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
Date of Report: October 13, 1999
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
New York 1-14514 13-3965100
(State of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
4 Irving Place, New York, New York 10003
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number: (212) 460-3900
- 2 -
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
On October 13, 1999, Consolidated Edison, Inc. agreed to acquire Northeast
Utilities pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 13, 1999, a
copy of which is filed as an exhibit to this report (the "Agreement"). A copy of
the news release relating to the Agreement is also filed as an exhibit.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(c) Exhibits
2 Agreement
99 News release relating to the Agreement
- 3 -
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
By: __________________
Hyman Schoenblum
Vice President, Controller
and Chief Accounting Officer
DATE: October 14, 1999
CONFORMED COPY
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
among
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.,
NORTHEAST UTILITIES,
CWB HOLDINGS, INC.,
and
N ACQUISITION LLC
Dated as of October 13, 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I The Mergers
SECTION 1.01. The Mergers.............................................3
SECTION 1.02. Closing.................................................3
SECTION 1.03. Effective Time of the Mergers...........................3
SECTION 1.04. Effects.................................................4
SECTION 1.05. Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws
of the Company.....................................4
SECTION 1.06. Trust Agreement.........................................5
SECTION 1.07. Directors, Trustees and Officers........................5
SECTION 1.08. Post-Merger Operations..................................6
SECTION 1.09. Transfer of Company Common Stock ....................6
ARTICLE II Effect of the Mergers; Exchange of Certificates
SECTION 2.01. Effect on Capital Stock.................................7
SECTION 2.02. NU Shareholder Elections...............................10
SECTION 2.03. Allocation and Proration of Cash and
Company Common Stock..............................12
SECTION 2.04. Exchange of Certificates...............................13
SECTION 2.05. Adjustments for Sale of Certain
NU Nuclear Facilities.............................19
SECTION 2.06. Certain Adjustments....................................20
ARTICLE III Representations and Warranties
SECTION 3.01. Representations and Warranties of
NU................................................20
SECTION 3.02. Representations and Warranties of
CEI...............................................41
ARTICLE IV Certain Covenants of NU
SECTION 4.01. Conduct of Business by NU..............................54
SECTION 4.02. No Solicitation........................................61
ARTICLE V Additional Agreements
SECTION 5.01. Preparation of the Form S-4 and the
Joint Proxy Statement;
Shareholders Meetings.............................65
SECTION 5.02. Letters of NU's Accountants............................66
SECTION 5.03. Letters of CEI's Accountants...........................67
SECTION 5.04. Access to Information; Confidentiality;
Advice of Changes.................................67
SECTION 5.05. Regulatory Matters; Reasonable Best
Efforts...........................................68
SECTION 5.06. Stock Options..........................................70
SECTION 5.07. Employee Agreements; Workforce
Matters and Employee Benefit Plans................72
SECTION 5.08. Indemnification, Exculpation and
Insurance.........................................74
SECTION 5.09. Fees and Expenses......................................75
SECTION 5.10. Public Announcements...................................77
SECTION 5.11. Affiliates.............................................78
SECTION 5.12. NYSE Listing...........................................78
SECTION 5.13. Shareholder Litigation.................................78
SECTION 5.14. Taxes..................................................78
SECTION 5.15. Standstill Agreements; Confidentiality
Agreements........................................79
SECTION 5.16. Rights Agreement.......................................79
ARTICLE VI Conditions Precedent
SECTION 6.01. Conditions to Each Party's Obligation
To Effect the Mergers.............................80
SECTION 6.02. Conditions to Obligations of CEI.......................80
SECTION 6.03. Conditions to Obligations of NU........................82
ARTICLE VII Termination, Amendment and Waiver
SECTION 7.01. Termination............................................83
SECTION 7.02. Effect of Termination..................................84
SECTION 7.03. Amendment..............................................85
SECTION 7.04. Extension; Waiver......................................85
SECTION 7.05. Procedure for Termination, Amendment,
Extension or Waiver...............................85
ARTICLE VIII General Provisions
SECTION 8.01. Nonsurvival of Representations and
Warranties........................................86
SECTION 8.02. Notices................................................86
SECTION 8.03. Definitions............................................87
SECTION 8.04. Interpretation.........................................88
SECTION 8.05. Counterparts...........................................88
SECTION 8.06. Entire Agreement; No Third-Party
Beneficiaries.....................................88
SECTION 8.07. Governing Law..........................................89
SECTION 8.08. Assignment.............................................89
SECTION 8.09. Enforcement............................................89
SECTION 8.10. Severability...........................................90
SECTION 8.11. Trustee and Shareholder Liability......................91
Contents, p. 5
Exhibit A Form of Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company as of the Effective Time
Exhibit B Form of By-laws of the Company as of the
Effective Time
Exhibit C Trust Agreement Amendments
Exhibit D-1 Form of NU Affiliate Letter
Exhibit D-2 Form of CEI Affiliate Letter
Exhibit E Form of CEI Tax Representations
Exhibit F Form of NU Tax Representations
Exhibit G Form of the Company Tax Representations
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of
October 13, 1999 (this "Agreement"), among CONSOLIDATED
EDISON, INC., a New York corporation ("CEI"), NORTHEAST
UTILITIES, a Massachusetts business trust ("NU"), CWB
HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and a
wholly owned subsidiary (as defined in Section 8.03) of CEI,
and N ACQUISITION LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability
company ("Merger LLC"), 99% of which is owned by the Company
and 1% of which is owned by X HOLDING LLC, a Massachusetts
limited liability company ("LLC Holding Sub"), 99% of which is
owned by the Company and 1% of which is owned by Merger LLC.
WHEREAS the Board of Trustees of NU, the respective Boards of
Directors of CEI and the Company and the members of Merger LLC have approved the
business combination provided for in this Agreement, whereby (i) CEI will merge
with and into the Company (the "CEI Merger") and each share of common stock, par
value $.10 per share, of CEI (the "CEI Common Stock") shall be converted into
the right to receive one share of common stock, par value $.10 per share, of the
Company (the "Company Common Stock") and (ii) Merger LLC will merge with and
into NU (the "NU Merger", and together with the CEI Merger, the "Mergers") and
each common share of beneficial interest, par value $5.00 per share, of NU (the
"NU Common Shares"), shall be converted into, at the option of the holder
thereof, either (x) the right to receive Company Common Stock or (y) the right
to receive cash, in each case subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement, as a result of which the holders of the CEI Common Stock and NU
Common Shares will together own all of the outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock and the Company will, in turn, own all of the outstanding NU Common
Shares;
WHEREAS the Board of Directors of CEI has determined that the CEI
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are consistent with, and
in furtherance of, the best interest of CEI and its shareholders (the "CEI
Shareholders");
WHEREAS the Board of Trustees of NU has determined that the NU
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are consistent with, and
in furtherance of, the best interest of NU and the holders of the NU Common
Shares (the "NU Shareholders");
WHEREAS CEI and the Company desire to set forth for purposes of
Section 902(a) of the New York Business Corporation Law (the "NYBCL") the
following information with respect to CEI and the Company as of the date of this
Agreement: (i) the name of each of CEI and the Company is as set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement and each of CEI and the Company was formed under such
name, (ii) the name of the Company following the CEI Merger shall be as set
forth in Section 1.08(a), (iii) the designation and number of outstanding shares
of each class and series of capital stock of CEI, and the voting rights thereof
with respect to the CEI Merger, are set forth in Section 3.02(c) and Section
3.02(m), and the designation and number of outstanding shares of capital stock
of CEI is subject to change in accordance with the terms of CEI's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and the NYBCL and (iv) the Company has designated
and has outstanding 1,000 shares of its common stock, par value $.01, of which
the holders thereof have unanimously approved the CEI Merger by written consent,
and the designation and number of outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company is subject to change in accordance with the terms of the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation, the terms of this Agreement (including the
exhibits attached hereto) and the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL");
WHEREAS CEI and NU desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Mergers and also to
prescribe various conditions to the Mergers;
WHEREAS, for Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the
Mergers will constitute a transaction described in Section 351 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the CEI Merger will
constitute a transaction described in Section 368(a) of the Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
The Mergers I The Mergers I The Mergers
SECTION 1.01. The Mergers On the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement:
(a) At the CEI Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.03), CEI
shall be merged with and into the Company in accordance with the DGCL and
the NYBCL. The Company shall be the surviving entity in the CEI Merger and
shall continue its existence under the laws of the State of Delaware and
shall succeed to and assume all of the rights and obligations of the
Company and CEI in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL and
the NYBCL.
(b) At the NU Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.03), Merger
LLC shall be merged with and into NU in accordance with the Massachusetts
General Law (the "MGL"). NU shall be the surviving entity in the NU Merger
and shall continue its existence under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and shall succeed to and assume all of the rights and
obligations of NU and Merger LLC in accordance with the MGL. As a result
of the NU Merger, the entire equity interest of NU, which shall be
represented by new certificates issued at the NU Effective Time, shall be
owned by the Company.
SECTION 1.02. Closing. The
closing of the Mergers (the "Closing") will take place at the offices of
Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Worldwide Plaza, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York
10019 (or at such other location in The City of New York as is agreed to by CEI
and NU) at 10:00 a.m., local time, on a date to be specified by CEI and NU (the
"Closing Date"), which shall be no later than the second business day after
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VI, unless another
time or date is agreed to by CEI and NU. CEI and NU agree to coordinate the
Closing Date with the mailing of the Form of Election and the Election Time
(each as defined in Section 2.02(b)).
SECTION 1.03. Effective Time of the Mergers. Subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, as soon as practicable on or after the Closing
Date, (i) with respect to the CEI Merger, the parties hereto shall (A) deliver a
certificate of merger executed in accordance with, and containing such
information as is required by, Section 907(e)(2) of the NYBCL to the Department
of State of the State of New York (the "CEI New York Certificate of Merger") and
(B) file a certificate of merger executed in accordance with, and containing
such information as is required by Section 252(c) of the DGCL with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware (the "CEI Delaware Certificate of Merger", and
collectively with the CEI New York Certificate of Merger, the "CEI Certificates
of Merger"), and (C) make all other filings or recordings as may be required
under the NYBCL and the DGCL, and (ii) with respect to the NU Merger, the
parties hereto shall file a certificate of merger (the "NU Certificate of
Merger") with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
shall make all other filings or recordings required under the MGL. The CEI
Merger shall become effective at such time as (i) the CEI New York Certificate
of Merger is duly delivered to the Department of State of the State of New York
and (ii) the CEI Delaware Certificate of Merger is filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware, or at such subsequent date or time, not to
exceed 30 days after the date of filing of the CEI New York Certificate of
Merger or 90 days after the date of filing of the CEI Delaware Certificate of
Merger, as CEI shall specify in the CEI Certificates of Merger (the time the CEI
Merger becomes effective being hereinafter referred to as the "CEI Effective
Time"), and the NU Merger shall become effective at such time as the NU
Certificate of Merger is duly filed with the Secretary of State of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or at such subsequent date or time as CEI and NU
shall agree and specify in the NU Certificate of Merger (the time the NU Merger
becomes effective being hereinafter referred to as the "NU Effective Time"). The
CEI Effective Time shall be the same date and time as the NU Effective Time
(such date and time referred to herein as the "Effective Time").
SECTION 1.04. Effects. The CEI Merger shall have the effects set
forth in the DGCL and the NYBCL, including Section 259 of the DGCL and
Section 906 of the NYBCL, and the NU Merger shall have the effects set forth
in the MGL, including Section 62 of Chapter 156C of the MGL.
SECTION 1.05. Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws. Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws of the Company. The parties shall take all appropriate
action so that, at the Effective Time, (a) the certificate of incorporation of
the Company shall be in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto and (b) the
By-laws of the Company shall be in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto. Each
of CEI and NU shall take all actions necessary to cause the Company and Merger
LLC to take any actions necessary in order to consummate the Mergers and the
other transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 1.06. Trust Agreement. 1.06. The Declaration of Trust dated as of
January 15, 1927, relating to NU (as amended through the date of this Agreement,
the "Trust Agreement") shall be amended, subject to the NU Shareholder Approval
(as defined in Section 3.01(o)), to include the amendments and modifications
contained in Exhibit C hereto (the "Trust Agreement Amendments"), and the Trust
Agreement as so amended shall be filed by the parties hereto with the Secretary
of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Upon receipt of the NU
Shareholder Approval and completion of such filing, the Trust Agreement as so
amended shall be the governing instrument of NU until thereafter changed or
amended as provided therein or by Applicable Law (as defined in Section
3.01(d)(ii)).
SECTION 1.07. Directors, Trustees and Officers. (a) The parties hereto will take
such action as may be necessary to cause the number of directors comprising the
entire Board of Directors of the Company at the Effective Time to include four
persons designated by NU and reasonably acceptable to CEI (the "NU Designees").
The NU Designees shall be allocated as evenly as practicable among the three
classes of the Company's directors. All other members of the Board of Directors
of the Company shall be designated by CEI. From and after the Effective Time,
such persons designated by CEI and NU shall be the directors of the Company
until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until, their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.
(b) The officers of CEI shall, from and after the Effective Time, be
the officers of the Company until the earlier of their resignation or removal or
until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case
may be; provided, however, that, from and after the Effective Time, Michael G.
Morris shall be President of the Company.
(c) The managers of Merger LLC at the Effective Time shall, from and
after the Effective Time, be the trustees of NU as the surviving entity in the
NU Merger until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and
qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance
with the Trust Agreement and the number of trustees of NU shall be fixed from
and after the Effective Time at a number equal to the number of managers of
Merger LLC at the Effective Time until such time as the Trust Agreement is
further amended in accordance with its terms.
SECTION 1.08. Post-Merger Operations. Following
the Effective Time, the Company shall conduct its operations in
accordance with the following:
(a) Name. At the Effective Time, the Company's name shall
be Consolidated Edison, Inc.
(b) Service Company. From and after the Effective Time, the Company
may have one or more service companies (collectively, the "Service Company") to
provide shared services to the businesses of the Company and its prospective
subsidiaries.
(c) Corporate Offices. (i) The Company shall maintain (A) its
corporate headquarters in New York City, (B) the headquarters for the operations
in the New England States of the Service Company in the State of Connecticut and
(C) the headquarters for the Company's unregulated businesses in the State of
Connecticut, (ii) CEI's subsidiaries shall maintain offices for utility
operations in the State of New York, the State of New Jersey and the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, consistent with their current or contemplated
operations, and (iii) NU's subsidiaries shall maintain offices for utility
operations in New England in the State of Connecticut, the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the State of New Hampshire, consistent with their current or
contemplated operations.
(d) Charities. The parties agree that provision of charitable
contributions and community support in the respective service areas of their
respective subsidiaries serves a number of important goals. After the Effective
Time, the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole intend to continue to
provide charitable contributions and community support within the service areas
of each of their respective subsidiaries at levels substantially comparable to
the levels of charitable contributions and community support provided, directly
or indirectly, by CEI, NU and their respective subsidiaries within their
subsidiaries' respective service areas during the two-year period immediately
prior to the Effective Time.
SECTION 1.09. Transfer to NU of Company Common Stock. Upon receipt
by NU of the necessary approval under PUHCA (as defined in Section 3.01(b)), CEI
shall, so long as such approval is received prior to the Effective Time, sell to
NU at a price equal to the par value thereof 400 shares of the common stock, par
value $.01 per share, of the Company representing 40% of the outstanding capital
stock of the Company.
ARTICLE II
Effect of the Mergers; Exchange of Certificates II
SECTION 2.01. Effect on Capital Stock. (a) At the CEI Effective Time, by
virtue of the CEI Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any
shares of capital stock of the Company or CEI:
(i) Cancelation of Certain CEI Common Stock. Each share of CEI
Common Stock that is owned by CEI or the Company shall automatically be
canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall
be delivered in exchange therefor.
(ii) Conversion of CEI Common Stock. Subject to Section 2.01(a)(i),
each issued and outstanding share of CEI Common Stock and each share of
CEI Common Stock held by Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
("CECONY") shall be converted into the right to receive one fully paid and
nonassessable share of Company Common Stock.
(iii) Cancelation of CEI Common Stock. As of the CEI Effective Time,
all shares of CEI Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall
automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each
holder of a certificate representing any shares of CEI Common Stock shall
cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive
the Merger Consideration (as defined in Section 2.01(c)) upon the
surrender of such certificate in accordance with Section 2.04, without
interest.
(b) At the NU Effective Time, by virtue of the NU Merger and without
any action on the part of any holder of any equity interest in NU or Merger LLC:
(i) Cancelation of Certain NU Common Shares. Each NU Common Share
together with each associated right (each, a "NU Right") under the NU
Rights Agreement (as defined in Section 3.01(x)) that is owned by NU or
the Company shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be
canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall
be delivered in exchange therefor.
(ii) Conversion of NU Common Shares. Subject to (x) Sections
2.01(b)(i) and 2.04(e), (y) the allocation and proration provisions set
forth in 2.03 and (z) adjustment in accordance with Section 2.05(a), each
issued and outstanding NU Common Share together with each associated NU
Right shall be converted into the right to receive, at the election of the
holder thereof, one of the following:
(A) for each NU Common Share and associated NU Right with
respect to which an election to receive Company Common Stock ("Stock
Consideration") has been effectively made, and not revoked or lost,
or deemed to have been made, pursuant to Section 2.02 (a "Stock
Election"), the right to receive a number of shares of Company
Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio. If the Closing Date occurs
on or prior to August 5, 2000 (the "Adjustment Date"), the "Exchange
Ratio" shall be equal to the quotient (rounded to the nearest
thousandth, or if there shall not be a nearest thousandth, the next
higher thousandth) of $25 (the "Base Numerator") divided by the
Market Price (as defined below) of CEI Common Stock (the
"Denominator"); provided, however, that if (I) the Market Price is
less than $36, the Denominator shall be $36 and (II) the Market
Price is greater than $46, the Denominator shall be $46. If the
Closing Date is after the Adjustment Date, the Exchange Ratio shall
be equal to the quotient (rounded to the nearest thousandth, or if
there shall not be a nearest thousandth, the next higher thousandth)
of the Adjusted Numerator (as defined below) divided by the
Denominator. The "Adjusted Numerator" shall be equal to the Base
Numerator increased, for each day after the Adjustment Date up to
and including the day which is one day prior to the Closing Date, by
an amount equal to $0.0034 (the Base Numerator and the Adjusted
Numerator are herein collectively referred to as the "Numerator").
The "Market Price" of CEI Common Stock means the average (rounded to
the nearest thousandth, or if there shall not be a nearest
thousandth, the next higher thousandth) of the volume weighted
averages (rounded to the nearest thousandth, or if there shall not
be a nearest thousandth, the next higher thousandth) of the trading
prices of CEI Common Stock on the NYSE (as defined in Section
2.04(e)(ii)), as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets (or such
other source as the parties shall agree in writing), for the 20
trading days randomly selected by lot by CEI and NU together from
the 40 consecutive trading days ending on the fifth trading day
immediately preceding the Closing Date (excluding the Closing Date).
(B) for each such NU Common Share and associated NU Right with
respect to which an election to receive cash consideration (the
"Cash Consideration") has been effectively made, and not revoked or
lost, or deemed to have been made, pursuant to Section 2.02 (a "Cash
Election"), the right to receive cash, in an amount equal to $25. If
the Closing Date is after the Adjustment Date, the Cash
Consideration shall be increased, for each day after the Adjustment
Date up to and including the day which is one day prior to the
Closing Date, by an amount equal to $0.0034.
(iii) Cancelation of NU Common Shares. As of the NU Effective Time,
all NU Common Shares together with the associated NU Rights shall no
longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired and
shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate representing any NU
Common Shares and associated NU Rights shall cease to have any rights with
respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration upon
surrender of such certificate in accordance with Section 2.04, without
interest.
(iv) Conversion of Merger LLC Equity Interests. All of the equity
interests in Merger LLC issued and outstanding immediately prior to the NU
Effective Time (the only holders of which are the Company and LLC Holding
Sub) shall (A) with respect to such interests held by LLC Holding Sub, be
automatically canceled and retired and cease to exist and (B) with respect
to such interests held by the Company, be converted into 1,000 duly
authorized and issued and fully paid common shares of beneficial interest,
par value $5.00 per share, of NU.
(c) The shares of Company Common Stock to be issued pursuant to
Section 2.01(a)(ii) in the case of the CEI Shareholders, and the Stock
Consideration or the Cash Consideration to be issued and paid pursuant to
Section 2.01(b)(ii) in the case of the NU Shareholders, in each case, shall be
referred to, as applicable, as the "Merger Consideration".
(d) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Mergers and without any
action on the part of any holder of any capital stock of CEI or the Company or
any equity interest of NU, each share of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled, and no
consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.
SECTION 2.02. NU Shareholder Elections. (a) Each person who, on or
prior to the Election Date referred to in (b) below, is a record holder of NU
Common Shares and associated NU Rights shall be entitled, with respect to all or
any portion of such shares, to make a Stock Election or a Cash Election on or
prior to such Election Date, on the basis hereinafter set forth.
(b) The Company, CEI and NU shall prepare and mail, at least 15 but
no more than 60 days prior to the Closing Date, a form of election (the "Form of
Election") to the record holders of NU Common Shares and associated NU Rights as
of a record date five business days prior to such mailing, which Form of
Election shall be used by each record holder of NU Common Shares and associated
NU Rights who wishes to elect to receive the Stock Consideration or the Cash
Consideration for any or all of the NU Common Shares and associated NU Rights
held by such holder. NU will use its reasonable best efforts to make the Form of
Election available to all persons who become record holders of NU Common Shares
and associated NU Rights during the period between such record date and the
Closing Date. Any such holder's election to receive the Stock Consideration or
Cash Consideration shall have been properly made only if the Exchange and Paying
Agent (as defined in Section 2.04(a)) shall have received at its designated
office, by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fifth business day immediately
preceding the Closing Date or such other date as may be agreed to by CEI and NU
(the "Election Time"), a Form of Election properly completed and accompanied by
the Certificates (as defined in Section 2.04(b)) for the NU Common Shares and
associated NU Rights to which such Form of Election relates, duly endorsed in
blank or otherwise in form acceptable for transfer on the books of NU (or by an
appropriate guarantee of delivery), as set forth in such Form of Election.
(c) Any Form of Election may be revoked by the NU Shareholder who
submitted such Form of Election to the Exchange and Paying Agent only by written
notice received by the Exchange and Paying Agent prior to the Election Time. In
addition, all Forms of Election shall automatically be revoked if the Exchange
and Paying Agent is notified in writing by CEI that either of the Mergers has
been abandoned. If a Form of Election is effectively revoked, the Certificate or
Certificates (or guarantees of delivery, as appropriate) for the NU Common
Shares and associated NU Rights to which such Form of Election relates shall be
promptly returned to the NU Shareholder submitting the same to the Exchange and
Paying Agent. A revoked election cannot be reinstated without valid
resubmission, by the Election Time of a valid Election Form, and a revocation
will not constitute an election for any other consideration. Once a Form of
Election is effectively revoked by a NU Shareholder, such NU Shareholder may
make an effective election to receive the Stock Consideration or the Cash
Consideration only if such NU Shareholder delivers a new Form of Election to the
Exchange and Paying Agent at its designated office, by the Election Time,
together with all other documents required by, and in compliance with the
procedures set forth in or contemplated by, Section 2.02(b). In the case of
multiple Forms of Election received by the Exchange Agent in respect of the same
NU Common Shares and associated NU Rights, the last dated (or, if not dated, the
last received) will govern.
(d) The good faith determination of the Company whether or not
elections to receive the Stock Consideration or Cash Consideration has been
properly made or revoked pursuant to this Section 2.02 with respect to NU Common
Shares and associated NU Rights and when elections and revocations were received
by the Exchange and Paying Agent shall be binding. If no Form of Election is
received with respect to NU Common Shares and associated NU Rights, or if the
Company determines that any election to receive the Stock Consideration or Cash
Consideration was not properly made with respect to NU Common Shares and
associated NU Rights, (i) in the event that Oversubscribed Consideration (as
defined in Section 2.03(a)) exists, an election for the Undersubscribed
Consideration (as defined in Section 2.03(a)) shall be deemed to have been made
with respect to such NU Common Shares and associated NU Rights and such NU
Common Shares and associated NU Rights shall be exchanged in the NU Merger for
the Undersubscribed Consideration pursuant to Section 2.01(b)(ii)(A) or Section
2.01(b)(ii)(B), as the case may be, and (ii) in the event that no Oversubscribed
Consideration exists, an election for Cash Consideration shall be deemed to have
been made with respect to such shares and such shares shall be exchanged in the
NU Merger for Cash Consideration pursuant to Section 2.01(b)(ii)(B), until the
point where such an exchange would make the Cash Consideration an Oversubscribed
Consideration, following which any such NU Common Shares and associated NU
Rights that have not been so exchanged for Cash Consideration shall be exchanged
for Stock Consideration in accordance with Section 2.01(b)(ii)(A). With respect
to any situation in which deemed elections pursuant to the immediately preceding
two sentences require elections for both Cash Consideration and Stock
Consideration to be deemed made, the Company shall to the extent possible
allocate such deemed elections pro rata among such NU Common Shares and
associated NU Rights.
(e) The Company shall make all computations as to the allocation and
the proration contemplated by Section 2.03 and any such computation shall be
conclusive and binding on the NU Shareholders. CEI and NU may mutually agree to
make such rules as are consistent with this Section 2.02 for the implementation
of the elections provided for herein as shall be necessary or desirable fully to
effect such elections.
SECTION 2.03. Allocation and Proration of Cash and Company Common Stock.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the number of NU
Common Shares and associated NU Rights to be converted into the right to receive
(i) the Stock Consideration at the Effective Time (the "Maximum Stock Election
Number") shall not exceed 50% of the NU Outstanding Shares (as defined below)
and (ii) the Cash Consideration at the Effective Time (the "Maximum Cash
Election Number") shall not exceed 50% of the NU Outstanding Shares. If the
aggregate number of NU Common Shares and associated NU Rights in respect of
which elections have been made or deemed made pursuant to Section 2.02 exceeds
the Maximum Stock Election Number or the Maximum Cash Election Number, as the
case may be, the consideration for which such elections have been made or deemed
made shall be referred to herein as the "Oversubscribed Consideration". In the
event that an Oversubscribed Consideration exists, the form of consideration
that is not the Oversubscribed Consideration shall be referred to herein as the
"Undersubscribed Consideration". "NU Outstanding Shares" shall mean the NU
Common Shares and associated NU Rights outstanding immediately prior to the NU
Effective Time minus NU Common Shares and associated NU Rights that will be
canceled pursuant to Section 2.01(b)(i).
(b) If the aggregate number of NU Common Shares and associated NU
Rights in respect of which Stock Elections have been made or deemed made, in
each case in accordance with Section 2.02 (the "Requested Stock Amount") exceeds
the Maximum Stock Election Number, each holder making or deemed to be making
such a Stock Election shall receive, with respect to each NU Common Share and
associated NU Right for which such a Stock Election has been made or deemed
made, (x) such number of shares of Company Common Stock (together with cash in
lieu of fractional shares determined pursuant to Section 2.04(e)) equal to the
product of (A) the Exchange Ratio and (B) the Stock Proration Factor (as defined
below) and (y) cash in an amount equal to the product of (A) one minus the Stock
Proration Factor and (B) $25. The "Stock Proration Factor" shall be equal to a
fraction (expressed as a decimal) the numerator of which is the Maximum Stock
Election Number and the denominator of which is the Requested Stock Amount.
(c) If the aggregate number of NU Common Shares and associated NU
Rights in respect of which Cash Elections have been made or deemed made, in each
case in accordance with Section 2.02 (the "Requested Cash Amount") exceeds the
Maximum Cash Election Number, each holder making or deemed to be making such a
Cash Election shall receive, with respect to each NU Common Share and associated
NU Right for which such a Cash Election has been made or deemed made, (x) cash
in an amount equal to the product of (A) $25 and the Cash Proration Factor (as
defined below) and (y) such number of shares of Company Common Stock (together
with cash in lieu of fractional shares determined pursuant to Section 2.04(e))
equal to the product of (A) one minus the Cash Proration Factor and (B) the
Exchange Ratio. The "Cash Proration Factor" shall be equal to a fraction
(expressed as a decimal) the numerator of which is the Maximum Cash Election
Number and the denominator of which is the Requested Cash Amount.
SECTION 2.04. Exchange of Certificates. (a) Exchange and Paying
Agent. Promptly following the Effective Time, the Company shall deposit with
such bank or trust company as may be designated by the Company (the "Exchange
and Paying Agent"), for the benefit of the CEI Shareholders and the NU
Shareholders, for exchange in accordance with this Article II, through the
Exchange and Paying Agent, certificates representing the shares of Company
Common Stock and immediately available funds in amounts and at the times
necessary to pay the Merger Consideration (such shares of Company Common Stock
and funds, together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto
with a record date after the Effective Time, being hereinafter referred to as
the "Exchange Fund") in exchange for outstanding shares of CEI Common Stock (or
CEI Common Stock held by CECONY) or outstanding NU Common Shares together with
the associated NU Rights, as the case may be.
(b) Exchange Procedures. As soon as reasonably practicable after the
Effective Time, the Exchange and Paying Agent shall mail to each holder of
record of a certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective
Time represented outstanding shares of CEI Common Stock (or CEI Common Stock
held by CECONY) or outstanding NU Common Shares together with the associated NU
Rights (the "Certificates") whose shares were converted into the right to
receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to this Article II, (i) a letter of
transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of
loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the
Certificates to the Exchange and Paying Agent and shall be in such form and have
such other provisions as CEI and NU may reasonably specify) and (ii)
instructions for use in surrendering the Certificates in exchange for the Merger
Consideration. Upon surrender of a Certificate for cancelation to the Exchange
and Paying Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, and
such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Exchange and Paying
Agent, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive and the
Exchange and Paying Agent shall deliver, as the case may be, in exchange
therefor (i) a certificate representing that number of whole shares of Company
Common Stock (together with certain dividends or other distributions in
accordance with Section 2.04(c), cash in lieu of fractional shares in accordance
with Section 2.04(e) and any cash payable pursuant to Section 2.03) that such
holder has the right to receive or (ii) the amount of cash that such holder is
entitled to receive, in each case pursuant to the provisions of this Article II,
and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. In the event of
a transfer of ownership of CEI Common Stock or NU Common Shares and the
associated NU Rights that is not registered in the transfer records of CEI or
NU, as the case may be, a certificate representing the proper number of shares
of Company Common Stock may be issued to a person other than the person in whose
name the Certificate so surrendered is registered if such Certificate shall be
properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and the person
requesting such issuance shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by
reason of the issuance of shares of Company Common Stock to a person other than
the registered holder of such Certificate or establish to the satisfaction of
the Company that such tax has been paid or is not applicable. Until surrendered
as contemplated by this Section 2.04, each Certificate shall be deemed at any
time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such
surrender the Merger Consideration, which the holder thereof has the right to
receive in respect of such Certificate pursuant to the provisions of this
Article II, certain dividends or other distributions in accordance with Section
2.04(c) and cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Company Common Stock in
accordance with Section 2.04(e). No interest shall be paid or will accrue on the
Merger Consideration or any cash payable to holders of Certificates pursuant to
the provisions of this Article II.
