shall not exceed the fair market value of such Persons assets, and the
Borrowers and each of its Subsidiaries capital should be adequate for the businesses in which
such Person is engaged and intends to be engaged. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
has incurred (whether under the Loan Documents or otherwise), nor does any such Person intend to
incur or believe that it will incur, debts which will be beyond its ability to pay as such debts
mature.
5.17 Use of Proceeds. The statements and representations made in Section 2.05 are true and
correct.
5.18 Collateral Documents. The Pledge and Security Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Administrative
Agent (for the benefit of the Lenders) a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the
Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. In the case of the Collateral consisting of
certificated securities, when certificates representing such Collateral are delivered to the
Administrative Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Pledge and Security
Agreement, when financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified in the
Perfection Certificate, the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Lenders) shall have a
fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Restricted
Persons in such Collateral and, subject to Section 9-315 of the New York UCC, the proceeds thereof,
as security for the Obligations and Lender Hedging Obligations, in each case on or after Liens are
incurred pursuant to Section 7.02(p), on a pari passu and equal priority basis pursuant to the
Intercreditor Agreement with the Liens securing each Series of Senior Obligations, as those terms
are defined in the Intercreditor Agreement, and otherwise in each case prior and superior in right
to any other Person.
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ARTICLE VI.
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
To conform with the terms and conditions under which each Lender is willing to have credit
outstanding to the Borrower, and to induce each Lender to enter into this Agreement and extend
credit hereunder, the Borrower covenants and agrees that until the full and final payment of the
Obligations and the termination of this Agreement, unless Majority Lenders, or all Lenders as
required under Section 10.01, have previously agreed otherwise:
6.01 Payment and Performance. Each Restricted Person will pay all amounts due under the Loan Documents,
to which it is a party, in accordance with the terms thereof and will observe, perform and comply
with every covenant and term expressed in the Loan Documents to which it is a party.
6.02 Books, Financial Statements and Reports. The Borrower will maintain and will cause its
Subsidiaries to maintain a standard system of accounting and proper books of record and account in
accordance with GAAP, will maintain its Fiscal Year, and will furnish the following statements and
reports to each Lender at the Borrowers expense:
(a) As soon as available, and in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each
Fiscal Year, (i) complete Consolidated financial statements of the Borrower together with all notes
thereto, prepared in reasonable detail in accordance with GAAP, together with an unqualified
opinion relating to such financial statements, based on an audit using generally accepted auditing
standards, by Grant Thornton LLP, or other independent certified public accountants selected by the
General Partner and acceptable to the Administrative Agent, stating that such Consolidated
financial statements have been so prepared; provided, however, that at any time
when the Borrower shall be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act, delivery within the time period specified above of copies of the Annual
Report on Form 10-K of the Borrower for such Fiscal Year prepared in compliance with the
requirements therefor and filed with the Commission shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of
this clause (a)(i), and (ii) a consolidating balance sheet and a consolidating statement of
operations reflecting the consolidating information for the Borrower, the Unrestricted Subsidiaries
(reflecting the consolidating information for each MLP and its subsidiaries on a Consolidated
basis) and the Restricted Subsidiaries (individually or with one or more on a combined basis) for
such Fiscal Year, setting forth, in each case, in comparative form, figures for the preceding
Fiscal Year, such financial statements and information of the Borrower furnished, in each case,
pursuant to clause (a)(i) to be certified by an authorized financial officer of the Borrower as
presenting fairly, in all material respects, the information contained therein, on a basis
consistent with the Consolidated financial statements, which consolidating statement of operations
may be in summary form in detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Such financial
statements shall contain a Consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such Fiscal Year and
Consolidated statements of earnings for such Fiscal Year. Such financial statements shall set
forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year.
(b) As soon as available, and in any event within fifty (50) days after the end of each Fiscal
Quarter (i) the Borrowers Consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter
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and the Borrowers Consolidated statements of income, partners capital and cash flows for such Fiscal
Quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such
Fiscal Quarter, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes
resulting from normal year-end adjustments; provided, however, that at any time
when the Borrower shall be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, delivery within the time period specified above of copies of the Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q of the Borrower for such Fiscal Quarter prepared in accordance with the requirements
therefor and filed with the Commission shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this clause
(b)(i) for any of the first three Fiscal Quarters of a Fiscal Year and (ii) a consolidating balance
sheet and a consolidating statement of operations reflecting the consolidating information for the
Borrower, the Unrestricted Subsidiaries (reflecting the consolidating information for each MLP and
its subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis) and the Restricted Subsidiaries (individually or with one
or more on a combined basis) for such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth, in each case, in comparative
form, figures for same period of the preceding Fiscal Year, such financial statements and
information of the Borrower furnished, in each case, pursuant to clause (b)(i), to be certified by
an authorized financial officer of the Borrower as presenting fairly, in all material respects, the
information contained therein, on a basis consistent with the Consolidated financial statements,
which consolidating statement of operations may be in summary form in detail satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent. Such financial statements shall set forth in comparative form the
corresponding figures for the same period of the preceding Fiscal Year. In addition the Borrower
will, together with each such set of financial statements and each set of financial statements
furnished under subsection (a) of this section, furnish a Compliance Certificate, signed on behalf
of the Borrower by the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer or treasurer of the
General Partner, setting forth that such financial statements of the Borrower are accurate and
complete in all material respects (subject, in the case of Fiscal Quarter-end statements, to normal
year-end adjustments), stating that such officer has reviewed the Loan Documents, containing
calculations showing compliance (or non-compliance) at the end of such Fiscal Quarter with the requirements of Section 7.12, and stating
that no Default exists at the end of such Fiscal Quarter or at the time of such certificate or
specifying the nature and period of existence of any such Default.
(c) Promptly upon their becoming available, one copy of (i) each financial statement, report,
notice or proxy statement sent by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to public securities
holders generally, and (ii) each regular or periodic report, each registration statement (without
exhibits except as expressly requested by such Lender), and each prospectus and all amendments
thereto filed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with the Commission and of all press
releases and other statements made available generally by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
to the public concerning material developments; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed
to have furnished the information specified in this clause (f) above on the date that such
information is posted at the Borrowers or an MLPs website on the Internet or at such other
websites as notified to the Lenders.
(d) The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any change
in (i) any Restricted Persons name, (ii) any Restricted Persons identity or organizational
structure or jurisdiction of incorporation or (iii) any Restricted Persons Federal Taxpayer
Identification Number. The Borrower agrees not to effect or permit any change
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referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the UCC or otherwise that are required
in order for the Administrative Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a
valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral and for the Collateral at all
times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest as contemplated
in the Collateral Documents. The Borrower also agrees promptly to notify the Administrative Agent
if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed.
(e) At the time of delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 6.02(b), if
Collateral consists of any property other than the certificated securities delivered to the
Administrative Agent on the Closing Date, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an
Officers Certificate (i) either confirming that there has been no change in such information since
the Perfection Certificate was delivered on the Closing Date under the Existing Credit Agreement or
the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section and/or identifying such
changes, (ii) certifying that all UCC financing statements (including fixtures filings, as
applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations, have been filed of record in
each applicable governmental, municipal or other appropriate office in each applicable jurisdiction
to the extent necessary to protect and perfect the security interests under the Collateral
Documents
(f) At the time of the delivery thereof pursuant to the Applicable MLP Credit Agreement or any
indenture or agreement governing Indebtedness of an MLP and its subsidiaries, copies of (i) each
financial statement of such MLP and/or its subsidiaries accompanied by each report, opinion or
certificate required to be provided in connection with such financial statement, (ii) each
certificate regarding compliance with representations, warranties and covenants and/or the absence
of default, and (iii) each other reports or notices regarding any default or potential default in
such Indebtedness or other Indebtedness, any material adverse change or material adverse effect, or other material event or circumstance,
including those related to any claim or notice of potential liability under Environmental Laws, any
filing of any suit or proceeding or the assertion of any claim or violation of any Laws, in each
case as required under the provisions of the Applicable MLP Credit Agreement or such other
indenture or agreement, provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have furnished the
information specified in this clause (f) above on the date that such information is posted at the
applicable MLPs website on the Internet or at such other websites as notified to the Lenders.
(g) Promptly upon their becoming available, one copy of (i) each financial statement, report,
notice or proxy statement sent by an MLP or any of its subsidiaries to public securities holders
generally, and (ii) each regular or periodic report, each registration statement (without exhibits
except as expressly requested by such Lender), and each prospectus and all amendments thereto filed
by an MLP or any of its subsidiaries with the Commission and of all press releases and other
statements made available generally by an MLP or any of its subsidiaries to the public concerning
material developments; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have furnished the
information specified in this clause (g) above on the date that such information is posted at the
applicable an MLPs website on the Internet or at such other websites as notified to the Lenders.
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6.03 Other Information and Inspections. Each Restricted Person will furnish to each Lender any
information which the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request
concerning any representation, warranty, covenant, provision or condition of the Loan Documents or
any matter in connection with Restricted Persons businesses and operations. Each Restricted
Person will permit representatives appointed by the Administrative Agent (including independent
accountants, auditors, agents, attorneys, appraisers and any other Persons) to visit and inspect
during normal business hours (which right to visit and inspect shall be limited to once during any
Fiscal year unless a Default has occurred and is continuing) any of such Restricted Persons
property, including its books of account, other books and records, and any facilities or other
business assets, and to make extra copies therefrom and photocopies and photographs thereof, and to
write down and record any information such representatives obtain, and each Restricted Person shall
permit the Administrative Agent or its representatives to investigate and verify the accuracy of
the information furnished to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the Loan
Documents and to discuss all such matters with its officers, employees and, upon prior notice to
the Borrower, its representatives.
6.04 Notice of Material Events. The Borrower will notify the Administrative Agent, LC Issuer and each
Lender promptly, and not later than five (5) Business Days in the case of subsection (b) below and
not later than thirty (30) days in the case of any other subsection below, after any executive
officer of the Borrower has knowledge thereof, stating that such notice is being given pursuant to
this Agreement, of:
(a) the occurrence of any event or circumstance that has had, or could reasonably be expected
to have, a Material Adverse Effect, an ETP Material Adverse Effect or a Regency Material Adverse
Effect,
(b) the occurrence of any Default or any Default as defined in any Applicable MLP Credit
Agreement,
(c) the acceleration of the maturity of any Indebtedness owed by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or of any default by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any indenture,
mortgage, agreement, contract or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of
its properties is bound, if such acceleration or default has had or could have a Material Adverse
Effect, an ETP Material Adverse Effect or a Regency Material Adverse Effect,
(d) the occurrence of any Termination Event,
(e) Under any Environmental Law, any claim of $10,000,000 or more with respect to any
Restricted Person or of $50,000,000 or more with respect to any Unrestricted Person, any notice of
potential liability which might reasonably be expected to exceed such amount with respect to such
Person, or any other material adverse claim asserted against any Restricted Person or any
Unrestricted Person or with respect to any Restricted Persons or any Unrestricted Persons
properties taken as a whole,
(f) the filing of any suit or proceeding, or the assertion in writing of a claim, against any
Restricted Person or any Unrestricted Person or with respect to any Restricted Persons or
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any Unrestricted Persons properties, in which an adverse decision could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect, an ETP Material Adverse Effect or a Regency Material Adverse Effect, and
(g) the occurrence of any event of default by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the
payment or performance of (i) any material obligations such Person is required to pay or perform
under the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, security agreement, lease, and
franchise, or other agreement, contract or other instrument or obligation to which it is a party or
by which it or any of its properties is bound, to the extent such default or event of default could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Consolidated financial condition,
business, operations, assets or prospects of the Borrower, or (ii) any Indebtedness.
Upon the occurrence of any of the foregoing, Restricted Persons will take all necessary or
appropriate steps to remedy promptly any such Material Adverse Effect, Default, acceleration,
default, or Termination Event, to protect against any such adverse claim, to defend any such suit
or proceeding, and to resolve all controversies on account of any of the foregoing.
6.05 Maintenance of Properties. Each Restricted Person will maintain and keep, or cause to be
maintained and kept, their respective properties in good repair, working order and condition (other
than ordinary wear and tear), so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly conducted at all times, provided that this Section shall not prevent any
Restricted Person from discontinuing the operation and the maintenance of any of its properties if such discontinuance is desirable in
the conduct of its business and the Borrower has concluded that such discontinuance could not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.06 Maintenance of Existence and Qualifications. Each Restricted Person will maintain and
preserve its existence and its rights and franchises in full force and effect and will qualify to
do business in all states or jurisdictions where required by applicable Law, except where the
failure so to qualify has not had, and could not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse
Effect.
6.07 Payment of Trade Liabilities, Taxes, etc. Each Restricted Person will (a) timely file all tax
returns required to be filed in any jurisdiction; (b) timely pay and discharge all taxes shown to
be due and payable on such returns and all other taxes, assessments, governmental charges, or
levies imposed on them or any of their properties, assets, income or franchises, to the extent such
taxes and assessments have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent and all
claims for which sums have become due and payable that have or might become a lien on properties or
assets of the Borrower or any Restricted Person; (c) timely pay all Liabilities owed by it on
ordinary trade terms to vendors, suppliers and other Persons providing goods and services used by
it in the ordinary course of its business, (e) timely pay and discharge when due all other
Liabilities now or hereafter owed by it, other than royalty payments suspended in the ordinary
course of business; and (f) maintain appropriate accruals and reserves for all of the foregoing in
accordance with GAAP. Each Restricted Person may, however, delay paying or discharging any of the
foregoing so long as (i) the amount, applicability or validity thereof is contested by the Borrower
or such Restricted Person on a timely basis in good faith
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and in appropriate proceedings, and the Borrower or such Restricted Person has established adequate reserves therefor in accordance with
GAAP on the books of the Borrower or such Restricted Person or (ii) the nonpayment of all such
taxes, assessments, charges, levies and Liabilities in the aggregate could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.08 Insurance. Each Restricted Person shall at all times maintain at its own expense with
financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such
risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses
operating in the same or similar locations.
6.09 Compliance with Agreements and Law. Each Restricted Person will perform all material
obligations it is required to perform under the terms of each material indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, security agreement, lease, and franchise, and each material agreement, contract or other
instrument or obligation to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound.
Each Restricted Person will conduct its business and affairs in compliance with all Laws applicable
thereto and will maintain in good standing all licenses that may be necessary or appropriate to
carry on its business, except for failures so to comply that have not had, and could not reasonably
be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
6.10 Environmental Matters.
(a) Each Restricted Person will comply in all material respects with all Environmental Laws
now or hereafter applicable to such Restricted Person as well as all contractual obligations and
agreements with respect to environmental remediation or other environmental matters and shall
obtain, at or prior to the time required by applicable Environmental Laws, all environmental,
health and safety permits, licenses and other authorizations necessary for its operations and will
maintain such authorizations in full force and effect.
(b) Each Restricted Person will promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent all written
notices of violation, orders, claims, citations, complaints, penalty assessments, suits or other
proceedings received by any Restricted Person or General Partner, or of which it has notice,
pending or threatened against any Restricted Person, the potential liability of which exceeds or
might reasonably be expected to exceed $15,000,000 or could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect if resolved adversely against any Restricted Person, by any Governmental
Authority with respect to any alleged violation of or non-compliance with any Environmental Laws or
any permits, licenses or authorizations in connection with its ownership or use of its properties
or the operation of its business.
(c) Each Restricted Person will promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent all requests for
information, notices of claim, demand letters, and other notifications, received by any Restricted
Person or General Partner in connection with its ownership or use of its properties or the conduct
of its business, relating to potential responsibility with respect to any investigation or clean-up
of Hazardous Material at any location, the potential liability of which exceeds or might reasonably
be expected to exceed $15,000,000 or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
if resolved adversely against any Restricted Person.
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6.11 Guaranties of Subsidiaries.
(a) Each Subsidiary, whether existing on the Closing Date or created, acquired or coming into
existence after the Closing Date, that Guarantees any other Indebtedness of the Borrower shall
execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Guaranty.
(b) Each Restricted Subsidiary (other than ETP GP, ETP LLC, Regency GP and Regency LLC),
whether existing on the Closing Date or created, acquired or coming into existence after the
Closing Date shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Guaranty.
(c) Simultaneously with its delivery of such a Guaranty, each Subsidiary shall, at the
reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, provide written evidence reasonably satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent and its counsel that such Subsidiary has taken all corporate, limited
liability company or partnership action necessary to duly approve and authorize its execution,
delivery and performance of such Guaranty and any other documents which it is required to execute.
(d) The Borrower may redesignate any Unrestricted Person to be a Restricted Subsidiary,
provided that the Borrower may not make such a designation unless at the time of such
action and after giving effect thereto, (i) none of such Unrestricted Persons have outstanding
Indebtedness or Guarantees, other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.01 or Liens
on any of their property, other than Permitted Liens (in each case taking into account the other
Indebtedness and Liens of the Restricted Persons), (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall
exist, (iii) all representations and warranties herein will be true and correct in all material
respects if remade at the time of such designation, except to the extent such representations and
warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they were true and correct in all
material respects as of such earlier date, and (iv) the Borrower has provided to the Administrative
Agent an officers certificate in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to the effect that
each of the foregoing conditions have been satisfied. In no event will any MLP or any of their
respective subsidiaries be designated a Restricted Subsidiary.
(e) The Borrower may designate any Person who becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower after the
date hereof to be an Unrestricted Person, provided that all Investments in such Subsidiary
at the time of such designation shall be treated as Investments made on the date of such
designation, and provided further that the Borrower may not make such a designation
unless such designation is made not later than 30 days after the date such Person becomes a
Subsidiary and, at the time of such action and after giving effect thereto, (i) such Subsidiary
does not own, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness or Equity Interests of the Borrower or any
Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, (iii) all representations
and warranties herein will be true and correct in all material respects if remade at the time of
such designation, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically refer to an
earlier date, in which case they were true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier
date, (iv) the Investment represented by such designation is permitted under clause (e) of the
definition of Permitted Investments and (v) the Borrower has provided to the Administrative Agent
an officers certificate in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to the effect that
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each of the foregoing conditions have been satisfied. No Restricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as
an Unrestricted Person.
(f) The Borrower shall be deemed to have made a Restricted Payment upon designation of an
Unrestricted Person in an amount equal to the fair market value of all Restricted Persons
Investments in such Unrestricted Person at the time of designation. The Borrower shall only be
permitted to designate an Unrestricted Person or make an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary
if the Borrower is permitted to make a Restricted Payment in such amount.
6.12 Compliance with Agreements. Each Restricted Person shall observe, perform or comply in all
material respects with any agreement with any Person or any term or condition of any instrument, if
such agreement or instrument is materially significant to such Restricted Person or to Restricted
Persons on a Consolidated basis, unless any such failure to so observe, perform or comply is
remedied within the applicable period of grace (if any) provided in such agreement or instrument.
6.13 Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time upon the reasonable request of the
Administrative Agent, each Restricted Person will, at its expense, promptly execute, acknowledge
and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as the Administrative Agent
may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of the Loan Documents. In furtherance
and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Restricted Person shall take such actions as the
Administrative Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations and
the Lender Hedging Obligations are guarantied by the Guarantors and secured by substantially all of
the assets of the Restricted Persons (other than ETP GP and Regency GP), including all of the
outstanding Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary acquired or created after the Closing
Date.
6.14 Miscellaneous Business Covenants. Unless otherwise consented to by the Administrative Agent
or Majority Lenders, each Restricted Person will: (i) maintain entity records and books of account
separate from those of any other entity, including each MLP or any of their respective
subsidiaries, which is an Affiliate of such entity; (ii) not commingle its funds or assets with
those of any other entity, including each MLP or any of their respective subsidiaries, which is an
Affiliate of such entity; and (iii) provide that the board of directors or other analogous
governing body of the General Partner will hold all appropriate meetings to authorize and approve
such entitys actions, which meetings will be separate from those of other entities, including each
MLP and their respective subsidiaries.
6.15 Restricted/Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Borrower:
(a) will not, and will not permit any Restricted Person to guaranty any Indebtedness of any of
the Unrestricted Persons;
(b) will not permit any Unrestricted Person to hold any equity or other ownership interest in
any Restricted Person;
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(c) will operate each Unrestricted Person in such a manner as to make it apparent to all
creditors of such Unrestricted Person that such Unrestricted Person is a legal entity separate and
distinct from all of the Restricted Persons and as such is solely responsible for its debts;
(d) will cause ETP and each of its subsidiaries which has a Restricted Person as its general
partner to incur Indebtedness only under notes, loan agreements or other applicable agreements that
expressly state that such Indebtedness is being incurred by ETP and, if applicable, such
subsidiaries on a basis that is non-recourse to ETPs general partner; and
(e) will cause each Unrestricted Person (other than an MLP and its subsidiaries) to incur
Indebtedness only under notes, loan agreements or other applicable agreements that expressly state
that such Indebtedness is being incurred by such Unrestricted Person on a basis that is
non-recourse to the Restricted Persons.
ARTICLE VII.
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
To conform with the terms and conditions under which each Lender is willing to have credit
outstanding to the Borrower, and to induce each Lender to enter into this Agreement and make the
Loans, the Borrower covenants and agrees that until the full and final payment of the Obligations
and the termination of this Agreement, unless Majority Lenders, or all Lenders as required under
Section 10.01, have previously agreed otherwise:
7.01 Indebtedness. No Restricted Person will in any manner owe or be liable for Indebtedness
except:
(a) the Obligations;
(b) Indebtedness of any Restricted Person (other than ETP GP, ETP LLC, Regency GP and Regency
LLC) to any other Restricted Person (other than ETP GP, ETP LLC, Regency GP and Regency LLC);
provided, (i) all such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by promissory notes and all such
notes shall be subject to a first priority Lien pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, (ii)
all such Indebtedness shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the payment in
full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the applicable promissory notes or an intercompany
subordination agreement that in any such case is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent; and (iii) any payment by any Restricted Person that is a Guarantor under any guaranty of the
Obligations shall result in a pro rata reduction of the amount of any such Indebtedness owed by
such Guarantor to the Borrower or to any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor for whose
benefit such payment is made;
(c) Indebtedness in respect of bonds that are performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds,
surety bonds and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business,
including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary
course of business;
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(d) Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and otherwise in
connection with deposit accounts;
(e) Indebtedness of (i) ETP LLC arising by operation of law as a result of ETP LLC being the
general partner of ETP GP, (ii) ETP GP arising by operation of law as a result of ETP GP being the
general partner of ETP, and (iii) Regency LLC arising by operation of law as a result of Regency
LLC being the general partner of Regency GP, and Regency GP arising by operation of law as a result
of Regency GP being the general partner of Regency;
(f) Indebtedness (i) in respect to future payment for non-competition covenants and similar
payments under agreements governing a Permitted Acquisition by a Restricted Person not to exceed at
any time $5,000,000 or (ii) in respect of commitments to fund capital contributions in respect of
the MEP Interests;
(g) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the date hereof
incurred prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary, not to exceed at any time $15,000,000;
provided that (i) such Indebtedness is not created in contemplation of such Person becoming
a Subsidiary and (ii) such Indebtedness is not assumed or Guaranteed by any other Restricted
Person;
(h) on or after the New Revolving Credit Effective Date, Indebtedness of the Borrower, and
Guarantees thereof by the Guarantors, under any revolving credit facility and any refinancings,
renewals or extensions of all or any part of thereof from time to time, provided that (i)
the material terms (other than pricing and yield) of such Indebtedness or of any agreement entered
into or of any instrument issued in connection therewith are not more favorable in any material
respect to the lenders thereunder than the terms of this Agreement, unless such more favorable
terms are made applicable under this Agreement by an amendment entered into by the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower and provided that such more favorable terms are of a type that may be made
with only the consent of Majority Lenders (Majority Lenders hereby consent to each such amendment
pursuant to this clause (i) without the requirement of any further consent); (ii) the amount of
such Indebtedness shall not exceed an aggregate principal amount of loans and undrawn face amount
of letters of credit of $200,000,000 at any one time outstanding plus Indebtedness in respect of
Hedging Contracts entered into from time to time between the Borrower or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries and a counterparty that is a lender or an Affiliate of a lender thereunder; (iii) such
Indebtedness is not secured by any collateral that does not also secure the Obligations (other than
any cash or cash equivalents that secure or are otherwise held by the lenders, the administrative
agent or collateral agent under such revolving credit facility in order to cash collateralize
letter of credit obligations or swingline loans thereunder); (iv) such Indebtedness (and, if
applicable the Liens securing same) do not contravene the provisions of the Intercreditor
Agreement; and (v) the holders of such Indebtedness, or a duly authorized agent on their behalf,
agree in writing to be bound by the Intercreditor Agreement or enter into a replacement
intercreditor agreement containing terms that are substantially similar to those of the
Intercreditor Agreement, as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent;
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(i) on or after the Senior Notes Effective Date, Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower, and
Guarantees thereof by the Guarantors, provided that (i) the maturity date of such
Indebtedness is no earlier than the Term Loan Maturity Date, (ii) there are no scheduled repayments
of principal of such Indebtedness or sinking fund payments thereon prior to the Term Loan Maturity
Date, (iii) the documents or instruments governing such Indebtedness do not contain any maintenance
financial covenant, (iv) such Indebtedness is not secured by any collateral that does not also
secure the Obligations, and (v) at the time of the issuance of any such Indebtedness, an amount
equal to 100% of the Net Issuance Proceeds thereof is applied to prepay the Term Loans in
accordance with Section 2.06; and
(j) on or after the Senior Notes Effective Date, refinancings, renewals or extensions of all
or any part of any Indebtedness incurred in accordance with the foregoing clause (i) (Senior
Note Refinancing Indebtedness), provided that (i) the maturity date of such Senior
Note Refinancing Indebtedness is no earlier than the Term Loan Maturity Date, (ii) there are no
scheduled repayments of principal of such Senior Note Refinancing Indebtedness or sinking fund
payments thereon prior to the Term Loan Maturity Date, (iii) the documents or instruments
governing such Indebtedness do not contain any maintenance financial covenant, (iv) such
Indebtedness is not secured by any collateral that does not also secure the Obligations, and (v)
the principal amount of such Senior Note Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal
amount of Senior Note Indebtedness being refinanced, renewed or extended except by an amount equal
to accrued and unpaid interest, prepayment premium, fees and expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with such refinancing, renewal or extension.
7.02 Limitation on Liens. No Restricted Person will create, assume or permit to exist any Lien
upon or with respect to any of its properties or assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except the
following Liens (to the extent permitted by this Section, herein called Permitted Liens):
(a) Liens existing on the date of this Agreement and listed in the Disclosure Schedule;
(b) Liens imposed by any Governmental Authority for taxes, assessments or charges not yet due
or the validity of which is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, if
necessary, for which adequate reserves are maintained on the books of any Restricted Person in
accordance with GAAP;
(c) pledges or deposits of cash or securities under workers compensation, unemployment
insurance or other social security legislation;
(d) carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens, landlords, or other
like Liens (including, without limitation, Liens on property of any Restricted Person in the
possession of storage facilities, pipelines or barges) arising in the ordinary course of business
for amounts which are not more than 60 days past due or the validity of which is being contested in
good faith and by appropriate proceedings, if necessary, and for which adequate reserves are
maintained on the books of any Restricted Person in accordance with GAAP;
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(e) deposits of cash or securities to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other
than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds
and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(f) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances incurred in the
ordinary course of business and encumbrances consisting of zoning restrictions, easements,
licenses, restrictions on the use of real property or minor imperfections in title thereto which,
in the aggregate, are not material in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from
the value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of
any Restricted Person;
(g) rights reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority by the terms of any right,
power, franchise, grant, license or permit, or by any provision of law, to revoke or
terminate any such right, power, franchise, grant, license or permit or to condemn or acquire
by eminent domain or similar process;
(h) rights reserved to or vested by Law in any Governmental Authority to in any manner,
control or regulate in any manner any of the properties of any Restricted Person or the use thereof
or the rights and interests of any Restricted Person therein, in any manner under any and all Laws;
(i) rights reserved to the grantors of any properties of any Restricted Person, and the
restrictions, conditions, restrictive covenants and limitations, in respect thereto, pursuant to
the terms, conditions and provisions of any rights-of-way agreements, contracts or other agreements
therewith;
(j) inchoate Liens in respect of pending litigation or with respect to a judgment which has
not resulted in an Event of Default under Section 8.01;
(k) statutory Liens in respect of payables;
(l) any Lien existing on any property prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary or existing on any property of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date
hereof prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is
not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a
Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary, (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on
the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be; and
(iv) such Liens together with all Liens permitted under Section 7.02(m) do not secure
Indebtedness in excess of the amount permitted by Section 7.02(m);
(m) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.01(f), (g) or
(h); provided that such Liens do not secure Indebtedness which together with (but without
duplication) all Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under Section 7.02(l) in excess of
a principal amount at any one time of $35,000,000;
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(n) Liens on cash margin collateral securing Hedging Contracts permitted under Section
7.10;
(o) Liens in respect of operating leases covering only the property subject thereto; and
(p) Liens pursuant to the Loan Documents, and, (i) on or after the New Revolving Credit
Effective Date, Liens securing New Revolving Credit Indebtedness, provided that the
Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Lenders) and the holders of New Revolving Credit
Indebtedness (directly or through an agent, trustee or other representative on their behalf) have
agreed to be bound by the Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) on or after the Senior Notes Effective
Date, Liens securing Senior Note Indebtedness, provided that the Administrative Agent (on
behalf of the Lenders) and the holders of New Revolving Credit Indebtedness and Senior Note
Indebtedness (directly or through an agent, trustee or other representative on their behalf)
have agreed to be bound by the Intercreditor Agreement;
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, no Liens of the kind set forth in clauses (a)
through and including (o) above shall be permitted on the Equity Interests of ETP, ETP GP, ETP LLC,
Regency, Regency GP or Regency LLC.
7.03 Limitation on Mergers, Issuances of Subsidiary Securities. No Restricted Person will enter
into any transaction of merger or consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve
itself or suffer any liquidation or dissolution, except (i) Permitted Acquisitions and (ii) the
merger, dissolution or liquidation into or consolidation of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than ETP
GP, ETP LLC, Regency GP or Regency LLC) with or into the Borrower (so long as the Borrower is the
surviving entity) or another Restricted Subsidiary (other than ETP GP, ETP LLC, Regency GP or
Regency LLC) (so long as if one such Restricted Person is a Guarantor, the surviving entity shall
be a Guarantor). Except in connection with a sale of all of the Equity Interest of a Restricted
Subsidiary permitted under Section 7.04: (i) the Borrower will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose the Equity Interest of any Restricted
Subsidiary and no Restricted Subsidiary will issue any additional Equity Interests if such action
will result in or allow any diminution of the Borrowers Equity Interest (direct or indirect) in
such Restricted Subsidiary, and (ii) no Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a partnership
will allow any diminution of the Borrowers interest (direct or indirect) in such Restricted
Subsidiary.
7.04 Limitation on Sales of Property. No Restricted Person will sell, transfer, lease, exchange,
alienate or dispose of any of its property or any material interest therein except:
(a) in respect of Borrower, (or any Restricted Subsidiary that holds limited partnership units
of an MLP), and in respect of ETP GP, ETP LLC, Regency GP or Regency LLC: (i) the sale of stock or
other securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary of a Restricted Person in order to qualify
directors if required by applicable law, (ii) the sale of immaterial assets (other than stock or
securities, including partnership units) in the ordinary course, (iii) the sale, transfer, lease,
exchange, alienation or disposal of Equity Interests contemplated by the Restructuring
Transactions, and (iv) the sale of limited partnership units of an MLP; provided
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that with respect to this clause (iv) (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing
or would result therefrom, (B) the aggregate sale of limited partnership units of ETP from and
after July 13, 2006 shall not exceed 25% of such units owed by the Borrower or its Restricted
Subsidiaries as of such date and the aggregate sale of limited partnership units of Regency from
and after the Closing Date shall not exceed 25% of such units owed by the Borrower or its
Restricted Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date, (C) after giving effect to such sale on a pro forma
basis as if it had occurred on the first day of the test period most recently ended, the Borrower
shall be in compliance with Section 7.12, and (D) the Net Asset Sale Proceeds thereof shall
be applied pursuant to Section 2.06(b), to the extent required by such Section; and
(b) in respect of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, other than ETP GP, ETP LLC,
Regency GP or Regency LLC, that owns operating assets acquired after the date of this Agreement,
the following in respect of such operating assets: (i) equipment and other personal property and
fixtures that are either (A) obsolete for their intended purposes and disposed of in the ordinary
course of business, or (B) replaced by personal property or fixtures of comparable suitability
owned by such Restricted Person free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens; (ii) inventory
which is sold in the ordinary course of business on ordinary trade terms; (iii) property sold or
transferred by any Restricted Subsidiary to any other Restricted Subsidiary (so long as if the
transferor is a Guarantor, the transferee shall be a Guarantor); (iv) property subject to a Sale
and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to which the Attributable Debt and Liens are permitted by
the provisions of this Agreement; (v) assignment of accounts receivable for collection purposes in
the ordinary course of business; (vi) property sold to comply with any divestment requirement
imposed in connection with the approval of an acquisition under Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of 1976;
(vii) sales, transfers or other dispositions of other property or issuances or sales of Equity
Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary, in any case for fair consideration that are in the best
interests of the Borrower not to exceed $10,000,000 on a cumulative basis, provided that
immediately after giving effect to such proposed disposition no Default or Event of Default shall
exist and be continuing and (viii) sales, transfers or other dispositions of other property for
fair consideration that are in the best interests of the Borrower to any Person; provided
that with respect to this clause (viii) (A) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or
be continuing or would result therefrom, (B) after giving effect to such sale on a pro forma basis
as if it had occurred on the first day of the test period most recently ended, the Borrower shall
be in compliance with Section 7.12, (C) such sale, transfer or disposition is in exchange
for other assets used by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the furtherance of their
business, and (D) with respect to the amount of the proceeds of such sale, transfer or disposition
(other than such assets received in exchange), net of customary costs of sale (in this paragraph,
the Proceeds), (x) such Proceeds are applied within 12 months to the purchase of other assets
used by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the furtherance of their business or (y) the
Commitments are permanently reduced within 12 months by the amount of any such Proceeds not so
applied to the purchase of such assets used by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the
furtherance of their business.
In no event shall the Borrower sell, transfer, lease, exchange, alienate or dispose of its
interests in ETP GP, ETP LLC, Regency GP or Regency LLC nor permit ETP LLC to sell, transfer,
lease, exchange, alienate or dispose of its interests in ETP GP nor permit ETP GP to sell,
transfer, lease, exchange, alienate or dispose of its interests in ETP nor permit Regency LLC to
sell,
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transfer, lease, exchange, alienate or dispose of its interest in Regency GP nor permit
Regency GP to sell, transfer, lease, exchange, alienate or dispose of its interests in Regency.
If proceeds of any Credit Extension have been used to purchase or carry margin stock (as those
terms are used in the Margin Regulations), the Borrower shall not sell, transfer, lease, exchange,
alienate or dispose of any Collateral unless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have
determined that, after giving effect to any withdrawal or substitution of such Collateral, all
Credit Extensions comply with the Margin Regulations.
7.05 Limitation on Restricted Payment. No Restricted Person will declare or make, directly or indirectly any Restricted Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) no Restricted Person shall be restricted, directly or
indirectly, from declaring and making Restricted Payments to another Restricted Person, (b) the
Borrower may purchase its common limited partnership units and redeem the Restructuring Preferred
Units, so long as in connection with each such purchase or redemption (i) no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) prior to and after giving effect
thereto, the Leverage Ratio of the Borrower is not greater than 4.25 to 1.0, and (iii) the sum of
the Borrowers Cash on hand plus the amount of Cash that is available to be borrowed under the
Revolving Credit Commitments without resulting in the Leverage Ratio of the Borrower being greater
than 4.25 to 1.0, is greater than $10,000,000, and (c) so long as the Borrower shall be in
compliance with Section 7.12 prior to and after giving effect to any distribution, and so
long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower
may declare or order and make, pay or set apart, during each Fiscal Quarter, Restricted Payments
consisting of cash distribution to its general partner, its preferred limited partner unit holders
and its common limited partner unit holders pursuant to the requirements of the Partnership
Agreement or the Restructuring Preferred Units.
7.06 Limitation on Investments, Loans and Advances. No Restricted Person will make or commit to
make any capital contributions to, or make or hold any other Investments in, any Person, other than
Permitted Investments, nor acquire properties or assets except (i) in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) any acquisition of capital assets that will become a part of the operations of such
Restricted Person (and provided that the same shall not result in a violation of
Section 7.08) and (iii) any Permitted Acquisition. Except for Permitted Investments and
Hedging Contracts permitted under Section 7.10, no Restricted Person will extend credit,
make advances or make loans other than normal and prudent extensions of credit to customers in the
ordinary course of business or to another Restricted Person in the ordinary course of business,
which extensions shall not be for longer periods than those extended by similar businesses operated
in a normal and prudent manner. No Equity Interest of a Restricted Subsidiary shall be held by an
Unrestricted Person, and no Indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of a Restricted Subsidiary
shall be held by an Unrestricted Person.
7.07 Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates. No Restricted Person shall, directly or
indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or
exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any holder of 5% or more of any
class of Capital Stock of a Restricted Person or with any Affiliate of a Restricted Person, on
terms that are less favorable to such Restricted Person than those that might be obtained at the
time from a Person who is not such a holder or Affiliate; provided, the foregoing
restriction shall
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not apply to (a) any transaction between Restricted Persons; (b) reasonable and
customary fees paid to members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the
Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (c) compensation arrangements for officers and other
employees of any Restricted Person entered into in the ordinary course of business; (d) the
transactions that are the subject of an MLP Limited Partnership Agreement; (e) transactions between
a Restricted Person on the one hand and an MLP and the general partner of such MLP and their
respective subsidiaries on the other hand similar to those typically addressed in omnibus
agreements between the sponsors of a publicly traded limited partnership, on the one hand, and the
publicly traded limited partnership on the other hand; (f) the transactions that are the subject of the
Shared Services Agreement dated August 26, 2005 by and between ETP and the Borrower, as amended or
replaced from time to time, (g) the transactions that are the subject of the Services Agreement by
and among ETE Services Company, LLC, the Borrower and Regency in substantially the form attached as
Exhibit H to that certain Contribution Agreement dated May 10, 2010 providing for a portion of the
Restructuring Transactions, as amended or replaced from time to time, (h) transactions entered into
in the ordinary course of business of such Restricted Person on terms which are no less favorable
to such Restricted Person than those which would have been obtainable at the time in an arms
length transaction with Persons that are not Affiliates and (i) the Restructuring Transactions.
7.08 Conduct of Business. From and after the Closing Date, the Borrower shall not engage in any
business other than (i) the Permitted Line of Business and (ii) such other lines of business as may
be consented to by Majority Lenders. ETP GP shall not engage in any business other than acting as
the general partner of ETP, ETP LLC shall not engage in any business other than acting as the
general partner of ETP GP, Regency LLC shall not engage in any business other than acting as the
general partner of Regency GP, and Regency GP shall not engage in any business other than acting as
the general partner of Regency.
7.09 Restrictive and Negative Pledge Agreements. Except as expressly provided for in the Loan
Documents and as described in the Disclosure Schedule or, on or after the New Revolving Credit
Effective Date, as provided in the documents governing the New Revolving Credit Indebtedness as
permitted by Section 7.01(h) or, on or after the Senior Notes Effective Date, as provided in the
documents governing the Senior Note Indebtedness as permitted by Section 7.01 (i) or (j), no
Restricted Person will, directly or indirectly, enter into, create, or otherwise allow to exist any
contract or other consensual restriction on (a) the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to: (i)
pay dividends or make other distributions, (ii) redeem Equity Interests held in it by the Borrower
or another Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) repay loans and other indebtedness owing by it to the
Borrower or another Restricted Subsidiary, or (iv) transfer any of its assets to the Borrower or
another Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) the ability of any Restricted Person to create Liens on any
of its assets or property to secure the Obligations or Lender Hedging Obligations.
7.10 Hedging Contracts. No Restricted Person will be a party to or in any manner be liable on any
Hedging Contract except any Hedging Contracts (a) entered into by such Person in the ordinary
course of business for the purpose of fixing interest rates on the Indebtedness under the Loan
Documents or for the purpose of directly mitigating risks or reducing costs associated with
liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property held or reasonably anticipated by
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such Person in the normal course of business, and not for purposes of speculation, and (b) that does not
contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on
outstanding transactions to the defaulting party, and (c) that is with a counterparty whose
obligations are rated (or are guaranteed by an affiliate whose obligations are rated) AA-/Aa3 or
better, respectively, by either Rating Agency or are in accordance with the risk management
policies of the Borrower as such policies have been adopted or amended from time to time and
disclosed to the Lenders.
7.11 Commingling of Deposit Accounts and Accounts. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, commingle their respective Deposit Accounts or Accounts (as such
terms are defined in Article 9 of the UCC) with the Deposit Accounts or Accounts of any of its
Unrestricted Persons.
7.12 Financial Covenants.
(a) Leverage Ratio of the Borrower. (i) On each Quarterly Testing Date using the
Consolidated Funded Debt of the Borrower outstanding on such day and using Consolidated EBITDA of
the Borrower for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending on such day, (ii) on the date of each
acquisition or dispositions of limited partnership units of an MLP or of any Specified Acquisition
using the Consolidated Funded Debt of the Borrower that will be outstanding after giving effect to
such acquisition or disposition and using Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for the four Fiscal
Quarter period most recently ending prior to such acquisition or disposition for which financial
statements contemplated by Section 6.02(b) are available to the Borrower (and giving pro
forma effect to such specified acquisition or disposition as provided in the definition of
Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower), and (iii) on each date on which the Borrower makes a
distribution permitted under Section 7.05, after giving effect thereto and using
Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for the four Fiscal Quarter period most recently ending prior
to such date for which financial statements contemplated by Section 6.02(b) are available
to the Borrower, the Leverage Ratio of the Borrower will not exceed (A) 4.50 to 1.00 at any time
other than during a Specified Acquisition Period and (B) 5.00 to 1.00 during a Specified
Acquisition Period.