(c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends
or other distributions with respect to Company Common Stock with a record date
after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered
Certificate with respect to the shares of Company Common Stock issuable
hereunder in respect thereof and no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares
shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section 2.04(e), and all such
dividends, other distributions and cash in lieu of fractional shares of Company
Common Stock shall be paid by the Company to the Exchange and Paying Agent and
shall be included in the Exchange Fund, in each case until the surrender of such
Certificate in accordance with this Article II. Subject to the effect of
applicable escheat or similar laws, following surrender of any such Certificate
there shall be paid to the holder of the certificate representing whole shares
of Company Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) as
soon as practicable after such surrender, the amount of dividends or other
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with
respect to such whole shares of Company Common Stock and the amount of any cash
payable in lieu of a fractional share of Company Common Stock to which such
holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.04(e) and (ii) at the appropriate
payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date
after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender and with a payment date
subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of
Company Common Stock.
(d) No Further Ownership Rights in CEI Common Stock or NU Common
Shares. All shares of Company Common Stock issued upon the surrender for
exchange of Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article II
(including any cash paid pursuant to this Article II) shall be deemed to have
been issued (and paid) in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the
shares of CEI Common Stock or the NU Common Shares and the associated NU Rights,
as the case may be, theretofore represented by such Certificates, subject,
however, to CEI and NU's respective obligations to pay any dividends or make any
other distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time that may have
been declared or made by CEI or NU, as the case may be, on such shares and which
remain unpaid at the Effective Time, and there shall be no further registration
of transfers on the stock transfer books of CEI or NU of the shares of CEI
Common Stock or the NU Common Shares and the associated NU Rights, respectively,
that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the
Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Company, CEI, NU or the
Exchange and Paying Agent for any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged
as provided in this Article II, except as otherwise provided by Applicable Law.
(e) No Fractional Shares. (i) No certificates or scrip representing
fractional shares of Company Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for
exchange of Certificates, no dividend or distribution of the Company shall
relate to such fractional share interests and such fractional share interests
will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a shareholder of
the Company.
(ii) As promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, the
Exchange and Paying Agent shall determine the excess of (A) the number of whole
shares of Company Common Stock delivered to the Exchange and Paying Agent by the
Company pursuant to Section 2.04(a) over (B) the aggregate number of whole
shares of Company Common Stock to be distributed to former NU Shareholders
pursuant to this Article II (such excess being herein called the "Excess
Shares"). Following the Effective Time, the Exchange and Paying Agent shall, on
behalf of former NU Shareholders, sell the Excess Shares at then-prevailing
prices on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the "NYSE"), all in the manner
provided in Section 2.04(e)(iii).
(iii) The sale of the Excess Shares by the Exchange and Paying Agent
shall be executed on the NYSE through one or more member firms thereof and shall
be executed in round lots to the extent practicable. The Exchange and Paying
Agent shall use reasonable best efforts to complete the sale of the Excess
Shares as promptly following the Effective Time as, in the Exchange and Paying
Agent's sole judgment, is practicable consistent with obtaining the best
execution of such sales in light of prevailing market conditions. Until the net
proceeds of such sale or sales have been distributed to the holders of
Certificates formerly representing NU Common Shares and the associated NU Rights
the Exchange and Paying Agent shall hold such proceeds in trust for such holders
(the "Common Shares Trust"). The Company shall pay all commissions, transfer
taxes and other out-of-pocket transaction costs, including the expenses and
compensation of the Exchange and Paying Agent incurred in connection with such
sale of the Excess Shares. The Exchange and Paying Agent shall determine the
portion of the Common Shares Trust to which each former NU Shareholder is
entitled, if any, by multiplying the amount of the aggregate net proceeds
composing the Common Shares Trust by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
amount of the fractional share interest to which such former NU Shareholder is
entitled and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of fractional
share interests to which all former NU Shareholders are entitled.
(iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.04(e)(ii) and
(iii), the Company may elect at its option, exercised prior to the Effective
Time, in lieu of the issuance and sale of Excess Shares and the making of the
payments hereinabove contemplated, to pay each former NU Shareholder an amount
in cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the fractional share
interest to which such former NU Shareholder would otherwise be entitled by (B)
the closing price for a share of CEI Common Stock as reported on the NYSE
Composite Transaction Tape (as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets, or, if
not reported thereby, any other authoritative source) on the business day
immediately prior to the Closing Date, and, in such case, all references herein
to the cash proceeds of the sale of the Excess Shares and similar references
shall be deemed to mean and refer to the payments calculated as set forth in
this Section 2.04(e)(iv).
(v) As soon as practicable after the determination of the amount of
cash, if any, to be paid to holders of Certificates formerly representing NU
Common Shares and the associated NU Rights with respect to any fractional share
interests, the Exchange and Paying Agent shall make available such amounts to
such holders of Certificates formerly representing NU Common Shares and the
associated NU Rights subject to and in accordance with the terms of Section
2.04(c).
(f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund
which remains undistributed to the holders of the Certificates for six months
after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Company, upon demand, and any
holders of the Certificates who have not theretofore complied with this Article
II shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment of their claim for
Merger Consideration, any dividends or distributions with respect to Company
Common Stock, and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Company Common Stock.
(g) No Liability. None of CEI, NU, the Company, Merger LLC or the
Exchange and Paying Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any shares
of Company Common Stock, any dividends or distributions with respect thereto,
any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Company Common Stock or any cash from
the Exchange Fund, in each case delivered to a public official pursuant to any
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. If any Certificate shall
not have been surrendered prior to two years after the Effective Time (or
immediately prior to such earlier date on which any Merger Consideration, any
dividends or distributions payable to the holder of such Certificate or any cash
payable to the holder of such Certificate formerly representing CEI Common Stock
or NU Common Shares and the associated NU Rights, as the case may be, pursuant
to this Article II, would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any
Governmental Entity (as defined in Section 3.01(d)), any such Merger
Consideration, dividends or distributions in respect of such Certificate or such
cash shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, become the property of
the Company, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously
entitled thereto.
(h) Investment of Exchange Fund and Common Shares Trust. The
Exchange and Paying Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund
and Common Shares Trust, as directed by the Company, on a daily basis. Any
interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to the
Company.
(i) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by
the Company, the posting by such person of a bond in such reasonable amount as
the Company may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against
it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange and Paying Agent shall issue
in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the Merger
Consideration and, if applicable, any unpaid dividends and distributions on
shares of Company Common Stock deliverable in respect thereof and any cash in
lieu of fractional shares, in each case pursuant to this Agreement.
(j) Withholding Rights. The Company shall be entitled to deduct and
withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to any CEI Shareholder or any
NU Shareholder, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as
may be required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such
payment under the Code, or under any provision of state, local or foreign tax
law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate
taxing authority, the Company will be treated as though it withheld an
appropriate amount of the type of consideration otherwise payable pursuant to
this Agreement to any CEI Shareholder or any NU Shareholder, as the case may be,
and if such consideration is not cash, sold such consideration for an amount of
cash equal to the fair market value of such consideration at the time of such
deemed sale, and paid such cash consideration or proceeds to the appropriate
taxing authority.
SECTION 2.05. Adjustments for Sale of Certain NU Nuclear Facilities.
(a) Certain Adjustments to the Stock Consideration and the Cash Consideration.
If after the date of this Agreement and on or prior to the Closing Date, (i) the
relevant NU Subsidiaries have entered into one or more legally binding
agreements providing for the sale to one or more third parties which are not
Affiliates of NU of both Millstone Station 2 and Millstone Station 3, which
agreements need not include any interest therein owned by Public Service Company
of New Hampshire ("PSNH"), in accordance, in all material respects, with
applicable legislation and the rules, regulations and policies of DPUC (existing
as of, or established after, the date of this Agreement) for approval of such
agreements (the "NU Nuclear Facilities Sales Agreements") and (ii) the Utility
Operations and Management Unit ("UOMA") of DPUC (as defined in Section
3.01(d)(iii)) has submitted a formal written recommendation to DPUC for approval
of the NU Nuclear Facilities Sales Agreement, or the DPUC shall have issued a
Final Order (as defined in Section 6.02(e)) approving such NU Nuclear Facilities
Sales Agreements, then (A) in the case of each NU Common Share and associated NU
Right with respect to which a Stock Election has been effectively made, and not
revoked or lost, or deemed to have been made, pursuant to Section 2.02, the
Numerator shall be increased by an amount equal to $1.00 and (B) in the case of
each NU Common Share and associated NU Right with respect to which a Cash
Election has been effectively made, and not revoked or lost, or deemed to have
been made, pursuant to Section 2.02, the Cash Consideration shall be increased
by an amount equal to $1.00.
(b) Certain Contingent Value Rights. If the relevant NU Subsidiaries
have not entered into the NU Nuclear Facilities Sales Agreements on or prior to
the Closing Date, and the Closing Date occurs on or prior to December 31, 2000,
each NU Shareholder shall receive (in addition to the Stock Consideration or
Cash Consideration otherwise received by such NU Shareholder in the NU Merger)
for each NU Common Share and associated NU Right, one non-transferable
contingent value right issued by the Company (each, a "CVR") entitling the
holder thereof to payment of $1.00 in cash if, on or prior to December 31, 2000,
(i) the relevant NU Subsidiaries have entered into the NU Nuclear Facilities
Sales Agreements and (ii) UOMA has submitted a formal written recommendation to
DPUC for approval of such NU Nuclear Facilities Sales Agreements or the DPUC
shall have issued a Final Order approving such NU Nuclear Facilities Sales
Agreements. If any CVRs are issued and as of 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on
December 31, 2000 (i) the relevant NU Subsidiaries have not entered into the NU
Nuclear Facilities Sales Agreements or (ii) UOMA has not submitted a formal
written recommendation to DPUC for approval of such NU Nuclear Facilities Sales
Agreements and the DPUC shall not have issued a Final Order approving such NU
Nuclear Facilities Sales Agreements, then the CVRs shall expire. In the event
that the Company is required to issue any CVRs, CEI and NU shall negotiate in
good faith the other terms and conditions of such CVRs.
SECTION 2.06. Certain Adjustments. If after the date hereof and on
or prior to the Closing Date, the outstanding shares of CEI Common Stock (and
CEI Common Stock held by CECONY) shall be changed into a different number of
shares by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, split-up,
combination or exchange of shares, or any dividend payable in stock or other
securities is declared thereon with a record date within such period, or any
similar event shall occur, the Merger Consideration will be adjusted accordingly
to provide to the holders of CEI Common Stock (including CECONY) and NU Common
Shares and the associated NU Rights, respectively, the same economic effect as
contemplated by this Agreement prior to such reclassification, recapitalization,
split-up, combination, exchange or dividend or similar event.
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties III Representations
and Warranties III Representations and Warranties
SECTION 3.01. Representations and Warranties of NU. Representations and
Warranties of NU. Except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule delivered by NU
to CEI prior to the execution of this Agreement (the "NU Disclosure Schedule")
and making reference to the particular subsection of this Agreement to which
exception is being taken, NU represents and warrants to CEI as follows:
(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. NU is a voluntary
association duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, each subsidiary of NU (each a "NU
Subsidiary") is a corporation or other legal entity duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is
organized and each of NU and the NU Subsidiaries has the requisite corporate or
other power, as the case may be, and authority to carry on its business as now
being conducted, except, as to the NU Subsidiaries, for those jurisdictions
where the failure to be so organized, existing or in good standing would not
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in
Section 8.03) on NU. The respective articles of incorporation and by-laws or
other organizational documents of each NU Subsidiary, in each case as amended
through the date of this Agreement, do not contain any provision limiting or
otherwise restricting the ability of NU to control each such NU Subsidiary.
(b) Subsidiaries. Section 3.01(b) of the NU Disclosure Schedule sets
forth, as of the date of this Agreement, a complete list of (i) the NU
Subsidiaries and specifies each of NU's Subsidiaries that is a "public-utility
company", a "holding company", a "subsidiary company", an "affiliate" of any
public-utility company, an "exempt wholesale generator" or a "foreign utility
company" within the meaning of Section 2(a)(5), 2(a)(7), 2(a)(8), 2(a)(11),
32(a)(1) or 33(a)(3) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
amended ("PUHCA"), respectively, or a "public utility" within the meaning of
Section 201(e) of the Federal Power Act (the "Power Act") and (ii) all other
entities in which NU has an aggregate equity investment in excess of $5 million.
(c) Capital Structure. NU is authorized to issue up to 225,000,000
NU Common Shares and no shares with a preference as to dividends or in
liquidation or otherwise over the NU Common Shares have been authorized or
issued. At the close of business on October 12, 1999, 137,237,564 NU Common
Shares were issued and outstanding, including 3,746 NU Common Shares were held
by NU in its treasury. During the period from October 12, 1999 through the date
of this Agreement, NU has not issued any NU Common Shares or placed any NU
Common Shares in its treasury (except, in each case, as required by the NU Stock
Plans (as defined below)). As of the date of this Agreement, (i) other than
pursuant to the NU Stock Plans (as defined below) and the NU Rights Plan, no
securities of NU convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of
equity interest of NU were outstanding; (ii) other than pursuant to the NU Stock
Plans and the NU Rights Plan, no warrants, calls, options or other rights to
acquire from NU or any NU Subsidiary, and no obligation of NU or any NU
Subsidiary to issue, any shares of equity interest of NU were outstanding; and
(iii) no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of NU or any NU
Subsidiary having the right to vote on matters presented to shareholders of NU
or such NU Subsidiary (or convertible into securities of NU or any NU Subsidiary
having the right to vote on matters presented to shareholders of NU or such NU
Subsidiary)("NU Voting Debt") were outstanding. Section 3.01(c) of the NU
Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list and description of each plan or program of
NU or any NU Subsidiary pursuant to which securities or options to purchase
securities of NU or any NU Subsidiary may be issued or delivered (collectively,
the "NU Stock Plans"). Section 3.01(c) of the NU Disclosure Schedule sets forth
a complete and correct list, as of the date of this Agreement, of the number of
NU Common Shares subject to employee stock options to purchase or receive NU
Common Shares and the exercise prices thereof and a list of NU Common Shares
reserved for issuance relating to other rights to purchase or receive NU Common
Shares granted under the NU Stock Plans (collectively with such employee stock
options, the "NU Stock Options"). All the outstanding shares of equity interest
of NU and all the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity
interests in, each of the NU Subsidiaries have been validly issued and are fully
paid and nonassessable and (except for any series of preferred stock of any NU
Subsidiary held by public shareholders) all the outstanding shares of capital
stock of, or other equity interests in, each of the NU Subsidiaries are, as of
the date of this Agreement, owned directly or indirectly by NU, free and clear
of all pledges, claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and security interests of
any kind or nature whatsoever (collectively, "Liens") and free of any other
restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise
dispose of such capital stock or other ownership interests) and there are no
outstanding subscriptions, options, calls, contracts, voting trusts, proxies or
other commitments, understandings, restrictions, arrangements, rights or
warrants, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding
security, instrument or other agreement, obligating any such NU Subsidiary to
issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional
shares of its equity interest or obligating it to grant, extend or enter into
any such agreement or commitment.
(d) Authority; Noncontravention; Statutory Approvals. (i) Authority.
NU has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and,
subject to the NU Shareholder Approval (as defined in Section 3.01(o)) and the
applicable NU Statutory Approvals (as defined in Section 3.01(d)(iii)), to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by NU and the consummation by NU of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action
on the part of NU, subject, in the case of the NU Merger and the Trust Agreement
Amendments, to the NU Shareholder Approval. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by NU and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery by each of the other parties hereto, constitutes the legal, valid and
binding obligation of NU, enforceable against NU in accordance with its terms.
(ii) Noncontravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by NU
do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and compliance with the provisions of this Agreement will not, conflict with, or
result in any violation of, or constitute a breach or default (with or without
notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or result in the termination of, or
give rise to a right of termination, cancelation, modification or acceleration
of, any obligation or loss of a benefit under, or result in the creation of any
Lien upon any of the properties or assets of NU or any NU Subsidiary under (any
such conflict, violation, breach, default, termination, right of termination,
modification, cancelation or acceleration, loss or creation is referred to
herein as a "Violation" with respect to NU and such term when used in Section
3.02 has a correlative meaning with respect to CEI), (A) subject to obtaining
the NU Shareholder Approval, the Trust Agreement, (B) the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws or similar governing documents of any NU Subsidiary
(other than any such Violation that, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on NU), (C) any loan or credit agreement, note,
bond, mortgage, indenture, standstill agreement, lease, deed of trust or other
agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, license or similar
authorization or any other material agreement applicable to NU or any NU
Subsidiary or their respective properties or assets (other than any such
Violation that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on NU) or (D) subject to obtaining the NU Statutory Approvals and
the receipt of the NU Shareholder Approval, any statute, law, ordinance, rule or
regulation (collectively, "Applicable Law") or any judgment, decree, order,
injunction, writ, permit or license of any Governmental Entity (as defined in
Section 3.01(d)(iii)) applicable to NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries or any of
their respective properties or assets (other than immaterial consents,
approvals, orders, authorizations, actions, registrations, declarations or
filings, including with respect to communications systems, zoning, name change,
occupancy and similar routine regulatory approvals).
(iii) Statutory Approvals. No consent, approval, order, permit or
authorization of, action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or
filing with, or notice to, (other than immaterial consents, approvals, permits,
orders, authorizations, actions, registrations, declarations or filings,
including with respect to communications systems, zoning, name change, occupancy
and similar routine regulatory approvals) any Federal, state, local or foreign
government, any court, administrative, regulatory (including a stock exchange)
or other governmental agency, commission or authority or any non-governmental
self-regulatory agency, commission or authority (a "Governmental Entity") is
required by or with respect to NU or any NU Subsidiary in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by NU or the consummation by NU of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for: (A) compliance with and
the filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended (the "HSR Act"); (B) the filing with, and to the extent required, the
declaration of effectiveness by, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") of (1) a proxy statement relating to the NU Shareholders Meeting (as
defined in Section 5.01(b)) (such proxy statement, together with the proxy
statement relating to the CEI Shareholders Meeting (as defined in Section
5.01(c)), in each case as amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Joint
Proxy Statement"), (2) the registration statement on Form S-4 prepared in
connection with the issuance of Company Common Stock in the Mergers (the "Form
S-4") and (3) such reports under Section 13(a), 13(d), 15(d) or 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as may be
required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement; (C)(1) the filing of the CEI Delaware Certificate of Merger with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the filing of the CEI New
York Certificate of Merger to the Department of State of the State of New York,
and the filing of the NU Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and appropriate documents with the relevant
authorities of other states in which NU and any of the NU Subsidiaries are
qualified to do business and such filings with Governmental Entities to satisfy
the applicable requirements of state or provincial securities or "blue sky" laws
and (2) the filing of the Trust Agreement Amendments with the Secretary of State
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; (D) such filings with and approvals of the
NYSE to permit the shares of Company Common Stock that are to be issued pursuant
to Article II to be listed on the NYSE; (E) the registration, consents,
approvals and notices required under PUHCA; (F) notice to, and the consent and
approval of, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") under the Power
Act; (G) to the extent required, notice to, and the consent and approval of, the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the "NRC") under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954,
as amended (the "Atomic Energy Act"); (H) to the extent required, notice to and
the approval of (1) the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control
("DPUC"), (2) the Maine Public Utilities Commission ("MPUC"), (3) the
Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy ("MDTE") and the
Massachusetts Department of Revenue (the "MDR"), (4) the New Hampshire Public
Utilities Commission ("NHPUC"), (5) the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
("NJBPU"), (6) the New York State Public Service Commission ("NYPSC"), (7) the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ("PPUC"), (8) Vermont Public Services
Board ("VPSB", and collectively with DPUC, MPUC, MDTE, MDR, NHPUC, NJBPU, NYPSC,
PPUC, the "Applicable PUCs"); (I) to the extent required, notice to and the
consent and approval of the Governmental Entities listed on Section
3.01(d)(iii)(I) of the NU Disclosure Schedule; and (J) the filing of the
certificate of incorporation of the Company in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the preceding
clauses (A) through (J) collectively, whether or not legally required to be
obtained, the "NU Statutory Approvals").
(e) Reports and Financial Statements. The filings (other than
immaterial filings) required to be made by NU and the NU Subsidiaries under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Exchange Act,
PUHCA, the Power Act, the Atomic Energy Act or applicable state public utility
laws and regulations have been filed with the SEC, FERC, the NRC or the
appropriate state public utilities commission, as the case may be, including all
forms, statements, reports, tariffs, contracts, agreements (oral or written) and
all documents, exhibits, amendments and supplements appertaining thereto
required to be filed with such commission. As of their respective dates, the
reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents (including exhibits
and all other information incorporated therein) required to be filed by NU or
any NU Subsidiary with the SEC since January 1, 1997 (the "NU SEC Documents")
complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act or PUHCA, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of
the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such NU SEC Documents, and none of
the NU SEC Documents when filed contained any untrue statement of a material
fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of NU
included in the NU SEC Documents (the "NU Financial Statements") comply as to
form, as of their respective dates of filing with the SEC, in all material
respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") (except, in
the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied
on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in
the notes thereto) and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated
financial position of NU and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates
thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the
periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal
recurring year-end audit adjustments).
(f) Assets and Properties. NU and the NU Subsidiaries have good and
sufficient title to all properties and assets reflected on the consolidated
balance sheet of NU and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the NU
Financial Statements or thereafter acquired (except as sold or otherwise
disposed of since the date of such balance sheet (A) with respect to any such
sale or disposition prior to the date of this Agreement or (B) with respect to
any such sale or disposition from and after the date of this Agreement, in
compliance with clause (e) of Section 4.01) in each case free and clear of all
Liens (other than Liens under any mortgage indenture of any NU Subsidiary
applicable to the assets of such NU Subsidiary), except where the failure to
have good title free and clear of all Liens to any such properties or assets
would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
NU. The tangible assets of NU and the NU Subsidiaries are in an adequate state
of maintenance and repair (except for ordinary wear and tear), except where
their failure to be in such state of maintenance and repair would not have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on NU.
(g) Franchises. NU and the NU Subsidiaries own or have sufficient
rights and consents to locate and use under existing franchises, permits,
easements, leases, and license agreements (the "NU Permits") all properties,
rights and assets necessary for the conduct of their business and operations as
currently conducted, except where the failure to own or have sufficient rights
to such properties, rights and assets would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on NU. To the knowledge (as defined in
Section 8.03) of NU, no other private corporation has as of the date of this
Agreement commenced, or, without obtaining a certificate of public convenience
and necessity from the applicable state utility commission, can commence,
operations distributing electricity to the general public along and across
public streets and ways in any part of the territories now served by NU or any
NU Subsidiary.
(h) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied by or on
behalf of, or to be supplied by or on behalf of, NU specifically for inclusion
or incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4
is filed or becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they are made, not misleading or (ii) the Joint Proxy
Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the NU Shareholders or at the
time of the NU Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading. The Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy
Statement, insofar as they relate to NU, will comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
respectively, and the respective rules and regulations thereunder.
(i) Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as disclosed in the
NU SEC Documents filed pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and
publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement (the "Previously Filed NU
SEC Documents"), since December 31, 1998, to the date of this Agreement, (i) NU
and each of the NU Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (ii) there
has not been, and no fact or condition exists which, individually or in the
aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on NU. Except as disclosed in
the Previously Filed NU SEC Documents, from December 31, 1998 through the date
of this Agreement, there has not been (i) any declaration, setting aside or
payment of any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or
property) with respect to any equity interest of NU, (ii) any split, combination
or reclassification of any equity interest of NU or any issuance or the
authorization of any issuance of any equity interest of NU or NU Voting Debt or
any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for any equity
interest of NU, except for issuances of NU Common Shares under the NU Stock
Plans in accordance with their present terms or upon exercise of outstanding NU
Stock Options, or (iii) except as may have been required by a change in GAAP,
any change in accounting methods, principles or practices by NU or any NU
Subsidiary materially affecting their respective assets, liabilities or
business. As of the date of this Agreement, none of (i) the Agreement and Plan
of Merger (the "Yankee Merger Agreement") dated as of June 14, 1999 among Yankee
Energy System, Inc. ("Yankee") and NU, (ii) the Purchase and Sale Agreement (the
"CL&P/NGC Sale Agreement") dated July 2, 1999 between The Connecticut Light and
Power Company ("CL&P") and Northeast Generation Company ("NGC"), (iii) the
Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "NRG Sale Agreement") dated July 1, 1999,
between CL&P and NRG, Inc. (the "NRG Sale Agreement") and (iv) the Purchase and
Sale Agreement (the "WMECO/NGC Sale Agreement") dated July 2, 1999, between
Western Massachusetts Electric Company ("WMECO") and NGC.
(j) Compliance with Applicable Laws; Litigation. Except as disclosed
in the Previously Filed NU SEC Documents, NU and the NU Subsidiaries are in
compliance with the terms of the NU Permits and all Applicable Laws, except
where the failure so to comply would not have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect on NU. Except as disclosed in the Previously Filed NU
SEC Documents, no action, demand, requirement or investigation by any
Governmental Entity and no suit, action or proceeding by any person, in each
case with respect to NU or any NU Subsidiary or any of their respective
properties is pending or, to the knowledge of NU, threatened, other than, in
each case, those the outcome of which, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on NU. All utility rates charged by NU and
the applicable NU Subsidiaries have been and continue to be made pursuant to
lawfully filed tariffs and contracts. This provision shall not apply to
environmental or to health and safety matters, which are exclusively the subject
of Section 3.01(t).
(k) Absence of Changes in Benefit Plans. Since the date of the most
recent audited financial statements included in the Previously Filed NU SEC
Documents, there has not been any adoption or amendment in any material respect
by NU or any NU Subsidiary of any collective bargaining agreement or any
material bonus, pension, profit sharing, savings, deferred compensation,
incentive compensation, stock ownership, stock purchase, stock option, phantom
stock, retirement, vacation, severance, disability, death benefit,
hospitalization, medical or other plan, arrangement or understanding providing
benefits to any current or former trustee, director, officer or employee of NU
or any NU Subsidiary (collectively, the "NU Benefit Plans"), or any material
change in any actuarial or other assumption used to calculate funding
obligations with respect to any NU pension or post-retirement benefit plans or
arrangements, or any material change in the manner in which contributions to any
NU pension or post-retirement benefit plans or arrangements are made or the
basis on which such contributions are determined.
(l) Employee Matters; ERISA. (i) Except for employment agreements
providing benefits (other than material severance benefits) but no employment
term other than at will, Section 3.01(l)(i) of the NU Disclosure Schedule
contains a true and complete list of each (A) written or material oral deferred
compensation, bonus or other incentive compensation, stock purchase, stock
option, restricted stock and other equity compensation or ownership plan,
program, agreement or arrangement; (B) written or material oral severance or
termination pay, medical, surgical, hospitalization, life insurance and other
"welfare" plan, fund or program (within the meaning of Section 3(l) of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")); (C)
profit-sharing, stock bonus or other "pension" plan, fund or program (within the
meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA); (D) written or material oral employment,
retention, consulting, termination or severance agreement; and (E) other written
or material oral employee benefit plan, fund, program, agreement or arrangement,
in each case, that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to or required to be
contributed to by NU or by any trade or business, whether or not incorporated
(an "ERISA Affiliate"), that together with NU would be deemed a "single
employer" within the meaning of Section 4001(b) of ERISA, or to which NU or an
ERISA Affiliate is party, for the benefit of any employee or former employee of
NU or any NU Subsidiary (the foregoing plans, funds, programs, agreements and
arrangements in this Section 3.01(l)(i) being referred to collectively as the
"NU Plans").
(ii) With respect to each NU Plan (except for NU Plans that are
"multiemployer plans" as that term is defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA),
NU has heretofore delivered or made available to CEI true and complete
copies of each of the following documents:
(A) a copy of each written NU Plan and any amendments
thereto;
(B) a copy of the two most recent annual reports on Internal
Revenue Service Form 5500 and actuarial reports, if required under
ERISA, and the most recent report prepared with respect thereto in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 87
and 106;
(C) a copy of the most recent Summary Plan Description
(including supplements) required under ERISA with respect thereto;
(D) if the NU Plan is funded through a trust or any third
party funding vehicle, a copy of the trust or other funding
agreement and the latest financial statements thereof and all
related agreements; and
(E) the most recent determination letter or pending
determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service with
respect to each NU Plan intended to qualify under Section 401 or
501(c)(9) of the Code.
(iii) No liability under Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA has been
incurred by NU or any ERISA Affiliate that has not been satisfied in full,
and no condition exists that presents a risk to NU or any ERISA Affiliate
of incurring any such liability, other than liability for premiums due the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") (which premiums have been
paid when due) in each case except where such occurrence, individually or
in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on NU. No NU
Plan has, to the knowledge of NU, engaged in a "prohibited transaction"
(as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) not
exempted under or pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code or Section 408 of
ERISA, no NU Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA (a "Title IV NU Plan") has
been terminated by the PBGC or has been the subject of a "reportable
event" (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations
thereunder) for which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived
and NU has not received any notice of intent by PBGC to terminate any such
Plan in each case except where such occurrence, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on NU. Schedule
3.01(l)(iii) of the NU Disclosure Schedule sets forth, in respect of each
of the last two completed plan years, (x) the amount of contributions made
by NU and its Affiliates to each Title IV NU Plan and (y) the amount of
insurance premiums required to be paid by NU and its Affiliates to the
PBGC.
(iv) With respect to each Title IV NU Plan, the present value of
accrued benefits under such Plan, based upon the actuarial assumptions
used for funding purposes in the most recent actuarial report prepared by
such Plan's actuary with respect to such Plan did not exceed, as of its
latest valuation date, the then current value of the assets of such Plan
allocable to such accrued benefits.