(b) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. (i) On each Quarterly Testing Date using the
Consolidated Funded Debt of the Borrower plus Consolidated Funded Debt of ETP plus
Consolidated Funded Debt of Regency, in each case outstanding on such day, and using Consolidated
EBITDA of ETP and Consolidated EBITDA of Regency for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending on such
day, (ii) on the date of each Specified Acquisition using the Consolidated Funded Debt of the
Borrower that will be outstanding after giving effect to such Specified Acquisition plus
Consolidated Funded Debt of ETP and Consolidated Funded Debt of Regency on such day and using
Consolidated EBITDA of ETP and Consolidated EBITDA of Regency, in each case for the four Fiscal
Quarter period most recently ending prior to such Specified Acquisition for which financial
statements contemplated by Section 6.02(b) are available to the Borrower (and giving pro
forma effect to such Specified Acquisition), and (iii) on each date on which the Borrower makes a
distribution permitted under Section 7.05, after giving effect thereto and using
Consolidated EBITDA of ETP and Consolidated EBITDA of Regency, in each case for the four Fiscal
Quarter period most recently ending prior to such date
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for which financial statements contemplated by Section 6.02(b) are available to the Borrower, the ratio of (A) the sum of Consolidated
Funded Debt of the Borrower plus Consolidated Funded Debt of ETP plus Consolidated
Funded Debt of Regency, in each case outstanding on the specified date, to (B) the sum of Consolidated EBITDA of ETP plus Consolidated EBITDA
of Regency, in each case for the specified period, will not exceed 5.50 to 1.00.
(c) Interest Coverage Ratio. The ratio of (i) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for
each period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters to (ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period
will never be less than 3.00 to 1.0 at any time.
(d) Value to Loan Ratio. The ratio as of any date of (i) Value on such date to (ii)
the outstanding balance of the Loans on such date plus (A) prior to the New Revolving
Credit Effective Date, LC Obligations plus the Hedging Termination Value of Lender Hedging
Obligations on such date plus (B) on or after the New Revolving Credit Effective Date, the
outstanding the outstanding principal amount of New Revolving Credit Indebtedness plus (C)
on or after the Senior Notes Effective Date, the outstanding the outstanding principal amount of
Senior Note Indebtedness on such date, will never be less than 2.00:1.00.
7.13 Amendments or Waivers of Certain Agreements; Material Contracts. No Restricted Person shall
agree to any material amendment, restatement, supplement or other modification to, or waiver of,
any of its material rights under any organizational document (other than a change in domicile to
Delaware or as otherwise permitted hereunder) or any material agreement judgment, license or permit
after the Closing Date that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect without
in each case obtaining the prior written consent of Majority Lenders to such amendment,
restatement, supplement or other modification or waiver.
7.14 Sales and Lease-Backs. No Restricted Person shall, directly or indirectly, become or remain
liable as lessee or as a guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease of any property
(whether real, personal or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which such Restricted
Person (a) has sold or transferred or is to sell or to transfer to any other Person or (b) intends
to use for substantially the same purpose as any other property which has been or is to be sold or
transferred by such Restricted Person to any Person in connection with such lease.
7.15 Fiscal Year. No Restricted Person shall change its Fiscal Year-end without giving 15 days
prior written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent.
7.16 Tax Status. No Restricted Person shall take any action that would result in a change in the
tax pass-through status of any Restricted Person existing as of the Closing Date.
ARTICLE VIII.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01 Events of Default. Each of the following events constitutes an Event of Default under this
Agreement (each an Event of Default):
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(a) Any Restricted Person fails to pay the principal component of any Loan or any
reimbursement obligation with respect to any Letter of Credit when due and payable, whether at a date for the payment of a fixed installment or as a contingent or other payment becomes due
and payable or as a result of acceleration or otherwise;
(b) Any Restricted Person fails to pay any Obligation (other than the Obligations in
subsection (a) above), whether at a date for the payment of a fixed installment or as a contingent
or other payment becomes due and payable or as a result of acceleration or otherwise, within five
Business Days after the same becomes due;
(c) Any event defined as a default or event of default in any Loan Document (other than
this Agreement) occurs, and the same is not remedied within the applicable period of grace (if any)
provided in such Loan Document;
(d) Any Restricted Person fails to duly observe, perform or comply with any covenant,
agreement or provision of Section 6.04 or Article VII;
(e) Any Restricted Person fails (other than as referred to in subsections (a), (b), (c) or (d)
above) to duly observe, perform or comply with any covenant, agreement, condition or provision of
any Loan Document to which it is a party, and such failure remains unremedied for a period of
thirty (30) days after the earlier of (i) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower becomes aware of
such failure or (ii) notice of such failure is given by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower;
(f) Any representation or warranty previously, presently or hereafter made in writing by or on
behalf of any Restricted Person in connection with any Loan Document shall prove to have been false
or incorrect in any material respect on any date on or as of which made;
(g) Any Loan Document at any time ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable as warranted in
Section 5.05 for any reason other than its release by Lenders or the Administrative Agent
(as permitted under Section 9.10);
(h) (i) The Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Unrestricted Person (A) fails to make
any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or
otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness or Guarantee (other than Indebtedness hereunder and
Indebtedness under Hedging Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn
committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or
syndicated credit arrangement) of more than $10,000,000 in respect of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or of more than $50,000,000 in respect an MLP or any of its subsidiaries, or (B) fails
to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or
Guarantee or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or
any other event occurs, in each case, following any applicable cure period, the effect of which
default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the
beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or
holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such
Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be
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repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to
repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity,
or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or (ii)
there occurs under any Hedging Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Hedging
Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Hedging Contract as to which the
Borrower or any Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Person is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such
Hedging Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as defined in such Hedging Contract) under such
Hedging Contract as to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Person is an
Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Hedging Termination Value owed by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary or such Unrestricted Person to a single counterparty as a result
thereof is greater than $10,000,000 in respect of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or
greater than $50,000,000 in respect an MLP or any of its subsidiaries, for such Hedging Contract
and, in the case of a Termination Event under clause (ii)(B), any Hedging Termination Value payable
by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or an MLP or any of its subsidiaries is not paid when due;
(i) Either (i) any accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Section 412(a) of the Code)
in excess of $10,000,000 exists with respect to any ERISA Plan, whether or not waived by the
Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, or (ii) any Termination Event occurs with respect to any
ERISA Plan and the then current value of such ERISA Plans benefit liabilities exceeds the then
current value of such ERISA Plans assets available for the payment of such benefit liabilities by
more than $10,000,000 (or in the case of a Termination Event involving the withdrawal of a
substantial employer, the withdrawing employers proportionate share of such excess exceeds such
amount);
(j) The Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Unrestricted Person:
(i) has entered against it a judgment, decree or order for relief by a Tribunal of
competent jurisdiction in an involuntary proceeding commenced under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Law of any jurisdiction now or hereafter in effect,
including the federal Bankruptcy Code, as from time to time amended, or has any such
proceeding commenced against it, in each case, which remains undismissed for a period of
sixty days; or
(ii) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
Law now or hereafter in effect, including the federal Bankruptcy Code, as from time to time
amended; or applies for or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary
case under any such Law; or makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or is
generally unable to pay (or admits in writing its inability to so pay) its debts as such
debts become due; or takes corporate or other action to authorize any of the foregoing; or
(iii) has entered against it the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of all or a
substantial part of its assets in a proceeding brought against or initiated by it, and such
appointment or taking possession is neither made ineffective nor discharged within sixty
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days after the making thereof, or such appointment or taking possession is at any time
consented to, requested by, or acquiesced to by it; or
(iv) has entered against it a final judgment for the payment of money in excess
of more than $10,000,000 in respect of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or of
more than $50,000,000 in respect an MLP or any of its subsidiaries (in each case not
covered by insurance or third party indemnification obligations satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent), unless the same is discharged within sixty days after the
date of entry thereof or an appeal or appropriate proceeding for review thereof is
taken within such period and a stay of execution pending such appeal is obtained; or
(v) suffers a writ or warrant of attachment or any similar process to be issued by any
Tribunal against all or any substantial part of its assets, and such writ or warrant of
attachment or any similar process is not stayed or released within sixty days after the
entry or levy thereof or after any stay is vacated or set aside; or
(k) Any Change of Control occurs; or
(l) (i) the Guaranty for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of all Obligations,
shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) or shall be
declared null and void or any Guarantor shall repudiate in writing its obligations thereunder, (ii)
this Agreement or any Collateral Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by
reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or the
satisfaction in full of the Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof) or shall be declared
null and void, or the Administrative Agent shall not have or shall cease to have, or any Restricted
Person shall assert in writing that the Administrative Agent shall not have or shall cease to have,
a valid and perfected Lien in any Collateral purported to be covered by the Collateral Documents
with the priority required by the relevant Collateral Document, in each case for any reason other
than the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party to take any action within its
control, or (iii) any Restricted Person shall contest the validity or enforceability of any Loan
Document in writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, under any Loan Document
to which it is a party; or
(m) Except as permitted in the Applicable MLP Credit Agreement, an MLP shall, or shall permit
any of its subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any
consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any of its subsidiaries to (a)
pay dividends or make any other distributions on any of such subsidiarys Capital Stock owned by
such MLP or any other subsidiary, (b) repay or prepay any Indebtedness owed by such subsidiary to
such MLP or any subsidiary of such MLP, (c) make loans or advances to such MLP or any subsidiary of
such MLP, or (d) transfer any of its property or assets to such MLP or any subsidiary of such MLP
other than restrictions that are or were created by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to
transfer or option or right with respect to any property, assets or Capital Stock not otherwise
prohibited under this Agreement; provided, that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to
customary restrictions or conditions imposed by law or to restrictions contained in the applicable
MLP Limited Partnership Agreement, the Applicable
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MLP Credit Agreement, any other applicable MLP Credit Document or to any such restrictive
provisions which are no less favorable to the Lenders contained in any similar agreements to any
such agreements, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to any customary restrictions on distributions
that become effective upon the occurrence of a default or event of default under any financing
agreement to which such MLP or any subsidiary of such MLP is a party, so long as such restrictions
are on terms no less favorable to the Lenders than similar restrictions under the Applicable MLP
Credit Agreement, and (iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions
contained in agreements relating to the sale of any subsidiary of such MLP pending such sale,
provided such restrictions and conditions apply to the subsidiary of such MLP that is sold and such
sale is permitted under the Applicable MLP Credit Agreement, except as otherwise approved by the
General Partner; or
(n) On or after the Senior Notes Effective Date, an Event of Default as defined in any
agreement governing the Senior Note Indebtedness (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the
agreements governing any Senior Note Refinancing Indebtedness) occurs, or any default or other
event occurs following any applicable cure period, the effect of which default or other event is to
cause, or to permit the holder or holders of any such Indebtedness or a trustee or agent on behalf
of such holder or holders to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be
demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed in full
(automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such
Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity; or
(o) On or after the New Revolving Credit Effective Date, an Event of Default as defined in
any agreement governing the New Revolving Credit Indebtedness occurs, or any default or other event
occurs following any applicable cure period, the effect of which default or other event is to
cause, or to permit the New Revolving Credit Indebtedness lenders or a trustee or agent on behalf
of such lenders to cause, with the giving of notice if required, all of the commitments of such
lenders to be terminated and the New Revolving Credit Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due
or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed in full, prior to its stated maturity.
8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the
Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Majority Lenders,
take any or all of the following actions:
(a) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the LC Issuer to
make LC Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be
terminated;
(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and
unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document
to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any
kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;
(c) require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the LC Obligations (in an amount equal to the
then outstanding amount thereof); and
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(d) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and
the Lenders under the Loan Documents;
provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in
subsections (j)(i), (j)(ii) or (j)(iii) of Section 8.01, the
obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the LC Issuer to make LC Credit
Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and
all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the
obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the LC Obligations as aforesaid shall
automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any
Lender.
8.03 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or
after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the LC Obligations have
automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section
8.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the
Administrative Agent in the following order:
First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities,
expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the
Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative
Agent in its capacity as such;
Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities
and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders and the LC Issuer
(including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the LC Issuer
(including fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of any Lender or the LC Issuer)
and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts
described in this clause Second payable to them;
Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid
interest on the Loans, Matured LC Obligations, other Obligations and Lender Hedging Obligations,
ratably among the Lenders, any Affiliate of a Lender (in respect of Lender Hedging Obligations) and
the LC Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third
payable to them;
Fourth, to payment of the remaining portion of the Lender Hedging Obligations and the
remaining portion of the Obligations, whether constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and
Matured LC Obligations or other amounts, and to the Administrative Agent for the account of the LC
Issuer to Cash Collateralize that portion of LC Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn
amount of Letters of Credit, ratably among the Lenders, any Affiliate of a Lender (in
respect of Lender Hedging Obligations) and the Administrative Agent for the account of the LC
Issuer in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by
them; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in
full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.
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Amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to
clause Fourth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as
they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as LC Collateral after all Letters of Credit have
either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other
Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.
ARTICLE IX.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders and the LC Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder
and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on
its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms
hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The
provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and
the LC Issuer, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such
provisions.
9.02 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the
same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as
though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless
otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving
as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates
may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory
capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without
any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
9.03 Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations
except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a
Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary
powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan
Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the
Majority Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided
for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall
not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose
the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law;
and
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(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any
duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to
the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as
the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with
the consent or at the request of the Majority Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the
Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be
necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii)
in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall
be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is
given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the LC Issuer.
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire
into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered
hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance
of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the
occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this
Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the
satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to
confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon,
and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent,
statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or
intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been
signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may
rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by
the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance
with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that
by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the LC Issuer, the Administrative
Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the LC Issuer unless the
Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the LC Issuer
prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may
consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other
experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in
accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
9.05 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and
exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or
more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such
sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through
their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article
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shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and
shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit
facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of
its resignation to the Lenders, the LC Issuer and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of
resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to
appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of
any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so
appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the
retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative
Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the LC Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent
meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall
notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then
such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the
retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any Cash Collateral held by the
Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the LC Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the
retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such Cash Collateral until such time as a
successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (2) all payments, communications and
determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made
by or to each Lender and the LC Issuer directly, until such time as the Majority Lenders appoint a
successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a
successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and
become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired)
Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its
duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged
therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor
Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed
between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agents resignation
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section
10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its
sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
Any resignation by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Administrative Agent pursuant to
this Section shall also constitute its resignation as LC Issuer. Upon the acceptance of a
successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and
become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring LC Issuer, (b)
the retiring LC Issuer shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor LC Issuer shall issue letters of
credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such
succession or make other arrangement satisfactory to the retiring LC Issuer to effectively assume
the obligations of the retiring LC Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.
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9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and the LC Issuer
acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any
other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has
deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each
Lender and the LC Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such
documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own
decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan
Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
9.08 No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the
Bookrunners, Arrangers, Syndication Agents, Documentation Agents, Managing Agents, or other Agents
listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the
Administrative Agent, a Lender or the LC Issuer hereunder.
9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership,
insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
judicial proceeding relative to any Restricted Person, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of
whether the principal of any Loan or LC Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein
expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall
have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such
proceeding or otherwise
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and
unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid
and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the
claims of the Lenders, the LC Issuer and the Administrative Agent allowed in such judicial
proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such
claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official
in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the LC Issuer to make such
payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent
to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the LC Issuer, to pay to the
Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the
Administrative Agent under Sections 2.12 and 10.04.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or
consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the LC Issuer any plan of reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of
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any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such
proceeding.
9.10 Guaranty and Collateral Matters. The Lenders and the LC Issuer irrevocably authorize the
Administrative Agent to (i) release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if such
Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder and (ii) to
release any Collateral from the Collateral Documents if such Collateral is disposed of (other than
to another Restricted Person) in compliance with this Agreement. Upon request by the
Administrative Agent at any time, the Majority Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative
Agents authority to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty or to release
any Collateral from the Collateral Documents, in either case pursuant to this Section 9.10.
ARTICLE X.
MISCELLANEOUS
10.01 Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Restricted Person therefrom,
shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Majority Lenders and the Borrower or the
applicable Restricted Person, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and
each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific
purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or
consent shall:
(a) waive any condition set forth in Section 4.02(a) or (b) without the
written consent of each Lender;
(b) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated
pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender;
(c) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of
principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under
any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(d) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or LC
Obligation, or (subject to clause (iii) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01) any
fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or change the manner of
computation of any financial ratio (including any change in any applicable defined term) used in
determining the Applicable Leverage Level that would result in a reduction of any interest rate on
any Loan or any fee payable hereunder without the written consent of each Lender directly affected
thereby; provided, however, that only the consent of the Majority Lenders shall be
necessary to amend the definition of Default Rate or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to
pay interest or letter of credit fees at the Default Rate;
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(e) change Section 2.15 or Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro
rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender;
(f) change any provision of this Section or the definition of Majority Lenders or any other
provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or
otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder,
without the written consent of each Lender; or
(g) release all or substantially all of the Guarantors from the Guaranty or all or
substantially all of the Collateral from the Collateral Documents, in each case without the written
consent of each Lender;
and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by the LC Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or
duties of the LC Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of
Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing
and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights
or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (iii) no
amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swingline Lender in
addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (iv) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or
privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto. Notwithstanding
anything in this Section to the contrary, on and after the New Revolving Credit Effective Date, the
Lenders hereby consent to each subsequent amendment to this Agreement pursuant to clause (h)(i) of
Section 7.01 of this Agreement, without the requirement of any further consent of Majority Lenders.
10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.
(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications
expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all
notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by
hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as
follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by
telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the LC
Issuer, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number
specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and
(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address
or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.
Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall
be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been
given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient,
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shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).
Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below,
shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and
the LC Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail
and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent,
provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the LC Issuer
pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the LC Issuer, as applicable, has notified the
Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic
communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept
notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to
procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to
particular notices or communications.
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications
sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgement
from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available,
return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other
communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or
communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day
for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website
shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at
its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice
or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.
(c) Effectiveness of Facsimile Documents and Signatures. Loan Documents may be
transmitted and/or signed by facsimile. The effectiveness of any such documents and signatures
shall, subject to applicable Law, have the same force and effect as manually signed originals and
shall be binding on all Restricted Persons, the Administrative Agent, the LC Issuer, and the
Lenders. The Administrative Agent may also require that any such documents and signatures be
confirmed by a manually signed original thereof; provided, however, that the
failure to request or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness of any facsimile document
or signature.
(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the LC
Issuer may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications
hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address,
telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the
Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the LC Issuer.
(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent, LC Issuer and Lenders. The Administrative
Agent, the LC Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including
telephonic Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices
were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any
other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient,
varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the
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Administrative Agent, the LC Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and
liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on
behalf of the Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the
Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto
hereby consents to such recording.
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure by any Lender, the LC Issuer or the Administrative
Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and
privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and
privileges provided by law.
10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs and Expenses The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements
of counsel for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit
facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and
administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or
waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the LC Issuer
in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any
demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative
Agent, any Lender or the LC Issuer (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel
for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the LC Issuer), and shall pay all fees and time charges
for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the LC Issuer, in
connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with
the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses
incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of
Credit.
(b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative
Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the LC Issuer, and each Related Party of any of
the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee) against, and hold
each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related
expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and
shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements
for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted
against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Restricted Person arising
out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any
other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance
by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated
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hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or
proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the LC Issuer to honor a demand
for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do
not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence
or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries, or any Liability under Environmental Law related in any way to the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) any civil penalty or fine assessed by the U. S. Department of the
Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control against, and all reasonable costs and expenses
(including counsel fees and disbursements) incurred in connection with defense thereof by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of the funding of Loans, the issuance of Letters of
Credit, the acceptance of payments under the Loan Documents, or (v) any actual or prospective
claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on
contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any
other Restricted Person, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, in all cases,
whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory or sole negligence of the Indemnitee; provided that such
indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by
final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Restricted
Person against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitees obligations hereunder or
under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Restricted Person has obtained a final and
nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to
indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it
to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the LC Issuer, the Swingline Lender, or any
Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent (or any such sub-agent), the LC Issuer, the Swingline Lender, or such Related Party, as the
case may be, such Lenders Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable
unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that
the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the
case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent),
the Swingline Lender, or the LC Issuer in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any
of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Swingline Lender,
or LC Issuer in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this
subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.14(d).
(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee,
on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to
direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement,
any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the
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proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the
use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through
telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten
Business Days after demand therefor.
(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the
Administrative Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments
and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
10.05 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is
made to the Administrative Agent, the LC Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the LC
Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff
or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set
aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent,
the LC Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other
party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the
extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall
be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such
setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and the LC Issuer severally agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so
recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such
demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate
from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the LC Issuer under clause (b) of
the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of
this Agreement.
10.06 Successors and Assigns.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its
rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and
each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations
hereunder except (i) to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of
this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of
this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the
restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by
any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall
be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors
and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section
and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the
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Administrative
Agent, the LC Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by
reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible
Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a
portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b),
participations in LC Obligations) at the time owing to it); provided that, except in the
case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Commitment and the
Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a
Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which
for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in
effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such
assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment
is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if Trade Date is specified in the Assignment and
Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of Revolving
Credit Commitments, and not less than $1,000,000, in the case of Term Commitments, unless each of
the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);
(i) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of
all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the
Loans or the Commitment assigned;
(ii) any assignment of a Commitment must be approved by the Administrative Agent and
the LC Issuer unless the Person that is the proposed assignee is itself a Lender (whether or
not the proposed assignee would otherwise qualify as an Eligible Assignee); and
(iii) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative
Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of
$3,500, and the Eligible Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c)
of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the
Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest
assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this
Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by
such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the
case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lenders rights and obligations
under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be
entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05, and 10.04
with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment.
Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee
Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this
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Agreement that
does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by
such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of
this Section.
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of
the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agents Office a copy of each Assignment and
Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the
Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans and LC Obligations owing to,
each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the Register). The entries
in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may
treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender
hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register
shall be available for inspection by each of the Borrower and the LC Issuer at any reasonable time
and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In addition, at any time that a request for a
consent for a material or substantive change to the Loan Documents is pending, any Lender wishing
to consult with other Lenders in connection therewith may request and receive from the
Administrative Agent a copy of the Register.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to,
the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural
person or the
Borrower or any of the Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a Participant)
in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all
or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lenders participations in LC
Obligations) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement
shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties
hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent,
the Lenders and the LC Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in
connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement.
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall
provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any
amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such
agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the
Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to
Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section,
the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections
3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired
its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by
law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it
were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.15 as
though it were a Lender.
(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to
receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the applicable Lender
would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant,
unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrowers prior written
consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to
the benefits
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of Section 3.01 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to
such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with
Section 3.01(e) as though it were a Lender.
(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest
in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to
secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a
Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender
from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as
a party hereto.
(g) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words execution, signed,
signature, and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include
electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the
same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a
paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any
applicable law, including the
Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State
Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform
Electronic Transactions Act.
(h) Resignation as LC Issuer after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, if at any time Wells Fargo Bank, National Association assigns all of its
Commitment and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association may,
upon 30 days notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as LC Issuer. In the event of any
such resignation as LC Issuer, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a
successor LC Issuer hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower
to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association as LC Issuer. If Wells Fargo Bank, National Association resigns as LC Issuer, it shall
retain all the rights and obligations of the LC Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of
Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as LC Issuer and all LC Obligations
with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund
risk participations in Matured LC Obligations pursuant to Section 2.09).
10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent,
the Lenders and the LC Issuer agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined
below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its
Affiliates respective partners, directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents, advisors and
representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be
informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information
confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have
jurisdiction over it or its Affiliates or to any such regulatory authority in accordance with such
Lenders regulatory compliance policy, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations
or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with
the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding
relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or
thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions
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substantially the same as those of
this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or
Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or
prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the
Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such
Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or
(y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the LC Issuer or any of their
respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.
For purposes of this Section, Information means all information received from the
Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective
businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any
Lender or the LC Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any
Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as
confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided
in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person
has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such
Person would accord to its own confidential information.
10.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each
Lender, the LC Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and
from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and
all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at
any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the LC
Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and
all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other
Loan Document to such Lender or the LC Issuer, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or the LC
Issuer shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such
obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of
such Lender or the LC Issuer different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated
on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender, the LC Issuer and their respective Affiliates
under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff)
that such Lender, the LC Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the LC
Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff
and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity of such setoff and application.
10.09 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any
Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the
maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the Maximum Rate). If
the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum
Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such
unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for,
charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person
may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal
as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude
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voluntary prepayments and the
effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the
total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.
This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and
understandings, oral or written, relating to the
subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.02, this Agreement shall
become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the
Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the
signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature
page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed
counterpart of this Agreement.
10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made
hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or
in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof.
Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent
and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or
on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice
or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force
and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied
or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.
10.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to
be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the
remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or
impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which
comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The
invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable
such provision in any other jurisdiction.
10.13 Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04,
or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental
Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, if any Lender defaults in
its obligation to fund Loans or participations hereunder, then the Borrower may, at its sole
expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to
assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained
in, and consents required by, Section 10.06), all of its interests, rights and obligations
under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such
obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment),
provided that:
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(a) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in
Section 10.06(b);
(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of
its Loans and Letter of Credit participations, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other
amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under
Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued
interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under
Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such
assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and
(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as
a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to
require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS,
FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF
NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY
JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN
RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT
OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES
HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE
ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.
NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR THE LC ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS
PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
102
(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY
ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY
COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO
THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT
THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER
THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER
PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES
HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER
THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
10.16 USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined)
and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the
Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56
(signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the Act), it is required to obtain, verify and
record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of
the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as
applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act. The Borrower will comply with
reasonable requests of any Lender for such information.
10.17 Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence of the Loan Documents.
10.18 No Recourse. The parties hereto hereby acknowledge and agree that neither the General
Partner nor any director, officer, employee, limited partner or shareholder of the Borrower or the
General Partner shall have any personal liability in respect of the obligations of
103
the Borrower and
the Guarantors under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by reason of his, her or its
status.
10.19 Amendment and Restatement. Effective on the Closing Date (i) this Agreement amends and
restates (and does not release or novate) the Existing Credit Agreement, and the indebtedness,
obligations and commitments under the Existing Credit Agreement are continued under and shall be
governed by this Agreement, and (ii) all Liens and Guarantees securing or benefiting the
indebtedness, obligations and commitments under the Existing Credit Agreement shall continue and
shall secure and benefit the Loans and other obligations and liabilities of the Borrower under this
Agreement. Except exhibits and schedules attached hereto, references herein to (i) exhibits hereto
shall mean the corresponding exhibits in the form attached to the Existing Credit Agreement with
such changes to the exhibits as may be specified by the Administrative Agent with reference to this
Agreement and (ii) schedules hereto shall mean the corresponding schedules in the form attached to
the Existing Credit Agreement.
10.20 Intercreditor Agreement. On and after the New Revolving Credit Effective Date:
(a) EACH LENDER (i) CONSENTS TO THE TERMS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AND AGREES TO BE
BOUND THEREBY, AND (ii) AUTHORIZES AND INSTRUCTS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO (A) ENTER INTO THE
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE LENDERS, AND (B) TAKE ALL ACTIONS AND EXECUTE ALL
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED OR DEEMED ADVISABLE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THE
TERMS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING ON EACH LENDER, AND ITS SUCCESSORS AND
ASSIGNS.
(b) Each Lender authorized and instruct the Administrative Agent to deliver possession to the
Controlling Agent of all Collateral of the type which is subject to perfected by possession under
the UCC. The terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall be binding on all Lenders, and their
successors and assigns. The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to (i) enter into
such amendments to and restatements of the Collateral Documents, and enter into other documents or
instruments, as may be required by or deemed acceptable to the Administrative Agent to effectuate
the pari passu status of the Liens securing the Obligations, the Liens securing the New Revolving
Credit Indebtedness and the Liens securing the Senior Note Indebtedness, and (iii) subject to
Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement, the Lenders authorize the Administrative Agent to direct the
Controlling Agent to take action (or refrain from taking action) under the Collateral Documents and
to instruct the Controlling Agent to take (or refrain from taking) any and all actions that the
Administrative Agent is authorized to take pursuant to
the Credit Agreement with respect to Collateral and matters incidental thereto. From and
after the execution of the Intercreditor Agreement by the parties thereto, all obligations and
responsibilities of the Administrative Agent in respect to the Collateral and in respect to
Collateral Documents will be undertaken by the Controlling Agent pursuant to the terms of the
Intercreditor Agreement and the Collateral Documents, and the Administrative Agent is hereby
released and relieved of such obligations and responsibilities
104
(c) Subject to Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement, the Lenders authorize the Administrative
Agent to direct the Controlling Agent to take action (or refrain from taking action) under the
Collateral Documents and to instruct the Controlling Agent to take (or refrain from taking) any and
all actions that the Administrative Agent is authorized to take pursuant to the Credit Agreement
with respect to Collateral and matters incidental thereto, in each case to the extent provided for
under the Intercreditor Agreement.
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]
105
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as
of the date first above written.
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ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.
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By: |
LE GP, LLC, its general partner
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By: |
/s/
John W. McReynolds |
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John W. McReynolds |
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President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
S-1
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WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
Administrative Agent, LC Issuer, Swingline Lender,
and a Lender
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By: |
/s/ S. Lane Genatowski
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Name: |
S. Lane Genatowski |
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Title: |
Managing Director |
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Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
S-2
Summary of Amendment No. 3 to ETE Partnership Agreement
Basic Terms of Series A Convertible Preferred Units
1. Designation. New class of Units,1 designated the Series A Convertible
Preferred Units.
2. Size of Class. 3,000,000 Series A Preferred Units in Class
3. Maturity. Fourth anniversary of date of issuance (the Maturity Date).
4. Liquidation Preference. In the event of a liquidation or winding up of the Partnership,
holders of the Series A Preferred Units will receive, prior and in preference to holders of Common
Units, $100 per Series A Preferred Unit plus all accrued but unpaid distributions on such Unit (the
Liquidation Amount).
5. Distribution Preference. The Series A Preferred Units accrue a distribution, payable in
cash, of $2.00 per quarter, payable quarterly on or before the 50th day of each calendar
quarter commencing on [ ], 2010.
6. Voting Rights. Holders of Series A Preferred Units have no voting rights other than as
follows:
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A. |
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Approval of holders of a majority of Series A Preferred Units is required to
increase the size of the class of the Series A Preferred Units or issue additional
Series A Preferred Units. |
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B. |
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Approval of holders of a majority of Series A Preferred Units is required to
amend the Partnership Agreement (i) in any manner that alters or changes the rights,
preferences or privileges of the Series A Preferred Units or (ii) otherwise adversely
affects the Series A Preferred Units in any material respect, including creating (by
reclassification or otherwise) any shares of Senior Securities (or amending the
provisions of any existing class of Partnership Securities to make such class of
Partnership Securities a class of Senior Securities).2 |
Mandatory Conversion
7. Conversion Consideration. On the Maturity Date, all outstanding Series A Preferred Units
will convert into the right to receive, at the election of the Partnership:
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1 |
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Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the ETE Partnership Agreement. |
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2 |
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The Partnership may, however, without the
consent or approval of the holders of the Series A Preferred Units (a) create
(by reclassification or otherwise) and issue Junior Securities and Parity
Securities (including by amending the provisions of any existing class of
Partnership Securities to make such class of Partnership Securities) in an
unlimited amount and (b) subject to the voting rights explicitly provided in
6.C, dissolve the Partnership or merge or consolidate the Partnership with any
other entity. |
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A. |
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a number of Common Units (priced at a trailing 10-day VWAP as of the Maturity
Date)3 equal in value to the Liquidation Amount plus the lesser of (i) 25%
of the Trading Price Accretion Percentage4 multiplied by $100 and (ii) $10;
or |
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B. |
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(i) a number of Common Units (priced at a trailing 10-day VWAP as of the
Maturity Date) equal in value to 50% of the Liquidation Amount plus the lesser of (1)
25% of the Trading Price Accretion Percentage multiplied by $100 and (2) $10 and (ii)
cash equal to 50% of the Liquidation Amount. |
Optional Redemption
8. Optional Redemption Trigger. The Partnership may redeem all, but not less than all, of the
outstanding Series A Preferred Units at any time after the third anniversary of the date of
issuance.
9. Redemption Consideration. If the Partnership elects to redeem the Series A Preferred
Units, such Units will convert into the right to receive cash equal to the Liquidation Amount plus
a number of Common Units (priced at a trailing 10-day VWAP as of the Redemption Date) equal in
value to the greater of (i) 25% of the Trading Price Accretion Percentage multiplied by $100 and
(ii) $10.
Extraordinary Transactions
10. Fundamental Change. If General Electric Capital Corporation (GE)5 still owns
50% of the outstanding Series A Preferred Units upon the occurrence of a Fundamental Change, then
GE will have certain rights to force the Partnership to redeem or convert the outstanding Series A
Preferred Units.
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A. |
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A Fundamental Change is defined as (i) any merger or consolidation of the
Partnership with another entity, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Partnership, (iii) any dissolution or liquidation of the Partnership, (iv) any
other transaction pursuant to which the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General
Partner exercises its rights to purchase all of the Outstanding Common Units of the
Partnership pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, (v) the sale or transfer, directly
or indirectly, of the general partner interest of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.
(ETP) by the Partnership (excluding any such sale or transfer to a direct or indirect
wholly-owned Affiliate of the Partnership), (vi) the failure of the Partnership to
continue to maintain, directly or through wholly-owned Affiliates, ownership of at
least 25 million common units of ETP or (vii) the declaration nof a distribution by ETP
to its unitholders that constitutes a distribution from Capital Surplus as opposed to
Operating Surplus. |
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3 |
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Note: There is not a collar on the number of
Common Units issuable upon conversion. |
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4 |
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Represents the percentage increase of the
trading price of Partnership Common Units from the date of issuance of the
Series A Preferred Units until maturity, using trailing 10-Day VWAPs. |
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5 |
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For ease of reading, GE is used to describe
GE, any affiliate of GE, or GE and its affiliates, collectively, throughout
this summary. |
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B. |
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Upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in subsections (i), (ii),
(iii) or (iv) of the definition of Fundamental Change: |
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GE may require the Partnership to redeem all of the Series A Preferred
Units for cash in an amount equal to the optional redemption consideration
described in Section 9 above; or |
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If GE does not force the redemption, then all of the Series A Preferred
Units will be converted into either: |
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If Common Units remain outstanding and
freely-tradable upon the Fundamental Change, a number of Common
Units equal to the conversion consideration described in Section 7; |
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Or, if Common Units do not remain
outstanding and freely-tradable, the consideration received by a
hypothetical holder of the number of Common Units a holder of a
Series A Preferred Unit would have received if Common Units had
remained outstanding and freely tradable upon consummation of the
Fundamental Change. |
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C. |
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Upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in subsections (v), (vi) or
(vii) of the definition of Fundamental Change, the Investor may either allow the Series
A Preferred Units to remain outstanding or may elect to force the Partnership to either
(at the Partnerships election): |
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convert each of the Series A Preferred Units into a number of Common
Units equal in value to the Liquidation Amount (priced at a trailing 10-day
VWAP as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Change); or |
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redeem each of the Series A Preferred Units for an amount in cash equal
to the Liquidation Amount. |
11. Partnership Events. Prior to the Partnership entering into any recapitalization,
reorganization, consolidation, merger, spin-off or other business combination in which the holders
of Common Units are to receive securities, cash or other assets (other than a Fundamental Change in
which the Series A Preferred Units are redeemed or converted) (a Partnership Event), the
Partnership must make appropriate provisions to ensure that the holders of Series A Preferred Units
receive in such Partnership Event a preferred security in the surviving entity with substantially
equivalent provisions as the Series A Preferred Units.
12. Public Equity Partnership Event. If in connection with a Partnership Event, the Common
Units are converted in whole or in part into other Marketable Securities (Survivor Securities),
then:
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A. |
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Upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Units following the Partnership
Event, the holders will receive Survivor Securities to the extent they would have been
entitled to receive Common Units; and |
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B. |
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The amount of conversion or redemption consideration to be received by such
holders will be adjusted to take into account the combined increases in the trading
prices of (i) the Common Units (from the issuance date of the Series A Preferred Units
until the date of consummation of the Partnership Event) and (ii) the Survivor
Securities (following the Partnership Event consummation through the date of the
redemption or conversion).6 |
13. Cash Events. If in connection with the Partnership Event, the Common Units do not remain
outstanding and are converted solely into cash or other assets or securities that are not
Marketable Securities, then:
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C. |
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The Series A Conversion Consideration shall be payable solely in cash; |
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D. |
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In the event of a redemption, the consideration payable per Series A Preferred
Unit will be an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount plus the greater of (i) 25% of
the Trading Price Accretion Percentage as of the date of consummation of the
Partnership Event multiplied by $100.00 and (ii) $10.00; and |
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E. |
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In the event of a conversion, the consideration payable per Series A Preferred
Unit will be an amount equal to the Liquidation Amount plus the lesser of (i) 25% of
the Trading Price Accretion Percentage as of the date of consummation of the
Partnership Event multiplied by $100.00 and (ii) $10.00. |
Other Adjustments
14. Adjustments for Distributions in Common Units, Stock Splits, Combinations. If the
Partnership (a) makes a distribution on its Common Units in Common Units, (b) subdivides or splits
its outstanding Common Units into a greater number of Common Units or (c) combines or reclassifies
its Common Units into a smaller number of Common Units, (each of the events described in clauses
(a) through (c), an Adjustment Event) then the following adjustments shall be made when
calculating consideration to be received by holders of Series A Preferred Units upon redemption or
conversion:
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A. |
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For purposes of determining the Trading Price Accretion Percentage in the event
of a conversion or redemption, the VWAP Price on the applicable measurement date will
be adjusted to account for the change in the number of outstanding Common Units since
the issuance date of the Series A Preferred Units. |
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6 |
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This adjustment is achieved by
modifying the definition of Trading Price Accretion Percentage to
equal the Combined Accretion Multiple less 1.0, where Combined
Accretion Multiple means an amount equal to the product of: (a) a
fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the VWAP Price of the
Common Units as of the Partnership Event Consummation Date and (ii)
the denominator of which is the VWAP Price of the Common Units as
of the Series A Issuance Date; multiplied by (b) a fraction, (i)
the numerator of which is the VWAP Price of the Successor
Securities as of such Series A Conversion Date or Series A
Redemption Date and (ii) the denominator of which is the VWAP Price
of the Successor Securities as of the eleventh Trading Day
following the Partnership Event Consummation Date. |
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B. |
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For purposes of determining the Trading Price Accretion Percentage in the event
of a conversion or redemption following a Partnership Event, the VWAP Price on the
applicable measurement date will be adjusted to account for (i) the change in the
number of outstanding Common Units between the issuance date of the Series A Preferred
Units and the date the Partnership Event was consummated and (ii) the change in the
number of outstanding Survivor Securities between the date the Partnership Event was
consummated and the date of redemption or conversion. |
15. Adjustments for Special Distributions. If the Partnership makes a distribution on its
Common Units in any property other than cash or Common Units (a Special Distribution), then the
following adjustments shall be made when calculating consideration to be received by holders of
Series A Preferred Units upon redemption or conversion:
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A. |
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For purposes of determining the Trading Price Accretion Percentage in the event
of a conversion or redemption, the VWAP Price on the applicable measurement date will
be adjusted by adding the fair market value of the property distributed on a Common
Unit in such Special Distribution. |
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B. |
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For purposes of determining the Trading Price Accretion Percentage in the event
of a conversion or redemption following a Partnership Event, the VWAP Price of a Common
Unit or Survivor Security, as applicable, on the applicable measurement date will be
adjusted by adding (i) the fair market value of the property distributed on a Common
Unit in such Special Distribution (if the Special Distribution is before the
Partnership Event) or (ii) the fair market value of the property distributed on a
Survivor Security in such Special Distribution (if the Special Distribution is after
the Partnership Event), as applicable. |
EXHIBIT H
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
Dated as of
___, 20___
Among
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.,
THE SUBSIDIARIES PARTY HERETO AS GUARANTORS,
,
as Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent,
,
as Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent,
,
as Notes Collateral Agent,
and
each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I Definitions |
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1 |
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SECTION 1.01 Construction; Certain Defined Terms |
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1 |
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ARTICLE II Priorities and Agreements with respect to Shared Collateral |
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15 |
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SECTION 2.01 Priority of Claims |
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15 |
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SECTION 2.02 Actions With Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens |
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17 |
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SECTION 2.03 No Interference; Payment Over |
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18 |
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SECTION 2.04 Automatic Release of Liens; Amendments to Collateral Documents |
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19 |
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SECTION 2.05 Certain Agreements With Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings |
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21 |
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SECTION 2.06 Reinstatement |
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22 |
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SECTION 2.07 Insurance |
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22 |
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SECTION 2.08 Refinancings |
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22 |
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SECTION 2.09 Controlling Agent as Agent for Perfection |
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22 |
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SECTION 2.10 Control by Senior Loan Parties |
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23 |
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ARTICLE III Existence and Amounts of Liens and Obligations |
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25 |
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ARTICLE IV The Controlling Agent |
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25 |
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SECTION 4.01 Appointment and Authority |
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25 |
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SECTION 4.02 Rights as a Senior Secured Party |
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28 |
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SECTION 4.03 Exculpatory Provisions |
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28 |
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SECTION 4.04 Reliance by the Controlling Agent and the Authorized Representatives |
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30 |
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SECTION 4.05 Delegation of Duties |
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30 |
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SECTION 4.06 Non-Reliance on Controlling Agent and other Senior Secured Parties |
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30 |
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SECTION 4.07 Collateral Matters |
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30 |
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SECTION 4.08 Resignation of the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent or Term Loan Facility
Collateral Agent |
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31 |
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ARTICLE V Miscellaneous |
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31 |
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SECTION 5.01 Notices |
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31 |
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SECTION 5.02 Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements |
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32 |
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SECTION 5.03 Parties in Interest |
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33 |
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SECTION 5.04 Survival of Agreement |
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33 |
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SECTION 5.05 Counterparts |
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33 |
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SECTION 5.06 Severability |
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33 |
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SECTION 5.07 Governing Law; Jurisdiction |
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34 |
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SECTION 5.08 Submission To Jurisdiction Waivers; Consent to Service of Process |
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34 |
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SECTION 5.09 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL |
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34 |
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SECTION 5.10 Headings |
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35 |
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SECTION 5.11 Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights |
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35 |
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SECTION 5.12 Additional Senior Secured Debt |
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35 |
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SECTION 5.13 Integration |
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36 |
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SECTION 5.14 Rights of Authorized Representatives |
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36 |
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SECTION 5.15 Payment of Expenses; Indemnification |
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36 |
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SECTION 5.16 Termination |
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37 |
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INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, this
Agreement) dated as of ___, 20___, among ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership (ETE), each Subsidiary of ETE listed on the signature pages hereto or which
becomes a party hereto (each such Subsidiary, individually, a Subsidiary Guarantor, and
collectively, the Subsidiary Guarantors), , as Authorized Representative and
Senior Representative for the Revolving Credit Senior Secured Parties (in such capacity and
together with its successors in such capacity, the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent),
, as administrative agent for the Term Loan Senior Secured Parties (in such
capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the Term Loan Facility Collateral
Agent), , as Authorized Representative and Senior Representative for the Notes
Secured Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the Notes
Collateral Agent), and each additional Senior Representative from time to time party
hereto for the Additional Senior Secured Debt Parties of the Series with respect to which it is
acting in such capacity.