(v) No Title IV NU Plan or any trust established thereunder has
incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302
of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, as of the
last day of the most recent fiscal year of each Title IV NU Plan ended
prior to the date of this Agreement nor has there been any application for
waiver of the minimum funding standards imposed by Section 412 of the
Code. All contributions required to be made with respect to any NU Plan on
or prior to the Closing Date have been or will have been timely made or
are reflected on the balance sheet except where such failure to make any
such contributions, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on NU.
(vi) No Title IV NU Plan is a "multiemployer plan", as defined in
Section 3(37) of ERISA, nor is any Title IV NU Plan a plan described in
Section 4063(a) of ERISA.
(vii) Each NU Plan has been operated and administered in accordance
with its terms and Applicable Law, including but not limited to ERISA and
the Code, the rules and regulations thereunder, except where such
noncompliance, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on NU. Each NU Plan intended to be "qualified" under
Section 401(a) or 501(c)(9) of the Code is so qualified and its trusts
maintained thereunder are exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the
Code. To the knowledge of NU, there is no fact, condition or set of
circumstances existing that could adversely affect such favorable
determination. To NU's knowledge, there are no investigations pending in
respect of any NU Plan by any Governmental Entity.
(viii) No NU Plan provides medical, surgical, hospitalization, death
or similar benefits (whether or not insured) for employees or former
employees (or their beneficiaries) of NU or any NU Subsidiary for periods
extending beyond their respective dates of retirement or other termination
of service, other than (A) coverage mandated by Applicable Law, (B) death
benefits under any "pension plan", or (C) benefits the full cost of which
is borne by the current or former employee (or his beneficiary).
(ix) To the knowledge of NU, no amounts payable under the NU Plans
will fail to be deductible for Federal income tax purposes by virtue of
either Section 280G or 162(m) of the Code.
(x) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement will not, either alone or in combination with another event, (A)
entitle any current or former trustee, director, officer or employee of NU
or any ERISA Affiliate to severance pay, unemployment compensation or any
other payment, (B) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase
the amount of compensation due any such trustee, director, officer or
employee or (C) require the immediate funding or financing of any
compensation or benefits. Schedule 3.01(l)(x) of the NU Disclosure
Schedule sets forth estimates prepared by NU of the amounts reasonably
expected to be paid to participants in any NU Plan (or by which any of
their benefits may be increased or accelerated) as a result of (A) the
execution of this Agreement, (B) the obtaining of the NU Shareholders
Approval, (C) consummation of the Mergers and (D) termination or
constructive termination of any trustee, director, officer or employee's
employment with NU or any NU Subsidiary. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, the determination of the amounts set forth in Schedule
3.01(l)(x) is based upon each employee's current compensation, outstanding
awards and benefits accrued (as applicable) and on such other factors as
NU, taking into account Applicable Law, deems reasonable and appropriate.
(xi) To the knowledge of NU, there are no pending, threatened or
anticipated claims by or on behalf of any NU Plan, by any employee or
beneficiary covered under any such NU Plan, or otherwise involving any
such NU Plan (other than routine claims for benefits) except to the extent
that such claims, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on NU.
(m) Labor and Employee Relations. (i) Except as disclosed in the
Previously Filed NU SEC Documents, as of the date of this Agreement, (A) except
for the existing collective bargaining agreements with the unions set forth on
Section 3.01(m) of the NU Disclosure Schedule, in each case as in effect on the
date of this Agreement (copies of which have been delivered to CEI), neither NU
nor any of the NU Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement
or other labor agreement with any union or labor organization and (B) to the
knowledge of NU, there is no current union representation question involving
employees of NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries, nor does NU have knowledge of any
activity or proceeding of any labor organization (or representative thereof) or
employee group to organize any such employees, except to the extent such,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
NU.
(ii) Except as disclosed in the Previously Filed NU SEC Documents or
except to the extent such, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on NU, (A) there is no unfair labor practice, employment
discrimination or other charge, claim, suit, action or proceeding against NU or
any of the NU Subsidiaries pending, or to the knowledge of NU, threatened before
any court, governmental department, commission, agency, instrumentality or
authority or any arbitrator, (B) there is no strike, lockout or material
dispute, slowdown or work stoppage pending or, to the knowledge of NU,
threatened against or involving NU, and (C) there is no proceeding, claim, suit,
action or governmental investigation pending or, to the knowledge of NU,
threatened in respect of which any trustee, director, officer, employee or agent
of NU or any NU Subsidiary is or may be entitled to claim indemnification from
NU or any NU Subsidiary pursuant to the Trust Agreement (in the case of NU) or
their certificates of incorporation or By-laws (in the case of the NU
Subsidiaries) or as provided in the indemnification agreements listed in Section
3.01(m)(ii) of the NU Disclosure Schedule or any other indemnification
agreements.
(n) Taxes. (i) Except as to any items that would not, individually
or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on NU:
(A) NU and each of the NU Subsidiaries has (I) filed all
Federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax returns or
reports (including declarations of estimated tax) required to be
filed by it, and all such returns are complete and accurate, (II)
paid all taxes of any nature whatsoever (together with any related
penalties and interest) (any of the foregoing being referred to
herein as a "Tax"), that are shown on such Tax returns as due and
payable on or before the date of this Agreement, and (III) paid on
behalf of itself or others all Taxes otherwise required to be paid
on or before the date of this Agreement.
(B) There are no claims or assessments pending against NU or
any of the NU Subsidiaries for any alleged deficiency in Tax, and,
to the knowledge of NU, there is not any threatened Tax claims or
assessments against NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries.
(C) NU and each of the NU Subsidiaries has established
adequate reserves for current Taxes and for any liability for
deferred Taxes in the NU Financial Statements in accordance with
GAAP.
(D) All Taxes required to be withheld, collected or deposited
by or with respect to NU and each of the NU Subsidiaries have been
timely withheld, collected or deposited, as the case may be, and, to
the extent required, have been paid to the relevant taxing
authority.
(E) There are no Liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes
not yet due and payable) on the assets of NU or any NU Subsidiary.
(F) The Federal income Tax returns of the consolidated group
for which NU is the common parent either have been examined and
settled with the Internal Revenue Service or closed by virtue of the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for all years
through 1993.
(G) None of NU or any NU Subsidiary shall be required to
include in a taxable period ending after the Effective Time an
amount of taxable income attributable to income that accrued in a
prior taxable period but was not recognized in any prior taxable
period as a result of the installment method of accounting, the
completed contract method of accounting, the long-term contract
method of accounting, the cash method of accounting or Section 481
of the Code or comparable provisions of state, local or foreign Tax
law.
(H) Neither NU nor any NU Subsidiary has, within the five
preceding taxable years, deferred gain recognition for Federal
income tax purposes under Sections 1031 or 1033 of the Code.
(I) None of the property owned or used by NU or any NU
Subsidiary is subject to a lease other than a "true" lease for
Federal income tax purposes.
(J) NU has not made, within the five preceding taxable years,
a disclosure on a Tax return pursuant to Section 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii)
of the Code.
(K) Neither NU nor any NU Subsidiary has constituted either a
"distributing corporation" or a "controlled corporation" (within the
meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of
stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the
Code (I) in the two years prior to the date of this Agreement or
(II) in a distribution which could otherwise constitute part of a
"plan" or "series of related transactions" (within the meaning of
Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with the Mergers.
(ii) Neither NU nor any NU Subsidiary has taken any action, or
failed to take any action, or has knowledge of any fact, agreement, plan
or other circumstance that is reasonably likely to prevent (A) the Mergers
from constituting a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code or
(B) the CEI Merger from constituting a transaction described in Section
368(a) of the Code.
(o) Voting Requirements. The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
NU Common Shares outstanding as of the date of the NU Shareholders Meeting,
voting as a single class (with each NU Common Share having one vote per share),
(x) to amend the Trust Agreement in order to effect the Trust Agreement
Amendments and (y) to approve this Agreement and the Merger at the NU
Shareholders Meeting (collectively, the "NU Shareholder Approval") are the only
votes of the holders of any equity interest of NU or any class or series of
capital stock of any NU Subsidiary necessary to approve this Agreement, the
Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(p) State Anti-takeover Statutes. NU has taken or will take prior to
Closing all action necessary to approve the NU Merger such that the approval
(along with the NU Shareholder Approval) is sufficient to render the provisions
of Chapter 110C, 110D, 110E and 110F of the MGL inapplicable to the NU Merger
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. To the knowledge of
NU, no other anti-takeover or similar statute or regulation applies or purports
to apply to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(q) Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
person, other than Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated ("Morgan Stanley") and the
SG Barr Devlin Division of Societe Generale ("SG Barr Devlin"), the fees and
expenses of which will be paid by NU, is entitled to any broker's, finder's,
financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of NU. NU has made available to CEI prior to the execution of this
Agreement a copy of the engagement letter of each of Morgan Stanley and SG Barr
Devlin and, other than as set forth in such engagement letter, has no
understanding or agreement with Morgan Stanley or SG Barr Devlin regarding any
fees or expenses in connection with the Mergers or the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
(r) Opinion of Financial Advisor. NU has received the opinion of each
of Morgan Stanley and SG Barr Devlin, dated the date of this Agreement, to the
effect that, as of such date, the Merger Consideration is fair from a financial
point of view to the NU Shareholders.
(s) Ownership of CEI Common Stock. As of the date of this Agreement,
neither NU nor, to its knowledge, any of its affiliates, (i) beneficially owns
(as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, or
(ii) is party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, in each case, shares of capital
stock of CEI or other securities convertible into shares of capital stock of
CEI, except for such shares as may be held by trustees of pension, employee
benefit, nuclear decommissioning, spent fuel or similar trusts, the investment
management of which is carried out by non-affiliates under contract with
affiliates of NU.
(t) Environmental Protection. (i) Except as set forth in
the Previously Filed NU SEC Documents:
(A) Compliance. NU and, to the knowledge of NU, each of the NU
Subsidiaries are, and have been, in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws (as defined in Section 3.01(t)(ii)), except where
the failure to so comply, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on NU, and neither NU nor, to the
knowledge of NU, any NU Subsidiary has received any communication
(written or oral) reasonably grounded in fact, from any person or
Governmental Entity that alleges that NU or any of the NU
Subsidiaries is not in such compliance with applicable Environmental
Laws. Compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws will not
require NU or any NU Subsidiary to incur costs, including the costs
of pollution control equipment that are known or anticipated to be
required in the future, beyond those currently budgeted for the
three NU fiscal years beginning with January 1, 1999, that,
individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse
Effect on NU.
(B) Environmental Permits. (I) NU and each of the NU
Subsidiaries has obtained or has applied for all environmental,
health and safety permits and governmental authorizations
(collectively, the "Environmental Permits") necessary for the
construction of their facilities or the conduct of their operations,
except where the failure to so obtain, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on NU, (II) all
such Environmental Permits are in good standing or, where
applicable, a renewal application has been timely filed and is
pending agency approval, except where the failure of such
Environmental Permits to be in good standing or to have filed a
renewal application on a timely basis would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on NU, (III) NU and,
to the knowledge of NU, the NU Subsidiaries are in material
compliance with all terms and conditions of the Environmental
Permits, except where failure to so comply, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on NU and (IV)
neither NU nor, to the knowledge of NU, any of the NU Subsidiaries
has been advised by any Governmental Entity of any potential change
in the terms and conditions of the Environmental Permits either
prior to or upon their renewal, except for such potential changes as
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect on NU.
(C) Environmental Claims. There are no Environmental Claims
(as defined in Section 3.01(t)(ii)) that would, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on NU, pending or, to
the knowledge of NU, threatened, (1) against NU or any of the NU
Subsidiaries, (2) to the knowledge of NU, against any person or
entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim NU or any of the
NU Subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed either
contractually or by operation of law, or (3) against any currently
owned, leased or managed, in whole or in part, real or personal
property or operations of NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries or, to
the knowledge of NU, against any formerly owned, leased or managed,
in whole or in part, real or personal property or operations of NU
or any of the NU Subsidiaries.
(D) Releases. There have been no Releases (as defined in
Section 3.01(t)(ii)) of any Hazardous Material (as defined in
Section 3.01(t)(ii)) that would be reasonably likely to form the
basis of any Environmental Claim against NU or, to the knowledge of
NU, any of the NU Subsidiaries, or against any person or entity
whose liability for any Environmental Claim NU or any of the NU
Subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed either
contractually or by operation of law, except for any Environmental
Claim which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on NU.
(E) Assumed and Retained Liabilities. Neither NU nor, to the
knowledge of NU, any of the NU Subsidiaries has retained or assumed
either contractually or by operation of law any liabilities or
obligations that would be reasonably likely to form the basis for
any Environmental Claim, which would, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on NU.
(F) Predecessors. NU has no knowledge with respect to any
predecessor of NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries, of any
Environmental Claim that, individually or in the aggregate, would
have a Material Adverse Effect on NU.
(ii) Definitions. As used in this Agreement:
(A) "Environmental Claim" means any and all administrative,
regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters,
directives, claims, liens, investigations, proceedings or notices of
noncompliance or violation (written or oral) by any person or entity
(including any Governmental Entity), alleging potential liability
(including potential responsibility or liability for enforcement,
investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs,
removal costs, remedial costs, natural resources damages, property
damages, personal injuries or penalties) arising out of, based on or
resulting from (I) the presence or Release of, or exposure to, any
Hazardous Materials at any location, whether or not owned, operated,
leased or managed by NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries or CEI or any
of the CEI Subsidiaries; or (II) circumstances forming the basis of
any violation or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or (III)
any and all claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution,
indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief
resulting from the presence or Release of, or exposure to, any
Hazardous Materials.
(B) "Environmental Laws" means all federal, state and local
laws, rules, regulations, orders, decrees, judgments, binding
agreements or Environmental Permits issued, promulgated or entered
into by or with any Governmental Entity, relating to pollution, the
environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land
surface or subsurface strata) or protection of human health as it
relates to the environment, including laws and regulations relating
to noise levels, nuclear operations, Releases of, or exposure to,
Hazardous Materials, or otherwise relating to the generation,
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage,
disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials.
(C) "Hazardous Materials" means (I) any petroleum or petroleum
products, radioactive materials or wastes, spent nuclear fuel, coal
ash, coal combustion byproducts, asbestos in any form that is or
could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation and
polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs"); (II) any chemicals, materials,
substances or wastes which are defined as or included in the
definition of "hazardous substances," "hazardous wastes," "hazardous
materials," "extremely hazardous wastes," "restricted hazardous
wastes," "toxic substances," "toxic pollutants," "source material,"
"special nuclear material," "byproduct material," or words of
similar import under any Environmental Law and (III) any other
chemical, material, substance or waste that in relevant form or
concentration is prohibited, limited or regulated under any
Environmental Law.
(D) "Release" means any actual or threatened release, spill,
emission, leaking, dumping, injection, pouring, deposit, disposal,
discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the environment
(including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or
subsurface strata) or within any building, structure, facility or
fixture.
(u) Regulation as a Utility. Section 3.01(u) of the NU Disclosure
Schedule lists each NU Subsidiary that, as of the date of this Agreement, is
regulated as a public utility and each jurisdiction imposing such regulation.
Neither NU nor any "subsidiary company" or "affiliate" of NU is, as of the date
of this Agreement, subject to regulation as a public utility or public service
company (or similar designation) by any other state in the United States or any
foreign country. As used in this Section 3.01(u) and in Section 3.02(s), the
terms "subsidiary company" and "affiliate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to them in PUHCA.
(v) Operations of Nuclear Power Plants. The operations of the nuclear
generation stations (collectively, the "NU Nuclear Facilities") currently or
formerly owned, in whole or part, by NU or any of its affiliates are and have
been conducted in compliance with all Applicable Laws, including Environmental
Laws, except for such failures to comply as would not have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on NU. Each of the NU Nuclear
Facilities maintains, and is in material compliance with, emergency plans
designed to respond to an unplanned Release therefrom of radioactive materials
and the NRC has determined that such plans are in material compliance with its
requirements. As of the date of this Agreement, the plans for the current or
future decommissioning of each of the NU Nuclear Facilities and for the storage
of spent nuclear fuel conform with the requirements of Applicable Law and are
funded consistent with Applicable Law.
(w) Insurance. NU and each of the NU Subsidiaries is, and has been
continuously since January 1, 1997, insured with financially responsible
insurers in such amounts and against such risks and losses as are customary in
all material respects for companies conducting business as conducted by NU and
the NU Subsidiaries during such time period. Neither NU nor any NU Subsidiaries
has received any notice of cancelation or termination with respect to any
material insurance policy of NU or any NU Subsidiaries, except to the extent any
such cancelation or termination would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on NU.
(x) NU Rights Agreement. NU and the Board of Trustees of NU have
taken all necessary action so that neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions
contemplated hereby will (i) cause any NU Rights issued pursuant to the Rights
Agreement (the "NU Rights Agreement") dated as of February 23, 1999, between NU
and Northeast Utilities Service Company, as agent, to become exercisable, or
(ii) cause CEI, Merger LLC or any of their respective "Affiliates" or
"Associates" (as defined in the NU Rights Agreement) to be an "Acquiring Person"
(as defined in the NU Rights Agreement) or give rise to a "Distribution Date",
"Shares Acquisition Date" or "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" (as such terms are
defined in the NU Rights Agreement). NU has delivered to CEI a complete and
correct copy of the NU Rights Agreement as amended and supplemented to the date
of this Agreement.
SECTION 3.02. Representations and Warranties of CEI. Representations and
Warranties of CEI. Except as set forth on the Disclosure Schedule delivered by
CEI to NU prior to the execution of this Agreement (the "CEI Disclosure
Schedule") and making reference to the particular subsection of this Agreement
to which exception is being taken, CEI represents and warrants to NU as follows:
(a) Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. Each of CEI and its
subsidiaries (each a "CEI Subsidiary") is a corporation or other legal entity
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which it is organized and has the requisite corporate or other
power, as the case may be, and authority to carry on its business as now being
conducted, except, as to CEI Subsidiaries, for those jurisdictions where the
failure to be so organized, existing or in good standing would not have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on CEI. The
respective articles of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational
documents of each CEI Subsidiary, in each case as amended through the date of
this Agreement, do not contain any provision limiting or otherwise restricting
the ability of CEI to control each such CEI Subsidiary.
(b) Subsidiaries. Section 3.02(b) of the CEI Disclosure Schedule sets
forth, as of the date of this Agreement, a complete list of (i) CEI Subsidiaries
and specifies each of the CEI Subsidiaries that is a "public-utility company", a
"holding company", a "subsidiary company", an "affiliate" of any public-utility
company, an "exempt wholesale generator" or a "foreign utility company" within
the meaning of Section 2(a)(5), 2(a)(7), 2(a)(8), 2(a)(11), 32(a)(1) or 33(a)(3)
of PUHCA, respectively, or a "public utility" within the meaning of Section
201(e) of the Power Act and (ii) and all other entities in which CEI has an
aggregate equity investment in excess of $5 million.
(c) Capital Structure. The authorized capital stock of CEI consists
of 500,000,000 shares of CEI Common Stock and 6,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $1.00 per share, of CEI ("CEI Authorized Preferred Stock"), of
which, as of the date of this Agreement, no shares have been designated to
constitute a particular series. At the close of business on October 11, 1999,
(i) 217,991,256 shares of CEI Common Stock were issued and outstanding
(excluding all shares of CEI Common Stock held by CECONY), (ii) 323,738 shares
of CEI Common Stock were held by CEI in its treasury and (iii) 17,173,100 shares
of CEI Common Stock were held by CECONY. During the period from October 12, 1999
through the date of this Agreement, CEI has not issued any shares of CEI Common
Stock or placed any shares of CEI Common Stock in its treasury (except, in each
case, as required by CEI Stock Plans (as defined below)). As of the date of this
Agreement, (i) no shares of CEI Common Stock were reserved for issuance pursuant
to the CEI Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Payment Plan, the CEI Discount Stock
Purchase Plan, CEI's 1996 Stock Option Plan and the CEI Restricted Stock Plan
for Directors (the "CEI Stock Plans"), (ii) no shares of CEI Authorized
Preferred Stock had been designated or issued or were held in CEI's treasury,
(iii) other than pursuant to the CEI Stock Plans, no securities of CEI
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock of
CEI were outstanding, (iv) other than pursuant to the CEI Stock Plans, no
warrants, calls, options or other rights to acquire from CEI or any CEI
Subsidiary, and no obligation of CEI or any CEI Subsidiary to issue, any shares
of capital stock of CEI were outstanding, and (v) no bonds, debentures, notes or
other indebtedness of CEI or any CEI Subsidiary having the right to vote on
matters presented to shareholders of CEI or such CEI Subsidiary (or convertible
into securities of CEI or any CEI Subsidiary having the right to vote on matters
presented to shareholders of CEI or such CEI Subsidiary) ("CEI Voting Debt")
were outstanding. Section 3.02(c) of the CEI Disclosure Schedule sets forth a
complete and correct list, as of the date of this Agreement, of the number of
shares of CEI Common Stock subject to employee stock options to purchase or
receive CEI Common Stock and the exercise prices thereof and a list of shares
reserved for issuance relating to other rights to purchase or receive CEI Common
Stock granted under the CEI Stock Plans (collectively with such employee stock
options, the "CEI Stock Options"). All the outstanding shares of capital stock
of, or other equity interests in, CEI and each of the CEI Subsidiaries have been
validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and (except for any series
of preferred stock of any CEI Subsidiary held by public shareholders) all the
outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, each of
the CEI Subsidiaries are, as of the date of this Agreement, owned directly or
indirectly by CEI, free and clear of all Liens and free of any other restriction
(including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of
such capital stock or other ownership interests) and there are no outstanding
subscriptions, options, calls, contracts, voting trusts, proxies or other
commitments, understandings, restrictions, arrangements, rights or warrants,
including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security,
instrument or other agreement, obligating any such CEI Subsidiary to issue,
deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of
its capital stock or obligating it to grant, extend or enter into any such
agreement or commitment.
(d) Authority; Noncontravention; Statutory Approvals. (i) Authority.
CEI has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and,
subject to the CEI Shareholder Approval (as defined in Section 3.02(m)) and the
applicable CEI Statutory Approvals (as defined in Section 3.02(d)(iii)), to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by CEI and the consummation by CEI of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized by all
necessary action on the part of CEI, subject to the CEI Shareholder Approval.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by CEI and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by each of the other parties hereto,
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of CEI, enforceable against
CEI in accordance with its terms.
(ii) Noncontravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by CEI do not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and compliance with the provisions of this Agreement will not,
conflict with, or result in any Violation under, (A) the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws of CEI, (B) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws
or similar governing documents of any CEI Subsidiary (other than any such
Violation that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on CEI), (C) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, standstill agreement, lease, deed of trust or other agreement,
instrument, permit, concession, franchise, license or similar authorization or
any other material agreement applicable to CEI or any CEI Subsidiary or their
respective properties or assets (other than any such Violation that,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
CEI) or (D) subject to obtaining the CEI Statutory Approvals, and the receipt of
the CEI Shareholder Approval, any Applicable Law or judgment, decree, order,
injunction, writ, permit or license of any Governmental Entity applicable to CEI
or any of the CEI Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets
(other than immaterial consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, actions,
registrations, declarations or filings, including with respect to communications
systems, zoning, name change, occupancy and similar routine regulatory
approvals).
(iii) Statutory Approvals. No consent, approval, order, permit or
authorization of, action by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or
filing with, or notice to, (other than immaterial consents, approvals, permits,
orders, authorizations, actions, registrations, declarations or filings,
including with respect to communications systems, zoning, name change, occupancy
and similar routine regulatory approvals) any Governmental Entity is required by
or with respect to CEI or any CEI Subsidiary in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by CEI or the consummation by CEI of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for: (A) compliance with and
the filings under the HSR Act; (B) the filing with, and to the extent required,
the declaration of effectiveness by, the SEC of (1) the Joint Proxy Statement,
(2) the Form S-4 and (3) such reports under Section 13(a), 13(d), 15(d) or 16(a)
of the Exchange Act, as may be required in connection with this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (C)(1) the filing of the CEI
Delaware Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware and the filing of the CEI New York Certificate of Merger to the
Department of State of the State of New York, and the filing of the NU
Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other
states in which CEI and CEI Subsidiaries are qualified to do business and such
filings with Governmental Entities to satisfy the applicable requirements of
state or provincial securities or "blue sky" laws and (2) the filing of the
Trust Agreement Amendments with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts; (D) such filings with and approvals of the NYSE to permit the
shares of Company Common Stock that are to be issued pursuant to Article II to
be listed on the NYSE; (E) the registration, consents, approvals and notices
required under PUHCA; (F) notice to, and the consent and approval of, FERC under
the Power Act; (G) to the extent required, notice to, and the consent and
approval of, the NRC under the Atomic Energy Act; (H) to the extent required,
notice to and the approval of the Applicable PUCs; (I) to the extent required,
notice to and the consent and approval of the Governmental Entities listed on
Section 3.01(d)(iii)(I) of the CEI Disclosure Schedule; and (J) the filing of
the certificate of incorporation of the Company in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the preceding
clauses (A) through (J) collectively, whether or not legally required to be
obtained, the "CEI Statutory Approvals").
(e) Reports and Financial Statements. The filings (other than
immaterial filings) required to be made by CEI and the CEI Subsidiaries under
the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, PUHCA, the Power Act, the Atomic Energy
Act or applicable state public utility laws and regulations have been filed with
the SEC, FERC, the NRC or the appropriate state public utilities commission, as
the case may be, including all forms, statements, reports, tariffs, contracts,
agreements (oral or written) and all documents, exhibits, amendments and
supplements appertaining thereto required to be filed with such commission. As
of their respective dates, the reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents (including exhibits and all other information incorporated therein)
required to be filed by CEI or any CEI Subsidiary with the SEC since January 1,
1997 (the "CEI SEC Documents") complied in all material respects with the
requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and
the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such
CEI SEC Documents, and none of the CEI SEC Documents when filed contained any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
financial statements of CEI included in the CEI SEC Documents (the "CEI
Financial Statements") comply as to form, as of their respective dates of filing
with the SEC, in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements
and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited
statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis
during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto)
and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position
of CEI and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the
consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then
ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal recurring
year-end audit adjustments).
(f) Assets and Properties. CEI and the CEI Subsidiaries have good and
sufficient title to all properties and assets reflected on the consolidated
balance sheet of CEI and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the CEI
Financial Statements or thereafter acquired (except as sold or otherwise
disposed of since the date of such balance sheet) in each case free and clear of
all Liens, except where the failure to have good title free and clear of all
Liens to any such properties or assets would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on CEI. The tangible assets of CEI and the
CEI Subsidiaries are in an adequate state of maintenance and repair (except for
ordinary wear and tear), except where their failure to be in such state of
maintenance and repair would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on CEI.
(g) Franchises. CEI and the CEI Subsidiaries own or have sufficient
rights and consents to locate and use under existing franchises, permits,
easements, leases, and license agreements (the "CEI Permits") all properties,
rights and assets necessary for the conduct of their business and operations as
currently conducted, except where the failure to own or have sufficient rights
to such properties, rights and assets would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on CEI. To the knowledge of CEI, no other
private corporation has of the date of this Agreement commenced or, without
obtaining a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the applicable
state utility commission, can commence operations distributing electricity to
the general public along and across public streets and ways in any part of the
territories now served by CEI or any CEI Subsidiary.
(h) Information Supplied. None of the information supplied by or on
behalf of, or to be supplied by or on behalf of, CEI specifically for inclusion
or incorporation by reference in (i) the Form S-4 will, at the time the Form S-4
is filed or becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they are made, not misleading or (ii) the Joint Proxy
Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to the CEI Shareholders or at the
time of the CEI Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading. The Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy
Statement insofar as they relate to CEI will comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
respectively, and the respective rules and regulations thereunder.
(i) Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as disclosed in the
CEI SEC Documents filed pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and
publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement (the "Previously Filed
CEI SEC Documents"), since December 31, 1998, to the date of this Agreement, (i)
CEI and each of the CEI Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses
only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (ii)
there has not been, and no fact or condition exists which, individually or in
the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI. Except as disclosed
in the Previously Filed CEI SEC Documents, from December 31, 1998 through the
date of this Agreement, there has not been (i) any declaration, setting aside or
payment of any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or
property) with respect to any capital stock of CEI (other than regular quarterly
cash dividends), (ii) any split, combination or reclassification of any capital
stock of CEI or any issuance or the authorization of any issuance of any capital
stock of CEI or CEI Voting Debt or any other securities in respect of, in lieu
of or in substitution for any capital stock of CEI, except for issuances of
shares of CEI Common Stock under the CEI Stock Plans in accordance with their
present terms or upon exercise of outstanding CEI Stock Options, or (iii) except
as may have been required by a change in GAAP, any change in accounting methods,
principles or practices by CEI or any CEI Subsidiary materially affecting their
respective assets, liabilities or business.
(j) Compliance with Applicable Laws; Litigation. Except as disclosed
in the Previously Filed CEI SEC Documents, CEI and the CEI Subsidiaries are in
compliance with the terms of the CEI Permits and all Applicable Laws, except
where the failure so to comply would not have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect on CEI. Except as disclosed in the Previously Filed
CEI SEC Documents, no action, demand, requirement or investigation by any
Governmental Entity and no suit, action or proceeding by any person, in each
case with respect to CEI or any CEI Subsidiary or any of their respective
properties is pending or, to the knowledge of CEI, threatened, other than, in
each case, those the outcome of which, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI. All utility rates charged by CEI and
the applicable CEI Subsidiaries have been and continue to be made pursuant to
lawfully filed tariffs and contracts. This provision shall not apply to
environmental or to health and safety matters, which are exclusively the subject
of Section 3.02(r).
(k) Employee Matters; ERISA. Each pension, profit sharing, savings,
deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock ownership, stock purchase,
stock option, phantom stock, retirement, vacation, severance, disability, death
benefit, hospitalization, medical or other plan, arrangement or understanding
providing benefits to any current or former trustee, director, officer or
employee of CEI or any CEI Subsidiary (collectively, the "CEI Benefit Plans")
has been administered in accordance with its terms, except for any failures so
to administer that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on CEI. CEI, the CEI Subsidiaries and all the CEI Benefit Plans
are in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and all
other applicable laws and the terms of all applicable collective bargaining
agreements, except for any failures to be in such compliance that, individually
or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI.