In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Revolving Credit
Facility Collateral Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Revolving Credit Senior Secured
Parties), the Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Term Loan Senior
Secured Parties), the Notes Collateral Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Notes Secured
Parties) and each additional Senior Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Additional
Senior Secured Debt Parties of the applicable Series) agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
SECTION 1.01 Construction; Certain Defined Terms.
(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of
the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding
masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words include, includes and including shall be
deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation. The word will shall be construed to
have the same meaning and effect as the word shall. Unless the context requires otherwise, (i)
any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument, other document, statute or regulation
herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument, other document, statute or
regulation as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, (ii) any reference
herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, but shall
not be deemed to include the subsidiaries of such Person unless express reference is made to such
subsidiaries, (iii) the words herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import,
shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision
hereof, (iv) all references herein to Articles, Sections
and Annexes shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections and Annexes of this Agreement
and (v) unless otherwise expressly qualified herein, the words asset and property shall be
construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible
assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b) It is the intention of the Senior Secured Parties that:
(1) the Senior Secured Parties bear the risk of (i) any determination by a court of
competent jurisdiction that (x) any of the Senior Obligations are unenforceable under
applicable law or are subordinated to any other obligations, (y) any of the Senior
Obligations do not have an enforceable security interest in any of the Collateral securing
any of the Senior Obligations, including, pursuant to any preference or fraudulent
conveyance or transfer action and/or (z) any intervening security interest exists securing
any other obligations on a basis ranking prior to the security interest of any Series but
junior to the security interest of any other Series or (ii) the existence of any Collateral
for any of the Senior Obligations that is not Shared Collateral (any such condition referred
to in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii) with respect to any of the Senior Obligations, an
Impairment of such Series).
(2) In the event of any Impairment with respect to any Series of the Senior
Obligations, the results of the Impairment shall be borne solely by the holders of that
Series, and the rights of the holders of each Series (including, without limitation, the
right to receive distributions pursuant to Section 2.01) set forth herein shall be
modified to the extent necessary so that the effects of the Impairment are borne solely by
the holders of the Series subject to the Impairment. Additionally, in the event that any
Senior Obligations are modified pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation,
pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code), any reference to the Senior Obligations or
the Senior Debt Documents shall refer to those obligations or those documents as so
modified.
(c) As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
Additional Senior Secured Debt means any Indebtedness of ETE or any Subsidiary Guarantor
(other than Indebtedness constituting Senior Loan Obligations) secured by a
Lien on the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Senior Loan Obligations (but without regard
to control of remedies) and permitted to be incurred, secured and guaranteed on such basis by the
Senior Debt Documents.
Additional Senior Secured Debt Documents means, with respect to any series, issue or class
of Additional Senior Secured Debt, the promissory notes, indentures, collateral documents or other
operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, as the same may be amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Additional Senior Secured Debt Facility means each indenture or other governing agreement
with respect to any Additional Senior Secured Debt, as the same may be amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Additional Senior Secured Debt Obligations means, with respect to any series, issue or class
of Additional Senior Secured Debt, (i) all principal of and interest (including,
2
without limitation, any interest that accrues after the commencement of any case, proceeding or other
action relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of any Obligor, whether or not
allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Additional
Senior Secured Debt, (ii) all other amounts payable to the related Additional Senior Secured Debt
Parties under the related Additional Senior Secured Debt Documents, and (iii) any renewals,
extensions or refinancings of the foregoing.
Additional Senior Secured Debt Parties means, with respect to any series, issue or class of
Additional Senior Secured Debt, the holders of such Indebtedness from time to time, any trustee or
agent therefor under any related Additional Senior Secured Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of
each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Obligor under any related Additional Senior
Secured Debt Documents, but shall not include the Obligors or any controlled Affiliates thereof
(unless such Obligor or controlled Affiliate is a holder of such Indebtedness, a trustee or agent
therefor or a beneficiary of such an indemnification obligation named as such in an Additional
Senior Secured Debt Document).
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling
or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For
purposes of this definition, control, as used with respect to any Person, means the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies
of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For
purposes of this definition, the terms controlling, controlled by and under direct or indirect
common control with have correlative meanings.
Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this
Agreement.
Applicable Collateral Documents shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
4.03(a).
Authorized Representative means (i) in the case of any Revolving Credit Agreement
Obligations or the Revolving Credit Senior Secured Parties, the Revolving Credit Facility
Collateral Agent, (ii) in the case of any Term Loan Agreement Obligations or the Term Loan Senior
Secured Parties, the Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent, (iii) in the case of the Notes or the
holders of the Notes, the Notes Collateral Agent and (iv) in the case of any Series of
Additional Senior Secured Debt Obligations or Additional Senior Secured Debt Parties that become
subject to this Agreement after the date hereof, the Senior Representative named for such Series in
the applicable Joinder Agreement, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) hereof
only so long as such Senior Obligations are secured by a Lien on the Collateral under the
Collateral Documents.
Bank Collateral Documents means, collectively, the Term Loan Facility Collateral Documents
and the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Documents.
Bankruptcy Code shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.
Bankruptcy Law shall mean the Bankruptcy Code and any similar Federal, state or foreign law
for the relief of debtors.
3
Board of Directors means:
(i) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee
thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;
(ii) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the
partnership;
(iii) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any
controlling committee of managers or members thereof or any board or committee serving a similar
management function; and
(iv) with respect to any other Person, the individual, board or committee of such Person
serving a management function similar to those described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this
definition.
Business Day means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or day on which commercial banks in
New York City are authorized or required by law to close.
Capital Stock means:
(i) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests,
participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(iii) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests
(whether general or limited) or membership interests; and
(iv) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share
of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from
all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, regardless of whether such
debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
Collateral means any assets or property upon which there are any Liens securing Senior Loan
Obligations or Additional Senior Secured Debt Obligations (other than (i) all cash and cash
equivalents posted as collateral to reduce the outstanding amount of letter of credit obligations
or as the result of a lender defaulting on its obligations under any Credit Facility held by the
Senior Lenders, the administrative agent under the Credit Facilities or the Revolving Credit
Facility Collateral Agent to secure only letter of credit obligations under the Credit Facilities
or (ii) proceeds of an event requiring a mandatory prepayment under any of the Credit Agreements).
Collateral Documents means, collectively, the Notes Collateral Documents, the Bank
Collateral Documents and each of the security agreements and other instruments
executed and delivered by any Obligor pursuant to either of the Credit Agreements, the
indenture or any Additional Senior Secured Debt Facility for purposes of providing collateral
security for any Senior Obligation (including, in each case, any schedules, exhibits or annexes
4
thereto), as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time.
Collateral Release Event shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
5.16(b).
Collateral Release Event Notice shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
5.16(b).
Comparable Collateral Documents shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
2.04(c).
Controlling Agent means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) until the Revolving
Credit Obligation Payment Date, the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent and (ii) from and
after the Revolving Credit Obligation Payment Date, the Major Senior Representative.
Controlling Secured Parties means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Senior Secured
Parties whose Senior Representative is the Controlling Agent for such Shared Collateral.
Credit Agreements means, collectively, the Term Loan Agreement and the Revolving Credit
Agreement.
Credit Facilities means one or more debt facilities of ETE or any Restricted Subsidiary
(which may be outstanding at the same time and including, without limitation, the Credit
Agreements) with banks or other institutional lenders or investors or indentures providing for
revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including
any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith,
and, in each case, as such agreements may be amended, refinanced or otherwise restructured, in
whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of available borrowings
thereunder or adding Subsidiaries of ETE as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder) with
respect to all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements, any successor
or replacement agreement or agreements or any indenture or successor or replacement indenture and
whether by the same or any other agent, lender, group of lenders or investors.
Default means a Default as defined in either of the Credit Agreements, the Indenture or
any Additional Senior Secured Debt Facility, including any event, occurrence or condition which is,
or upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute, an Event of Default under either of the
Credit Agreements, the Indenture or such Additional Senior Secured Debt Facility.
DIP Financing shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).
DIP Financing Liens shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).
5
DIP Lenders shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.05(b).
ETE shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this
Agreement.
ETP means Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
Event of Default means an Event of Default as defined in either of the Credit Agreements,
the Indenture or any Additional Senior Secured Debt Facility.
Existing Controlling Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
2.09(d).
Existing Debt Representatives shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
4.01(b).
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, applied on a
consistent basis and set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles
Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the opinions and pronouncements of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and in the statements and pronouncements of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been
approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to
time.
Governmental Authority means the government of the United States of America, any other
nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority,
instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to
government.
Hedging Contract means (i) any agreement providing for options, swaps, floors, caps,
collars, forward sales or forward purchases involving interest rates, commodities or commodity
prices, equities, currencies, bonds, or indexes based on any of the foregoing, (ii) any option,
futures or forward contract traded on an exchange, and (iii) any other derivative agreement or
other similar agreement or arrangement.
Hedging Obligations of any Person means the obligations of such Person under any Hedging
Contract.
Impairment shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.01(b)(1).
Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person, any obligation created or assumed by such
Person for the repayment of borrowed money or any guarantee thereof.
Indemnities shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.15.
6
Indenture means that certain Indenture dated as of ___, 20___, among ETE, the
Subsidiary Guarantors identified therein and , as trustee and collateral agent.
Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding means:
(i) any case commenced by or against ETE or any Restricted Subsidiary under any Bankruptcy
Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of
the assets or liabilities of ETE or any Restricted Subsidiary, any receivership or assignment for
the benefit of creditors relating to ETE or any Restricted Subsidiary or any similar case or
proceeding relative to ETE or any Restricted Subsidiary or its creditors, as such, in each case
whether or not voluntary; or
(ii) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of
or relating to ETE or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether
or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency, except for any liquidation or dissolution permitted
under each of the Senior Debt Documents.
Intervening Creditor shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
2.01(a).
Joinder Agreement means the documents required to be delivered by a Senior Representative to
the parties to the Agreement in order to establish a Series of Additional Senior Secured Debt and
Additional Senior Secured Debt Parties.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge,
hypothecation, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance in, on or of such asset, regardless
of whether filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional
sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other
agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any
financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
Loans means the loans made by the Senior Lenders to ETE pursuant to either of the Credit
Agreements.
Major Senior Representative means (i) until the Term Debt Lien Release Date, the Senior
Representative in respect of the Term Loan Facility and (ii) from and after the Term Debt Lien
Release Date, the Notes Collateral Agent if the aggregate amount of Note Obligations secured by a
Lien on the Collateral is greater than the aggregate amount of Obligations in respect of each
individual Series of Additional Senior Secured Debt, and otherwise, the Senior Representative in
respect of the series of Additional Senior Secured Debt under which the largest principal amount of
Obligations secured by a Lien on the Collateral are then outstanding.
Non-Controlling Secured Parties means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) until the
Revolving Credit Obligation Payment Date, the Senior Notes Parties and the Additional Senior
Secured Debt Parties and (ii) from and after the Revolving Credit Obligation
7
Payment Date, the Senior Notes Parties or the Additional Senior Secured Debt Parties not
represented by the Major Senior Representative.
Non-Loan Parties means all Senior Secured Parties other than the Senior Loan Parties.
Non-Recourse Indebtedness means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither ETE nor any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise), or
constitutes the lender, and (ii) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the
holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against any Person) would permit (upon notice,
lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of ETE or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be
accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.
Note Documents means the Indenture, the Notes issued thereunder and the Notes Collateral
Documents.
Note Obligations means all Obligations of ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Note
Documents.
Notes means the notes issued under the Indenture and any additional notes issued under the
Indenture in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
Notes Collateral Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory
paragraph of this Agreement.
Notes Collateral Documents means the Notes Security Agreement, this Agreement and each
other security document or pledge agreement executed by ETE or any Subsidiary Guarantor and
delivered in accordance with applicable local or foreign law to grant to the Notes Collateral Agent
a valid, perfected Lien in the Collateral, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.
Notes Secured Parties means the Trustee, the holders of any Note Obligations and the Notes
Collateral Agent.
Notes
Security Agreement means that certain Security Agreement, dated as of
___, 20___, among ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the Notes Collateral
Agent for the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.
Obligations means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications,
reimbursements, costs, expenses, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation
governing any Indebtedness.
Obligors means ETE, each Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, and any other Person who is liable
for any of the Senior Obligations.
8
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint
venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
Possessory Collateral means (i) any Shared Collateral in the possession of the Controlling
Agent (or its agents or bailees), to the extent that possession thereof perfects a Lien thereon
under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction, (ii) any rights to receive
payments under any insurance policy that constitute Shared Collateral and with respect to which the
Controlling Agent (or any of its agents) is named as a loss payee and/or (iii) any other Shared
Collateral (such as motor vehicles) with respect to which a secured party must be listed on a
certificate of title in order to perfect a Lien thereon.
Principal Property means (i) any real property, manufacturing plant, terminal, warehouse,
office building or other physical facility, and any fixtures, furniture, equipment or other
depreciable assets owned or leased by ETE or any Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) any Capital Stock
or Indebtedness of ETP or any other Subsidiary of ETE or any other property or right, in each case,
owned by or granted to ETE or any Restricted Subsidiary and used or held for use in any of the
principal businesses conducted by ETE or any Restricted Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that Principal Property shall not include any property or right that, in the
opinion of the Board of Directors of ETE as set forth in a board resolution adopted in good faith,
is immaterial to the total business conducted by ETE and the Restricted Subsidiaries considered as
one enterprise.
Proceeds shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).
Project Finance Subsidiary means any special purpose Subsidiary of ETE that (i) ETE
designates as a Project Finance Subsidiary by written notice to the Trustee and is formed to
facilitate the financing of the assets or activities of such Subsidiary, (ii) has no Indebtedness
other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness, (iii) is a Person with respect to which neither ETE nor any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (1) to subscribe for
additional Capital Stock or (2) to maintain or preserve such Persons financial condition or to
cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results, and (iv) has not guaranteed
or otherwise directly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of ETE or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries.
Reduction means, when applied to any Credit Facility, (i) the permanent repayment of
outstanding loans under such Credit Facility, (ii) the permanent reduction of outstanding lending
commitments under such Credit Facility or (iii) the permanent cash collateralization of outstanding
letters of credit under such Credit Facility (together with the termination of any lending
commitments utilized by such letters of credit).
Reduction Event means any Asset Sale or Casualty Event.
Refinance means, with respect to any issuance of indebtedness, to replace, renew, extend,
refinance, repay, refund, repurchase, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue
9
Indebtedness in exchange or as a replacement therefor, including any successive Refinancing.
Refinanced and Refinancing shall have correlative meanings.
Related Parties means, with respect to any specified Person, such Persons Affiliates and
the directors, managers, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and such
Persons Affiliates.
Restricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of ETE (other than Project Finance Subsidiaries
and ETP and its Subsidiaries) that owns or leases, directly or indirectly through ownership in
another Subsidiary, any Principal Property.
Revolving Credit Acceleration Event means an event under clause (iii), (iv) or (v) of the
definition of Senior Loan Acceleration Event.
Revolving Credit Agreement means the Credit Agreement dated as of ___, 20___, among
ETE, [ ], as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, as amended or
refinanced from time to time (including with the same or different lenders) that are secured by the
Collateral on the same priority basis as provided pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement in
effect prior to such refinancing.
Revolving Credit Agreement Obligations means all Obligations of the Obligors under the
Revolving Credit Agreement, including (i) (1) obligations of ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors from
time to time arising under or in respect of the due and punctual payment of (x) the principal of
and premium, if any, and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or
allowable in such proceeding) on the loans made under the Revolving Credit Agreement, when and as
due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise,
(y) each payment required to be made by ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Revolving
Credit Facility in respect of any letter of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Agreement,
when and as due, including payments in respect of reimbursement obligations, interest thereon and
obligations to provide cash collateral and (z) all other monetary obligations, including fees,
costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct, contingent, fixed or otherwise
(including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such
proceeding), of ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and (2) the
due and punctual performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities of ETE and
the Subsidiary Guarantors or pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement and (ii) the due and
punctual payment and performance of all obligations of ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors under each
Hedging Contract entered into with any counterparty that is a Senior Loan Party pursuant to the
Revolving Credit Agreement.
Revolving Credit Facility means any revolving credit facility provided pursuant to a
Revolving Credit Agreement.
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Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Documents means, the Revolving Credit Security
Agreement, this Agreement and each other security document or pledge agreement executed by ETE or
any Subsidiary Guarantor and delivered in accordance with applicable local or foreign law to grant
to the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent a valid, perfected Lien in the Collateral, in
each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Revolving Credit Obligation Payment Date means the date on which (i) the Revolving Credit
Agreement Obligations have been paid in full, (ii) all lending commitments under the Revolving
Credit Agreement have been terminated and (iii) there are no outstanding letters of credit issued
under the Revolving Credit Agreement other than such as have been fully cash collateralized under
documents and arrangements satisfactory to the issuer of such letters of credit.
Revolving Credit Security Agreement means the pledge and security agreement, dated as of
___, 20___, among ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the Revolving Credit
Facility Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Senior Secured Parties, as
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Revolving Credit Senior Secured Parties means, collectively, (i) the administrative agent,
each other agent, the lenders and the issuing bank, in each case, under the Revolving Credit
Agreement, (ii) each counterparty to a Hedging Contract if at the date of entering into such
Hedging Contract such Person was an agent or a lender under the Revolving Credit Agreement or an
Affiliate of an agent or a lender under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and (iii) the successors
and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.
SEC means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor agency
thereto.
Security Agreement means (i) with respect to the Term Loan Agreement Obligations, the Term
Loan Security Agreement and each other security document or pledge agreement executed by ETE or any
Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to a Term Loan Facility, (ii) with respect to the Revolving
Credit Agreement Obligations, the Revolving Credit Security Agreement and each other security
document or pledge agreement executed by ETE or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to a
Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) with respect to the Note Obligations, the Notes Security
Agreement and each other security document or pledge agreement executed by ETE or any Subsidiary
Guarantor with respect to the Notes, and (iv) with respect to any other Additional
Senior Secured Debt, the security agreement, by and among ETE, the Subsidiary Guarantors party
thereto and the Senior Representative in respect of such Additional Senior Secured Debt and each
other security document or pledge agreement executed by ETE or any Subsidiary Guarantor with
respect to such Additional Senior Secured Debt, in each case, as may be amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
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Senior Class Debt shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12.
Senior Class Debt Parties shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
5.12.
Senior Class Debt Representative shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
5.12.
Senior Debt Documents means (i) the Credit Agreements and the Bank Collateral Documents,
(ii) the Note Documents and (iii) any other Additional Senior Secured Debt Documents.
Senior Lender means a Lender as defined in either of the Credit Agreements.
Senior Loan Acceleration Event means (i) the failure by ETE to pay in full all Term Loan
Agreement Obligations on the final maturity date of the Term Loan Agreement Obligations; (ii) the
outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan Agreement Obligations shall become due prior to such
final maturity date as a result of an Event of Default; (iii) the failure by ETE to pay in full all
Revolving Credit Agreement Obligations on the final maturity date of the Revolving Credit Agreement
Obligations; (iv) the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Agreement Obligations
shall become due prior to such final maturity date as a result of an Event of Default; or (v) any
of ETE or the Subsidiary Guarantors (A) suffers the entry against it of a judgment, decree or order
of relief by a court of competent jurisdiction in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, or has
any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding commenced against it which remains undismissed for a
period of sixty days; or (B) commences a voluntary Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding; or applies
for or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary Insolvency or Liquidation
Proceeding; or fails generally to pay (or admits in writing its inability to pay) its debts as such
debts become due; or takes corporate or other action to authorize any of the foregoing.
Senior Loan Obligations means, collectively, (i) all Term Loan Agreement Obligations and
(ii) all Revolving Credit Agreement Obligations.
Senior Loan Parties means, collectively, (i) the administrative agent, the collateral agent,
each other agent, the lenders and the issuing bank, in each case, under any of the Credit
Agreements, (ii) each counterparty to a Hedging Contract if at the date of entering into such
Hedging Contract such Person was an agent or a lender under any of the Credit Agreements or an
Affiliate of an agent or a lender under any of the Credit Agreements, and (iii) the successors and
permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.
Senior Notes Parties means, collectively, (i) the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent, each
other agent, the Holders of the Notes, in each case, under the Indenture, and (ii) any other
Secured Party (as defined in any Notes Security Document), and the successors and permitted assigns
of each of the foregoing.
Senior Obligations means the Senior Loan Obligations, the Note Obligations and any
Additional Senior Secured Debt Obligations.
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Senior Representative means (i) in respect of a Credit Facility, the trustee, administrative
agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such Credit Facility or each of
their successors in such capacity, as the case may be, which Person shall also be the Authorized
Representative for such Credit Facility and (ii) in respect of the Indenture, the Notes Collateral
Agent.
Senior Secured Parties means, the Senior Loan Parties and, unless the Collateral Release
Event has occurred, the Notes Secured Parties.
Series means (i) the Term Loan Agreement Obligations, (ii) the Revolving Credit Agreement
Obligations, (iii) the Note Obligations and (iv) the Additional Senior Secured Debt
Obligations incurred pursuant to any Additional Senior Secured Debt Facility, which, pursuant to
any Joinder Agreement, are to be represented hereunder by a common Authorized Representative (in
its capacity as such for such Additional Senior Secured Debt Obligations).
Shared Collateral means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of two or more Series
of Senior Obligations (or their respective Authorized Representatives) hold a valid and perfected
Lien at such time. If more than two Series of Senior Obligations are outstanding at any time and
the holders of fewer than all Series of Senior Obligations hold a valid and perfected Lien in any
Collateral at such time, then such Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral for those Series
of Senior Obligations the holders of which hold a valid and perfected Lien in such Collateral at
such time and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Series of Senior Obligations the
holders of which do not have a valid and perfected Lien in such Collateral at such time.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) all cash and cash equivalents posted as collateral to reduce the
outstanding amount of letter of credit obligations or as the result of a lender defaulting on its
obligations under any Credit Facility held by the Senior Lenders, the administrative agent under
the Credit Facilities or the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent to secure only letter of
credit obligations under the Credit Facilities or (ii) proceeds of an event requiring a mandatory
prepayment under any of the Credit Agreements will not constitute Shared Collateral.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person:
(i) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total
voting power of the Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and
after giving effect to any voting agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the
election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business
entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of
the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(ii) any partnership (1) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is
such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (2) the only general partners of which are that
Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).
13
Subsidiary Guarantor shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory
paragraph of this Agreement.
Successor Controlling Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
2.09(d).
Term Debt Lien Release Date means the first date on which (i) all the Term Loan Agreement
Obligations have been paid or discharged in full and all lending commitments, if any, for future
loans under every Term Loan Facility have been terminated or (ii) all Liens on Collateral securing
any Term Loan Agreement Obligations have been released or terminated.
Term Loan Acceleration Event means an event under clause (i), (ii) or (v) of the definition
of Senior Loan Acceleration Event.
Term
Loan Agreement means the Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement dated as of July 13, 2006, as amended, among ETE,
Wachovia Bank, National Association, as administrative agent,
and the lenders party thereto, governing the term loans provided by such lender to ETE, including
any loan documents, notes, guarantees, collateral and security documents, instruments and
agreements executed in connection therewith (including Hedging Obligations related to the
Indebtedness incurred thereunder), and in each case as further amended or refinanced from time to
time (including with the same or different lenders or investors).
Term Loan Agreement Obligations means all Obligations of the Obligors under the Term Loan
Agreement, including (i) (1) obligations of ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors from time to time
arising under or in respect of the due and punctual payment of (x) the principal of and premium, if
any, and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such
proceeding) on the loans made under the Term Loan Agreement, when and as due, whether at maturity,
by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment or otherwise, and (y) all other monetary
obligations, including fees, costs, expenses and indemnities, whether primary, secondary, direct,
contingent, fixed or otherwise (including monetary obligations incurred during the pendency of any
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or
allowable in such proceeding), of ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Term Loan Agreement,
and (2) the due and punctual performance of all covenants, agreements, obligations and liabilities
of ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors or pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement and (ii) the due and
punctual payment and performance of all obligations of ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors under each
Hedging Contract entered into with any counterparty that is a Senior Loan Party pursuant to the
Term Loan Agreement.
Term Loan Facility means any term loan facility provided pursuant to a Term Loan Agreement.
Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
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Term Loan Facility Collateral Documents means, the Term Loan Security Agreement, this
Agreement and each other security document or pledge agreement executed by ETE or any Subsidiary
Guarantor and delivered in accordance with applicable local or foreign law to grant to the Term
Loan Facility Collateral Agent a valid, perfected Lien in Collateral, in each case, as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Term
Loan Security Agreement means the pledge and security
agreement, dated as of [_____]
[___], 20[___], among ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the Term Loan Facility
Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Term Loan Senior Secured Parties, as amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Term Loan Senior Secured Parties means, collectively, (i) the administrative agent, each
other agent, and the lenders, in each case, under the Term Loan Agreement, (ii) each counterparty
to a Hedging Contract if at the date of entering into such Hedging Contract such Person was an
agent or a lender under the Term Loan Agreement or an Affiliate of an agent or a lender under the
Term Loan Agreement, and (iii) the successors and permitted assigns of each of the foregoing.
Trustee means the trustee pursuant to the Indenture.
Uniform Commercial Code or UCC means, unless otherwise specified, the Uniform Commercial
Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.
Voting Stock of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person
that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
ARTICLE II
Priorities and Agreements with respect to Shared Collateral
SECTION 2.01 Priority of Claims.
(a) Anything contained herein or in any of the Senior Debt Documents to the contrary
notwithstanding (but subject to Section 1.01(b) and Sections 2.01(c) and
(d)), if (i) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Controlling Agent
or any Senior Secured Party is taking action to enforce rights in respect of any Shared Collateral,
or (ii) any distribution is made in respect of any Shared Collateral in any Insolvency or
Liquidation Proceeding of ETE, or (iii) any Restricted Subsidiary or any Senior Secured Party
receives any payment with respect to any Shared Collateral or the proceeds of any sale, collection
or other liquidation of any Shared Collateral by the Controlling Agent, or any other Senior Secured
Party in connection with the enforcement of any right it may have in respect of the Shared
Collateral (or received pursuant to any other intercreditor agreement), as applicable, then the
proceeds of any such distribution or payment (all proceeds of any sale, collection or other
liquidation of any Collateral and all proceeds of any such distribution being collectively referred
to as Proceeds) shall (subject, in
the case of any such distribution or payment, to the final sentence of this Section
2.01(a)) be applied:
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(i) |
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FIRST, to those fees and expenses of, and reimbursements and
indemnification owed to, the Controlling Agent under this Agreement and under
the Senior Debt Documents that relate to the Collateral or the exercise of
rights and remedies with respect thereto, as applicable, to which it is a party
that are unpaid as of the applicable date of receipt of such proceeds, and to
any Senior Secured Party that has theretofore advanced or paid any such fees
and expenses of, and reimbursements and indemnification owed to, the
Controlling Agent in an amount equal to the amount thereof so advanced or paid
by such Senior Secured Party; |
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(ii) |
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SECOND, to those fees and expenses of, and reimbursements and
indemnification owed to, the Authorized Representatives that do not relate to
the Collateral or the exercise of rights and remedies with respect thereto
(which would be the subject of clause (i) above), pro rata based on the amount
of such fees, expenses, reimbursements and indemnification amounts; |
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(iii) |
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THIRD, subject to Section 1.01(b) and Sections
2.01(c) and (d), to the payment of the Senior Obligations
(including, without limitation, obligations to cash collateralize letters of
credit) then due and owing, pro rata based on the aggregate amount of any
Senior Obligations then due and owing (after giving effect to any payments
previously made under this Section) and secured to the extent such Senior
Obligations are so secured; and |
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(iv) |
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FOURTH, to ETE or the Restricted Subsidiaries or their
successors or assigns, as their interests may appear, or to whosoever may be
lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction
may direct. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Shared Collateral for which a third party
(other than a Senior Secured Party) has a lien or security interest that is junior in priority to
the security interest of any Senior Obligations but senior (as determined by appropriate legal
proceedings in the case of any dispute) to the security interest of any other Senior Obligations
(such third party, an Intervening Creditor), the value of any Shared Collateral or Proceeds that
are allocated to such Intervening Creditor shall be deducted on a ratable basis solely from the
Shared Collateral or Proceeds to be distributed in respect of the Series of the Senior Obligations
with respect to which such third party lien or security interest exists.
(b) Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection
of any Liens securing any Series of Senior Obligations granted on the Shared Collateral and
notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, or any other
applicable law, the Senior Debt Documents or any defect or deficiencies in the Liens securing the
Senior Obligations of any Series or any other circumstance whatsoever (but, in each case, subject
to Section 1.01(b) and Sections 2.01(c) and (d)), the Liens
securing each Series of Senior Obligations on any Shared Collateral shall be pari passu and of
equal priority.
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(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Collateral Documents to the
contrary, (i) any cash or cash equivalents that secure the Senior Loan Obligations or is otherwise
held by the Senior Lenders, the administrative agent under the Credit Facilities or the Revolving
Credit Facility Collateral Agent in order to cash collateralize letters of credit obligations under
either of the Credit Facilities following an event of default under the Credit Facilities or (ii)
any Proceeds of any event requiring Reduction under the Credit Facilities (including, without
limitation, a Reduction Event or issuance of Capital Stock or Indebtedness) will, in each case, be
applied in the manner specified in the Credit Facilities, and funds deposited for the discharge or
defeasance of the Note Obligations or any Additional Senior Secured Debt Obligations permitted
under the Senior Debt Documents will be applied in the manner specified in the Senior Debt
Documents.
(d) In the event that ETE or any of its Subsidiaries shall at any time, or from time to time,
receive any net cash Proceeds of any Reduction Event, an amount equal to such net cash Proceeds
shall, in accordance with, to the extent, and in the order required by the provisions of the Credit
Facilities, be applied to the Reduction of the Credit Facilities. Net cash Proceeds of a Reduction
Event in excess of those applied in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph
shall, if required pursuant to the terms of the Notes Documents or any Additional Senior Secured
Debt Documents, be applied pro rata to the payment of the Senior Obligations (other than the Senior
Loan Obligations) then outstanding in accordance with the terms of the Notes Documents or such
Additional Senior Secured Debt Documents.
SECTION 2.02 Actions With Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens.
(a) With respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) only the Controlling Agent shall act or refrain
from acting with respect to the Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor
agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) and shall have the right to instruct the
Authorized Representatives of the Non-Controlling Secured Parties to act or refrain from acting
with respect to the Shared Collateral, (ii) the Authorized Representatives of the Non-Controlling
Secured Parties shall follow all instructions with respect to the Shared Collateral (including with
respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) from any
representative of the Controlling Agent (and shall not comply with instructions with respect to the
Shared Collateral from any other Senior Secured Party (other than the Controlling Agent)) and (iii)
no Authorized Representative of any Non-Controlling Secured Party or other Senior Secured Party
(other than the Controlling Agent) may commence any judicial or non-judicial foreclosure
proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official
appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or
power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize
upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, the Shared Collateral (including with
respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any
Collateral Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only
the Controlling Agent shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies
with respect to the Shared Collateral. Notwithstanding the equal priority of the Liens, the
Controlling Agent may deal with the Shared Collateral without regard to the equal priority Lien of
the Non-Controlling Secured Parties on the Shared Collateral. No Authorized Representative of any
Non-Controlling Secured Party nor any Non-Controlling Secured Party may contest,
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protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Controlling Agent or Controlling Secured
Party or any other exercise by the Controlling Agent or Controlling Secured Party of any rights and
remedies relating to the Shared Collateral, or cause the Controlling Agent or Controlling Secured
Party to do so. The foregoing shall not be construed to affect the rights and priorities of the
Controlling Agent, any Authorized Representative, or any other Senior Secured Party to share in the
proceeds of any collateral not constituting Shared Collateral.
(b) Each of the Authorized Representatives shall not accept any Lien on any assets and
properties of the Obligors for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties of any Series of Senior
Obligations (other than (i) Liens permitted under the Senior Debt Documents, (ii) cash or cash
equivalents held by the Senior Lenders or the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent to cash
collateralize letters of credit under the Credit Agreements, (iii) funds deposited for the
discharge or defeasance of the Notes, or (iv) the proceeds
of any event requiring a Reduction of the Credit Facilities (including, without limitation, a
Reduction Event or issuance of Capital Stock or Indebtedness) unless the Authorized Representative
of each Series of Senior Obligations is granted an equal priority Lien on such assets and
properties of the Obligors, except that no such Lien is required to be granted to the Notes
Collateral Agent if the Collateral Release Event has occurred. In connection
with the acceptance of any Lien by any Authorized Representative on the assets or properties of the
Obligors, such Authorized Representative may accept such Lien in reliance on a certificate of an
authorized officer of ETE stating that (x) such Lien is permitted under the Senior Debt Documents
and (y) acceptance of such Lien is permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(c) Each Authorized Representative on behalf of each Senior Secured Party represented by such
Authorized Representative (and each such Senior Secured Party by its acceptance of the benefits of
the Senior Debt Documents) agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) contest, or
support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation
Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity, attachment, or enforceability of a Lien held by or
on behalf of any of the Senior Secured Parties in all or any part of the Shared Collateral;
provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights
of any of the Controlling Agent or any Authorized Representative to enforce this Agreement.
SECTION 2.03 No Interference; Payment Over.
(a) Each Authorized Representative on behalf of each Senior Secured Party represented by such
Authorized Representative shall not (and each such Senior Secured Party by its acceptance of the
benefits of the Senior Debt Documents agrees that it shall not):
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(i) |
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challenge in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of
any Senior Obligations of any Series or any Collateral Document or the validity
or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by other
provisions of this Agreement; |
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(ii) |
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take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or intent of
which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by
judicial |
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proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of
the Shared Collateral by the Controlling Agent; |
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(iii) |
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except as provided in Section 2.02, (A) direct any
other Senior Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect
to any Shared Collateral (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement) or
(B) consent to the exercise by the Controlling Agent or any other Senior
Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared
Collateral; |
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(iv) |
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institute any suit or assert in any suit, bankruptcy,
insolvency or other proceeding any claim against the Controlling Agent or any
other Senior Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of
specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to any Shared
Collateral, and none of the Controlling Agent or any other Senior Secured Party
shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Controlling
Agent or other Senior Secured Party with respect to any Shared Collateral in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; and |
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(v) |
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seek, and each of them hereby waives any right, to have any
Shared Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other
disposition of such Collateral; provided that nothing in this Agreement
shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Controlling
Agent or any other Senior Secured Party to enforce this Agreement. |
(b) Each Authorized Representative on behalf of each Senior Secured Party represented by such
Authorized Representative (and each such Senior Secured Party by its acceptance of the benefits of
the Senior Debt Documents) agrees that if it shall obtain possession of any Shared Collateral or
shall realize any proceeds or payment in respect of any Shared Collateral pursuant to any
Collateral Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any
Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies (including pursuant
to any intercreditor agreement), then it shall hold that Shared Collateral, proceeds or payment in
trust for the other Senior Secured Parties and promptly transfer that Shared Collateral, proceeds
or payment, as the case may be, to the Controlling Agent, to be distributed in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.01.
SECTION 2.04 Automatic Release of Liens; Amendments to Collateral Documents.
(a) All Liens on Collateral securing any Note Obligations shall be released immediately upon (i) the occurrence of a Collateral Release Event or (ii)
such Collateral no longer being subject to any Lien securing any Senior Loan Obligation (including
pursuant to any waiver or amendment of the Credit Agreements or the Bank Collateral Documents).
All Liens on Collateral securing Note Obligations shall be released in the event of the defeasance
or discharge of the Indenture.
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(b) If at any time the Controlling Agent forecloses upon or otherwise exercises remedies
against any Shared Collateral resulting in a sale or other disposition thereof, then (whether or
not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending at the time) the Liens in favor of the Term
Loan Facility Collateral Agent and the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent for the benefit
of the Senior Loan Parties, the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the holders of the
Notes and any Authorized Representative for the benefit of the Additional Senior Secured Debt
Parties upon such Shared Collateral will automatically be released and discharged pursuant to this
Agreement and the applicable Collateral Documents; provided that any proceeds of any Shared
Collateral realized therefrom shall be applied pursuant to Section 2.01.
(c) Subject to Section 2.10, the Controlling Agent may enter into any amendment,
waiver or consent to any Collateral Documents in respect of the Series of Senior Obligations for
which it is the Authorized Representative, and such amendment, waiver or consent shall apply
automatically to any comparable provision of the Collateral Documents of the other Series of Senior
Obligations (the Comparable Collateral Documents) without the consent of the Authorized
Representatives of the other Series of Senior Obligations or the holders of the other Series of
Senior Obligations and without any action by such Authorized Representatives, such holders, ETE or
any other Obligor; however, (i) no such amendment, waiver or consent shall have the effect of (A)
imposing duties, obligations or liabilities on, or amending or waiving any indemnity or exculpatory
provision existing for the benefit of, any Authorized Representatives without its consent or (B)
permitting other Liens on the Shared Collateral not permitted under the terms of the applicable
Senior Debt Documents or this Agreement and (ii) notice of such amendment, waiver or consent shall
have been given to each such Authorized Representative (provided that the failure to give any such
notice shall not impair or affect the obligations of the Senior Secured Parties (other than the
Controlling Agent and the Controlling Secured Parties) to the Controlling Agent and the Controlling
Secured Parties, the Controlling Agents and each Authorized Representatives rights under this
Agreement, the enforceability of this Agreement or any Liens created or granted under the
Collateral Documents, or limit or impair the effectiveness or effect of any such amendment, waiver
or consent or the automatic application thereof to any comparable provision of the Comparable
Collateral Document).
(d) Each of the Authorized Representatives shall execute and deliver (at the sole cost and
expense of ETE and the Subsidiary Guarantors) all such documents, authorizations, instructions and
other instruments and take such actions (and, by accepting the benefits of the Senior Debt
Documents, each of the Senior Secured Parties shall be deemed to have consented to and authorized
its applicable Authorized Representative to execute and deliver any such
document, authorization or instrument and take such actions) as shall reasonably be requested
by the Controlling Agent to evidence, confirm and, to the extent necessary, effectuate any release
of Shared Collateral or amendment, waiver or consent to any applicable Collateral Document provided
for in this Section. No such document, authorization, instruction or instrument shall impose on
any such Authorized Representative duties, obligations or liabilities in addition to those set
forth in the Senior Debt Documents, or amend or waive any indemnity or exculpatory provision
existing for the benefit of any such Authorized Representative set forth in the Senior Debt
Documents.
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(e) In no event shall the Lien of the Controlling Agent or the Controlling Secured Parties on
the Shared Collateral be required to be released in the event that the Lien of any other Series of
Senior Obligations is released (including as a result of the Collateral Release Event), except to
the extent the release of the Lien of the Controlling Agent or the Controlling Secured Parties is
expressly required under the terms of the Collateral Documents applicable to the Controlling Agent
and the Controlling Secured Parties.
SECTION 2.05 Certain Agreements With Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings.