(l) Taxes. (i) Except as to any items that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI:
(A) CEI and each of the CEI Subsidiaries has (I) filed all
Federal, state, local and foreign income and other Tax returns or
reports (including declarations of estimated tax) required to be
filed by it, and all such returns are complete and accurate, (II)
paid all Taxes of any nature whatsoever (together with any related
penalties and interest) that are shown on such Tax returns as due
and payable on or before the date of this Agreement, and (III) paid
on behalf of itself or others all Taxes otherwise required to be
paid on or before the date of this Agreement.
(B) There are no claims or assessments pending against CEI or
any of the CEI Subsidiaries for any alleged deficiency in Tax, and,
to the knowledge of CEI, there is not any threatened Tax claims or
assessments against CEI or any of the CEI Subsidiaries.
(C) CEI and each of the CEI Subsidiaries has established
adequate reserves for current Taxes and for any liability for
deferred Taxes in the CEI Financial Statements in accordance with
GAAP.
(D) All Taxes required to be withheld, collected or deposited
by or with respect to CEI and each of the CEI Subsidiaries have been
timely withheld, collected or deposited, as the case may be, and, to
the extent required, have been paid to the relevant taxing
authority.
(E) There are no Liens for Taxes (other than for current Taxes
not yet due and payable) on the assets of the CEI or any CEI
Subsidiary.
(F) The Federal income Tax returns of the consolidated group
for which CEI is the common parent either have been examined and
settled with the Internal Revenue Service or closed by virtue of the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for all years
through 1991.
(G) None of CEI or any CEI Subsidiary shall be required to
include in a taxable period ending after the Effective Time an
amount of taxable income attributable to income that accrued in a
prior taxable period but was not recognized in any prior taxable
period as a result of the installment method of accounting, the
completed contract method of accounting, the long-term contract
method of accounting, the cash method of accounting or Section 481
of the Code or comparable provisions of state, local or foreign Tax
law.
(H) Neither CEI nor any CEI Subsidiary has, within the five
preceding taxable years, deferred gain recognition for Federal
income tax purposes under Sections 1031 or 1033 of the Code.
(I) None of the property owned or used by CEI or any CEI
Subsidiary is subject to a lease other than a "true" lease for
Federal income tax purposes.
(J) CEI has not made, within the five preceding taxable years,
a disclosure on a Tax return pursuant to Section 6662(d)(2)(B)(ii)
of the Code.
(K) Neither CEI nor any CEI Subsidiary has constituted either
a "distributing corporation" or a "controlled corporation" (within
the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution
of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the
Code (I) in the two years prior to the date of this Agreement or
(II) in a distribution which could otherwise constitute part of a
"plan" or "series of related transactions" (within the meaning of
Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with the Mergers.
(ii) Neither CEI nor any CEI Subsidiary has taken any action, or
failed to take any action, or has knowledge of any fact, agreement, plan
or other circumstance that is reasonably likely to prevent (A) the Mergers
from constituting a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code or
(B) the CEI Merger from constituting a transaction described in Section
368(a) of the Code.
(m) Voting Requirements. The affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares of CEI Common Stock (excluding any shares of CEI Common Stock held by
CECONY) entitled to vote thereon outstanding as of the date of the CEI
Shareholders Meeting, voting as a single class (with each share of CEI Common
Stock having one vote per share), to adopt this Agreement (the "CEI Shareholder
Approval") is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of capital
stock of CEI or any CEI Subsidiary necessary to approve and adopt this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby.
(n) State Anti-takeover Statutes. Assuming the accuracy of the
representation of NU set forth in Section 3.01(s), Section 912 of the NYBCL is
not applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. To the
knowledge of CEI, no other anti-takeover or similar statute or regulation
applies or purports to apply to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(o) Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other
person, other than Salomon Smith Barney, the fees and expenses of which will be
paid by CEI, is entitled to any broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other
similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of CEI.
(p) Opinion of Financial Advisor. CEI has received the opinion of
Salomon Smith Barney, dated the date of this Agreement, to the effect that, as
of such date, the Merger Consideration is fair from a financial point of view to
the CEI Shareholders.
(q) Ownership of NU Common Shares. As of the date of this Agreement,
neither CEI nor, to its knowledge, any of its affiliates, (i) beneficially owns
(as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, or
(ii) is party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, in each case, shares of equity
interest of NU or other securities convertible into shares of equity interest of
NU, except for such shares as may be held by trustees of pension, employee
benefit, nuclear decommissioning, spent fuel or similar trusts, the investment
management of which is carried out by non-affiliates under contract with
affiliates of CEI.
(r) Environmental Protection. Except as set forth in the
Previously Filed CEI SEC Documents:
(i) Compliance. CEI and, to the knowledge of CEI, each of the CEI
Subsidiaries are, and have been, in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws, except where the failure to so comply, individually or
in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI, and
neither CEI nor any CEI Subsidiary has received any communication (written
or oral) reasonably grounded in fact, from any person or Governmental
Entity that alleges that CEI or any of the CEI Subsidiaries is not in such
compliance with applicable Environmental Laws. Compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws will not require CEI or, to the knowledge of
CEI, any CEI Subsidiary to incur costs, including the costs of pollution
control equipment that are known or anticipated to be required in the
future, beyond those currently budgeted for the three CEI fiscal years
beginning with January 1, 1999, that, individually or in the aggregate,
would have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI.
(ii) Environmental Permits. (A) CEI and each of the CEI Subsidiaries
has obtained or has applied for all Environmental Permits necessary for
the construction of their facilities or the conduct of their operations,
except where the failure to so obtain, individually or in the aggregate,
would not have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI, (B) all such
Environmental Permits are in good standing or, where applicable, a renewal
application has been timely filed and is pending agency approval, except
where the failure of such Environmental Permits to be in good standing or
to have filed a renewal application on a timely basis would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI,
(C) CEI and, to the knowledge of CEI, the CEI Subsidiaries are in material
compliance with all terms and conditions of the Environmental Permits,
except where failure to so comply, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI and (D) neither CEI nor, to the
knowledge of CEI, any of the CEI Subsidiaries has been advised by any
Governmental Entity of any potential change in the terms and conditions of
the Environmental Permits either prior to or upon their renewal, except
for such potential changes as would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI.
(iii) Environmental Claims. There are no Environmental Claims that
would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on
CEI, pending or, to the knowledge of CEI, threatened, (A) against CEI or
any of the CEI Subsidiaries, (B) to the knowledge of the CEI, against any
person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim CEI or any of
the CEI Subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed either
contractually or by operation of law, or (C) against any currently owned,
leased or managed, in whole or in part, real or personal property or
operations of CEI or any of the CEI Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of
the CEI, against any formerly owned, leased or managed, in whole or in
part, real or personal property or operations of CEI or any of the CEI
Subsidiaries.
(iv) Releases. There have been no Releases of any Hazardous Material
that would be reasonably likely to form the basis of any Environmental
Claim against CEI or, to the knowledge of CEI, any of the CEI
Subsidiaries, or against any person or entity whose liability for any
Environmental Claim CEI or any of the CEI Subsidiaries has or may have
retained or assumed either contractually or by operation of law, except
for any Environmental Claim which, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on CEI.
(v) Assumed and Retained Liabilities. Neither CEI nor, to the
knowledge of CEI, any of the CEI Subsidiaries has retained or assumed
either contractually or by operation of law any liabilities or obligations
that would be reasonably likely to form the basis for any Environmental
Claim, which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect on CEI.
(vi) Predecessors. CEI has no knowledge, with respect to any
predecessor of CEI or any of the CEI Subsidiaries, of any Environmental
Claim that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material
Adverse Effect on CEI.
(s) Regulation as a Utility. Section 3.02(s) of the CEI Disclosure
Schedule lists each CEI Subsidiary that, as of the date of this Agreement, is
regulated as a public utility and each jurisdiction imposing such regulation.
Neither CEI nor any "subsidiary company" or "affiliate" of CEI is, as of the
date of this Agreement, subject to regulation as a public utility or public
service company (or similar designation) by any other state in the United States
or any foreign country.
(t) Operations of Nuclear Power Plants. The operations of the nuclear
generation stations (collectively, the "CEI Nuclear Facilities") currently or
formerly owned by CEI or any of its affiliates are and have been conducted in
compliance with all Applicable Laws, including Environmental Laws, except for
such failures to comply as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on CEI. Each of the CEI Nuclear Facilities maintains,
and is in material compliance with, emergency plans designed to respond to an
unplanned Release therefrom of radioactive materials and the NRC has determined
that such plans are in material compliance with its requirements. As of the date
of this Agreement, the plans for the current or future decommissioning of each
of the CEI Nuclear Facilities and for the storage of spent nuclear fuel conform
with the requirements of Applicable Law and are funded consistent with
Applicable Law.
(u) Insurance. CEI and each of the CEI Subsidiaries is, and has been
continuously since January 1, 1997, insured with financially responsible
insurers in such amounts and against such risks and losses as are customary in
all material respects for companies conducting business as conducted by CEI and
the CEI Subsidiaries during such time period. Neither CEI nor any CEI
Subsidiaries has received any notice of cancelation or termination with respect
to any material insurance policy of CEI or any CEI Subsidiaries, except to the
extent any such cancelation or termination that would not have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on CEI.
(v) Financing. CEI will have, or cause the Company to have,
available, at or prior to the Effective Time, sufficient cash in immediately
available funds to pay the Cash Consideration and to consummate the NU Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE IV
Certain Covenants of NU IV
SECTION 4.01. Conduct of Business by NU. Except as otherwise
expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as consented to in writing by CEI,
during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, NU
shall, and shall cause the NU Subsidiaries to, carry on their respective
businesses in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and in
compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and use all
reasonable best efforts to preserve intact their respective current business
organizations, preserve the goodwill and relationships with Governmental
Entities, customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with them
and, subject to prudent management of workforce needs and ongoing programs
currently in force, keep available the services of their respective present
officers and employees. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except
as set forth in Section 4.01 of the NU Schedule (and making reference, as
appropriate, to the particular subsection of this Section 4.01 to which
exception is being taken), or as consented to in writing by CEI, during the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, NU shall not, and
shall not permit any of the NU Subsidiaries to:
(a) (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any
other distributions in respect of, any equity interest of NU or any NU
Subsidiary, other than (A) dividends and distributions (including
liquidating distributions) by a direct or indirect wholly owned NU
Subsidiary to its parent, (B) the dividend of $0.10 per share with respect
to the NU Common Shares to be paid on December 30, 1999 and regular
quarterly cash dividends with respect to the NU Common Shares of (I) $0.10
per share for each quarter commencing on or after January 1, 2000 and
ending on or prior to December 31, 2000 and (II) $0.15 per share for each
quarter commencing on or after January 1, 2001, and (C) if the Effective
Time does not occur between a record date and payment date of a regular
quarterly dividend, a special dividend in respect of the NU Common Shares
with respect to the quarter in which the Effective Time occurs with a
record date in such quarter and on or prior to the date on which the
Effective Time occurs, which does not exceed an amount equal to the
product of (I) a fraction the (x) numerator of which is equal to the
number of days between the last payment date of a regular quarterly
dividend and the record date of such special dividend (excluding such last
payment date but including the record date of such special dividend) and
(y) the denominator of which is equal to the number of days between the
last payment date of a regular quarterly dividend and the same calendar
day in the third month after the month in which such last payment date
occurred (excluding such last payment date but including such same
calendar day), multiplied by (II) (x) if the record date for such special
dividend is on or prior December 31, 2000, $.10 per share or (y) if the
record date for such special dividend is on or after January 1, 2001, $.15
per share, (ii) split, combine or reclassify any equity interest of NU or
any NU Subsidiary or issue or authorize the issuance of any other
securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for, any equity
interest of NU or any NU Subsidiary, or (iii) purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any equity interest of NU or any NU Subsidiary (other
than (A) any preferred stock of any NU Subsidiary purchased, redeemed or
otherwise acquired pursuant to the terms of the NU Settlement Agreements
(as defined in Section 4.01(i)) or pursuant to the terms of any
restructuring legislation or order of the SEC, DPUC, NHPUC or MDTE
applicable to such NU Subsidiary, provided that such purchase, redemption
or other acquisition is funded solely out of the proceeds of one or more
asset sales (to the extent permitted by Section 4.01(e)) or NU
Securitizations (as defined in Section 4.01(e)) by such NU Subsidiary and
on terms reasonably acceptable to CEI, (B) any NU Common Shares
repurchased solely for purpose of delivering such NU Common Shares to the
holders of the common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of Yankee (the
"Yankee Shareholders") pursuant to the Yankee Merger Agreement in
accordance with the terms thereof as in effect on the date of this
Agreement and (C) repurchases by any wholly owned NU Subsidiary of its
common shares or other common equity, in each case, held by NU or any
other wholly owned NU Subsidiary) or any rights, warrants or options to
acquire any equity interest of NU or any NU Subsidiary;
(b) issue, deliver, sell, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber
or subject to any Lien any equity interest of NU or any NU Subsidiary, any
NU Voting Debt or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any equity
interest of NU or any NU Subsidiary, other than (i) the issuance or
delivery of NU Common Shares (A) upon the exercise of NU Stock Options
outstanding as of the date of this Agreement in accordance with their
present terms or, after consulting with CEI, granted after the date of
this Agreement or (B) after consulting with CEI, under the NU Stock Plans,
including pursuant to the terms of NU's Trustee Compensation Program, or
deferred pursuant to the terms of NU's Deferred Compensation Plan for
Trustees, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (so long as such
additional amount of NU Common Shares subject to NU Stock Options or
issued under the NU Stock Plans does not exceed 2 million NU Common Shares
in the aggregate, unless CEI shall consent in writing to any greater
number, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), (ii) the issuance
by any wholly owned NU Subsidiary of its capital stock to its direct or
indirect parent and (iii) the issuance or delivery of NU Common Shares
pursuant to the Yankee Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms
thereof as in effect on the date of this Agreement;
(c) (i) in the case of NU, except for the Trust Agreement
Amendments, amend the Trust Agreement and, (ii) in the case of each NU
Subsidiary, amend its certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other
comparable governing documents in any way which, in the case of any such
amendment by any NU Subsidiary, would or would reasonably be expected to
prevent or materially impede or interfere with the Mergers;
(d) other than (x), in connection with the acquisition of Yankee
pursuant to the Yankee Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms
thereof as in effect on the date of this Agreement (y) the acquisition by
NGC of certain assets of CL&P and WMECO pursuant to the CL&P/NGC Sale
Agreement and the WMECO/NGC Sale Agreement, in each case, in accordance
with the terms thereof as in effect on the date of this Agreement or (z)
the acquisition of one or more persons or businesses for aggregate
consideration not in excess of $40 million in the aggregate, (i) acquire
or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a
substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business
or any person, or (ii) alter (through merger, liquidation, reorganization,
restructuring or in any other fashion) the corporate structure or
ownership of NU or the NU Subsidiaries other than actions solely to effect
the transactions contemplated by the CL&P/NGC Sale Agreement and the
WMECO/NGC Sale Agreement;
(e) sell, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise encumber or subject
to any Lien or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets
(including by way of securitizations), other than (i) in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) pursuant to the NRG
Sale Agreement, the CL&P/NGC Sale Agreement and the WMECO/NGC Sale
Agreement, in each case, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, (iii)
the sale of one or more of the NU Nuclear Facilities in accordance with
the terms of the divestiture plan to be filed with DPUC and (iv) any
securitization on terms generally acceptable to the asset-backed
securities market of tangible or intangible property rights relating to
the rate revenues or assets of any NU Subsidiary required or permitted by
any restructuring legislation or order of DPUC, NHPUC or MDTE applicable
to such NU Subsidiary (including any such legislation or order relating to
the NU Settlement Agreements) in connection with the recovery of any
capital expenditure or other investment (including any contractual
obligations) of such NU Subsidiary in any of its properties or assets (a
"NU Securitization");
(f) make capital expenditures through the Effective Time, in excess
of an annual amount of $50 million over the annual amount budgeted by NU
and the NU Subsidiaries for capital expenditures on the date of this
Agreement (as reflected on the capital expenditure budgets previously
provided by NU to CEI), other than as required by Applicable Law;
(g) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such
indebtedness of another person, issue or sell any debt securities of NU or
any NU Subsidiary or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt
securities of NU or any NU Subsidiary, guarantee any such securities,
enter into any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain any financial
statement condition of another person or enter into any arrangement having
the economic effect of any of the foregoing, other than (i) guarantees or
"keep well" agreements in favor of wholly owned NU Subsidiaries in
connection with the conduct of the business of such wholly owned NU
Subsidiaries, (ii) short-term indebtedness in the ordinary course of
business (such as the issuance of commercial paper or the use of revolving
credit facilities), (iii) in connection with the refunding of existing
indebtedness (A) at maturity or upon final mandatory redemption (without
the need for the occurrence of any special event), (B) upon early
repayment or redemption by NU or the relevant NU Subsidiary in the
ordinary course of business or (C) at a lower cost of funds, (iv) any NU
Securitization, (v) indebtedness not to exceed $480 million in the
aggregate at any time outstanding incurred, and the proceeds of which are
used, solely to consummate the acquisition of Yankee in accordance with
the terms of the Yankee Merger Agreement as in effect on the date of this
Agreement and (vi) indebtedness not to exceed $480 million in the
aggregate at any time outstanding incurred, and the proceeds of which are
utilized, solely to fund the long-term financing of NGC;
(h)(i) except as may be required (x) pursuant to the terms as of the
date of this Agreement of existing NU Plans (including awards thereunder)
or agreements or (y) pursuant to any employee benefit plan, or other
contract, agreement, commitment, arrangement, plan, fund or policy of
Yankee or its subsidiaries that becomes an obligation by operation of law
of the Neptune Subsidiary into which Yankee merges in accordance with the
terms of the Yankee Merger Agreement as in effect on the date of this
Agreement, enter into, adopt or amend or increase the amount or accelerate
the payment or vesting of any benefit or amount payable under, any NU Plan
or any other employee benefit plan or other contract, agreement,
commitment, arrangement, plan, trust, fund or policy maintained by,
contributed to or entered into by NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries (other
than any adoption or amendment to, or change of, any NU Plan that,
individually or in the aggregate, does not and will not result in any
material increase in expense to NU and the NU Subsidiaries taken as a
whole); (ii) increase, or enter into any contract, agreement, commitment
or arrangement to increase in any manner, the compensation or fringe
benefits, or otherwise to extend, expand or enhance the engagement,
employment or any related rights, of any trustee, director, officer or
employee of NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries, except for normal promotion
and compensation (including incentive compensation) increases and hiring
and discretionary award grants in the ordinary course of business that, in
the aggregate, do not result in a material increase in benefits or
compensation expense to NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries; (iii) enter into
or amend any employment, severance, retention, consulting or special pay
arrangement with respect to the termination of employment or other similar
contract, agreement or arrangement with any trustee, director, officer or
employee, other than (A) with respect only to employees who are not
trustees, directors or officers, in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (B) any agreement with any newly-hired
officer that provides for the employment of such officer to be at the will
of NU or the applicable NU Subsidiary and does not provide for any
severance or other compensation to be paid to such officer upon the
termination of his or her employment and (C), with the consent of CEI (not
to be unreasonably withheld), any employment or severance agreement with
any officer hired to replace any departing officer to the extent that such
employment or severance agreement is on substantially the same terms as
that of the departing officer; (iv) fund, or otherwise contribute any cash
or property to, any trust created for the purpose of discharging any claim
for or paying any amount with respect to, or otherwise having the power to
discharge any claim for or pay any amount with respect to, benefits under
any NU Plan or any other employee benefit plan or other contract,
agreement, arrangement, plan, trust, fund or policy maintained by,
contributed to or entered into by NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries; or (v)
enter into any collective bargaining agreement or other labor union
agreement or amend in any material manner any such agreement to which NU
or any of the NU Subsidiaries is a party;
(i) except with respect to agreements or arrangements entered into
between NU and wholly owned NU Subsidiaries or between wholly owned NU
Subsidiaries, enter into any agreement or arrangement with any of its
affiliates on terms materially less favorable than could reasonably be
expected to have been obtained with an unaffiliated third party or on an
arm's length basis, unless such agreement or arrangement is required to be
carried out in accordance with PUHCA or an order from any Governmental
Entity having jurisdiction over NU or the relevant NU Subsidiary, in which
case such agreement or arrangement shall be on terms which are in
accordance with PUHCA or such order, as the case may be;
(j) (i) change (A) its methods of accounting (other than immaterial
changes), except as required by Applicable Law or GAAP or (B) its fiscal
year or (ii) make any material Tax election or settle or compromise any
material Tax liability or refund claim;
(k) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, modify, amend, terminate, renew or fail to use reasonable best
efforts to renew any contract or agreement to which NU or any NU
Subsidiary is a party, that is material to NU and the NU Subsidiaries
taken as a whole (including the Settlement Agreement dated as of August 2,
1999 among NU and the additional parties named therein (the "NH Settlement
Agreement") and any material order from any Applicable PUC approving any
settlement agreement (collectively with the NH Settlement Agreement, the
"NU Settlement Agreements"), the Yankee Merger Agreement, the NRG Sale
Agreement, the CL&P/NGC Sale Agreement and the WMECO/NGC Sale Agreement),
or waive, release or assign any material rights or claims therein;
provided, however, that (A) NU may amend or modify the NH Settlement
Agreement but only if it consults with CEI prior to consenting to any such
amendment or modification and (B) any NU Subsidiary that is a
"public-utility company" within the meaning of Section 2(a)(5) of PUHCA
may modify, amend or terminate on terms reasonably acceptable to CEI any
contract or agreement providing for the purchase of electric power by such
NU Subsidiary from any generator of electric power that is not a
"public-utility company" within the meaning of Section 2(a)(5) of PUHCA (a
"Non-Utility Generator") and in connection with any such modification,
amendment or termination such NU Subsidiary may make any payments to such
Non-Utility Generator if such payments are (i) required or permitted by
the terms of any restructuring legislation or order of DPUC, NHPUC or MDTE
or NU Settlement Agreement applicable to such NU Subsidiary, (ii) on terms
and in amounts reasonably acceptable to CEI and (iii) funded solely out of
the proceeds of one or more asset sales (to the extent permitted by
Section 4.01(e)) or NU Securitizations by such NU Subsidiary;
(l) pay, discharge, settle, compromise or satisfy any claims,
liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise) material to NU and the NU Subsidiaries taken as
whole, other than the payment, discharge, settlement, compromise or
satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice (which includes the payment of final and unappealable judgments)
or in accordance with their terms, of liabilities reflected or reserved
against in, or contemplated by, the most recent consolidated financial
statements (or the notes thereto) of the Previously Filed NU SEC
Documents, or incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice; or
(m) subject to Applicable Law, (i) make, propose or agree to any
material changes in its or its utility subsidiaries' rates or the services
it or any of its utility subsidiaries provides or charges (other than
pass-through fuel rates or charges), standards of service or accounting
from those in effect as of the date of this Agreement, without prior to
proposing, agreeing to or making any such material changes with respect
thereto, discussing such changes with CEI and obtaining CEI's written
approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or (ii)
subject to the preceding clause (i), make any filing (or amendment
thereto), or effect any agreement, commitment, arrangement or consent,
whether written or oral, formal or informal, with any Governmental Entity
with respect to any matter set forth in clause (i) without consulting with
CEI prior thereto; or
(n) authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing
actions.
SECTION 4.02. No Solicitation. (a) NU shall not, nor shall it permit any of
the NU Subsidiaries to, nor shall it authorize, permit or direct any of its
trustees, directors, officers or employees or any investment banker, financial
advisor, attorney, accountant or other representative of NU or any of the NU
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly through another person, (i) solicit,
initiate or encourage (including by way of furnishing information), or take any
other action designed to facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal
which constitutes or which may be reasonably expected to lead to any NU Takeover
Proposal (as defined below) or (ii) participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding any NU Takeover Proposal; provided, however, that, at any
time prior to the receipt of the NU Shareholder Approval (the "NU Applicable
Period"), NU may, (A) in response to a NU Takeover Proposal (1) that was not
solicited by it or which did not otherwise result from a breach of this Section
4.02(a) and (2) with respect to which the Board of Trustees of NU determines in
its good faith judgment after consultation with its outside counsel and
financial advisors, (x) that there is a reasonable possibility that such NU
Takeover Proposal may constitute a NU Superior Proposal (as defined in Section
4.02(b)) and (y) that failing to take such action could reasonably be expected
to be a breach of its fiduciary duties to the NU Shareholders, and subject to
providing prior written notice of its decision to take such action to CEI (the
"NU Negotiation Notice") and compliance with Section 4.02(c), for a period of
twenty business days following delivery of the NU Negotiation Notice (the "NU
Negotiation Period"), request that the person making such NU Takeover Proposal
provide information with regard to itself and such NU Takeover Proposal for
purposes of permitting the Board of Trustees of NU to determine whether such NU
Takeover Proposal constitutes a NU Superior Proposal and (B) to the extent that,
at any time prior to expiration of the NU Negotiation Period, the Board of
Trustees of NU shall determine that such NU Takeover Proposal constitutes a NU
Superior Proposal and subject to providing prior written notice of its decision
to take such action to CEI and compliance with Section 4.02(c), during the NU
Negotiation Period (x) furnish information with respect to NU and the NU
Subsidiaries to any person making a NU Superior Proposal pursuant to a customary
confidentiality agreement containing terms no less favorable to NU than those
set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement (the "Confidentiality Agreement")
dated July 29, 1999 between CEI and NU (provided that such confidentiality
agreement shall not in any way restrict NU from complying with its disclosure
obligations under this Agreement, including with respect to such NU Superior
Proposal) and (y) participate in discussions or negotiations regarding such NU
Superior Proposal. NU shall be permitted to deliver only one NU Negotiation
Notice with respect to each person making a NU Superior Proposal, which notice
shall not be revised or supplemented. NU shall immediately cease and terminate
any existing solicitation, initiation, encouragement, activity, discussion or
negotiation with any persons conducted heretofore by it or its representatives.
For purposes of this Agreement, "NU Takeover Proposal" means any inquiry,
proposal or offer from any person relating to any direct or indirect acquisition
or purchase of a business (a "NU Material Business") that constitutes 15% or
more of the net revenues, net income or the assets (including equity securities)
of NU and the NU Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or 15% or more of any class of
equity securities of NU or any NU Subsidiary owning, controlling or operating a
NU Material Business, any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated
would result in any person beneficially owning 15% or more of any class of
equity securities of NU or any such NU Subsidiary, or any merger, consolidation,
business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar
transaction involving NU or any such NU Subsidiary, other than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that no transaction permitted
pursuant to Section 4.01(e) shall be deemed a NU Takeover Proposal for any
purpose.
(b) Except as expressly permitted by this Section 4.02, (i) neither
the Board of Trustees of NU nor any committee thereof shall (A) withdraw or
modify in a manner adverse to CEI, or propose publicly to withdraw or modify in
a manner adverse to CEI, the approval or recommendation by such Board of
Trustees or such committee of this Agreement or the NU Merger, (B) approve or
recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, any NU Takeover
Proposal, or (C) cause or permit NU to enter into any letter of intent,
agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement (each,
a "NU Acquisition Agreement") related to any NU Takeover Proposal and (ii) NU
shall not enter into any NU Acquisition Agreement with respect to any NU
Takeover Proposal; provided, however, that in order to comply with its fiduciary
duties to the NU Shareholders the Board of Trustees of NU may terminate this
Agreement in accordance with the following sentence and, following such
termination and payment of the Termination Fee (as defined in Section 5.09(b)),
withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of this Agreement and the NU
Merger. In the event that during the NU Applicable Period the Board of Trustees
of NU determines in good faith (x) that a NU Takeover Proposal constitutes a NU
Superior Proposal and (y) after consultation with its outside legal counsel,
that the failure to terminate this Agreement and accept such NU Superior
Proposal could reasonably be expected to be a breach of its fiduciary duties to
the NU Shareholders, the Board of Trustees of NU may terminate this Agreement,
but only at a time that is during the NU Applicable Period and is after the
fifth business day following CEI's receipt of written notice advising CEI that
the Board of Trustees of NU is prepared to accept a NU Superior Proposal,
specifying the material terms and conditions of such NU Superior Proposal and
identifying the person making such NU Superior Proposal; provided that,
concurrently with such termination, the Board of Trustees of NU shall cause NU
to enter into a NU Acquisition Agreement with respect to such NU Superior
Proposal and shall cause NU to pay to CEI the Termination Fee and the fees and
expenses incurred by CEI in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.09(b) and 5.09(c), respectively. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "NU Superior Proposal" means any bona fide
proposal made by a third party to acquire, directly or indirectly, including
pursuant to a tender offer, exchange offer, merger, consolidation, business
combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction,
for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities, more than 50% of the
combined voting power of the NU Common Shares then outstanding or all or
substantially all the assets of NU which the Board of Trustees of NU determines
in its good faith judgment (based, in the case of any determination made by the
NU Board of Trustees for purposes of this Section 4.02(b), on the written
opinion, with only customary qualifications, of an independent financial advisor
of nationally recognized reputation that the value of the consideration provided
for in such proposal exceeds the value of the consideration provided for in the
NU Merger) to be (x) reasonably capable of being completed, taking into account
all legal, financial (including the ability to obtain financing), regulatory and
other aspects of the proposal and the third party making such proposal, and (y)
more favorable to the NU Shareholders from a financial point of view than the NU
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (taking into
account any changes to the terms of this Agreement proposed by CEI in response
to such proposal or otherwise).
(c) In addition to the obligations of NU set forth in paragraphs (a)
and (b) of this Section 4.02, NU shall immediately advise CEI orally and in
writing of any request for information or of any NU Takeover Proposal, the
material terms and conditions of such request or NU Takeover Proposal and the
identity of the person making such request or NU Takeover Proposal. NU shall
keep CEI reasonably informed of the status and details (including amendments or
proposed amendments) of any such request or NU Takeover Proposal.
(d) Nothing contained in this Section 4.02 shall prohibit NU from
taking and disclosing to the NU Shareholders a position contemplated by Rule
14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or from making any disclosure to the
NU Shareholders if, in the good faith judgment of the Board of Trustees of NU,
after consultation with outside counsel, failure so to disclose would be
inconsistent with its obligations under Applicable Law.