(a) This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement of
any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding by or against ETE or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) Subject to Section 2.10, if ETE or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall become subject
to an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, move for approval
of financing (the DIP Financing) to be provided by one or more lenders (the DIP Lenders) under
Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or the
use of cash Collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any
other Bankruptcy Law, then each Non-Loan Party (including the Notes Collateral Agent on behalf of
the holders of the Notes shall not raise any
objection to any such financing or to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the same (DIP
Financing Liens) or to any use of cash Collateral that constitutes Shared Collateral if the
Controlling Agent agrees or consents to such DIP Financing or DIP Financing Liens or use of cash
Collateral (and (A) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to the Liens on any such
Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Senior Secured Parties or the Term Loan
Senior Secured Parties, each Non-Loan Party will subordinate its Liens with respect to that Shared
Collateral on the same terms as those on which the Liens of the Senior Loan Parties (other than any
Liens of any Senior Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) are subordinated thereto, and
(B) to the extent that the DIP Financing Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on any Shared
Collateral granted to secure the Note Obligations
or the Senior Loan Obligations, each Non-Loan Party will confirm the priorities with respect to
that Shared Collateral as set forth herein), in each case so long as:
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(i) |
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the Senior Secured Parties retain the benefit of their Liens on
all Shared Collateral pledged to the DIP Lenders, including proceeds thereof
arising after the commencement of such proceeding, with the same priority
vis-à-vis all the other Senior Secured Parties (other than any Liens of the
Senior Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to
the commencement of the Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding; |
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(ii) |
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the Senior Secured Parties are granted Liens on any additional
Collateral pledged to any Senior Secured Parties as adequate protection or
otherwise in connection with the DIP Financing or use of cash Collateral, with
the same priority vis-à-vis the Senior Secured Parties as set forth in this
Agreement; |
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(iii) |
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if any amount of the DIP Financing or cash Collateral is
applied to repay any of the Senior Obligations, that amount is applied pursuant
to Section 2.01; and |
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(iv) |
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if any Senior Secured Parties are granted adequate protection,
including in the form of periodic payments, in connection with the DIP
Financing or use of cash Collateral, the proceeds of the adequate protection
are applied pursuant to Section 2.01; |
provided that the Senior Secured Parties shall have a right to object to the grant of
a Lien to secure the DIP Financing over any collateral subject to Liens in favor of the Senior
Secured Parties or their representatives that shall not constitute Shared Collateral; and
provided, further, that the Senior Secured Parties receiving adequate protection
shall not object to any other Senior Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any
adequate protection granted to those Senior Secured Parties in connection with a DIP Financing or
use of cash Collateral.
SECTION 2.06 Reinstatement. In the event that any of the Senior Obligations shall be paid in
full in cash and such payment or any part thereof shall subsequently, for whatever reason
(including an order or judgment for disgorgement of a preference under Title 11 of the United
States Code, or any similar law, or the settlement of any claim in respect thereof), be required to
be returned or repaid, the terms and conditions of this Article II shall, subject to the
provisions of Section 1.01(b), be fully applicable thereto until all such Senior
Obligations, as the case may be, shall again have been paid in full in cash.
SECTION 2.07 Insurance. As between the Senior Secured Parties, the Controlling Agent may, to
the extent authorized by an applicable Security Agreement to which it is a party, adjust or settle
any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting Shared Collateral in the event of any loss
thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the
Shared Collateral.
SECTION 2.08 Refinancings. The Senior Obligations of any Series may be increased, restated, supplemented, restructured,
Refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, in whole or in part, with other
Senior Obligations (as the case may be), in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to
the extent a consent is otherwise required to permit the Refinancing transaction under any Senior
Debt Document) of any Senior Secured Party of any other Series, all without affecting the
priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided that if any such
Refinancing Indebtedness is to be secured by the Shared Collateral, the Authorized Representative
of the holders of any such Refinancing Indebtedness shall have executed a Joinder Agreement on
behalf of the holders of such Refinancing indebtedness.
SECTION 2.09 Controlling Agent as Agent for Perfection.
(a) The Controlling Agent shall hold, maintain, control or be listed as a secured party on any
certificate of title or as a loss payee with respect to any Shared Collateral constituting
Possessory Collateral in its possession or control or with respect to which it is listed as a
secured party or a loss payee (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees or with
22
respect to which its agent or bailee is listed as a secured party or loss payee) for itself and as
agent for the benefit of each other Senior Secured Party, and acknowledges that it does so solely
for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Shared Collateral, if any,
pursuant to the applicable Collateral Documents, in each case subject to the terms and conditions
of this Section 2.09. Pending delivery to the Controlling Agent, each other Authorized
Representative shall hold any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral from time to
time in its possession or control, as agent for the benefit of each Senior Secured Party and
acknowledges that it does so solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in
such Shared Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable Collateral Documents, in each case,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09.
(b) The duties or responsibilities of the Controlling Agent and each other Authorized
Representative under this Section 2.09 shall be limited solely to holding, maintaining or
controlling, or being listed as a secured party or loss payee under, any Shared Collateral
constituting Possessory Collateral, for itself and as agent for the benefit of each other Senior
Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Senior Secured Parties therein.
(c) In the event that the Revolving Credit Obligation Payment Date shall have occurred, then,
at the sole cost and expense of ETE and the other Obligors, (i) the Revolving Credit Facility
Collateral Agent shall deliver any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral in its
possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents) to the Major Senior
Representative (and each Authorized Representative shall accept such Possessory Collateral in the
event that it is (or becomes) the Major Senior Representative), and (ii) the Obligors, the
Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent and the Major Senior Representative shall take such
commercially reasonable actions as may be necessary to cause the Major Senior Representative to be
listed as a secured party or a loss payee in respect of any other Possessory Collateral with
respect to which the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent (or its agents) is listed as
secured party or loss payee; provided that until the completion of such delivery or
listing, the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent shall hold such Possessory Collateral as
agent of the Major Senior Representative solely for the purpose of perfecting the security
interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable Collateral
Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.09.
(d) In the event that the Person acting as the Controlling Agent is replaced or succeeded by
another Person (as a result of the resignation by the Person acting as the Controlling Agent prior
to giving effect to such replacement or succession (other than as a result of the occurrence the
Revolving Credit Obligation Payment Date)) (such Person, the Existing Controlling Agent), then,
at the sole cost and expense of ETE and the other Obligors, (i) the Existing Controlling Agent
shall deliver any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral in its possession or control
(or in the possession or control of its agents) to the replacement or successor Controlling Agent
(the Successor Controlling Agent), and (ii) the Obligors, the Existing Collateral Agent and the
Successor Controlling Agent shall take such commercially reasonable actions as may be necessary to
cause the Successor Controlling Agent to be listed as a secured party or a loss payee in respect of
any other Possessory Collateral with respect to which the Existing Controlling Agent (or its
agents) is listed as secured party or loss payee; provided that until the completion of
such delivery or listing the Existing Controlling Agent shall hold such Possessory Collateral as
nominee of the Successor Controlling Agent.
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SECTION 2.10 Control by Senior Loan Parties.
(a) The Senior Loan Parties agree among themselves for their own benefit alone (and not for
the benefit of the Notes Secured Parties or any Additional Senior Secured Debt Parties) that so
long as both Revolving Credit Agreement Obligations and Term Loan Agreement Obligations shall
remain outstanding, the provisions of this Section 2.10 shall be applicable:
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(i) |
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The Liens granted and provided for in the Bank Collateral
Documents shall not be enforced by the Controlling Agent against any of the
Collateral except at (A) the direction of the Term Loan Facility Collateral
Agent acting in accordance with the Term Loan Agreement following the
occurrence of one or more Term Loan Acceleration Events or (B) as the
Controlling Agent is instructed or authorized to act in accordance with the
Revolving Credit Agreement following the occurrence of one or more Revolving
Credit Acceleration Events. As long as any Senior Loan Obligation exists or
may become outstanding, the provisions of this Section 2.10 shall
provide the exclusive method by which any Senior Loan Parties may exercise
rights and remedies under the Bank Collateral Documents. |
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(ii) |
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Following the occurrence of any Senior Loan Acceleration Event,
(A) the Controlling Agent, at the direction of the Term Loan Facility
Collateral Agent acting in accordance with the Term Loan Agreement following
the occurrence of one or more Term Loan Acceleration Events or (B) as the
Controlling Agent is instructed or authorized to act in accordance with the
Revolving Credit Agreement, shall seek to realize upon the Liens granted
pursuant to the Collateral Documents in such manner as shall be so directed by
the Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent or as the Controlling Agent is so
instructed or authorized in accordance with the Revolving Credit Facility, and
the Controlling Agent shall act with respect to the enforcement, collection or
realization upon any Collateral only at such direction by the Term Loan
Facility Collateral Agent or such instruction or authorization under the
Revolving Credit Facility; provided, however, that in the event
that the Controlling Agent in good faith determines that a material
inconsistency exists between any direction by the Term Loan Facility Collateral
Agent and such instruction or authorization under the Revolving Credit
Facility, the Controlling Agent may act solely in accordance with such
instruction or authorization under the Revolving Credit Facility so long as
such action is determined by the Controlling Agent in good faith to be
consistent with prudent practices of secured lenders under similar
circumstances. |
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(iii) |
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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.04 or
Section 4.07, the Controlling Agent shall not enter into any amendment,
waiver or consent with respect to any Collateral Document, nor release any Lien
on any Collateral unless both (A) such action is authorized or directed by the
Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent and (B) the Controlling Agent is instructed
or authorized to take such action in accordance with the Revolving Credit
Facility. |
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(iv) |
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Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.05, the
Controlling Agent shall not agree or consent to any DIP Financing or DIP
Financing Liens or use of cash Collateral unless both (A) such action is
authorized or directed by the Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent and (B) the
Controlling Agent is instructed or authorized to take such action in accordance
with the Revolving Credit Facility. |
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(v) |
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Nothing contained herein shall require the Controlling Agent to
obtain any authorization or approval for any action pursuant to this Agreement
or any Collateral Document other than the enforcement, collection or
realization on Collateral, and the Controlling Agent is expressly authorized,
without any direction by the Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent, to take any
actions pursuant to this Agreement or any Collateral Document with respect to
perfection, possession, or protection of Collateral. |
ARTICLE III
Existence and Amounts of Liens and Obligations
Whenever the Controlling Agent or any other Authorized Representative shall be required, in
connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to
determine the existence or amount of any Senior Obligations of any Series, or the Shared Collateral
subject to any Lien securing the Senior Obligations of any Series, it may request that such
information be furnished to it in writing by each other Authorized
Representative and shall be entitled to make such determination on the basis of, and in
reliance on any statement or representation made on or in respect of, the information so furnished;
provided, however, that if an Authorized Representative shall fail or refuse
reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Controlling Agent or
Authorized Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it
may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a
certificate of ETE. The Controlling Agent and each Authorized Representative may rely
conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any information furnished to it or any
determination made by it in accordance with this Article III (or as otherwise directed by a
court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to ETE, any Subsidiary Guarantor, any
Senior Secured Party or any other Person as a result of such determination. In the event that the
Controlling Agent shall receive notice that any Person shall have asserted an adverse claim in
respect of any Lien on the Shared Collateral of any Senior Secured Party or the proceeds or other
amounts received or receivable in respect of the Shared Collateral, the Controlling Agent may (i)
suspend disbursement of such proceeds or other amounts (and deposit such proceeds or other amounts
into an account of the Controlling Agent), without any liability to ETE, any Subsidiary Guarantor,
any Senior Secured Party or any other Person, until the Controlling Agent shall have received an
appropriate court order or other assurances reasonably acceptable to the Controlling Agent in its
sole discretion that establishes that such proceeds or other amounts may be disbursed in accordance
with this Agreement and/or (ii) interplead such proceeds or other amounts as permitted by
applicable law.
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ARTICLE IV
The Controlling Agent
SECTION 4.01 Appointment and Authority.
(a) Each Senior Representative (other than the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent), on
behalf of the Senior Secured Parties represented by it, hereby irrevocably appoints the Revolving
Credit Facility Collateral Agent (and any successor thereto as Controlling Agent pursuant to the
definition of the term Controlling Agent) to act on its behalf as the Controlling Agent hereunder
and under the Collateral Documents, and authorizes the Controlling Agent to take such actions on
its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Controlling Agent by the terms
hereof, including for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Shared
Collateral granted by ETE or any Subsidiary Guarantor to secure any of the Senior Obligations,
together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection,
the Controlling Agent and any agents, sub-agents, attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Controlling
Agent or other Persons acting on behalf or for the benefit of the Controlling Agent in respect of
any Shared Collateral pursuant to Section 4.05 or under the Collateral Documents to which
it is a party for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Shared Collateral (or any
portion thereof) granted under any of the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and
remedies thereunder, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IV
and Article IX of the Revolving Credit Agreement and the equivalent provision of the Term Loan
Agreement, Indenture or any Additional Senior Secured Debt Documents (as though such agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the Controlling
Agent under the Collateral Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.
(b) Upon execution and delivery of an instrument substantially in the form of Annex 2
to this Agreement by an Authorized Representative of any new Series of Additional Senior Secured
Debt Obligations in accordance with Section 5.12, each then-existing Senior Class Debt
Representative (the Existing Debt Representatives) hereby (i) authorizes and directs the
Controlling Agent to execute and deliver such instrument substantially in the form of Annex
2 on behalf of all Existing Debt Representatives and acknowledges and (ii) agrees that upon
execution and delivery of such instrument substantially in the form of Annex 2, the
Controlling Agent will act in its capacity as Controlling Agent for all Existing Debt
Representatives and the Authorized Representative of such new Series of Additional Senior Secured
Debt Obligations.
(c) The Controlling Agent shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties, to
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with any Shared Collateral as provided herein and in
the Applicable Collateral Documents, without regard to any rights to which the Non-Controlling
Secured Parties would otherwise be entitled as a result of the Senior Obligations held by such
Non-Controlling Secured Parties. Without limiting the foregoing, neither the Controlling Agent nor
any other Senior Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon
any type of Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any of the Senior Obligations), or
to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Shared Collateral (or any
other Collateral securing any Senior Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to
the Non-Controlling Secured Parties,
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notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such
realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of proceeds actually received
by the Non-Controlling Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation.
(d) Each Authorized Representative on behalf of itself and each Senior Secured Party
represented by such Authorized Representative (and each such Senior Secured Party by its acceptance
of the benefits of the Senior Debt Documents) waives any claim it may now or hereafter have against
the Controlling Agent or the Authorized Representative of any Series of Senior Obligations or any
other Senior Secured Party arising out of:
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(i) |
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any actions that the Controlling Agent, any Authorized
Representative or any Senior Secured Party takes or omits to take (including
actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on
any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or
depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions
with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the Senior
Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in
accordance with the applicable Collateral Documents or any other agreement
related thereto or to the collection of the Senior Obligations or the
valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the Senior
Obligations; |
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(ii) |
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subject to Section 2.05, any election by any
Controlling Agent, any Authorized Representative or any holders of Senior
Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code or the application of Section
1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code; or |
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(iii) |
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subject to Section 2.05, any borrowing or grant of a
Lien or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy
Code by ETE or any of its Subsidiaries, as debtor(s)-in-possession. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Controlling Agent shall not accept
any Shared Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of any Senior Obligations pursuant to Section
9-620 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, without the consent of each Authorized
Representative representing holders of Senior Obligations for whom such Collateral constitutes
Shared Collateral.
(e) The Controlling Agents sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical
preservation of the Shared Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the UCC or
otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Controlling Agent deals with similar
property for its own account. The Controlling Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable
care in the custody and preservation of any Shared Collateral in its possession if such Shared
Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Controlling Agent accords
its own property. Neither the Controlling Agent, any other Senior Secured Party nor any of their
respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect
or realize upon any of the Shared Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any
obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Shared Collateral upon the request of any Obligor or
any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with
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regard to the Shared Collateral or any part thereof. The powers conferred on the Controlling Agent and the other Senior Secured Parties
hereunder are solely to protect the Controlling Agents and the other Senior Secured Parties
interests in the Shared Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Controlling Agent or any
other Senior Secured Party to exercise any such powers.
(f) Upon the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Obligation Payment Date, the Major Senior
Representative shall be the Controlling Agent for all purposes of this Agreement and, except as
expressly set forth herein, the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent shall be released from
all of its obligations hereunder as Controlling Agent.
SECTION 4.02 Rights as a Senior Secured Party.
The Person serving as the Controlling Agent or as an Authorized Representative hereunder shall
have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Senior Secured Party under any Series of
Senior Obligations that it holds as any other Senior Secured Party of such Series and may exercise
the same as though it were not the Controlling Agent or an Authorized Representative, as
applicable, and the term Senior Secured Party or Senior Secured Parties or (as applicable)
Senior Loan Secured Party, Senior Loan Secured Parties, Notes Secured Party, Notes Secured
Parties, Additional Senior Secured Debt Party or Additional Senior Secured Debt Parties
shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Controlling Agent or an Authorized Representative
hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from,
lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for, and generally
engage in any kind of business with ETE or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such
Person were not the Controlling Agent or an Authorized Representative hereunder and without any
duty to account therefor to any other Senior Secured Party.
SECTION 4.03 Exculpatory Provisions.
(a) Neither the Controlling Agent nor any other Authorized Representative shall have any
duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the Collateral Documents in
respect of the Series of Senior Obligations for which it is the Authorized Representative (the
Applicable Collateral Documents). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the
Controlling Agent nor any other Authorized Representative:
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(i) |
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shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties,
regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing; |
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(ii) |
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shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or
exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers
expressly contemplated hereby or by the Applicable Collateral Documents that
the Controlling Agent or such other Authorized Representative is required to
exercise as directed in writing by, in the case of the Controlling Agent, the
Controlling Secured Parties or, in the case of such other Authorized
Representative, the requisite number of holders of the applicable Series of
Senior Obligations, in accordance with the Applicable Collateral Documents; |
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provided that neither the Controlling Agent nor such other Authorized
Representative shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the
opinion of its counsel, may expose the Controlling Agent or such other
Authorized Representative to liability or that is contrary to any such
Applicable Collateral Documents or applicable law; |
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(iii) |
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shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the
Applicable Collateral Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be
liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to ETE, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by
the Person serving as the Controlling Agent or such Authorized Representative
or any of its Affiliates in any capacity; |
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(iv) |
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shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (A)
with the consent or at the request of, in the case of the Controlling Agent,
the Controlling Secured Parties or, in the case of such other Authorized
Representative, the requisite number of holders of the applicable Series of
Senior Obligations, in accordance with the Applicable Collateral Documents, (B)
in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (it being
understood that each action taken or not taken shall be presumed to have been taken or not taken in
the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct unless a court of
competent jurisdiction finds in a final judgment that such action taken or not
taken) constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct), (C) in reliance on
a certificate of an authorized officer of ETE stating that such action is
permitted by the terms of this Agreement or any Senior Debt Document, as the
case may be, or (D) in accordance with the advice of any counsel, accountants
or experts as described in Section 4.04. Neither the Controlling Agent
nor such other Authorized Representative shall be deemed to have knowledge of
any Event of Default under any Series of Senior Obligations unless and until
notice describing such Event Default is given, as applicable, (x) to the
Controlling Agent by the Authorized Representative of such Senior Obligations
or ETE or (y) to such other Authorized Representative by ETE; and |
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(v) |
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shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or
inquire into (A) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in
connection with this Agreement or any Senior Debt Document, (B) the contents of
any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or
in connection herewith or therewith, (C) the performance or observance of any
of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or
therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default under any Senior
Debt Document, (D) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness
of this Agreement, any Senior Debt Document, or any other agreement, instrument
or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to
be created by the Collateral Documents, (E) the value or the sufficiency of any
Collateral for any Series of Senior Obligations, or (F) the satisfaction of any
condition set forth in any Senior Debt Document, other |
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than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Controlling Agent. |
SECTION 4.04 Reliance by the Controlling Agent and the Authorized Representatives.
Each of the Controlling Agent and the Authorized Representatives may rely upon, and shall not
incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement,
instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet web
site posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or
otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. Each of the Controlling Agent and the Authorized
Representatives also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by
it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.
Each of the Controlling Agent and Authorized Representative may consult with legal counsel (who may
be counsel for ETE), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and neither the
Controlling Agent nor any Authorized Representative shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such
counsel, accountants or experts.
SECTION 4.05 Delegation of Duties.
The Controlling Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers
hereunder or under any other Applicable Collateral Document by or through any one or more
sub-agents appointed by the Controlling Agent or other Persons acting on behalf or for the benefit
of the Controlling Agent in respect of any Shared Collateral under the Collateral Documents to
which it is a party. The Controlling Agent and any such sub-agent or such Person may perform any
and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Affiliates.
The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent or Person and to the
Affiliates of the Controlling Agent and any such sub-agent or Person. If any sub-agent appointed
by the Controlling Agent has possession or control of any Possessory Collateral, the Controlling
Agent shall cause the sub-agent to acknowledge in writing that it holds such Possessory Collateral
for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties.
SECTION 4.06 Non-Reliance on Controlling Agent and other Senior Secured Parties.
Each Authorized Representative of each Series of Senior Obligations and each Senior Secured
Party acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Controlling Agent, any
Authorized Representative, any other Senior Secured Party or any of their Affiliates, and based on
such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into this Agreement and the Senior Debt Documents to which it is a party, as
applicable. Each such Person also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance
upon the Controlling Agent, any Authorized Representative, any other Senior Secured Party or any of
their Affiliates, and based on documents and information as it shall from time to time deem
appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon
this Agreement, any Senior Debt Document or related agreement, or any document furnished hereunder
or thereunder.
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SECTION 4.07 Collateral Matters.
Subject to Section 2.10, each Authorized Representative on behalf of each Senior
Secured Party represented by such Authorized Representative (and each such Senior Secured Party by
its acceptance of the benefits of the Senior Debt Documents) irrevocably authorizes the Controlling
Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Lien on any property granted to or held
by the Senior Secured Party (or its respective Authorized Representative) under any Collateral
Document governing the Series of Senior Obligations of such Senior Secured Party in accordance with
Section 2.04 or upon receipt of a written request from ETE stating that the release of such
Lien is permitted by the terms of each then extant Senior Debt Document.