ARTICLE V
Additional Agreements V
SECTION 5.01. Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement;
Shareholders Meetings. (a) As soon as practicable following the date of this
Agreement, CEI and NU shall prepare and file with the SEC the Joint Proxy
Statement and CEI, NU and the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC the
Form S-4, in which the Joint Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus.
Each of CEI, NU and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have
the Form S-4 declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as
practicable after such filing. NU will use all reasonable best efforts to cause
the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to the NU Shareholders, and CEI will use
all reasonable best efforts to cause the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to
the CEI Shareholders, in each case as promptly as practicable after the Form S-4
is declared effective under the Securities Act. Each party hereto shall also
take any action (other than qualifying to do business in any jurisdiction in
which such party is not already so qualified) required to be taken under any
applicable state or provincial securities laws in connection with the issuance
of Company Common Stock in the Mergers and each party shall furnish all
information concerning itself and its shareholders as may be reasonably
requested in connection with any such action. No filing of, or amendment or
supplement to, the Form S-4 or the Joint Proxy Statement will be made without
the approval of all parties hereto. Each party will advise the other parties,
promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Form S-4 has
become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed, the issuance of
any stop order, the suspension of the qualification of the Company Common Stock
issuable in connection with the Mergers for offering or sale in any
jurisdiction, or any request by the SEC for amendment of the Joint Proxy
Statement or the Form S-4 or comments thereon and responses thereto or requests
by the SEC for additional information. If at any time prior to the Effective
Time any information relating to NU or CEI, or any of their respective
affiliates, trustees, directors or officers, is discovered that should be set
forth in an amendment or supplement to any of the Form S-4 or the Joint Proxy
Statement, so that any of such documents would not include any misstatement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, the party that discovers such information shall promptly notify
the other parties hereto and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing
such information shall be promptly filed with the SEC and, to the extent
required by Applicable Law, disseminated to the NU Shareholders and the CEI
Shareholders.
(b) NU shall, as soon as practicable following the date of this
Agreement, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of the NU
Shareholders (the "NU Shareholders Meeting"), for the purpose of obtaining the
NU Shareholder Approval and shall, through its Board of Trustees, subject to the
right of the Board of Trustees to terminate this Agreement in accordance with
Section 4.02(b) in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to the NU
Shareholders, recommend to the NU Shareholders the approval and adoption of the
Trust Agreement Amendments, this Agreement, the NU Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing but subject to its rights to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 4.02(b), NU agrees that its obligations pursuant to the first sentence
of this Section 5.01(b) shall not be affected by the commencement, public
proposal, public disclosure or direct or indirect communication to NU of any NU
Takeover Proposal.
(c) CEI shall, as soon as practicable following the date of this
Agreement, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of the CEI
Shareholders (the "CEI Shareholders Meeting"), for the purpose of obtaining the
CEI Shareholder Approval and shall, through its Board of Directors, recommend to
the CEI Shareholders the approval and adoption of this Agreement, the CEI Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) CEI and NU will use reasonable best efforts to hold the CEI
Shareholders Meeting and the NU Shareholders Meeting on the same date and as
soon as practicable after the date of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.02. Letters of NU's Accountants. NU shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered to CEI two letters from NU's
independent accountants, one dated a date within two business days before the
date on which the Form S-4 shall become effective and one dated a date within
two business days before the Closing Date, each addressed to CEI, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to CEI and customary in scope and substance
for comfort letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection
with registration statements similar to the Form S-4.
SECTION 5.03. Letters of CEI's Accountants. CEI shall use its
reasonable best efforts to cause to be delivered to NU two letters from CEI's
independent accountants, one dated a date within two business days before the
date on which the Form S-4 shall become effective and one dated a date within
two business days before the Closing Date, each addressed to NU, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to NU and customary in scope and substance for
comfort letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
registration statements similar to the Form S-4.
SECTION 5.04. Access to Information; Confidentiality; Advice of Changes.
(a) NU shall, and shall cause each NU Subsidiary to, afford to CEI and to its
officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial advisors and other
representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours during the
period prior to the Effective Time (to the extent that NU or any NU Subsidiary
is not prohibited under Applicable Law or any confidentiality agreement entered
into prior to the date of this Agreement from providing access and to the extent
that such access would not constitute a waiver of the attorney client privilege
(unless such privilege has previously been waived)) to all its properties,
books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records and, during such period,
each of CEI and NU shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, (i) confer on a
reasonably regular and frequent basis with one or more representatives of the
other party to discuss material operational and regulatory matters and the
general status of its ongoing operations, including the investigation of
environmental, health and safety issues and, in the case of NU, with respect to
the NH Settlement Agreement and the sale of the NU Nuclear Facilities, (ii)
reasonably promptly notify the other party of its results of operations and
(iii) furnish reasonably promptly to the other party upon request any
information concerning its business, properties and personnel, in each case as
the other party may reasonably request. NU shall consult with CEI prior to
proposing or making any material amendment or modification to the NH Settlement
Agreement and with respect to all material matters relating to the sale of the
NU Nuclear Facilities, including consulting with CEI prior to filing any
divestiture or restructuring plan relating to such sale with any Applicable PUC
or Federal Governmental Entity. Each of NU and CEI shall, and shall cause its
subsidiaries to, furnish to the other reasonably promptly upon request a copy of
each report, schedule and other document filed or received by any of them
pursuant to the requirements of FERC, the SEC, Department of Justice, the
Federal Trade Commission, the NRC, any Applicable PUC, or any other Federal,
state or local regulatory agency or commission relating to the Mergers or the
other transactions contemplated hereby. Subject to obtaining customary
indemnities, each of NU and CEI shall promptly furnish to the other such
information as may be reasonably requested, including audited financial
statements and other financial information, and take such other action as may be
reasonably necessary and otherwise fully cooperate with each other in the
preparation of any registration statement under the Securities Act and other
documents necessary in connection with the issuance of securities or financings
(subject to Section 4.01 in the case of NU or any NU Subsidiary), including in
respect of the Mergers. Each party shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries and
representatives to, hold in strict confidence all documents and information
concerning the other furnished to it in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.
No review pursuant to this Section 5.04 shall have an effect for the purpose of
determining the accuracy of any representation or warranty given by any of the
parties hereto to any of the other parties hereto.
(b) NU and CEI shall promptly advise the other party orally and in
writing to the extent it has knowledge of (i) any representation or warranty
made by it contained in this Agreement that is qualified as to materiality
becoming untrue or inaccurate in any respect or any such representation or
warranty that is not so qualified becoming untrue or inaccurate in any material
respect, (ii) the failure by it to comply in any material respect with or
satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by it under this Agreement and (iii) any change or
event, individually or in the aggregate, having, or which would have, a Material
Adverse Effect on such party or on the truth of their respective representations
and warranties or the ability of the conditions set forth in Article VI to be
satisfied; provided, however, that no such notification shall affect the
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements of the parties (or remedies
with respect thereto) or the conditions to the obligations of the parties under
this Agreement.
SECTION 5.05. Regulatory Matters; Reasonable Best Efforts. (a) Regulatory
Approvals. Each party hereto shall cooperate and promptly prepare and file all
necessary documentation, to effect all necessary applications, notices,
petitions, filings and other documents, and shall use reasonable best efforts to
obtain all necessary permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all
Governmental Entities necessary or advisable to consummate and make effective
the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including
the CEI Statutory Approvals and the NU Statutory Approvals. To the extent that
each of CEI (or any CEI Subsidiary) and NU (or any NU Subsidiary) is required to
make one or more filings with any Governmental Entity in connection with the
obtaining of any such permit, consent, approval or authorization, including the
CEI Statutory Approvals and the NU Statutory Approvals, each of CEI and NU agree
to offer the other, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, a reasonable
opportunity to review and comment upon each such filing prior to making any such
filing and to coordinate the submission of such filings to the relevant
Governmental Entity. In addition, CEI shall have the right to review and approve
in advance all characterizations of the information relating to CEI, on the one
hand, and NU shall have the right to review and approve in advance all
characterizations of the information relating to NU, on the other hand, in
either case, which appear in any filing made in connection with the Mergers or
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. CEI and NU agree that
they will consult with each other with respect to (x) the obtaining of all such
necessary permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of Governmental
Entities and (y) the applicability of the Connecticut Transfer Act and the
Industrial Site Recovery Act to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Further Actions. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties agrees to use reasonable best
efforts to execute such further documents and instruments and take such further
actions as may reasonably be requested by any other party in order to consummate
the Mergers in accordance with the terms hereof, including the defending of any
lawsuits or other legal proceedings, whether judicial or administrative,
challenging this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining
order entered by any court or other Governmental Entity vacated or reversed.
(c) State Anti-Takeover Statutes. In connection with and without
limiting the generality of Section 5.05(b), NU and CEI shall (i) take all action
necessary to ensure that no state anti-takeover statute or similar statute or
regulation, the effect of which would be to impede the Mergers, is or becomes
applicable to the Mergers, this Agreement or any of the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) if any state anti-takeover statute or
similar statute or regulation, the effect of which would be to impede the
Mergers, is or becomes applicable to the Mergers, this Agreement or any other
transaction contemplated by this Agreement, take all action necessary to ensure
that the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement may
be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this
Agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on
the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) Sale and Operation of NU Nuclear Facilities. NU shall, and shall
cause the relevant NU Subsidiaries, to use reasonable best efforts to sell and
transfer, as promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, their
interests in each of the Millstone Stations 1, 2 and 3 and the Vermont Yankee
nuclear facilities (excluding, in each case, any interest therein now owned by
PSNH) and all associated liabilities and all operating responsibilities to one
or more third parties who are not Affiliates of NU. During the period from the
date of this Agreement to the sale and transfer of the NU Nuclear Facilities in
accordance with this Section 5.05(d), NU shall cause the NU Subsidiaries to, and
the NU Subsidiaries shall, operate the NU Nuclear Facilities in material
compliance with Applicable Law and good industry practice.
SECTION 5.06. Stock Options. (a) Prior to the Effective Time,
the Board of Directors of CEI (or, if appropriate, any committee
administering the CEI Stock Plans) shall adopt such resolutions or take
such other actions as may be required to effect the following:
(i) adjust the terms of all outstanding CEI Stock Options under the
CEI Stock Plans, whether vested or unvested, as necessary to provide that,
at the Effective Time, each CEI Stock Option outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be amended and converted into an option (a
"Company Stock Option") to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as
were applicable under such CEI Stock Option, including vesting, the same
number of shares of Company Common Stock at the same price per share of
Company Common Stock;
(ii) ensure that the conversion pursuant to Section 2.01(a) of the
CEI Common Stock held by any director or officer of CEI and the conversion
pursuant to this Section 5.06(a) into Company Stock Options of CEI Stock
Options held by any director or officer of CEI will be eligible for
exemption under Rule 16b-3(e); and
(iii) make such other changes to the CEI Stock Plans as may be
appropriate to give effect to the CEI Merger.
(b) Prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Trustees of NU (or, if
appropriate, any committee administering the NU Stock Plans) shall adopt such
resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to effect the
following:
(i) adjust the terms of all outstanding NU Stock Options under the
NU Stock Plans, whether vested or unvested, as necessary to provide that,
at the Effective Time, each NU Stock Option outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be amended and converted into a Company Stock
Option to acquire, on the same terms and conditions as were applicable
under such NU Stock Option, including vesting, the same number of shares
of Company Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) as the
holder of such NU Stock Option would have been entitled to receive
pursuant to the NU Merger had such holder exercised such NU Stock Option
in full immediately prior to the Effective Time, at a price per share of
Company Common Stock (rounded up to the nearest cent) equal to (A) the
aggregate exercise price for the shares of NU Common Shares otherwise
purchasable pursuant to such NU Stock Option divided by (B) the aggregate
number of shares of Company Common Stock deemed purchasable pursuant to
such NU Stock Option;
(ii) ensure that the conversion pursuant to Section 2.01(b) of the
NU Common Shares held by any director or officer of NU and the conversion
pursuant to this Section 5.06(b) into Company Stock Options of NU Stock
Options held by any director or officer of NU will be eligible for
exemption under Rule 16b-3(e); and
(iii) make such other changes to the NU Stock Plans as CEI and NU
may agree are appropriate to give effect to the NU Merger.
(c) Prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of the
Company shall, (i) with respect to each Company stock plan that will provide
Company Stock Options (each, a "Company Stock Plan"), amend such Company Stock
Plans as may be necessary to give effect to the CEI Merger and NU Merger and the
conversion of CEI Stock Options and NU Stock Options provided herein, (ii) take
such action as may be necessary to reserve for issuance under the Company Stock
Plans a sufficient number of shares of Company Common Stock for delivery upon
exercise of Company Stock Options resulting from the conversion of CEI Stock
Options and NU Stock Options, and (iii) adopt such resolutions or take such
other actions as may be required to ensure that each of the conversion pursuant
to Section 2.01(a) of the CEI Common Stock held by any director or officer of
CEI, the conversion pursuant to this Section 5.06 into Company Stock Options of
CEI Stock Options held by any director or officer of CEI, the conversion
pursuant to Section 2.01(b) of the NU Common Shares held by any director or
officer of NU and the conversion pursuant to this Section 5.06 into Company
Stock Options of NU Stock Options held by any director or officer of NU will be
eligible for exemption under Rule 16b-3(e).
(d) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Company
shall deliver to the holders of CEI Stock Options and NU Stock Options
(collectively, the "Stock Options") appropriate notices setting forth such
holders' rights pursuant to the respective CEI Stock Plans or NU Stock Plans, as
the case may be (collectively, the "Stock Plans"), and the agreements evidencing
the grants of such Stock Options, and that such Stock Options and agreements
shall be assumed by the Company and shall continue in effect on the same terms
and conditions (subject to the adjustments required by this Section 5.06 after
giving effect to the Mergers).
(e) Except as otherwise contemplated by this Section 5.06 and except
to the extent required under the respective terms of the Stock Options, all
restrictions or limitations on transfer and vesting with respect to Stock
Options awarded under the Stock Plans, or any other plan, program or arrangement
of CEI, NU or any of their respective subsidiaries, to the extent that such
restrictions or limitations shall not have already lapsed, shall remain in full
force and effect with respect to such Stock Options after giving effect to the
Mergers and the assumption by the Company as set forth above.
SECTION 5.07. Employee Agreements; Workforce Matters and
Employee Benefit Plans. (a) Certain Employee
Agreements. Following the Effective Time, the Company will (subject to
this Section 5.07) cause its subsidiaries to honor all obligations of
the employer under any contracts, agreements, collective bargaining
agreements and commitments of CEI and NU and their respective
subsidiaries entered into prior to the date of this Agreement (or as
established or amended in accordance with or permitted by this
Agreement), which apply to any current or former employee, or current
or former trustee, director or officer of any of the parties hereto or
any of their subsidiaries; provided, however, that this undertaking is
not intended to prevent the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company
after the Effective Time succeeding to such obligations by operation of
law) from enforcing such contracts, agreements, collective bargaining
agreements and commitments in accordance with their terms, including
any reserved right to amend, modify, suspend, revoke or terminate any
such contract, agreement, collective bargaining agreement or commitment
or portion thereof.
(b) Workforce Matters. Subject to obligations under Applicable Law
and applicable collective bargaining agreements, for a period of three years
following the Effective Time, (i) any reductions in the employee workforce of
the then ongoing operations of the Company and its subsidiaries shall be made on
a fair and equitable basis (as determined by the Company and its subsidiaries),
in light of the circumstances and the objectives to be achieved, giving
consideration to previous work history, job experience and qualifications,
without regard to whether employment prior to the Effective Time was with CEI
and the CEI Subsidiaries or NU and the NU Subsidiaries, and any employees whose
employment is terminated or jobs are eliminated by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries during such period shall be entitled to participate on a fair and
equitable basis (as determined by the Company and its subsidiaries) in the job
opportunity and employment placement programs offered by the Company or any of
its subsidiaries for which they are eligible and (ii) employees shall be
entitled to participate in all job training, career development and educational
programs of the Company and its subsidiaries for which they are eligible, and
shall be entitled to fair and equitable consideration (as determined by the
Company and its subsidiaries) in connection with any job opportunities with the
Company and its subsidiaries, in each case without regard to whether employment
prior to the Effective Time was with CEI and the CEI Subsidiaries or NU and the
NU Subsidiaries.
(c) Service Credit. Subject to its obligations under Applicable Law
and applicable collective bargaining agreements, the Company and its
subsidiaries shall give credit under each of their respective employee benefit
plans, programs and arrangements to employees for all service prior to the
Effective Time with CEI or NU or their respective subsidiaries, as applicable,
or any predecessor employer (to the extent that such credit was given by NU or
CEI or any of their respective subsidiaries, as applicable) for all purposes for
which such service was taken into account or recognized by CEI or NU or their
respective subsidiaries, as the case may be, but not to the extent crediting
such service would result in duplication of benefits (including for benefit
accrual purposes under defined benefit pension plans).
(d) Continuation of Benefits. Subject to Applicable Law and
obligations under applicable collective bargaining agreements, the Company shall
maintain for a period of at least one year after the Closing Date, without
interruption, such employee compensation, welfare and benefit plans, programs,
policies and fringe benefits as will, in the aggregate, provide benefits to all
employees of CEI and NU and their respective subsidiaries who were employees
immediately prior to the Effective Time that are not less favorable than those
provided pursuant to such employee compensation, welfare and benefits plans,
programs, policies and fringe benefits of CEI and NU and their respective
subsidiaries, as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(e) Preexisting Conditions, Exclusions and Waiting Periods;
Deductibles. Subject to Applicable Law and applicable collective bargaining
agreements, the Company and its subsidiaries shall (i) waive all limitations as
to preexisting conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with respect to
participation and coverage requirements applicable to employees of CEI or NU
under any welfare plans, funds or programs (within the meaning of Section 3(1)
of ERISA) currently maintained by the Company, or established to replace any CEI
or NU welfare plans, funds or programs, in which such CEI or NU employees may be
eligible to participate after the Closing Date, other than limitations or
waiting periods that are already in effect with respect to such employees and
that have not been satisfied as of the Closing Date and (ii) provide each CEI
and NU employee with credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid by such
employee prior to the Closing Date for purposes of satisfying any applicable
deductible or out-of-pocket requirements under any of the welfare plans, funds
or programs that such employees are eligible to participate in after the Closing
Date.
SECTION 5.08. Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance. (a) Each of the
Company and Merger LLC agrees that all rights to indemnification and exculpation
from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective
Time which rights are now existing in favor of the current or former trustees,
directors or officers of CEI and the CEI Subsidiaries or NU and the NU
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, as provided in their respective certificates
of incorporation or by-laws (or comparable organizational documents) shall
survive the Mergers and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance
with their terms (provided that in any event all such rights shall continue for
a period of at least six years after the Effective Time). In addition, from and
after the Effective Time, trustees, directors and officers of CEI or NU or their
respective subsidiaries who become directors or officers of the Company will be
entitled to the indemnity rights and protections afforded to directors and
officers of the Company.
(b) For six years after the Effective Time, the Company shall
maintain in effect the trustees', directors' and officers' liability (and
fiduciary) insurance policies currently maintained by NU and CEI covering acts
or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time with respect to those persons
who are currently covered by CEI's and NU's respective trustees', directors' and
officers' liability insurance policies on terms with respect to such coverage
and amount no less favorable than those of the relevant policy in effect on the
date of this Agreement. If such insurance coverage cannot be obtained at all,
the Company shall maintain the most advantageous policies of trustees',
directors' and officers' insurance obtainable.
(c) In the event the Company or any of its successors or assigns (i)
consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be the
continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or
(ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any
person, then, and in either such case, proper provision shall be made so that
the successors and assigns of the Company shall assume the obligations set forth
in this Section 5.08.
(d) The provisions of Section 5.08(a) (i) are intended to be for the
benefit of, and will be enforceable by, each indemnified party, his or her heirs
and his or her representatives and (ii) are in addition to, and not in
substitution for, any other rights to indemnification or contribution that any
such person may have by contract or otherwise.
(e) The indemnified parties as a group may retain only one law firm
with respect to each related matter except to the extent such law firm would
have, under applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing under
the laws of the applicable State, a conflict of interest in representing any
particular indemnified party.
SECTION 5.09. Fees and ExpensesS. (a) Except as provided in this Section
5.09, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Mergers, this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by
the party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the Mergers are
consummated, except that each of CEI and NU shall bear and pay one-half of the
costs and expenses incurred in connection with (1) the filing, printing and
mailing of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement (including SEC filing
fees), (2) the filings of the premerger notification and report forms under the
HSR Act (including filing fees) and (3) the filings required under PUHCA. All
stock transfer, real estate transfer, documentary, stamp, recording and other
similar taxes (including interest, penalties and additions to any such Taxes)
(the "Transfer Taxes") attributable to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be paid by the Company. CEI and NU shall cooperate with the
Company and with each other in the filing of such returns, including supplying
in a timely manner a complete list of all real property interests held by CEI or
NU and any information with respect to such property that is reasonably
necessary to complete any such returns.
(b) In the event that (i) a NU Takeover Proposal shall have been
made known to NU or any of the NU Subsidiaries or has been made directly to the
NU Shareholders generally or any person shall have publicly announced an
intention (whether or not conditional and whether or not such NU Takeover
Proposal shall have been rejected or shall have been withdrawn or terminated
prior to the NU Shareholders Meeting or any termination of this Agreement) to
make a NU Takeover Proposal and thereafter this Agreement is terminated by
either CEI or NU pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(i) or by CEI pursuant to Section
7.01(d), (ii) prior to or during the NU Shareholders Meeting (or any subsequent
meeting of the NU Shareholders at which it is proposed that the NU Merger be
approved), a NU Takeover Proposal shall have been made directly to the NU
Shareholders generally or any person shall have publicly announced an intention
(whether or not conditional and whether or not such NU Takeover Proposal shall
have been rejected or shall have been withdrawn or terminated prior to the NU
Shareholders Meeting or any termination of this Agreement) to make a NU Takeover
Proposal and thereafter this Agreement is terminated by either CEI or NU
pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(ii) or (iii) this Agreement is terminated by NU
pursuant to Section 7.01(f), then NU shall immediately pay CEI a fee equal to
$110 million (the "Termination Fee"), payable by wire transfer of same day
funds; provided, however, that no Termination Fee shall be payable to CEI
pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of this paragraph (b) unless and until within 24
months of such termination NU or any NU Subsidiary (x) enters into any NU
Acquisition Agreement or (y) consummates any NU Takeover Proposal (for the
purposes of the foregoing proviso the terms "NU Acquisition Agreement" and "NU
Takeover Proposal" shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in Section
4.02 except that the references to "15%" in the definition of "NU Takeover
Proposal" in Section 4.02(a) shall be deemed to be references to "35%"), in
which event the Termination Fee shall be immediately payable upon the first to
occur of such events set forth in the preceding clauses (x) and (y).
(c) If this Agreement is terminated by CEI or NU pursuant to Section
7.01(b)(ii), by NU pursuant to Section 7.01(f), by CEI pursuant to Section
7.01(c) or by CEI pursuant to Section 7.01(d) or if NU is otherwise obligated to
pay the Termination Fee, NU shall immediately pay to CEI, by wire transfer of
same day funds, an expense reimbursement fee of $20 million for fees and
expenses incurred, or paid by or on behalf of, CEI in connection with the
Mergers or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The payment of such
expense reimbursement fee shall not affect the extent to which, or the amount
of, the Termination Fee which NU may separately be required to pay to CEI
pursuant to Section 5.09(b).
(d) If this Agreement is terminated by NU pursuant to Section
7.01(b)(iii) or by NU pursuant to Section 7.01(e), CEI shall immediately pay to
NU, by wire transfer of same day funds, an expense reimbursement fee of $20
million for fees and expenses incurred, or paid by or on behalf of, NU in
connection with the Mergers or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) NU acknowledges that the agreements contained in Sections
5.09(b) and 5.09(c) are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and that, without these agreements, CEI would not enter into
this Agreement; accordingly, if NU fails promptly to pay the amount due pursuant
to Section 5.09(b) and 5.09(c), and, in order to obtain such payment, CEI
commences a suit that results in a judgment against NU for any of the amounts
set forth in Section 5.09(b) or 5.09(c), as the case may be, NU shall pay to CEI
its costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) in connection
with such suit, together with interest on such amounts at the prime rate of The
Chase Manhattan Bank in effect on the date such payment was required to be made.
SECTION 5.10. Public Announcements. CEI and NU will consult with each other
before issuing, and provide each other the opportunity to review, comment upon
and concur with, any press release or other public statements with respect to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Mergers, and
shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior
to such consultation, except as any party may determine is required by law. The
parties agree that the initial press release to be issued with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in the form heretofore
agreed to by the parties.
SECTION 5.11. Affiliates. As soon as practicable after the date of this
Agreement, NU shall deliver to CEI, and CEI shall deliver to NU, a letter
identifying all persons who are, at the time this Agreement is submitted for
adoption by the respective shareholders of CEI and NU, "affiliates" of CEI or
NU, as the case may be, for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act. CEI
and NU shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause each such
person to deliver to the Company as of the Closing Date, a written agreement
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D-1 in the case of NU and
Exhibit D-2 in the case of CEI.
SECTION 5.12. NYSE Listing. The Company shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the shares of the Company Common Stock to be issued in the
Mergers to be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of
issuance, as promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in
any event prior to the Closing Date.
SECTION 5.13. Shareholder Litigation. NU shall
afford CEI the opportunity to participate in the defense of any shareholder
litigation against NU or any of its trustees or officers relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.14. Taxes. (a) Each of CEI and NU will, and will cause each of
their respective subsidiaries to, (i) timely file with the relevant taxing
authority all material Tax returns and reports required to be filed by it, on a
basis consistent with the elections, accounting methods, conventions and
principles of taxation used for the most recent taxable periods for which Tax
returns involving similar Tax items have been filed, and in a manner that does
not unreasonably accelerate deductions or defer income, (ii) timely pay all
Taxes due and payable, or establish proper reserves therefor in its books and
records in accordance with GAAP, (iii) make adequate provision on its books and
records, to the extent required in accordance with GAAP, for all Taxes due and
payable after the Effective Time, and (iv) promptly notify the other of any
action, suit, proceeding, claim or audit pending against or with respect to it
or any of its subsidiaries in respect of any material Taxes.
(b) Each of CEI and NU shall not, and shall not permit any of their
respective subsidiaries to, take any action, or fail to take any action, that
would, or could reasonably be expected to, prevent (i) the Mergers from
constituting a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code, (ii) the CEI
Merger from constituting a transaction described in Section 368(a) of the Code
or (iii) CEI or NU from obtaining the opinions of counsel referred to in
Sections 6.02(c) and 6.03(c).
SECTION 5.15. Standstill Agreements; Confidentiality Agreements. During the
period from the date of this Agreement through the Effective Time, NU shall not
terminate, amend, modify or waive any provision of any confidentiality or
standstill agreement to which it or any of its respective subsidiaries is a
party, provided that NU may terminate, amend, modify or waive any provision of,
any confidentiality agreement relating solely to the sale of the NU
Subsidiaries' generation assets, including any NU Nuclear Facilities, other than
any standstill provisions contained in any such confidentiality agreement.
During such period, NU shall enforce, to the fullest extent permitted under
Applicable Law, the provisions of any such agreement, including by seeking to
obtain injunctions to prevent any breaches of such agreements and to enforce
specifically the terms and provisions thereof in any court of the United States
of America or of any state having jurisdiction.
SECTION 5.16. Rights Agreement. NU shall take all action requested
in writing by CEI in order to render the NU Rights under the NU Rights Agreement
inapplicable to the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the
Agreement. Except as approved in writing by CEI, NU shall not (i) amend the NU
Rights Agreement, (ii) redeem the NU Rights or (iii) take any action with
respect to, or make any determination under, the NU Rights Agreement. If any
"Distribution Date", "Shares Acquisition Date" or "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" (as
each such term is defined in the NU Rights Agreement) occurs under the Rights
Agreement at any time during the period from the date of this Agreement to the
Effective Time, CEI and NU shall make such adjustments as CEI and NU shall
mutually agree so as to preserve the economic benefits that CEI and NU each
reasonably expected on the date of this Agreement to receive as a result of the
consummation of the Mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the
Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
Conditions Precedent VI
SECTION 6.01. Conditions to Each Party's Obligation To
Effect the Mergers. The respective obligation of each
party to effect the Mergers is subject to the satisfaction or waiver on
or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) Shareholder Approvals. Each of the NU Shareholder
Approval and the CEI Approval shall have been obtained.
(b) No Injunctions or Restraints. No (i) temporary restraining order
or preliminary or permanent injunction or other order by any Federal or state
court preventing consummation of either of the Mergers or (ii) applicable
Federal or state law or regulation prohibiting either of the Mergers or any of
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively,
"Restraints") shall be in effect.
(c) Form S-4. The Form S-4 shall have become effective under the
Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings
seeking a stop order.
(d) NYSE Listing. The shares of Company Common Stock issuable to the
NU Shareholders and the CEI Shareholders as contemplated by this Agreement shall
have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of
issuance.
SECTION 6.02. Conditions to Obligations of CEI.
The obligation of CEI to effect the CEI Merger is further subject to
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of NU set forth herein shall be true and correct both when made and
at and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such time (except to the
extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date),
except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true
and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to "materiality" or
"Material Adverse Effect" set forth therein) would not have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on NU.
(b) Performance of Obligations of NU. NU shall have performed in all
material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Tax Opinions. CEI shall have received from Cravath, Swaine &
Moore, counsel to CEI, on the Closing Date, its opinion dated as of such date or
no more than two days prior thereto, to the effect that the CEI Merger will be
treated for Federal income tax purposes as a transaction described in Section
368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel for CEI shall be entitled
to rely upon customary representations of the parties hereto, substantially in
the form of Exhibits E, F and G hereto.
(d) No Material Adverse Change. From and after the date of this
Agreement, no Material Adverse Change with respect to NU (including the
discovery of, any deterioration in, or any worsening of, any change, effect,
event, occurrence or state of facts existing or known as of the date of this
Agreement) shall have occurred.
(e) Statutory Approvals. The CEI Statutory Approvals and the NU
Statutory Approvals shall have been obtained at or prior to the Effective Time,
such approvals shall have become Final Orders (as defined below) and neither
such Final Orders nor any order, law or regulation of any Governmental Entity
shall impose terms or conditions that would have, individually or in the
aggregate, (A) a Material Adverse Effect on NU, (B) a Material Adverse Effect on
CEI or (C) a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its prospective
subsidiaries taken as a whole. A "Final Order" means action by the relevant
Governmental Entity that has not been reversed, stayed, enjoined, set aside,
annulled or suspended, with respect to which any waiting period prescribed by
law before the transactions contemplated hereby (or therein) may be consummated
has expired, and as to which all conditions to the consummation of such
transactions prescribed by law, regulation or order have been satisfied.
(f) Closing Certificates. CEI shall have received a certificate
signed by an executive officer of NU, dated the Closing Date, to the effect
that, to the best of such officer's knowledge, the conditions set forth in
Section 6.02(a), Section 6.02(b), Section 6.02(d) and Section 6.02(g) have been
satisfied.
(g) No Trigger of NU Rights. No event shall have occurred that has
triggered, or would result in the triggering of, any right or entitlement of NU
Shareholders under the NU Rights Agreement, including a "Distribution Date", a
"Shares Acquisition Date" or a "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" (as such terms are
defined in the NU Rights Agreement) or a "flip-in" or "flip-over" event as
commonly described in such rights plans, and the NU Rights shall not have become
nonredeemable by the NU Board of Trustees.
SECTION 6.03. Conditions to Obligations of NU. Conditions to Obligations of
NU. The obligation of NU to effect the NU Merger is further subject to
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties of CEI set forth herein shall be true and correct both when made and
at and as of the Closing Date, as if made at and as of such time (except to the
extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date),
except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true
and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to "materiality" or
"Material Adverse Effect" set forth therein) would not have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on CEI.
(b) Performance of Obligations of CEI. CEI shall have performed in
all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this
Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Tax Opinions. NU shall have received from LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene
& MacRae, L.L.P., counsel to NU, on the Closing Date, its opinion dated as of
such date or no more than two days prior thereto, to the effect that the Mergers
will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as a transaction described in
Section 351 of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel for NU shall be
entitled to rely upon customary representations of the parties hereto,
substantially in the form of Exhibits E, F and G hereto.
(d) No Material Adverse Change. From and after the date of this
Agreement, no Material Adverse Change with respect to CEI (including the
discovery of, any deterioration in, or any worsening of, any change, effect,
event, occurrence or state of facts existing or known as of the date of this
Agreement) shall have occurred.
(e) Statutory Approvals. The CEI Statutory Approvals and the NU
Statutory Approvals shall have been obtained at or prior to the Effective Time,
such approvals shall have become Final Orders and neither such Final Orders nor
any order, law or regulation of any Governmental Entity shall impose terms or
conditions that would have, individually or in the aggregate, (A) a Material
Adverse Effect on CEI or (B) a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and its
prospective subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(f) Closing Certificates. NU shall have received a certificate
signed by an executive officer of CEI, dated the Closing Date, to the effect
that, to the best of such officer's knowledge, the conditions set forth in
Section 6.03(a), Section 6.03(b) and Section 6.03(d) have been satisfied.
ARTICLE VII
Termination, Amendment and Waiver VII
SECTION 7.01. Termination. This Agreement may be
terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or
(other than pursuant to clause (f) below) after the NU Shareholder
Approval or the CEI Shareholder Approval:
(a) by mutual written consent of CEI and NU;
(b) by either CEI or NU:
(i) if the Mergers shall not have been consummated by April 13, 2001
(the "Initial Termination Date"); provided, however, that the right to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(b)(i) shall not be
available to any party whose failure to perform any of its obligations
under this Agreement results in the failure of the Mergers to be
consummated by such time; and provided, further, that if on the Initial
Termination Date the conditions to the respective obligations of CEI and
NU to effect the CEI Merger and the NU Merger set forth in Sections
6.01(b) and 6.02(e) and Sections 6.01(b) and 6.03(e), respectively, shall
not have been fulfilled but all other conditions to the respective
obligations of CEI and NU to effect the CEI Merger and the NU Merger shall
have been fulfilled or shall be capable of being fulfilled, then the
Initial Termination Date shall be extended to October 13, 2001;
(ii) if the NU Shareholder Approval shall not have been obtained at
a NU Shareholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment or
postponement thereof;
(iii) if the CEI Shareholder Approval shall not have been obtained
at a CEI Shareholders Meeting duly convened therefor or at any adjournment
or postponement thereof; or
(iv) if any Restraint having any of the effects set forth in Section
6.01(b) shall be in effect and shall have become final and nonappealable;
provided, that the party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
this Section 7.01(b)(iv) shall have used its reasonable best efforts to
prevent the entry of and to remove such Restraint;
(c) by CEI, if NU shall have breached or failed to perform in any
material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other
agreements contained in this Agreement (other than Section 4.02), which breach
or failure to perform (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set
forth in Section 6.02(a) or (b), and (B) is incapable of being cured by NU or is
not cured by NU within a reasonable period of time following receipt of written
notice from CEI of such breach or failure to perform;
(d) by CEI, if NU or any of its trustees or officers breaches or
fails to perform in any material respect any of its covenants or agreements
contained in Section 4.02;
(e) by NU, if CEI shall have breached or failed to perform in any
material respect any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other
agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (A)
would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.03(a) or
(b), and (B) is incapable of being cured by CEI or is not cured by CEI within a
reasonable period of time following receipt of written notice from NU of such
breach or failure to perform; or
(f) by NU in accordance with Section 4.02(b); provided that, in
order for the termination of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph (f) to be
deemed effective, NU shall have complied with all provisions of Section 4.02,
including the notice provisions therein, and with applicable requirements,
including the payment of the Termination Fee, of Section 5.09.
SECTION 7.02. Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement by either NU or CEI as provided in Section 7.01, this Agreement shall
forthwith become null and void and have no effect, without any liability or
obligation on the part of CEI or NU, other than the provisions of Section
3.01(q), Section 3.02(o), the penultimate sentence of Section 5.04(a), Section
5.09, this Section 7.02 and Article VIII, which provisions shall survive such
termination, and except to the extent that such termination results from the
willful and material breach by a party of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement, in which case
such termination shall not relieve any party of any liability or damages
resulting from its willful and material breach of this Agreement (including any
such case in which a Termination Fee or any expense reimbursement fee is payable
pursuant to Section 5.09), to the extent any such liability or damage suffered
by the party entitled to such payment exceeds the amount of such payment
(including, in the case of CEI, the amount of the Termination Fee (to the extent
payable) and any expense reimbursement fee payable to CEI pursuant to Section
5.09).
SECTION 7.03. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties at
any time before or after the NU Shareholder Approval or the CEI Shareholder
Approval; provided, however, that after any such approval, there shall not be
made any amendment that by law requires further approval by the NU Shareholders
or the CEI Shareholders without the further approval of such shareholders. This
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf
of each of the parties.
SECTION 7.04. Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time,
a party may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of the other parties, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties of the other parties contained in this Agreement
or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to the
proviso of Section 7.03, waive compliance by the other parties with any of the
agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part
of a party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in
an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any
party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or
otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
SECTION 7.05. Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver. A
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01, an amendment of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 7.03 or an extension or waiver pursuant to Section
7.04 shall, in order to be effective, require, in the case of NU, action by its
Board of Trustees or the duly authorized committee or designee of its Board of
Trustees to the extent permitted by law and the Trust Agreement and, in the case
of CEI, action by its Board of Directors or the duly authorized committee or
designee of its Board of Directors to the extent permitted by law and its
certificate of incorporation.
ARTICLE VIII
General Provisions VIII
SECTION 8.01. Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties. None of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time. This Section 8.01
shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by its terms
contemplates performance after the Effective Time.
SECTION 8.02. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
given (as of the time of delivery or, in the case of a telecopied communication,
of confirmation) if delivered personally, telecopied (which is confirmed) or
sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the
following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified
by like notice):
(a) if to CEI, to
Consolidated Edison, Inc.
4 Irving Place
New York, New York 10003
Telecopy No.: (212) 677-0601
Attention: John D. McMahon, Esq.
with a copy to:
Cravath, Swaine & Moore
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Telecopy No.: (212) 474-3700
Attention: George W. Bilicic, Jr.; and
Nicholas D. S. Brumm
(b) if to NU, to
Northeast Utilities Service Company
107 Selden Street
Berlin, Connecticut 06037
Telecopy No.: (860) 665-4886
Attention: Cheryl W. Grise, Esq.
with a copy to:
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.
125 West 55th Street
New York, New York 10019
Telecopy No.: (212) 424-8500
Attention: Steven H. Davis; and
Benjamin G. Clark
SECTION 8.03. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) an "affiliate" of any person means another person that directly
or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by,
or is under common control with, such first person, where "control" means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management policies of a person, whether through the ownership
of voting securities, by contract, as trustee or executor, or otherwise;
(b) "Material Adverse Change" or "Material Adverse Effect" means,
when used in connection with any person, any change, effect, event, occurrence
or state of facts (i) that is, or would reasonably be expected to be, materially
adverse to the business, assets, properties, condition (financial or otherwise),
results of operations or prospects of such person and its subsidiaries taken as
a whole or (ii) that prevents, or would reasonably be expected to prevent, such
person from performing any of its material obligations under this Agreement or
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby;
(c) "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, association, trust, business trust,
unincorporated organization or other entity;
(d) a "subsidiary" of any person means another person, an amount of
the voting securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of
which is sufficient to elect at least a majority of its Board of Directors or
other governing body (or, if there are no such voting interests, 50% or more of
the equity interests of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such first
person; and
(e) "knowledge" of any person which is not an individual means the
actual knowledge of such person's executive officers.
SECTION 8.04. Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
an Article, Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to an Article or Section
of, or an Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of
contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or "including" are used in
this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation". The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar
import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and
not to any particular provision of this Agreement. All terms defined in this
Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other
document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein. The
definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well
as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the
feminine and neuter genders of such term. Any agreement, instrument or statute
defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred
to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time
amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or
instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of
comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments thereto and
instruments incorporated therein. References to a person are also to its
permitted successors and assigns.
SECTION 8.05. Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered
one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more
counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other
parties.
SECTION 8.06. Entire Agreement; No Third--Party Beneficiaries. This
Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein) and the
Confidentiality Agreement (except for paragraph 9 thereof) (i) constitutes the
entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement (including paragraph 9 of the Confidentiality Agreement) and (ii)
except for the provisions of Article II and Section 5.08, are not intended to
confer upon any person other than the parties any rights or remedies. NU hereby
waives the restrictions applicable to CEI pursuant to paragraph 9 of the
Confidentiality Agreement relating to the parties' standstill obligations for a
time period to expire on the earliest of (i) the Effective Time, (ii) if this
Agreement is terminated by CEI and the Termination Fee is required to be paid,
payment of the Termination Fee and (iii) if this Agreement is terminated by NU
pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(iii) or 7.01(e), upon such termination.
SECTION 8.07. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, except to the
extent that the laws of the State of Delaware govern the CEI Merger or the laws
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts govern the NU Merger regardless, in each
case, of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of
conflict of laws.
SECTION 8.08. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in
part, by operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties hereto without the
prior written consent of the other party. Any attempted or purported assignment
in violation of the preceding sentence shall be null and void and of no effect
whatsoever. Subject to the preceding two sentences, this Agreement shall be
binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and
their respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 8.09. Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage would
occur and that the parties would not have any adequate remedy at law in the
event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is
accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in the Federal court located in the
Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York or if such court does not have
jurisdiction, in any Federal court having jurisdiction, or if no Federal court
has jurisdiction, in any state court having jurisdiction, this being in addition
to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. In addition,
each of the parties hereto (a) consents to submit itself to the personal
jurisdiction of the Federal court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The
City of New York or if such court does not have jurisdiction, in any Federal
court having jurisdiction, or if no Federal court has jurisdiction, in any state
court having jurisdiction in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement
or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) agrees that it
will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other
request for leave from any such court, and (c) agrees that it will not bring any
action relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement in any court other than a Federal court sitting in the Borough of
Manhattan in The City of New York or if such court does not have jurisdiction,
in any Federal court having jurisdiction, or if no Federal court has
jurisdiction, in any state court having jurisdiction.
SECTION 8.10. Severability. If any term or other provision of this
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law
or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall
nevertheless remain in full force and effect. Upon such determination that any
term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the
parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to
effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible to the fullest
extent permitted by Applicable Law in an acceptable manner to the end that the
transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
SECTION 8.11. Trustee and Shareholder Liability. No trustee or NU
Shareholder shall be held to any liability whatsoever for any obligation under
this Agreement, and this Agreement shall not be enforceable against any such
trustee or NU Shareholder in their or his or her individual capacities or
capacity. This Agreement shall be enforceable against the trustees of NU only as
such, and every person, firm, association, trust or corporation having any claim
or demand arising under this Agreement and relating to NU, the NU Shareholders
or trustees shall look solely to the trust estate of NU for the payment or
satisfaction thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CEI, NU, the Company, and Merger LLC have caused
this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers (or, in the case of
Merger LLC, manager) thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first written
above.
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.,
by /s/ Eugene R. McGrath
Name: Eugene R. McGrath
Title: Chairman, President
and Chief Executive
Officer
NORTHEAST UTILITIES,
by /s/ Michael G. Morris
Name: Michael G. Morris
Title: Chairman, President
and Chief Executive
Officer
CWB HOLDINGS, INC.,
by /s/ Joan S. Freilich
Name: Joan S. Freilich
Title: Chairman, President
and Chief Executive
Officer
N ACQUISITION LLC, by CWB Holdings, Inc.
by /s/ Joan S. Freilich
Name: Joan S. Freilich
Title: Chairman, President
and Chief Executive
Officer
EXHIBIT A
to the Merger Agreement
Form of Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company as of the Effective Time
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.
Consolidated Edison, Inc., a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY
AS FOLLOWS:
1. The name of the corporation is Consolidated Edison, Inc. and the
name under which the corporation was originally incorporated is CWB Holdings,
Inc. The original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on February 25, 1998.
2. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation, having been duly
adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware and by the unanimous written consent of the
stockholders of the Corporation, restates and integrates and further amends the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation as amended or supplemented
heretofore. As so restated and integrated and further amended, the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (hereinafter, this "Certificate of Incorporation")
reads as follows:
ARTICLE FIRST
The name of the corporation is Consolidated Edison, Inc.
ARTICLE SECOND
The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State
of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware
19801. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is
The Corporation Trust Company.
ARTICLE THIRD
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE FOURTH
(a) The aggregate number of shares of stock that the Corporation
shall have authority to issue is o shares, consisting of o shares of Common
Stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), and o shares of Preferred
Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock").
(b) The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall have the full
authority permitted by law, at any time and from time to time, to divide the
authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock into classes or series and,
with respect to each such class or series, to determine by resolution or
resolutions the number of shares constituting such class or series and the
designation of such class or series, the voting powers, if any, of the shares of
such class or series, and the preferences and relative, participating, optional
or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, of the shares of any such class or series of Preferred
Stock.
(c) Such divisions and determinations may be accomplished by an
amendment to this ARTICLE FOURTH, which amendment may be made solely by action
of the Board of Directors, which shall have the full authority permitted by law
to make such divisions and determinations.
(d) The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional
and other special rights of each class or series of Preferred Stock and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from
those of any and all other classes or series at any time outstanding.
(e) Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders
of any class or series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having
a preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock with respect
to the payment of dividends, dividends may be declared and paid on the Common
Stock at such times and in such amounts as the Board of Directors of the
Corporation in its discretion shall determine. Nothing in this ARTICLE FOURTH
shall limit the power of the Board of Directors to create a class or series of
Preferred Stock with dividends the rate of which is calculated by reference to,
and the payment of which is concurrent with, dividends on shares of Common
Stock.
(f) In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, (i) holders of shares of each
class or series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive the amount fixed
for such class or series upon any such event plus, in the case of any class or
series on which dividends will have been determined by the Board of Directors to
be cumulative, an amount equal to all dividends accumulated and unpaid thereon
to the date of final distribution, whether or not declared, before any
distribution shall be paid, or set aside for payment, to holders of Common Stock
and (ii) subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of the
Preferred Stock, the net assets of the Corporation available for distribution to
stockholders of the Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of
the Common Stock in accordance with their respective rights and interests. If
the assets of the Corporation are not sufficient to pay such amounts owing to
holders of shares of Preferred Stock in full, holders of all shares of Preferred
Stock will participate in the distribution of assets ratably in proportion to
the full amounts to which they are entitled or in such order or priority, if
any, as will have been fixed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the
issue of the class or series of Preferred Stock. Neither the merger or
consolidation of the Corporation into or with any other corporation, nor a sale,
transfer or lease of all or part of its assets, will be deemed a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation within the meaning of this
paragraph except to the extent specifically provided for herein. Nothing in this
ARTICLE FOURTH shall limit the power of the Board of Directors to create a class
or series of Preferred Stock for which the amount to be distributed upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation is calculated by
reference to, and the payment of which is concurrent with, the amount to be
distributed to the holders of shares of Common Stock.
(g) Except as otherwise required by law, as otherwise provided
herein or as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors as to the shares of
any class or series of Preferred Stock prior to the issuance of any such shares,
the holders of Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights and shall not be
entitled to any notice of meetings of stockholders.
(h) Except as otherwise required by law, with respect to all matters
upon which stockholders are entitled to vote or to which stockholders are
entitled to give consent, the holders of any outstanding shares of Common Stock
shall vote together as a class, and every holder of Common Stock shall be
entitled to cast thereon one vote in person or by proxy for each share of Common
Stock standing in such holder's name on the books of the Corporation; provided,
however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as
such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of
Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any class
or series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more
outstanding class or series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected
class or series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders or
one or more other such class or series, to vote thereon pursuant to this
Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating
to any class or series of Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Subject to the rights of the holders
of any class or series of Preferred Stock, stockholders of the Corporation shall
not have any preemptive rights to subscribe for additional issues of stock of
the Corporation and no stockholder will be permitted to cumulate votes at any
election of directors.
ARTICLE FIFTH
(a) Except as otherwise fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of
ARTICLE FOURTH of this Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of
the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, and subject to the right
of the Board of Directors to increase or decrease the number of directors
pursuant to the provisions of this ARTICLE FIFTH, the Board of Directors shall
consist of o directors as so adjusted, the "entire Board of Directors"). The
Board of Directors may increase or decrease the number of directors by
resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of Directors; provided,
however, that no decrease in the number of directors so made by the Board of
Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The directors, other
than those who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of Preferred
Stock pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation, shall be
classified, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into
three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, one class of directors to
be originally elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders
to be held in o, the second class of directors to be originally elected for a
term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in o, and the
third class of directors to be originally elected for a term expiring at the
annual meeting of stockholders to be held in o, with each class to hold office
until its successors are duly elected and qualified. Except as specifically
contemplated by the prior sentence and other than with respect to any directors
elected by the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the
terms of this Certificate of Incorporation, at each annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Corporation, the date of which shall be fixed by or pursuant
to the By-laws of the Corporation, the successors of the class of directors
whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term
expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. The election of
directors need not be by written ballot.
(b) If the number of directors is changed by the Board of Directors
of the Corporation (other than a change fixed by or pursuant to the provisions
of ARTICLE FOURTH of this Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of
the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock), any newly created
directorships or any decrease in directorships shall be so apportioned among the
classes as to make all classes as nearly equal as possible.
(c) Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the
provisions of ARTICLE FOURTH of this Certificate of Incorporation relating to
the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, any vacancy
on the Board of Directors of the Corporation resulting from death, incapacity,
resignation, removal or other cause and any newly created directorship resulting
from any increase in the authorized number of directors between meetings of
stockholders shall be filled only by the vote of a majority of the directors
then in office, even though less than a quorum, and any director so chosen shall
hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in
which the vacancy occurred or the new directorship was created and until a
successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death,
incapacity, resignation or removal from office in accordance with any applicable
law or pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. If there are
no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner
provided by applicable law.
(d) A director may be removed from office only for cause; provided,
however, that, subject to applicable law, any director elected by the holders of
any class or series of Preferred Stock may be removed upon such terms as may be
fixed by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in the resolution creating
such series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the provisions of ARTICLE FOURTH of
this Certificate of Incorporation.
ARTICLE SIXTH
(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of
Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the
stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or
special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by
any consent in writing by such stockholders. Subject to the rights of the
holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of
stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors
pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the entire Board of
Directors.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one
or more class or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation, if any,
shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, as applicable, to
elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the calling of
special meetings of the holders of such class or series shall be governed by the
terms of the applicable resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors
adopted pursuant to ARTICLE FOURTH of this Certificate of Incorporation.
ARTICLE SEVENTH
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it
by law, the Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to
adopt, repeal, alter or amend the By-laws of the Corporation by the vote of a
majority of the entire Board of Directors. In addition to any requirements of
law and any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation or any
resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors pursuant to ARTICLE FOURTH
hereof (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified
by law, this Certificate of Incorporation or any such resolution or
resolutions), the affirmative vote of the holders of 80% or more of the combined
voting power of all the shares of capital stock then outstanding and entitled to
vote thereon, voting together as single class, shall be required for
stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal any provision of the By-laws of
the Corporation.
ARTICLE EIGHTH
In addition to any requirements of law and any other provisions of
this Certificate of Incorporation or any resolution or resolutions of the Board
of Directors pursuant to ARTICLE FOURTH hereof (and notwithstanding the fact
that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, this Certificate of
Incorporation or any such resolution or resolutions), the affirmative vote of
the holders of 80% or more of the combined voting power of all the shares of
capital stock then outstanding and entitled to vote thereon, voting together as
a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal, or adopt any
provision of this Certificate of Incorporation which is inconsistent with, any
provision of ARTICLES FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, and NINTH hereof or this ARTICLE
EIGHTH.
ARTICLE NINTH
Except to the extent elimination or limitation of liability is not
permitted by applicable law, no director of the Corporation shall be personally
liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any
breach of fiduciary duty in such capacity. Any repeal or modification of this
ARTICLE NINTH by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect
any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of
such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to
such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE TENTH
The holders of the capital stock of the Corporation shall not be
personally liable for the payment of the Corporation's debts, and the private
property of the holders of the capital stock of the Corporation shall not be
subject to the payment of debts of the Corporation to any extent whatsoever.
ARTICLE ELEVENTH
Subject to the provisions of ARTICLE EIGHTH hereof, the Corporation
reserves the right to supplement, amend or repeal any provision contained in
this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by
the laws of the State of Delaware and this Certificate of Incorporation, and all
rights conferred on stockholders, directors and officers herein, if any, are
granted subject to this reservation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, the [insert title] of the Corporation, have
executed this Restated Certificate of Incorporation as of the o day of o, o, and
DO HEREBY CERTIFY under the penalties of perjury that the facts stated in this
Restated Certificate of Incorporation are true.
By
--------------------------
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT B
to the Merger Agreement
Form of By-laws of the Company
as of the Effective Time
BY-LAWS
of
Consolidated Edison, Inc.,
Effective as of
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE 1
Stockholders
SECTION 1.1. Place of Stockholders'
Meetings........................................... 1
SECTION 1.2. Day and Time of Annual
Meetings of Stockholders......................... 1
SECTION 1.3. Purposes of Annual Meetings......................... 1
SECTION 1.4. Special Meetings of
Stockholders..................................... 2
SECTION 1.5. Notice of Meetings of
Stockholders..................................... 3
SECTION 1.6. Quorum of Stockholders.............................. 3
SECTION 1.7. Chairman of the Board and
Secretary of Meeting............................. 4
SECTION 1.8 Voting by Stockholders.............................. 4
SECTION 1.9. Proxies............................................. 5
SECTION 1.10. Inspectors ......................................... 5
SECTION 1.11. List of Stockholders................................ 6
SECTION 1.12. Fixing of Record Date for
Determination
of Stockholders of Record........................ 6
ARTICLE 2
Directors
SECTION 2.1. Method of Election, Terms
of Office of Directors........................... 7
SECTION 2.2. Resignations and Vacancies
on Board......................................... 8
SECTION 2.3. Meetings of the Board............................... 8
SECTION 2.4. Quorum and Action................................... 9
SECTION 2.5. Presiding Officer and
Secretary of Meeting........................ 10
SECTION 2.6. Action by Consent without
Meeting......................................... 10
SECTION 2.7. Committees......................................... 10
ARTICLE 3
Officers
SECTION 3.1. Officers, Titles,
Elections, Terms ............................... 10
SECTION 3.2. Powers and Duties of the
Executive and
Other Officers.................................. 11
ARTICLE 4
Indemnification
SECTION 4.1 Indemnification ................................... 12
SECTION 4.2. Insurance, Contracts and
Funding ........................................ 13
SECTION 4.3. Indemnification; Not
Exclusive Right................................. 13
SECTION 4.4. Advancement of Expenses............................ 13
SECTION 4.5. Indemnification
Procedures; Presumptions and Effect of
Certain Proceedings; Remedies; Definitions.......14
SECTION 4.6. Indemnification of Employees
and Agents...................................... 18
SECTION 4.7. Severability ...................................... 19
ARTICLE 5
Capital Stock
SECTION 5.1. Stock Certificates ................................ 19
SECTION 5.2. Record Ownership ...................................19
SECTION 5.3. Transfer of Record
Ownership........................................19
SECTION 5.4. Transfer Agent; Registrar;
Rules Respecting Certificates................... 20
ARTICLE 6
Securities held by the Corporation
SECTION 6.1. Voting .............................................20
SECTION 6.2. General Authorization to Transfer
Securities Held by the Corporation................20
ARTICLE 7
Depositaries and Signatories
SECTION 7.1. Depositaries ...................................... 21
SECTION 7.2. Signatories........................................ 21
ARTICLE 8
Seal ...............................21
ARTICLE 9
Fiscal Year ............................22
ARTICLE 10
Amendment of By-Laws .......................22
ARTICLE 11
Offices and Agent .........................22
BY-LAWS
of
Consolidated Edison, Inc.
(a corporation organized under the laws of
the State of Delaware, the "Corporation")
(effective as of )
1. STOCKHOLDERS.
1.1 Place of Stockholders' Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders of
the Corporation shall be held at such place or places, within or outside the
State of Delaware, as may be fixed by the Corporation's Board of Directors (the
"Board", and each member thereof a "Director") from time to time or as shall be
specified in the respective notices thereof.
1.2 Day and Time of Annual Meetings of Stockholders. An annual meeting of
stockholders shall be held at such place (within or outside the State of
Delaware), date and hour as shall be determined by the Board and designated in
the notice thereof. Any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders may
be postponed by action of the Board taken prior to the time previously scheduled
for such annual meeting of stockholders.
1.3 Purposes of Annual Meetings. (a) Subject to the rights of the holders
of any class or series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, at each annual
meeting, the stockholders shall elect the successors of the class of Directors
whose term expires at such annual meeting for a term expiring at the third
succeeding annual meeting. At any such annual meeting any business properly
brought before the meeting may be transacted.
(b) To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i)
specified in the notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or
at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the
meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought
before the meeting by a stockholder who is a holder of record at the time of the
giving of notice provided for in this Section 1.3(b), who is entitled to vote at
the meeting and who complies with the procedures set forth in this Section
1.3(b). For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a
stockholder, the stockholder must have given written notice thereof, either by
personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of
the Corporation (the "Secretary") at the principal executive offices of the
Corporation, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the
anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting (provided, that the
first such anniversary date occurring after the effective date of these By-laws
shall be deemed to be o). Any such notice shall set forth as to each matter the
stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description
of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons
for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and, in the event that such
business includes a proposal to amend either the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation (the "Certificate") or these By-laws, the text
of the proposed amendment; (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the
Corporation's books, of the stockholder proposing such business; (iii) the class
and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the
stockholder; (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business; and
(v) if the stockholder intends to solicit proxies in support of such
stockholder's proposal, a representation to that effect. The foregoing notice
requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the stockholder has
notified the Corporation of his or her intention to present a proposal at an
annual meeting and such stockholder's proposal has been included in a proxy
statement that has been prepared by management of the Corporation to solicit
proxies for such annual meeting; provided, however, that if such stockholder
does not appear or send a qualified representative to present such proposal at
such annual meeting, the Corporation need not present such proposal for a vote
at such meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have
been received by the Corporation. No business shall be conducted at an annual
meeting of stockholders except in accordance with this Section 1.3(b), and the
presiding officer of any annual meeting of stockholders may refuse to permit any
business to be brought before an annual meeting without compliance with the
foregoing procedures or if the stockholder solicits proxies in support of such
stockholder's proposal without such stockholder having made the representation
required by clause (v) of the second preceding sentence.
1.4 Special Meetings of Stockholders. Except as otherwise expressly
required by the Certificate or by applicable law, special meetings of the
stockholders or of any class or series entitled to vote may be called for any
purpose or purposes by a majority vote of the entire Board of Directors, as
defined in the Certificate (the "entire Board"), to be held at such place
(within or outside the State of Delaware), date and hour as shall be determined
by the Board and designated in the notice thereof. Only such business as is
specified in the notice of any special meeting of the stockholders shall come
before such meeting.
1.5 Notice of Meetings of Stockholders. Except as otherwise expressly
required or permitted by the Certificate or by applicable law, not less than ten
days nor more than 60 days before the date of every stockholders' meeting the
Secretary shall cause to be delivered to each stockholder of record entitled to
vote at such meeting notice stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and,
in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting
is called. Except as provided in Section 1.6(d), or as otherwise expressly
required by the Certificate or by applicable law, notice of any adjourned
meeting of stockholders need not be given if the time and place thereof are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. Any notice, if
mailed, shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail,
postage prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the address for notices to such
stockholder as it appears on the books of the Corporation.
1.6 Quorum of Stockholders. (a) Unless otherwise expressly required by the
Certificate or by applicable law, at any meeting of the stockholders, the
presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of
votes thereat shall constitute a quorum for the entire meeting, notwithstanding
the withdrawal of stockholders entitled to cast a sufficient number of votes in
person or by proxy to reduce the number of votes represented at the meeting
below a quorum. Shares of the Corporation's stock belonging to the Corporation
or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in an
election of the directors of such other corporation is held by the Corporation,
shall neither be counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum
nor entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders; provided, however, that
the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation to vote stock,
including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity.
(b) At any meeting of the stockholders at which a quorum shall be present,
a majority of those present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting from
time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting at which an
adjournment is taken of the time and place of the adjourned meeting. In the
absence of a quorum, the officer presiding thereat shall have power to adjourn
the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present. Notice of any
adjourned meeting other than announcement at the meeting at which an adjournment
is taken shall not be required to be given, except as provided in Section 1.6(d)
below and except where expressly required by applicable law.