SECTION 4.08 Resignation of the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent or Term Loan
Facility Collateral Agent.
Each of the Senior Secured Parties acknowledges that the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral
Agent or Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent may resign as collateral agent under the respective
Credit Agreements, in which event a successor collateral agent may be appointed under the
applicable Credit Agreement; provided that if no such successor shall have been so
appointed under the terms thereof, then such resignation may nonetheless become effective and the
retiring Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent or Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations under the applicable Credit Agreement, any promissory
notes issued to any Senior Lender pursuant to the applicable Credit Agreement, the applicable
Collateral Documents, the other Loan Documents (as defined in the applicable Credit Agreement)
and this Agreement (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the retiring
Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent or Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent, the retiring
Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent or Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent shall continue to
hold such collateral security as nominee until such time as a successor collateral agent is
appointed). Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as collateral agent under the
applicable Credit Agreement, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Revolving Credit Facility
Collateral Agent or Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent, and the retiring Revolving Credit Facility
Collateral Agent or Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties
and obligations under the applicable Credit Agreement, any promissory notes issued to any Senior
Lender pursuant to the applicable Credit Agreement, the applicable Collateral Documents and the
other Loan Documents (as defined in the applicable Credit Agreement) and under this Agreement (if
not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section 4.08).
ARTICLE V
Miscellaneous
SECTION 5.01 Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in
writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or
registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to the Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent, to it at ;
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(b) if to the Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent, to it at ;
(c) if to the Notes Collateral Agent, to it at ; and
(d) if to any other Senior Representative, to it at the address set forth in the applicable
Joinder Agreement.
Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications
hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any
party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given
on the date of receipt (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other
cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by telecopy or on the date five
Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered,
sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 5.01 or in
accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this
Section 5.01. As agreed to in writing among the Controlling Agent and each other Authorized
Representative from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail
to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by
such person.
SECTION 5.02 Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements.
(a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right or power
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such
right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The
rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or
remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to
any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be
permitted by Section 5.02(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto
in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated, waived, amended or
modified (other than pursuant to any Joinder Agreement) except pursuant to an agreement or
agreements in writing entered into by the Controlling Agent and each other Authorized
Representative (and with respect to any such termination, waiver, amendment or modification that by
the terms of this Agreement requires ETEs consent or which increases the obligations or reduces
the rights of ETE or any Subsidiary Guarantor, with the consent of ETE). Each Obligor
acknowledges and agrees that, pursuant to Section 8.01 of the Indenture (as in effect on the date
of this Agreement), the Notes Collateral Agent may (without the consent of any Notes Secured Party)
enter into amendments or supplements to this Agreement to cure any ambiguity, defect or
inconsistency.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Senior Secured Party, any
Authorized Representative may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a
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Joinder Agreement in accordance with Section 5.12 and upon such execution and delivery, such
Authorized Representative and the Additional Senior Secured Debt Parties and Additional Senior
Secured Debt Obligations of the Series for which such Authorized Representative is acting shall be
subject to the terms hereof and the terms of the other Collateral Documents applicable thereto;
provided that, the Controlling Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that the terms of that
Series of Additional Senior Secured Debt are not inconsistent with the terms of the Credit Agreements
and, unless a Collateral Release Event has occurred with respect to the Note Obligations, the
Indenture.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any other Authorized Representative
or Senior Secured Party, the Controlling Agent may effect amendments and modifications to this
Agreement to the extent necessary to reflect any incurrence of any Additional Senior Secured Debt
in compliance with the Senior Debt Documents.
SECTION 5.03 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other
Senior Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by this Agreement. Nothing in this
Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person (other than the Authorized
Representatives, the beneficiaries of indemnification obligations of the Obligors under this
Agreement and the Senior Debt Documents, their respective successors and assigns permitted
hereunder and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Senior Secured Parties (or Series
of Senior Secured Parties)) any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of
this Agreement.
SECTION 5.04 Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties
made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other
parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.05 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute a single contract.
Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission
shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.06 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in
a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction. The
parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of
the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
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SECTION 5.07 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 5.08 Submission To Jurisdiction Waivers; Consent to Service of Process. The
Controlling Agent and each other Authorized Representative irrevocably and unconditionally:
(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this
Agreement and the Collateral Documents, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in
respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York,
the courts of the United States of America in the Southern District of New York, and appellate
courts from any thereof;
(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any
objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any
such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to
plead or claim the same;
(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing
a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage
prepaid, to such Person (or its Authorized Representative) at the address referred to in
Section 5.01;
(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any Senior
Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the
right of any party hereto (or any Senior Secured Party) to sue in any other jurisdiction; and
(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or
recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 5.08 any special,
exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.
SECTION 5.09 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Each party to this Agreement hereby waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in any legal
proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby. The scope of this waiver is intended to encompass any and all disputes that
may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter hereof, including contract claims,
tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other common law and statutory claims. Each party to
this Agreement acknowledges that (i) this waiver is a material inducement to enter into a business
relationship, (ii) it has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement and (iii)
it will continue to rely on this waiver in its related future dealings. Each party to this
Agreement further represents and warrants that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its rights to a
trial by jury following consultation with legal counsel. This waiver is irrevocable, meaning that it may not be
modified either orally or in writing (other than by a mutual written waiver specifically referring
to this Section 5.09 and executed by each of the parties to this Agreement), and will apply
to any subsequent modification hereof. In the event of any litigation, this Agreement may be filed
as a written consent to a trial by the court.
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SECTION 5.10 Headings. Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are for convenience of
reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be
taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
SECTION 5.11 Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights. The provisions of this Agreement
are, and are intended, solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Senior Secured
Parties in relation to one another. None of ETE, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other creditor
thereof shall have any rights or obligations hereunder, except as expressly provided in this
Agreement (provided that nothing in this Agreement (other than Sections 2.04,
2.05, 2.08, 2.09 and Article V) is intended to or will amend, waive
or otherwise modify the provisions of any Senior Debt Documents), and none of ETE or any Subsidiary
Guarantor may rely on the terms hereof (other than Sections 2.04, 2.05,
2.08, 2.09, 5.11 and 5.12). Nothing in this Agreement is intended
to or shall impair the obligations of ETE or any Subsidiary Guarantor, which are absolute and
unconditional, to pay the Senior Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in
accordance with their terms.
SECTION 5.12 Additional Senior Secured Debt. To the extent, but only to the extent permitted
by the provisions of the Senior Debt Documents, ETE may incur or issue and sell one or more series
or classes of Indebtedness (the Senior Class Debt) that may be secured by a Lien on the Shared
Collateral on a senior basis if the following conditions are satisfied:
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the Authorized Representative of such Senior Class Debt (the
Senior Class Debt Representative), the Controlling Agent, ETE and each
Subsidiary Guarantor shall have executed and delivered an instrument
substantially in the form of Annex 2 (with such changes as may be
approved by the Controlling Agent and such Senior Class Representative)
pursuant to which such Senior Class Debt Representative becomes an Authorized
Representative hereunder, and the Senior Class Debt in respect of which such
Senior Class Debt Representative is the Authorized Representative and the
holders of such Senior Class Debt (together with the related Senior Class Debt
Representative, the Senior Class Debt Parties) become subject hereto and
bound hereby; |
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ETE shall have delivered to the Controlling Agent true and
complete copies of each of the Senior Debt Documents relating to such Senior
Class Debt, certified as being true and correct by a financial officer of ETE; |
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all filings, recordations and/or amendments or supplements to
the Collateral Documents necessary or desirable in the reasonable judgment of
the Controlling Agent to confirm and perfect the Liens securing the relevant
Senior Obligations relating to such Senior Class Debt shall have been made,
executed and/or delivered (or, with respect to any such filings or
recordations, acceptable provisions to perform such filings or recordings have
been taken in the reasonable judgment of the Controlling Agent), and all fees
and taxes in connection therewith shall have been paid; |
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the Senior Debt Documents, as applicable, relating to such
Senior Class Debt shall provide, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the
Controlling Agent, that (x) each Senior Class Debt Party with respect to such
Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of this
Agreement in its capacity as a holder of such Senior Class Debt and (y) in the
event of any conflict between the terms of such Senior Debt Documents and this
Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control; and |
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the Controlling Agent shall have received such opinions of
outside counsel to ETE and such Senior Class Debt Representative as any of them
may request and such other documents relating to the matters referred to in
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) as any of them may reasonably request, and such
opinions and other documents shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to the Controlling Agent. |
SECTION 5.13 Integration. This Agreement together with the other Senior Debt Documents,
including the Collateral Documents, represents the agreement of each of ETE, the Subsidiary
Guarantors and the Senior Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are
no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by ETE, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the
Controlling Agent, any Authorized Representative or any other Senior Secured Party relative to the
subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Senior Debt
Documents.
SECTION 5.14 Rights of Authorized Representatives. Any trustee or other Authorized
Representative under any Additional Senior Secured Debt Facility that becomes a party hereto shall
have all the rights, privileges, protections, immunities, benefits and indemnities granted to it
under the applicable indenture or other agreement that constitutes such Additional Senior Secured
Debt Facility as if such rights, privileges, protections, immunities, benefits and indemnities were
set forth herein in full.
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SECTION
5.15 Payment of Expenses; Indemnification. The Obligors shall pay (i) all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Controlling Agent and its Affiliates (including the
reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel for the Controlling Agent) with
respect to the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement
or the Senior Debt Documents or any amendment, amendment and restatement, modification or waiver of
the provisions hereof or thereof (including any proposed amendment, amendment and restatement,
modification or waiver), (ii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Controlling Agent
(including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Controlling Agent), in
connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement or
the Senior Debt Documents, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout,
restructuring or negotiations in respect of the Senior Obligations and (iii) all documentary and
similar taxes and charges in respect of this Agreement and the Senior Debt Documents. The Obligors
shall indemnify the Controlling Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and each Related Party of the
Controlling Agent (each such person, an Indemnitee) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless
from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related out-of-pocket expenses
(including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee) incurred by any
Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by ETE or any other Obligor
arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (A) the execution or delivery of this
Agreement or any Senior Debt Document, or any amendment, amendment and restatement, modification or
waiver of the provisions hereof or thereof, or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or
thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or
thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (B) any actual
or alleged presence or Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials on, at, under or from
any property owned, leased or operated by any Obligor at any time, or any Environmental Claim
related in any way to any Obligor, (C) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation
or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other
theory, whether brought by a third party or by ETE or any other Obligor, and regardless of whether
any Indemnitee is a party thereto, (D) any Environmental Law applicable to ETE or any Subsidiary or
any of their properties, including without limitation, the presence, generation, storage, release,
threatened release, use, transport, disposal, arrangement of disposal or treatment of oil, oil and
gas wastes, solid wastes or hazardous substances on any of their properties, (E) the breach or
non-compliance by ETE or any Subsidiary of ETE with any Environmental Law applicable to ETE or any Subsidiary of ETE, (F)
the past ownership by ETE or any Subsidiary of ETE of any of their properties or past activity on
any of their properties which, though lawful and fully permissible at the time, could result in
present liability, (G) the presence, use, release, storage, treatment, disposal, generation,
threatened release, transport, arrangement for transport or arrangement for disposal of oil, oil
and gas wastes, solid wastes or hazardous substances on or at any of the properties owned or
operated by ETE or any Subsidiary of ETE or any actual or alleged presence or release of hazardous
materials on or from any property owned or operated by ETE or any of its Subsidiaries, (H) any
liability pursuant to Environmental Laws or costs of Response related in any
way to ETE or any of
its Subsidiaries or (I) any other environmental, health or safety condition in connection with this
Agreement or the Senior Debt Documents; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any
Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims,
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damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment
to have resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. For
the avoidance of doubt, each Indemnitee shall be deemed a third-party beneficiary of this
Agreement. The agreements in this Section 5.15 shall survive repayment of the Senior Loan
Obligations, the Note Obligations, the Additional Senior Secured Debt Obligations and all other
amounts payable hereunder and under the other Senior Debt Documents and the removal or
resignation of the Controlling Agent. All obligations of the Obligors set forth in or arising
under this Agreement will be Senior Obligations and are secured by all Liens granted by the
Collateral Documents.
SECTION
5.16 Termination. Subject to Section 5.16(b), which shall survive the
termination of this Agreement), this Agreement shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the
following:
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the payment in full in cash of all Senior Obligations
(including all Senior Loan Obligations); |
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(A) the payment in full in cash of all Note Obligations or a Collateral Release Event
has occurred, and (B) only one Series of Senior Obligations remains outstanding
at such time or only one Series of Senior Obligations is secured by a Lien at
such time; or |
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each of the Authorized Representatives party to this Agreement
shall have agreed to terminate this Agreement in writing. |
(b) ETE and the Restricted Subsidiaries may provide notice to the Trustee and the holders of
the Notes, in the manner specified in the Indenture, that ETE and the
Restricted Subsidiaries have elected to terminate their obligations to grant and maintain Liens on
the Collateral (the Collateral Release Event Notice), which shall terminate such obligations if
the Term Debt Lien Release Date occurs; provided that no Default or Event of Default, in
either case relating to a failure to pay principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes when due, has occurred and is continuing at the time of delivery of the Collateral Release Event Notice. Upon delivery of a
valid Collateral Release Event Notice as provided above in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture, together with an officers certificate and opinion of counsel described in the
Indenture, the Notes Collateral Agent shall promptly release all of the Liens on the Collateral securing
the Note Obligations; such occurrence of the Term Debt Lien
Release Date and the release of the Liens in accordance with the foregoing shall constitute the
Collateral Release Event.
(Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their
respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
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Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.
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LE GP, LLC, its general partner,
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By: |
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John W. McReynolds |
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President and Chief Financial Officer |
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THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS LISTED ON ANNEX 1 HERETO,
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as Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent
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as Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent
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as Notes Collateral Agent
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Annex 1 to the
Intercreditor Agreement
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
Annex 2 to the
Intercreditor Agreement
REPRESENTATIVE
SUPPLEMENT NO. dated as of , to
the INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of , , 20
(as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the
Intercreditor Agreement), among ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
(ETE), each Subsidiary of ETE from time to time party thereto (each such Subsidiary,
individually, a Subsidiary Guarantor, and collectively, the Subsidiary Guarantors),
, as Authorized Representative for the Revolving Credit Senior Secured Parties (in
such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the Revolving Credit Facility
Collateral Agent), , as Authorized Representative for the Term Loan Senior Secured
Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the Term Loan
Facility Collateral Agent), , as Senior Representative for the Notes Secured
Parties (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, the Notes Collateral
Agent), and the additional Senior Representatives from time to time a party thereto.
A. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
assigned to such terms in the Intercreditor Agreement.
B. As a condition to the ability of ETE to issue Additional Senior Secured Debt and to secure
such Senior Class Debt with the Lien and to have such Senior Class Debt guaranteed by the
Subsidiary Guarantors on a senior basis, in each case under and pursuant to the Collateral
Documents applicable to such Senior Class Debt, the Senior Class Debt Representative in respect of
such Senior Class Debt is required to become an Authorized Representative under, and such Senior
Class Debt and the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to
and bound by, the Intercreditor Agreement. Section 5.12 of the Intercreditor Agreement
provides that such Senior Class Debt Representative may become an Authorized Representative under,
and such Senior Class Debt and such Senior Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by,
the Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the execution and delivery by the Senior Class
Representative of an instrument in the form of this Representative Supplement and the satisfaction
of the other conditions set forth in Section 5.12 of the Intercreditor Agreement. The
undersigned Senior Class Debt Representative (the New Representative) is executing this
Representative Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Senior Debt Documents.
Accordingly, the Controlling Agent and the New Representative agree as follows:
SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.12 of the Intercreditor Agreement, the New
Representative by its signature below becomes an Authorized Representative under, and the related
Senior Class Debt and Senior Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Intercreditor
Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named
therein as an Authorized Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such
Senior Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Intercreditor
Agreement applicable to it as a Senior Representative and Authorized Representative in respect of
such Senior Class Debt and to the Senior Class Debt Parties that it represents as Additional Senior
Secured Debt Parties. Each reference to a Senior
Representative or Authorized Representative in the Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed
to include the New Representative. The Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
The New Representative hereby irrevocably (i) appoints (A) the Revolving Credit Facility
Collateral Agent as Controlling Agent for purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement and the other
Collateral Documents if the New Representative has become subject to and bound by the Intercreditor
Agreement prior to the Revolving Credit Obligation Payment Date, or (B) the Major Senior
Representative as Controlling Agent for purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement and the other
Collateral Documents if the New Representative has become subject to and bound by the Intercreditor
Agreement from and after the Revolving Credit Obligation Payment Date; (ii) authorizes the
Controlling Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated
to the Controlling Agent in the Collateral Documents, together with such actions and powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto; and (iii) agrees to take (or cause to be taken) such actions and not
take (or cause to be taken) such actions as the Controlling Agent may instruct with respect to the
Shared Collateral in accordance with, and subject to, the Intercreditor Agreement. The New
Representative hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Controlling Agent in its capacity as such
shall be acting on its behalf and on behalf of all other Senior Secured Parties with respect to the
Shared Collateral as set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.
SECTION 2. The New Representative represents and warrants to the Controlling Agent and the
other Senior Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this
Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee], (ii) this Representative
Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid
and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of such agreement and
(iii) the Additional Senior Secured Debt Documents relating to such Senior Class Debt provide that,
upon the New Representatives entry into this Agreement, the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect
of such Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor
Agreement as Additional Senior Secured Debt Parties.
SECTION 3. This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which
shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single
contract. This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Controlling Agent shall
have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New
Representative. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Representative Supplement by
facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this
Representative Supplement.
SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Intercreditor Agreement shall remain
in full force and effect.
SECTION 5. THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative
Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no
party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is
held
to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions contained herein and in the Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be
affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the
invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which
comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided
in Section 5.01 of the Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder
to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.
By acknowledging and agreeing to this Representative Supplement, each of ETE and the
Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto hereby reaffirms the security interests granted pursuant to each
of the Collateral Documents to which it is a party to secure the Senior Obligations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Controlling Agent have duly executed this
Representative Supplement to the Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above
written.
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NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE, as
for the holders of
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Authorized Signatory
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Address for notices: |
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Acknowledged by:
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as Revolving Credit Facility Collateral Agent and Controlling Agent,
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Title: |
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as Term Loan Facility Collateral Agent,
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THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 HERETO,
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Annex 2 to the
Intercreditor Agreement
Subsidiary Guarantors
exv99w1
Exhibit 99.1
ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF THE
GENERAL PARTNER OF REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS
Energy Transfer Partners Interest in Midcontinent Express Pipeline
Now Owned by Regency
DALLAS, May 26, 2010 Dallas-based Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) announced
today it has completed the acquisition of the general partner of Regency Energy Partners LP
(Nasdaq: RGNC). The transaction was announced May 11, 2010.
Additionally, ETE and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE:ETP) jointly announced the
completion of a series of transactions resulting in Regency owning substantially all of ETPs
interest in the Midcontinent Express Pipeline.
ETE now owns the general partner of both ETP and Regency, which will remain separately
operated partnerships. ETE acquired a 100 percent interest in Regencys general partner from an
affiliate of GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of General Electric (NYSE:GE).
Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE:ETE) is a publicly traded partnership, which owns the
general partner of Energy Transfer Partners and approximately 50.2 million ETP limited partner
units; and the general partner of Regency Energy Partners and approximately 26.3 million Regency
limited partner units.
Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE:ETP) is a publicly traded partnership owning and
operating a diversified portfolio of energy assets. ETP has pipeline operations in Arizona,
Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Utah, and owns the largest intrastate pipeline system in
Texas. ETP currently has natural gas operations that include more than 17,500 miles of gathering
and transportation pipelines, treating and processing assets, and three storage facilities located
in Texas. ETP also is one of the
three largest retail marketers of propane in the United States, serving more than one million
customers across the country.
Regency Energy Partners LP (Nasdaq: RGNC) is a growth-oriented, midstream
energy partnership engaged in the gathering, contract compression, processing,
marketing and transporting of natural gas and natural gas liquids. Regencys general partner is
majority owned by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE). For more
information, visit the Regency Energy Partners LP Web site at www.regencyenergy.com.
This press release may include certain statements concerning expectations for the future,
including statements regarding the anticipated benefits and other aspects of the proposed
transactions described above, that are forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Such
forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and
other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the
management teams of ETE, ETP, Regency or GE. Among those is the risk that the anticipated benefits
from the proposed transactions cannot be fully realized. An extensive list of factors that can
affect future results are discussed in the reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission by ETP, ETE, Regency and GE. Neither ETE, ETP, Regency nor GE undertakes any obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events.
The information contained in this press release is available on the Partnerships Web site at
www.energytransfer.com.
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Contacts |
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Investor Relations:
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Media Relations: |
Brent Ratliff
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Vicki Granado |
Energy Transfer
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Granado Communications Group |
214-981-0700 (office)
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214-504-2260 (office) |
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214.498.9272 (cell) |
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