(c) At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any
business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting
originally called, but only those stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting
as originally noticed shall be entitled to vote at any adjournment or
adjournments thereof unless a new record date is fixed by the Board.
(d) If an adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the
adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of
the adjourned meeting shall be given in the manner specified in Section 1.5 to
each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting.
1.7 Chairman of the Board and Secretary of Meeting. The Chairman of the
Board or, in his or her absence, another officer of the Corporation designated
by the Chairman of the Board, shall preside at meetings of the stockholders. The
Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, or in the absence of the
Secretary, an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation shall so act, or if neither
is present, then the presiding officer may appoint a person to act as secretary
of the meeting.
1.8 Voting by Stockholders. (a) Except as otherwise expressly required by
the Certificate or by applicable law, at every meeting of the stockholders each
stockholder of record shall be entitled to the number of votes specified in the
Certificate (or, with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, in the
applicable certificate of designations providing for the creation of such
series), in person or by proxy, for each share of stock standing in his or her
name on the books of the Corporation on the date fixed pursuant to the
provisions of Section 1.12 of these By-laws as the record date for the
determination of the stockholders who shall be entitled to receive notice of and
to vote at such meeting.
(b) When a quorum is present at any meeting of the stockholders, all
questions shall be decided by the vote of a majority in voting power of the
stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at such meeting,
unless the question is one upon which by express provision of law, the rules or
regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, the Certificate
or these By-laws, a different vote is required, in which case such express
provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.
(c) Except as required by applicable law, the vote at any meeting of
stockholders on any question need not be by ballot, unless so directed by the
presiding officer of the meeting. On a vote by ballot, each ballot shall be
signed by the stockholder voting, or by his or her attorney-in-fact, if
authorized by proxy, and shall state the number of shares voted.
1.9 Proxies. Any stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of
stockholders may vote either in person or by his or her attorney-in-fact or
proxy.
1.10 Inspectors. (a) The election of Directors and any other vote by
ballot at any meeting of the stockholders shall be supervised by one or more
inspectors. Such inspectors may be appointed by the Chairman of the Board before
or at the meeting. If the Chairman of the Board shall not have so appointed such
inspectors or if one or more inspectors so appointed shall refuse to serve or
shall not be present, such appointment shall be made by the officer presiding at
the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her
duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of
inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her
ability.
(b) The inspector or inspectors shall (i) ascertain the number of shares
of the Corporation outstanding and the voting power of each; (ii) determine the
shares represented at any meeting of stockholders and the validity of the
proxies and ballots; (iii) count all proxies and ballots; (iv) determine and
retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges
made to any determination by the inspectors; and (v) certify their determination
of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all
proxies and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or
entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the
inspectors.
(c) If there are three or more inspectors, the act of a majority of the
inspectors shall govern. On request of the officer presiding at such meeting,
the inspectors shall make a report of any challenge, question or matter
determined by them and execute a certificate of any fact found by them. Any
report or certificate made by them shall be prima facie evidence of the facts
therein stated and of the vote as certified by them, and such report or
certificate shall be filed with the minutes of such meeting.
1.11 List of Stockholders. (a) At least ten days before every meeting of
stockholders, the officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation
shall cause to be prepared and made a complete list of the stockholders entitled
to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address
of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each
stockholder.
(b) During ordinary business hours for a period of at least ten days prior
to the meeting, such list shall be open to examination by any stockholder for
any purpose germane to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the
meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the
meeting, or if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.
(c) The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the
meeting during the whole time of the meeting, and it may be inspected by any
stockholder who is present.
(d) The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the
stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by this
Section 1.11 or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy
at any meeting of stockholders.
1.12 Fixing Record Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record. (a)
The Board may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for the purpose of
determining the stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting
of the stockholders or any adjournment thereof, which record date shall not
precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by
the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 days nor less than
ten days before the date of a meeting of the stockholders. If no record date is
fixed by the Board, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at a stockholders' meeting shall be at the close of
business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if
notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on
which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to
notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment
of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for
the adjourned meeting.
(b) The Board may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for the
purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend or other distribution or the allotment of any rights, or entitled to
exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock,
or in order to make a determination of the stockholders for the purpose of any
other lawful action, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the
resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date
shall not be more than 60 calendar days prior to such action. If no record date
is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining the stockholders for any
such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board
adopts the resolution relating thereto.
2. DIRECTORS.
2.1 Method of Election, Terms of Office of Directors. The Directors shall
be classified as specified in the Certificate. Directors need not be
stockholders of the Corporation or citizens of the United States of America.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred
Stock of the Corporation, nominations of persons for election as Directors may
be made by the Board or by any stockholder who is a stockholder of record at the
time of giving of the notice of nomination provided for in this Section 2.1 and
who is entitled to vote for the election of Directors. Any stockholder of record
entitled to vote for the election of Directors at a meeting may nominate a
person or persons for election as Directors only if written notice of such
stockholder's intent to make such nomination is given, either by personal
delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary at the
principal executive offices of the Corporation, not later than (i) with respect
to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders, not less than 90
nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately
preceding annual meeting (provided, that the first such anniversary date
occurring after the effective date of these By-laws shall be deemed to be o) and
(ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders
for the election of Directors, not earlier than the 90th day prior to such
special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the
60th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on
which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made and
of the nominees to be elected at such meeting. Each such notice shall set forth:
(a) the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination
and of the person or persons to be nominated; (b) a representation that the
stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to
nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (c) a description of all
arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any
other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the
nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder; (d) such other
information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would have
been required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had each nominee been nominated,
or intended to be nominated, by the Board; (e) the consent of each nominee to
serve as a Director if so elected; and (f) if the stockholder intends to solicit
proxies in support of such stockholder's nominee(s), a representation to that
effect. The presiding officer of any meeting of stockholders to elect Directors
and the Board may refuse to acknowledge any attempted nomination of any person
not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure or if the stockholder
solicits proxies in support of such stockholder's nominee(s) without such
stockholder having made the representation required by clause (f) of the
preceding sentence. Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 2.1 shall be eligible to serve as Directors
of the Corporation.
At each meeting of the stockholders for the election of Directors at which
a quorum is present, the persons receiving the greatest number of votes, up to
the number of Directors to be elected, shall be the Directors.
2.2 Resignations and Vacancies on Board. Any Director may resign from
office at any time by delivering a written resignation to the Chairman of the
Board or the Secretary. The resignation will take effect at the time specified
therein, or, if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the
Corporation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it
effective, unless expressly so provided in the resignation. Any vacancy on the
Board shall be filled as specified in the Certificate.
2.3 Meetings of the Board. (a) The Board may hold its meetings, both
regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware, at such
places as from time to time may be determined by the Board or as may be
designated in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.
(b) Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such times and at such
places as from time to time shall be determined by the Board.
(c) The first meeting of each newly elected Board shall be held as soon as
practicable after the annual meeting of the stockholders and shall be for the
election of officers and the transaction of such other business as may come
before such meeting.
(d) Special meetings of the Board shall be held whenever called by
direction of the Chairman of the Board or at the request of Directors
constituting one-third of the number of Directors then in office.
(e) Members of the Board or any Committee of the Board may participate in
a meeting of the Board or such Committee, as the case may be, by means of
conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation
shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
(f) The Secretary shall give notice to each Director of any meeting of the
Board by mailing, faxing or otherwise electronically delivering the same at
least two days before the meeting or by personally delivering the same not later
than the day before the meeting. Such notice need not include a statement of the
business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting. Any and all
business may be transacted at any meeting of the Board. No notice of any
adjourned meeting need be given. No notice to or waiver by any Director shall be
required with respect to any meeting at which the Director is present except
when such Director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting at
the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the
meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
2.4 Quorum and Action. Except as otherwise expressly required by
applicable law, the Certificate or these By-laws, at any meeting of the Board,
the presence of at least a majority of the entire Board shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business; but if there shall be less than a quorum
at any meeting of the Board, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting
from time to time. Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate
or these By-laws, the vote of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting
at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the approval and adoption of
any resolution or the approval of any act of the Board.
2.5 Presiding Officer and Secretary of Meeting. The Chairman of the Board
or, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, a member of the Board selected
by the members present, shall preside at meetings of the Board. The Secretary
shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the Secretary's absence the
presiding officer may appoint a secretary of the meeting.
2.6 Action by Consent without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any Committee thereof may be taken
without a meeting if all members of the Board or Committee, as the case may be,
consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the
minutes of proceedings of the Board or Committee.
2.7 Committees. The Board may, in accordance with and subject to the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, from time to time establish
committees of the Board to exercise such powers and authorities of the Board,
and to perform such other functions, as the Board my from time to time
determine. The Board may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of
any such Committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member or members
at any meeting of such Committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member
of a Committee, the member or members present at any meeting and not
disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a
quorum, may unanimously appoint another Director to act at the meeting in the
place of any such absent or disqualified member.
3. OFFICERS.
3.1 Officers, Titles, Elections, Terms. (a) The Board may from time to
time elect a Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer, President, one or more Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior
Vice Presidents, one or more Vice Presidents, a Chief Financial Officer, a
Controller, a Treasurer, a Secretary and a General Counsel, each to serve at the
pleasure of the Board or otherwise as shall be specified by the Board at the
time of such election and until their successors are elected and qualified or
until their earlier death, incapacity, retirement, resignation or removal from
office in accordance with these By-laws or any applicable law or pursuant to an
order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) The Board may elect or appoint at any time such other officers or
agents with such duties as it may deem necessary or desirable. Such other
officers or agents shall serve at the pleasure of the Board or otherwise as
shall be specified by the Board at the time of such election or appointment and,
in the case of such other officers, until their successors are elected and
qualified or until their earlier death, incapacity, retirement, resignation or
removal from office in accordance with these By-laws or any applicable law or
pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. Each such officer or
agent shall have such authority and shall perform such duties as may be provided
herein or as the Board may prescribe. The Board may from time to time authorize
any officer or agent to appoint and remove any other such officer or agent and
to prescribe such person's authority and duties.
(c) Any two or more offices may be held simultaneously by the same person,
except as otherwise may be required by applicable law.
(d) Any vacancy in any office may be filled for the unexpired portion of
the term by the Board. Each officer elected or appointed during the year shall
hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board at which officers are
regularly elected or appointed and until his or her successor is elected or
appointed and qualified or until his or her earlier death, incapacity,
retirement, resignation or removal from office in accordance with these By-laws
or any applicable law or pursuant to an order of a court of competent
jurisdiction.
(e) Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board may be removed
at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board.
(f) Any officer may resign from office at any time. Such resignation shall
be made in writing and given to the Chief Executive Officer or the Secretary.
Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if no
time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Corporation. The acceptance
of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless expressly
so provided in the resignation.
3.2 Powers and Duties of Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall
have such powers and duties as usually pertain to their respective offices,
except as otherwise directed by the Board or any designee thereof, and shall
also have such powers and duties as may from time to time be conferred upon them
by the Board or any such designee.
4. INDEMNIFICATION.
4.1 Indemnification. (a) The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable law as then in effect, shall indemnify any person who was or is a
Director or officer of the Corporation and who was or is involved in any manner
(including, without limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be
made so involved in any threatened, pending or completed investigation, claim,
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (including, without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding by
or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor) (each, a
"Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that such person was or is a Director,
officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or was or is serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including,
without limitation, any employee benefit plan) (a "Covered Entity"), against all
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement and actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection
with such Proceeding. Any such former or present Director or officer of the
Corporation finally determined to be entitled to indemnification as provided in
this Article 4 is hereinafter called an "Indemnitee". Until such final
determination is made, such former or present Director or officer shall be a
"Potential Indemnitee" for purposes of this Article 4. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this Section 4.1(a), but subject to Section 4.5(c)(iv)
hereof, the Corporation shall not indemnify an Indemnitee with respect to any
Proceeding commenced by such Indemnitee unless the commencement of such
Proceeding by such Indemnitee has been approved by a majority vote of the
Disinterested Directors (as defined in Section 4.5(d)); provided, however, that
such approval of a majority of the Disinterested Directors shall not be required
with respect to any Proceeding commenced by such Indemnitee after a Change in
Control (as defined in Section 4.5(d)) has occurred.
(b) Neither the amendment or repeal of, nor the adoption of a provision
inconsistent with, any provision of this Article 4 (including, without
limitation, this Section 4.1(b)) shall adversely affect the rights of any
Director or officer under this Article 4 (i) with respect to any Proceeding
commenced or threatened prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an
inconsistent provision or (ii) after the occurrence of a Change in Control, with
respect to any Proceeding arising out of any action or omission occurring prior
to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision, in either
case without the written consent of such Director or officer.
4.2 Insurance, Contracts and Funding. The Corporation may purchase and
maintain insurance to protect itself and any Director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation or of any Covered Entity against any expenses,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement as specified in Section 4.1(a)
or Section 4.6 of this Article 4 or incurred by any such Director, officer,
employee or agent in connection with any Proceeding referred to in such
Sections, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as then in effect.
The Corporation may enter into contracts with any Director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation or of any Covered Entity in furtherance of the
provisions of this Article 4 and may create a trust fund, grant a security
interest or use other means (including, without limitation, a letter of credit)
to ensure the payment of such amounts as may be necessary to effect
indemnification as provided in this Article 4.
4.3 Indemnification; Not Exclusive Right. The right of indemnification
provided in this Article 4 shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which
an Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitee may otherwise be entitled, and the
provisions of this Article 4 shall inure to the benefit of the heirs and legal
representatives of any Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitee under this Article 4
and shall be applicable to Proceedings commenced or continuing after the
adoption of this Article 4, whether arising from acts or omissions occurring
before or after such adoption.
4.4 Advancement of Expenses. All reasonable expenses (including attorneys'
fees) incurred by or on behalf of any Potential Indemnitee in connection with
any Proceeding shall be advanced to such Potential Indemnitee by the Corporation
within 20 days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements
from such Potential Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to
time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such
statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the expenses incurred by such
Potential Indemnitee and, if required by law at the time of such advance, shall
include or be accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of such Potential
Indemnitee to repay the amounts advanced if ultimately it should be determined
that such Potential Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such
expenses pursuant to this Article 4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of
this Section 4.4, the Corporation shall not advance expenses to a Potential
Indemnitee with respect to any Proceeding commenced by such Potential Indemnitee
unless the commencement of such Proceeding by such Potential Indemnitee has been
approved by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors; provided, however,
that such approval of a majority of the Disinterested Directors shall not be
required with respect to any Proceeding commenced by such Potential Indemnitee
after a Change in Control has occurred.
4.5 Indemnification Procedures; Presumptions and Effect of Certain
Proceedings; Remedies; Definitions. In furtherance, but not in limitation, of
the foregoing provisions of this Article 4, the following procedures,
presumptions and remedies shall apply with respect to the right to
indemnification under this Article 4:
(a) Procedures for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. (i) To
obtain indemnification under this Article 4, a Potential Indemnitee shall submit
to the Secretary a written request, including such documentation and information
as is reasonably available to the Potential Indemnitee and reasonably necessary
to determine whether and to what extent the Potential Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification (the "Supporting Documentation"). The determination of the
Potential Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification shall be made not later
than 60 days after the later of (A) the receipt by the Corporation of the
written request for indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation
and (B) the receipt by the Corporation of written notice of final disposition of
the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought. The Secretary
shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the
Board in writing that the Potential Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(ii) The Potential Indemnitee's entitlement to indemnification under this
Article 4 shall be determined in one of the following ways: (A) by a majority
vote of the Disinterested Directors, whether or not they constitute a quorum of
the Board; (B) by a committee of the Disinterested Directors designated by a
majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, whether or not they constitute a
quorum of the Board; (C) by a written opinion of Independent Counsel (as defined
in Section 4.5(d)) if (x) a Change in Control shall have occurred and the
Potential Indemnitee so requests or (y) there are no Disinterested Directors or
a majority of such Disinterested Directors so directs; (D) by the stockholders
of the Corporation; or (E) as provided in Section 4.5(b) of this Article 4.
(iii) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is
to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 4.5(a)(ii), a majority of
the Disinterested Directors (or, if there are no Disinterested Directors, the
General Counsel of the Corporation or, if the General Counsel is or was a party
to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought, the highest
ranking officer of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to such
Proceeding) shall select the Independent Counsel, but only an Independent
Counsel to which the Potential Indemnitee does not reasonably object; provided,
however, that if a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Potential
Indemnitee shall select such Independent Counsel, but only an Independent
Counsel to which a majority of the Disinterested Directors does not reasonably
object.
(b) Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings. Except as otherwise
expressly provided in this Article 4, if a Change in Control shall have
occurred, the Potential Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to
indemnification under this Article 4 (with respect to actions or omissions
occurring prior to such Change in Control) upon submission of a request for
indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation in accordance with
Section 4.5(a)(i) of this Article 4, and thereafter the Corporation shall have
the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in reaching a contrary
determination. In any event, if the person or persons empowered under Section
4.5(a) of this Article 4 to determine entitlement to indemnification shall not
have been appointed or shall not have made a determination within 60 days after
the later of (x) the receipt by the Corporation of the written request for
indemnification together with the Supporting Documentation and (y) final
disposition of the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought, the
Potential Indemnitee shall be deemed to be, and shall be, entitled to
indemnification. The termination of any Proceeding, or of any claim, issue or
matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of
nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, adversely affect the
right of the Potential Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption
that the Potential Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which
the Potential Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that
the Potential Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct
was unlawful.
(c) Remedies. (i) In the event that a determination is made pursuant to
Section 4.5(a) of this Article 4 that the Potential Indemnitee is not entitled
to indemnification under this Article 4, (A) the Potential Indemnitee shall be
entitled to seek an adjudication of his or her entitlement to such
indemnification either, at the Potential Indemnitee's sole option, in (x) an
appropriate court of the State of Delaware or any other court of competent
jurisdiction or (y) an arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator
pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association; (B) any such
judicial proceeding or arbitration shall be de novo and the Potential Indemnitee
shall not be prejudiced by reason of such adverse determination; and (C) if a
Change in Control shall have occurred, in any such judicial proceeding or
arbitration, the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Potential
Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Article 4 (with respect
to actions or omissions occurring prior to such Change in Control).
(ii) If a determination shall have been made or deemed to have been made,
pursuant to Section 4.5(a) or (b) of this Article 4, that the Potential
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be obligated to
pay the amounts constituting such indemnification within five days after such
determination has been made or deemed to have been made and shall be
conclusively bound by such determination unless (A) the Indemnitee
misrepresented or failed to disclose a material fact in making the request for
indemnification or in the Supporting Documentation or (B) such indemnification
is prohibited by applicable law. In the event that payment of indemnification is
not made within five days after a determination of entitlement to
indemnification has been made or deemed to have been made pursuant to Section
4.5(a) or (b) of this Article 4, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to seek
judicial enforcement of the Corporation's obligation to pay to the Indemnitee
such indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may bring
an action, in an appropriate court in the State of Delaware or any other court
of competent jurisdiction, contesting the right of the Indemnitee to receive
indemnification hereunder due to the occurrence of an event described in clause
(A) or (B) of this subsection (each, a "Disqualifying Event"); provided,
however, that in any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of
proving the occurrence of such Disqualifying Event.
(iii) The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial
proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 4.5(c) that the
procedures and presumptions of this Article 4 are not valid, binding and
enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator
that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Article 4.
(iv) In the event that the Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitee, pursuant to
this Section 4.5(c), seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration
to enforce his or her rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this
Article 4, such person shall be entitled to recover from the Corporation, and
shall be indemnified by the Corporation against, any expenses actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such judicial adjudication
or arbitration if such person prevails in such judicial adjudication or
arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or
arbitration that such person is entitled to receive part but not all of the
indemnification or advancement of expenses sought, the expenses incurred by such
person in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be
prorated accordingly.
(d) Definitions. For purposes of this Article 4:
(i) "Change in Control" means a change in control of the Corporation of a
nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) (or any
successor provision) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or any amendment or
successor provision thereto) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Act"), whether or not the Corporation is then subject to
such reporting requirement; provided that, without limitation, such a change in
control shall be deemed to have occurred if (A) any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Act) is or becomes the "beneficial
owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Corporation representing 15% or more of the voting power of
all outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in
an election of Directors without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of
the members of the Board in office immediately prior to such acquisition; (B)
the Corporation is a party to any merger, consolidation or share exchange (or
other comparable transaction) in which the Corporation is not the continuing or
surviving corporation or pursuant to which shares of the Corporation's Common
Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a
merger or share exchange in which the holders of the Corporation's Common Stock
immediately prior to the merger have the same proportionate ownership of common
stock of the surviving corporation immediately after the merger; (C) there is a
sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of
related transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of the
Corporation, or liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation; (D) the
Corporation is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other
reorganization, or a proxy contest, as a consequence of which members of the
Board in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less
than a majority of the Board thereafter; or (E) during any period of two
consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted
the Board (including for this purpose any new Director whose election or
nomination for election by the stockholders was approved by a vote of at least
two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who were Directors at the
beginning of such period) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
of the Board.
(ii) "Disinterested Director" means a Director who is not and was not a
party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by the
Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitee.
(iii) "Independent Counsel" means a law firm or a member of a law firm
that neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to
represent: (a) the Corporation or the Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitee in any
matter material to either such party or (b) any other party to the Proceeding
giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Article 4. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the term "Independent Counsel" shall not include any person who,
under applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing under the law
of the State of Delaware, would have a conflict of interest in representing
either the Corporation or the Indemnitee or Potential Indemnitee in an action to
determine the Indemnitee's or Potential Indemnitee's rights under this Article
4.
4.6 Indemnification of Employees and Agents. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Article 4, the Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law as then in effect, may indemnify any person other than a Director
or officer of the Corporation who is or was an employee or agent of the
Corporation and who is or was involved in any manner (including, without
limitation, as a party or a witness) or is threatened to be made so involved
in any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding, by reason of the fact that
such person was or is an employee or agent of the Corporation or was or is
serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of a Covered Entity, against all expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by such person in connection with such Proceeding. The Corporation may also
advance expenses incurred by such employee, fiduciary or agent in connection
with any such Proceeding, consistent with the provisions of applicable law as
then in effect. If made or advanced, such indemnification shall be made and such
reasonable expenses shall be advanced pursuant to procedures to be established
from time to time by the Board.
4.7 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article 4 shall
be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i)
the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this
Article 4 (including, without limitation, all portions of any Section of this
Article 4 containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (ii) to the fullest extent
possible, the provisions of this Article 4 (including, without limitation, all
portions of any Section of this Article 4 containing any such provision held to
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that are not themselves invalid, illegal
or unenforceable) shall be construed, to the fullest extent possible, so as to
give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable.
5. CAPITAL STOCK.
5.1 Stock Certificates. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented
by certificates, provided that the Board may provide by resolution or
resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of stock shall be
uncertificated shares. Each certificate shall be signed by, or in the name of,
the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board,
the President or any Vice President, and by the Treasurer or any Assistant
Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary.
5.2 Record Ownership. A record of the name of the person, firm or
corporation and address of such holder of each certificate, the number of shares
represented thereby and the date of issue thereof shall be made on the
Corporation's books. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of
record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof, and accordingly
shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in
any share on the part of any person, whether or not it shall have express or
other notice thereof, except as required by applicable law.
5.3 Transfer of Record Ownership. Transfers of stock shall be made on the
books of the Corporation only by direction of the person named in the
certificate or such person's attorney, lawfully constituted in writing, and only
upon the surrender of the certificate therefor and a written assignment of the
shares evidenced thereby. Whenever any transfer of stock shall be made for
collateral security, and not absolutely, it shall be so expressed in the entry
of the transfer if, when the certificates are presented to the Corporation for
transfer, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.
5.4 Transfer Agent; Registrar; Rules Respecting Certificates. The
Corporation shall maintain one or more transfer offices or agencies (which may
include the Corporation) where stock of the Corporation shall be transferable.
The Corporation shall also maintain one or more registry offices (which may
include the Corporation) where such stock shall be registered. The Board may
make such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue,
transfer and registration of stock certificates in accordance with applicable
law.
6. SECURITIES HELD BY THE CORPORATION.
6.1 Voting. Unless the Board shall otherwise order, any officer of the
Corporation shall have full power and authority, on behalf of the Corporation,
to attend, act and vote at any meeting of the stockholders of any corporation in
which the Corporation may hold stock and at such meeting to exercise any or all
rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock, and to execute on
behalf of the Corporation a proxy or proxies empowering another or others to act
as aforesaid. The Board from time to time may confer like powers upon any other
person or persons.
6.2 General Authorization to Transfer Securities Held by the Corporation.
(a) Any officer of the Corporation is hereby authorized and empowered to
transfer, convert, endorse, sell, assign and deliver any and all shares of
stock, bonds, debentures, notes, subscription warrants, stock purchase warrants,
evidences of indebtedness, or other securities now or hereafter standing in the
name of or owned by the Corporation, and to make, execute and deliver any and
all written instruments of assignment and transfer necessary or proper to
effectuate the authority hereby conferred.
(b) Whenever there shall be annexed to any instrument of assignment and
transfer executed pursuant to and in accordance with the foregoing Section
6.2(a), a certificate of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary in office at
the date of such certificate setting forth the provisions hereof and stating
that they are in full force and effect and setting forth the names of persons
who are then officers of the corporation, all persons to whom such instrument
and annexed certificate shall thereafter come shall be entitled, without further
inquiry or investigation and regardless of the date of such certificate, to
assume and to act in reliance upon the assumption that (i) the shares of stock
or other securities named in such instrument were theretofore duly and properly
transferred, endorsed, sold, assigned, set over and delivered by the
Corporation, and (ii) with respect to such securities, the authority of these
provisions of these By-laws and of such officers is still in full force and
effect.
7. DEPOSITARIES AND SIGNATORIES.
7.1 Depositaries. The Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer and such
other persons as may from time to time be designated by either such officer are
authorized to designate depositaries for the funds of the Corporation deposited
in its name or that of a division of the Corporation, or both, and the
signatories with respect thereto in each case, and from time to time, to change
such depositaries and signatories, with the same force and effect as if each
such depositary and the signatories with respect thereto and changes therein had
been specifically designated or authorized by the Board; and each depositary so
designated shall be entitled to rely upon the certificate of the Secretary or
any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or of a division of the Corporation
setting forth the fact of such designation and of the appointment of the
officers of the Corporation or of the division or of both or of other persons
who are to be signatories with respect to the withdrawal of funds deposited with
such depositary, or from time to time the fact of any change in any depositary
or in the signatories with respect thereto.
7.2 Signatories. All notes, drafts, checks, acceptances, orders for the
payment of money and all other negotiable instruments obligating the Corporation
for the payment of money shall be signed on behalf of the Corporation in such
manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board or of
any committee thereof or by the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or such
other persons as may from time to time be designated by either such officer.
8. SEAL.
The seal of the Corporation shall be in such form and shall have such
content as the Board shall from time to time determine.
9. FISCAL YEAR.
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on December 31 in each year,
or on such other date as the Board shall determine.
10. AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS.
Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate, these By-laws, or any of
them, may from time to time be supplemented, amended or repealed, or new By-laws
may be adopted, by the Board at any regular or special meeting of the Board, if
such supplement, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved by a majority of the
entire Board. The stockholders of the Corporation shall have the power to amend,
alter or repeal any provision of these By-laws only to the extent and in the
manner provided in the Certificate.
11. OFFICES AND AGENT.
(a) Registered Office and Agent. The address of the registered office of
the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be 1209 Orange Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The name of the registered agent is The Corporation
Trust Company. Such registered agent has a business office identical with such
registered office.
(b) Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at other places,
either within or outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may
from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require.
EXHIBIT C
TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT
Trust Agreement Amendments
The following amendments to the Trust Agreement (such term and each other
capitalized term used but not defined in this Exhibit C shall have the meaning
ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement to which this Exhibit C is
attached) have been approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
Trustees of Northeast Utilities ("NU") and will become effective in accordance
with Articles (39) and (40) of the Trust Agreement when the Trust Agreement
Amendments have been approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of
two-thirds of the NU Common Shares outstanding as of the date of the NU
Shareholders Meeting:
1. Article (2) of the Trust Agreement is amended in its entirety to read:
"(2). The number of the Trustees hereunder for each ensuing year
shall be such as may be fixed at each annual meeting of the shareholders
by a vote of at least a majority of the number of shares then outstanding
hereunder of such class or classes as then have general voting power,
except that if at any annual meeting no such number shall be so fixed then
the number for the ensuing year shall be the same as for the year
preceding. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if a merger of the
association has been approved pursuant to Article (11A) hereof, the number
of Trustees from and after the effective time of such merger may be fixed
by the agreement providing for such merger (in which case such number
shall not be required to be fixed for any ensuing year at any annual
meeting of the shareholders), including, without limitation, pursuant to
that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated
as of October 13, 1999 among Consolidated Edison, Inc., a New York
corporation, the association, CWB Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
and N Acquisition LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company."
2. The following new Article (11A) is added to the Trust Agreement:
"(11A). The Trustees are authorized to take or cause to be taken all
actions which they deem necessary or appropriate to implement and to
effectuate a merger of the association with or into one or more domestic
limited liability companies in accordance with Chapter 182 (Voluntary
Associations and Certain Trusts) of the Massachusetts General Laws, if the
same has been authorized by the affirmative vote, at a meeting (which
meeting may have preceded the effectiveness of this Article 11A) duly
called for such purpose, of two-thirds of all shares previously issued and
outstanding as of the date of such meeting of such class or classes as
have general voting power, including, without limitation, the series of
transactions provided for in the Merger Agreement."
EXHIBIT D-1
CWB Holdings, Inc.
4 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
Form of NU Affiliate Letter
Dear Sirs:
The undersigned refers to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
"Merger Agreement") dated as of October 13, 1999, among Consolidated Edison,
Inc., a New York corporation ("CEI"), Northeast Utilities, a Massachusetts
business trust ("NU"), CWB Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CWB"), and N
Acquisition LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company ("Merger LLC").
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter have the meanings given
such terms in the Merger Agreement.
The undersigned, a holder of shares of NU Common Shares, is entitled
to receive in connection with the NU Merger shares of Company Common Stock. The
undersigned acknowledges that the undersigned may be deemed an "affiliate" of NU
within the meaning of Rule 145 ("Rule 145") promulgated under the Securities
Act, although nothing contained herein should be construed as an admission of
such fact.
If in fact the undersigned were an affiliate under the Securities
Act, the undersigned's ability to sell, assign or transfer the Company Common
Stock received by the undersigned in exchange for any shares of NU Common Shares
pursuant to the NU Merger may be restricted unless such transaction is
registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is
available. The undersigned (i) understands that such exemptions are limited and
that the Company is not under any obligation to effect any such registration and
(ii) has obtained advice of counsel as to the nature and conditions of such
exemptions, including information with respect to the applicability to the sale
of such securities of Rules 144 and 145(d) promulgated under the Securities Act.
The undersigned hereby represents to and covenants with CEI and the
Company that the undersigned will not sell, assign or transfer any of the
Company Common Stock received by the undersigned in exchange for shares of NU
Common Shares pursuant to the NU Merger except (i) pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act or (ii) in a transaction that,
in the opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company or as described
in a "no-action" or interpretive letter from the Staff of the SEC, is not
required to be registered under the Securities Act.
In the event of a sale or other disposition by the undersigned
pursuant to Rule 145, of Company Common Stock received by the undersigned in the
NU Merger, the undersigned will supply the Company with evidence of compliance
with such Rule, in the form of a letter in the form of Annex I hereto and the
opinion of counsel or no-action letter referred to above. The undersigned
understands that the Company may instruct its transfer agent to withhold the
transfer of any Company Common Stock disposed of by the undersigned, but that
upon receipt of such evidence of compliance the transfer agent shall effectuate
the transfer of the Company Common Stock sold as indicated in the letter.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Company Common
Stock issued to the undersigned will all be in certificated form and (ii)
appropriate legends will be placed on certificates representing Company Common
Stock received by the undersigned in the NU Merger or held by a transferee
thereof, which legends will be removed by delivery of substitute certificates
upon receipt of an opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Company from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that
such legends are no longer required for purposes of the Securities Act.
The undersigned acknowledges that (i) the undersigned has carefully
read this letter and understands the requirements hereof and the limitations
imposed upon the distribution, sale, transfer or other disposition of Company
Common Stock and (ii) the receipt by CEI and the Company of this letter is an
inducement to CEI's and the Company's consummation of the Mergers.
Very truly yours,
Dated:
ANNEX I
TO EXHIBIT D-1
Consolidated Edison, Inc.
4 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
On , the undersigned sold the securities of Consolidated Edison,
Inc. ("the Company") described below in the space provided for that purpose (the
"Securities"). The Securities were received by the undersigned in connection
with the merger of MERGER LLC with and into NU.
Based upon the most recent report or statement filed by CEI with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Securities sold by the undersigned were
within the prescribed limitations set forth in Rule 144(e) promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
The undersigned hereby represents that the Securities were sold in
"brokers' transactions" within the meaning of Section 4(4) of the Securities Act
or in transactions directly with a "market maker" as that term is defined in
Section 3(a)(38) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The
undersigned further represents that the undersigned has not solicited or
arranged for the solicitation of orders to buy the Securities, and that the
undersigned has not made any payment in connection with the offer or sale of the
Securities to any person other than to the broker who executed the order in
respect of such sale.
Very truly yours,
Dated:
[Space to be provided for description of
securities.]
EXHIBIT D-2
CWB Holdings, Inc.
4 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
Form of CEI Affiliate Letter
Dear Sirs:
The undersigned refers to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
"Merger Agreement") dated as of October 13, 1999, among Consolidated Edison,
Inc., a New York corporation ("CEI"), Northeast Utilities, a Massachusetts
business trust ("NU"), CWB Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CWB"), and N
Acquisition LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company ("Merger LLC").
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this letter have the meanings given
such terms in the Merger Agreement.
The undersigned, a holder of shares of CEI Common Stock, is entitled
to receive in connection with the CEI Merger shares of Company Common Stock. The
undersigned acknowledges that the undersigned may be deemed an "affiliate" of
CEI within the meaning of Rule 145 ("Rule 145") promulgated under the Securities
Act, although nothing contained herein should be construed as an admission of
such fact.
If in fact the undersigned were an affiliate under the Securities
Act, the undersigned's ability to sell, assign or transfer the Company Common
Stock received by the undersigned in exchange for any shares of CEI Common Stock
pursuant to the CEI Merger may be restricted unless such transaction is
registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is
available. The undersigned (i) understands that such exemptions are limited and
that the Company is not under any obligation to effect any such registration and
(ii) has obtained advice of counsel as to the nature and conditions of such
exemptions, including information with respect to the applicability to the sale
of such securities of Rules 144 and 145(d) promulgated under the Securities Act.
The undersigned hereby represents to and covenants with NU and the
Company that the undersigned will not sell, assign or transfer any of the
Company Common Stock received by the undersigned in exchange for shares of CEI
Common Stock pursuant to the CEI Merger except (i) pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act or (ii) in a transaction that,
in the opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company or as described
in a "no-action" or interpretive letter from the Staff of the SEC, is not
required to be registered under the Securities Act.
In the event of a sale or other disposition by the undersigned
pursuant to Rule 145, of Company Common Stock received by the undersigned in the
CEI Merger, the undersigned will supply the Company with evidence of compliance
with such Rule, in the form of a letter in the form of Annex I hereto and the
opinion of counsel or no-action letter referred to above. The undersigned
understands that the Company may instruct its transfer agent to withhold the
transfer of any Company Common Stock disposed of by the undersigned, but that
upon receipt of such evidence of compliance the transfer agent shall effectuate
the transfer of the Company Common Stock sold as indicated in the letter.
The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that (i) the Company Common
Stock issued to the undersigned will all be in certificated form and (ii)
appropriate legends will be placed on certificates representing Company Common
Stock received by the undersigned in the CEI Merger or held by a transferee
thereof, which legends will be removed by delivery of substitute certificates
upon receipt of an opinion in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Company from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that
such legends are no longer required for purposes of the Securities Act.
The undersigned acknowledges that (i) the undersigned has carefully
read this letter and understands the requirements hereof and the limitations
imposed upon the distribution, sale, transfer or other disposition of Company
Common Stock and (ii) the receipt by NU and the Company of this letter is an
inducement to NU's and the Company's consummation of the Mergers.
Very truly yours,
Dated:
ANNEX I
TO EXHIBIT D-2
Consolidated Edison, Inc.
4 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003
On , the undersigned sold the securities of Consolidated Edison,
Inc. (the "Company") described below in the space provided for that purpose (the
"Securities"). The Securities were received by the undersigned in connection
with the merger of CEI with and into the Company.
Based upon the most recent report or statement filed by CEI with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Securities sold by the undersigned were
within the prescribed limitations set forth in Rule 144(e) promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
The undersigned hereby represents that the Securities were sold in
"brokers' transactions" within the meaning of Section 4(4) of the Securities Act
or in transactions directly with a "market maker" as that term is defined in
Section 3(a)(38) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The
undersigned further represents that the undersigned has not solicited or
arranged for the solicitation of orders to buy the Securities, and that the
undersigned has not made any payment in connection with the offer or sale of the
Securities to any person other than to the broker who executed the order in
respect of such sale.
Very truly yours,
Dated:
[Space to be provided for description of
securities.]
EXHIBIT E
[Letterhead of CEI]
[Date]
Cravath, Swaine & Moore
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.
125 West 55th Street
New York, New York 10019
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the opinions to be delivered pursuant to Sections
6.02(c) and 6.03(c) of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement")
dated as of October 13, 1999, among Consolidated Edison, Inc., a New York
corporation ("CEI"), Northeast Utilities, a Massachusetts business trust ("NU"),
CWB Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of CEI
(the "Company") and N Acquisition LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company
("Merger LLC"), 99% of which is owned by the Company and 1% of which is owned by
X Holding LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company, 99% of which is owned
by the Company and 1% of which is owned by N Acquisition LLC, and in connection
with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of the
registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement"), which
includes the proxy statement/prospectus of CEI and NU, each as amended and
supplemented through the date hereof, the undersigned certifies and represents
on behalf of CEI and as to CEI, after due inquiry and investigation, as follows
(any capitalized term used but not defined herein having the meaning given to
such term in the Merger Agreement):
1. The Mergers will be consummated in accordance with the Merger Agreement and
as described in the Registration Statement. The facts relating to the Mergers as
described in the Registration Statement and the documents referenced in the
Registration Statement are, insofar as such facts relate to CEI, true, correct
and complete in all material respects.
2. The formula set forth in the Merger Agreement pursuant to which each issued
and outstanding share of common stock, par value $.10 per share, of CEI (the
"CEI Common Stock") and each share of CEI Common Stock held by Consolidated
Edison Company of New York, Inc. will be converted into common shares, par value
$.01 per share, of the Company (the "Company Common Stock") is the result of
arm's length bargaining. The aggregate fair market value of the Company Common
Stock to be received by each holder of CEI Common Stock in the CEI Merger will
be approximately equal to the fair market value of CEI Common Stock surrendered
in exchange therefor.
3. (i) Except to the extent specifically contemplated under the Merger
Agreement, neither CEI nor any corporation related to CEI has acquired or has
any present plan or intention to acquire any CEI Common Stock in contemplation
of the Mergers, or otherwise as part of a plan of which the Mergers are a part.
(ii) For purposes of this representation letter, a corporation shall be
treated as related to CEI if such corporation is related to CEI within the
meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(e)(3).
4. CEI has not made and does not have any present plan or intention to make any
distributions (other than dividends made in the ordinary course of business) to
holders of CEI Common Stock prior to, in contemplation of, or otherwise in
connection with, the Mergers.
5. Except to the extent specifically contemplated under the Merger Agreement,
the Company, CEI and holders of CEI Common Stock will each pay their respective
expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the CEI Merger. Except to the
extent specifically contemplated under the Merger Agreement, CEI has not agreed
to assume, nor will it directly or indirectly assume, any expense or other
liability, whether fixed or contingent, of any holder of CEI Common Stock.
Further, no liabilities of any of the holders of CEI Common Stock will be
assumed by the Company, nor will any of the CEI Common Stock acquired by the
Company in connection with the CEI Merger be subject to any liabilities.
6. Any liabilities of CEI that will be assumed by the Company pursuant to the
Mergers, and any liabilities to which the assets of CEI that will be transferred
to the Company pursuant to the Mergers are subject, were incurred in the
ordinary course of business and are associated with the assets of CEI.
7. At the CEI Effective Time, the value of the Company Common Stock issued to
the holders of CEI Common Stock in the CEI Merger will represent at least 50% of
the value of the total consideration issued to such holders in the CEI Merger in
exchange for their shares of CEI Common Stock.
8. CEI is not an investment company as defined in Section 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and
(iv) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Section
351(e)(1) of the Code or Treasury Regulation Section 1.351-1(c)(1)(ii).
9. CEI will not take, and to the best knowledge of the management of CEI there
is no present plan or intention by any holders of CEI Common Stock to take, any
position on any Federal, state or local income or franchise tax return, or to
take any other tax reporting position, that is inconsistent (i) with the
treatment of the Mergers as a transaction described in Section 351 of the Code
or (ii) with the treatment of the CEI Merger as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, in each case unless otherwise required by
a "determination" (as defined in Section 1313(a)(1) of the Code) or by
applicable state or local tax law (and then only to the extent required by such
applicable state or local tax law).
10. None of the compensation received by any stockholder-employee of CEI in
respect of periods ending at or prior to the CEI Effective Time represents
separate consideration for any of his or her CEI Common Stock. None of the
Company Common Stock that will be received by any stockholder-employee of CEI in
the CEI Merger represents separately bargained for consideration which is
allocable to any employment agreement or arrangement. The compensation paid to
any stockholder-employees will be for services actually rendered and will be
determined by bargaining at arm's-length.
11. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between the Company and
CEI.
12. CEI is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or similar case
within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.
13. No assets of CEI have been sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of which
would prevent the Company or the Company's "qualified group" of corporations (as
defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(d)(4)(ii)) from continuing the
"historic business" of CEI or from using a significant portion of the "historic
business assets" of CEI in a business following the Mergers (as such terms are
defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(d)).
14. At the CEI Effective Time, the fair market value of the assets of CEI
transferred to the Company pursuant to the CEI Merger will exceed the sum of its
liabilities assumed by the Company pursuant to the CEI Merger, plus the amount
of liabilities, if any, to which such assets are subject.
15. To the best knowledge of the management of CEI, there is no present plan or
intention on the part of the holders of CEI Common Stock to sell, exchange or
otherwise dispose of, or to enter into any contract or other arrangement with
respect to, any interest in the shares of Company Common Stock received in the
CEI Merger in exchange for such CEI Common Stock such that the former holders of
CEI Common Stock and the former holders of NU Common Shares, in the aggregate,
would not own (i) Company Common Stock having at least 80% of the total combined
voting power of all classes of Company stock entitled to vote and (ii) at least
80% of the total number of shares of each other class of Company stock.
16. CEI will not retain any rights in the CEI assets transferred to the Company
pursuant to the CEI Merger.
17. None of the stock of any CEI Subsidiary being transferred in the CEI Merger
is Section 306 stock within the meaning of Section 306(c) of the Code.
18. To the best knowledge of the management of CEI and taking into account any
issuance of additional shares of Company Common Stock, any issuance of Company
Common Stock for services, the exercise of any Company stock rights, options,
warrants or subscriptions, any public offerings of Company stock, and the sale,
exchange, transfer by gift or other disposition of any Company Common Stock
received by holders of CEI Common Stock in the CEI Merger, the holders of CEI
Common Stock and NU Common Shares will collectively be in "control" of the
Company immediately after the Mergers. For purposes of this representation
letter, "control" shall mean the ownership of (i) stock possessing at least 80%
of the total combined voting power of all classes of Company stock entitled to
vote and (ii) at least 80% of the total number of shares of each other class of
Company stock.
19. The Company Common Stock issued in the Mergers will constitute
all of the Company's outstanding stock immediately after the Mergers. Except as
specifically set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Company will not issue any
Company Common Stock in connection with the Mergers in consideration for
services rendered to or for the benefit of the Company or any of its affiliates,
or in consideration for the transfer of any property other than NU Common Shares
and the associated NU Rights or CEI assets.
20. The NU Merger, the CEI Merger and the simultaneous exchange of
NU Common Shares and CEI Common Stock for Company Common Stock and cash are all
part of a single integrated transaction and no one part of the transaction will
be carried out without the entire transaction being consummated in its entirety.
All exchanges will occur on approximately the same date.
21. Except for the activities required to accomplish the actions to
effect the Mergers, prior to the Effective Time, Merger LLC will have no
material assets or liabilities and will carry on no business.
22. To the best knowledge of the management of CEI, no foreign
person owns or has owned beneficially more than 5% of the total fair market
value of the CEI Common Stock during the applicable period specified in Section
897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
23. To the best knowledge of the management of CEI, the Company will
remain in existence and hold the CEI assets transferred to it for use in its
trade or business.
24. Throughout the period of time that the Yankee Merger Agreement
was negotiated and at the time the Yankee Merger Agreement was signed, neither
NU nor CEI had any plan or intention to engage, directly or indirectly, in the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
25. Discussion concerning the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement did not occur prior to [ ].
26. To the best knowledge of the management of CEI, there is no plan
or intention on the part of the Yankee Shareholders to utilize the NU Merger to
have the Company acquire for cash the NU Common Shares issued to them in the
acquisition of Yankee pursuant to the Yankee Merger Agreement.
27. The Company's obligation under the Merger Agreement to acquire
NU Common Shares for cash was not undertaken at the request of Yankee or any
Yankee Shareholder.
28. The signing of the Merger Agreement was not dependent upon the
Yankee Shareholders' approval of the acquisition of Yankee pursuant to the
Yankee Merger
Agreement.
29. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement are not dependent on the closing of the acquisition of Yankee pursuant
to the Yankee Merger Agreement.
30. The Company has no plan or intention of repurchasing for cash
the NU Common Shares that will be issued to the Yankee Shareholders in the
acquisition of Yankee pursuant to the Yankee Merger Agreement, except as
required by Article II of the Merger Agreement.
31. Any actual purchase by the Company of any NU Common Shares for
cash will not be made at the request of Yankee or NU.
32. The Mergers are being undertaken for purposes of enhancing the
business of CEI and for other good and valid business purposes of CEI.
33. The Merger Agreement, the Registration Statement and the other
documents described in the Registration Statement represent the entire
understanding of CEI with respect to the Mergers.
34. The undersigned is authorized to make all the representations
set forth herein on behalf of CEI.
The undersigned acknowledges that (i) the opinions to be delivered
pursuant to Sections 6.02(c) and 6.03(c) of the Merger Agreement will be based
on the accuracy of the representations set forth herein and on the accuracy of
the representations and warranties and the satisfaction of the covenants and
obligations contained in the Merger Agreement and the various other documents
related thereto, and (ii) such opinions will be subject to certain limitations
and qualifications including that they may not be relied upon if any such
representations or warranties are not accurate or if any of such covenants or
obligations are not satisfied in all material respects.
The undersigned acknowledges that such opinions will not address any
tax consequences of the Mergers or any action taken in connection therewith
except as expressly set forth in such opinions.
Very truly yours,
CONSOLIDATED EDISON, INC.,
by
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT F
[Letterhead of NU]
[Date]
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.
125 West 55th Street
New York, New York 10019
Cravath, Swaine & Moore
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the opinions to be delivered pursuant to Sections
6.02(c) and 6.03(c) of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement")
dated as of October 13, 1999, among Consolidated Edison, Inc., a New York
corporation ("CEI"), Northeast Utilities, a Massachusetts business trust ("NU"),
CWB Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of CEI
(the "Company") and N Acquisition LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company
("Merger LLC"), 99% of which is owned by the Company and 1% of which is owned by
X Holding LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company, 99% of which is owned
by the Company and 1% of which is owned by N Acquisition LLC, and in connection
with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of the
registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement"), which
includes the proxy statement/prospectus of CEI and NU, each as amended and
supplemented through the date hereof, the undersigned certifies and represents
on behalf of NU and Merger LLC and as to NU and Merger LLC, after due inquiry
and investigation, as follows (any capitalized term used but not defined herein
having the meaning given to such term in the Merger Agreement):
1. The Mergers will be consummated in accordance with the Merger
Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement. The facts relating to
the Mergers as described in the Registration Statement and the documents
referenced in the Registration Statement are, insofar as such facts relate to NU
and Merger LLC, true, correct and complete in all material respects.
2. The formula set forth in the Merger Agreement pursuant to which
each issued and outstanding common share of beneficial interest, par value $5.00
per share, of NU (the "NU Common Shares"), together with the associated NU
Rights, will be converted into common shares, par value $.01 per share, of the
Company (the "Company Common Stock") or cash is the result of arm's length
bargaining. The aggregate fair market value of the Company Common Stock and/or
cash to be received by each holder of NU Common Shares and associated NU Rights,
in the NU Merger will be approximately equal to the fair market value of the NU
Common Shares and associated NU Rights surrendered in exchange therefor.
3. NU has not made and does not have any present plan or intention
to make any distributions to holders of NU Common Shares (other than dividends
in the ordinary course of business) prior to, in contemplation of, or otherwise
in connection with, the Mergers.
4. Except to the extent specifically contemplated under the Merger
Agreement, the Company, NU, Merger LLC and the holders of NU Common Shares will
each pay their respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the NU
Merger. Except to the extent specifically contemplated under the Merger
Agreement, NU has not agreed to assume, nor will it directly or indirectly
assume, any expense or other liability, whether fixed or contingent, of any
holder of NU Common Shares. Except with respect to Transfer Taxes, NU has not
entered into any arrangement pursuant to which the Company has agreed to assume,
directly or indirectly, any expense or other liability, whether fixed or
contingent, incurred or to be incurred by NU or any holder of NU Common Shares
in connection with or as part of the NU Merger or any related transactions, nor
will any of the NU Common Shares that is acquired by the Company in connection
with the NU Merger be subject to any such liabilities.
5. NU is not an investment company as defined in Section
368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), Section 351(e)(1) of the Code or Treasury Regulation Section
1.351-1(c)(1)(ii).
6. NU will not take, and, to the best knowledge of the management of
NU there is no present plan or intention of any holders of NU Common Shares to
take, any position on any Federal, state or local income or franchise tax
return, or take any other tax reporting position, that is inconsistent (i) with
the treatment of the Mergers as a transaction described in Section 351 of the
Code or (ii) with the treatment of the CEI Merger as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, in each case unless otherwise required by
a "determination" (as defined in Section 1313(a)(1) of the Code) or by
applicable state or local tax law (and then only to the extent required by such
applicable state or local tax law).
7. None of the compensation received by any stockholder-employee of
NU in respect of periods ending at or prior to the NU Effective Time represents
separate consideration for any of his or her NU Common Shares or associated NU
Rights. None of the Company Common Stock that will be received by any
stockholder-employee of NU in the NU Merger represents separately bargained for
consideration which is allocable to any employment agreement or arrangement. The
compensation paid to any stockholder-employees will be for services actually
rendered and will be determined by bargaining at arm's-length.
8. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between the
Company and NU.
9. NU is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or
similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.
10. At the NU Effective Time, the fair market value of the assets of
NU will exceed the sum of its liabilities, plus the amount of liabilities, if
any, to which such assets are subject.
11. To the best knowledge of the management of NU, there is no
present plan or intention on the part of the holders of NU Common Shares to
sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of, or to enter into any contract or other
arrangement with respect to, any interest in the shares of Company Common Stock
received in the NU Merger in exchange for such NU Common Shares and associated
NU Rights such that the former holders of CEI Common Stock and the former
holders of NU Common Shares, in the aggregate, would not own (i) Company Common
Stock having at least 80% of the total combined voting power of all classes of
Company stock entitled to vote and (ii) at least 80% of the total number of
shares of each other class of Company stock.
12. None of the holders of NU Common Shares will retain any rights
in the NU Common Shares or associated NU Rights transferred to the Company
pursuant to the NU Merger.
13. The Company will not receive any accounts receivable in the NU
Merger.
14. To the best knowledge of the management of NU and taking into
account any issuance of additional shares of Company Common Stock, any issuance
of Company Common Stock for services, the exercise of any Company stock rights,
options, warrants or subscriptions, any public offerings of Company stock, and
the sale, exchange, transfer by gift or other disposition of any Company Common
Stock received by holders of NU Common Shares in the NU Merger, the holders of
NU Common Shares and CEI Common Stock will collectively be in "control" of the
Company immediately after the Mergers. For purposes of this representation
letter, "control" shall mean the ownership of (i) stock possessing at least 80%
of the total combined voting power of all classes of Company stock entitled to
vote and (ii) at least 80% of the total number of shares of each other class of
Company stock.
15. The Company Common Stock issued in the Mergers will constitute
all of the Company's outstanding stock immediately after the Mergers. Except as
specifically set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Company will not issue any
Company Common Stock in connection with the Mergers in consideration for
services rendered to or for the benefit of the Company or any of its affiliates,
or in consideration for the transfer of any property other than NU Common Shares
and the associated NU Rights or CEI assets.
16. The NU Merger, the CEI Merger and the simultaneous exchange of
NU Common Shares and CEI Common Stock for Company Common Stock and cash are all
part of a single integrated transaction and no one part of the transaction will
be carried out without the entire transaction being consummated in its entirety.
All exchanges will occur on approximately the same date.
17. Except for the activities required to accomplish the actions to
effect the Mergers, prior to the Effective Time, Merger LLC will have no
material assets or liabilities and will carry on no business.
18. To the best knowledge of the management of NU, no foreign person
owns or has owned beneficially more than 5% of the total fair market value of
the NU Common Shares during the applicable period specified in Section
897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.
19. To the best knowledge of the management of NU, the Company will
remain in existence and hold the NU Common Shares transferred to it for use in
its trade or business.
20. Throughout the period of time that the Yankee Merger Agreement
was negotiated and at the time the Yankee Merger Agreement was signed, neither
NU nor CEI had any plan or intention to engage, directly or indirectly, in the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
21. Discussion concerning the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement did not occur prior to [ ].
22. To the best knowledge of the management of NU, there is no plan
or intention on the part of the Yankee Shareholders to utilize the NU Merger to
have the Company acquire for cash the NU Common Shares issued to them in the
acquisition of Yankee pursuant to the Yankee Merger Agreement.
23. The Company's obligation under the Merger Agreement to acquire
NU Common Shares for cash was not undertaken at the request of Yankee or any
Yankee Shareholder.
24. The signing of the Merger Agreement was not dependent upon the
Yankee Shareholders' approval of the acquisition of Yankee pursuant to the
Yankee Merger Agreement.
25. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement are not dependent on the closing of the acquisition of Yankee pursuant
to the Yankee Merger Agreement.
26. The Company has no plan or intention of repurchasing for cash
the NU Common Shares that will be issued to the Yankee Shareholders in the
acquisition of Yankee pursuant to the Yankee Merger Agreement, except as
required by Article II of the Merger Agreement.
27. Any actual purchase by the Company of any NU Common Shares for
cash will not be made at the request of Yankee or NU.
28. Throughout the period of time that the Yankee Merger Agreement
was negotiated and at the time the Yankee Merger Agreement was signed, NU had no
plan or intention to engage, directly or indirectly, in any transactions
pursuant to which holders of NU Common Shares would exchange, either directly or
indirectly, such shares for (i) stock, or any other equity interest, issued by
any person other than NU or (ii) cash or other property provided by any person.
29. The Mergers are being undertaken for purposes of enhancing the
business of NU and for other good and valid business purposes of NU.
30. The Merger Agreement, the Registration Statement and the other
documents described in the Registration Statement represent the entire
understanding of NU and Merger LLC with respect to the Mergers.
31. The undersigned is authorized to make all the representations
set forth herein on behalf of NU and Merger LLC.
The undersigned acknowledges that (i) the opinions to be delivered
pursuant to Sections 6.02(c) and 6.03(c) of the Merger Agreement will be based
on the accuracy of the representations set forth herein and on the accuracy of
the representations and warranties and the satisfaction of the covenants and
obligations contained in the Merger Agreement and the various other documents
related thereto, and (ii) such opinions will be subject to certain limitations
and qualifications including that they may not be relied upon if any such
representations or warranties are not accurate or if any such covenants or
obligations are not satisfied in all material respects.
The undersigned acknowledges that such opinions will not address any
tax consequences of the Mergers or any action taken in connection therewith
except as expressly set forth in such opinions.
Very truly yours,
NORTHEAST UTILITIES,
by
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT G
[Letterhead of CWB Holdings, Inc.]
[Date]
Cravath, Swaine & Moore
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.
125 West 55th Street
New York, New York 10019
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with the opinions to be delivered pursuant to Sections
6.02(c) and 6.03(c) of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement")
dated as of October 13, 1999, among Consolidated Edison, Inc., a New York
corporation ("CEI"), Northeast Utilities, a Massachusetts business trust ("NU"),
CWB Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of CEI
(the "Company") and N Acquisition LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company
("Merger LLC"), 99% of which is owned by the Company and 1% of which is owned by
X Holding LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company, 99% of which is owned
by the Company and 1% of which is owned by N Acquisition LLC, and in connection
with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") of the
registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement"), which
includes the proxy statement/prospectus of CEI and NU, each as amended and
supplemented through the date hereof, the undersigned certifies and represents
on behalf of the Company and as to the Company, after due inquiry and
investigation, as follows (any capitalized term used but not defined herein
having the meaning given to such term in the Merger Agreement):
1. The Mergers will be consummated in accordance with the Merger
Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement. The facts relating to
the Mergers as described in the Registration Statement and the documents
referenced in the Registration Statement are, insofar as such facts relate to
the Company, true, correct and complete in all material respects.
2. The formulae set forth in the Merger Agreement pursuant to which
each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $.10 per share, of
CEI (the "CEI Common Stock") and each share of CEI Common Stock held by
Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. will be converted into common
shares, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Company Common Stock")
and each issued and outstanding common share of beneficial interest, par value
$5.00 per share, of NU (the "NU Common Shares"), together with the associated NU
Rights, will be converted into Company Common Stock or cash are the result of
arm's length bargaining. The aggregate fair market value of the Company Common
Stock to be received by holders of CEI Common Stock in the CEI Merger will be
approximately equal to the fair market value of the CEI Common Stock surrendered
in exchange therefor. The aggregate fair market value of the Company Common
Stock and/or cash to be received by holders of NU Common Shares and associated
NU Rights in the NU Merger will be approximately equal to the fair market value
of the NU Common Shares and associated NU Rights surrendered in exchange
therefor.
3. (i) The Company has no present plan or intention, following the
Mergers, to reacquire, or to cause any corporation that is related to the
Company to acquire, any Company Common Stock issued in the Mergers, except for
repurchases of Company Common Stock by the Company in connection with a
repurchase program meeting the requirements of Section 4.05(1)(b) of Revenue
Procedure 96-30. No corporation that is related to the Company has a plan or
intention to purchase any of the Company Common Stock issued in the Mergers.
(ii) For purposes of this representation letter, a corporation shall
be treated as related to the Company if such corporation is related to the
Company within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section
1.368-1(e)(3).
4. The Company has not acquired, nor, except as a result of the CEI
Merger will it acquire, nor has it owned in the past five years, any CEI Common
Stock. The Company has not acquired, nor, except as a result of the NU Merger
will it acquire, nor has it owned in the past five years, any NU Common Shares.
5. The Company has no present plan or intention to make any
distributions after the Mergers to holders of Company Common Stock (other than
dividends made in the ordinary
course of business).
6. At the CEI Effective Time, the value of the Company Common Stock
to be issued to holders of CEI Common Stock in the CEI Merger will represent at
least 50% of the value of the total consideration to be issued to such holders
in the CEI Merger in exchange for their shares of CEI Common Stock. Further, no
liabilities of NU or any of the holders of NU Common Shares and no liabilities
of any of the holders of CEI Common Stock, whether fixed or contingent, incurred
or to be incurred, will be assumed by the Company, nor will any of the NU Common
Shares or CEI Common Stock acquired by the Company in connection with the
Mergers be subject to any such liabilities.
7. Except to the extent specifically contemplated under the Merger
Agreement, CEI, NU, Merger LLC, the Company and holders of CEI Common Stock and
NU Common Shares will each pay their respective expenses, if any, incurred in
connection with the Mergers. Except with respect to Transfer Taxes, the Company
has not paid, directly or indirectly, nor has it agreed to assume any expense or
other liability, whether fixed or contingent, incurred or to be incurred by NU,
any holder of NU Common Shares or any holder of CEI Common Stock in connection
with or as part of the Mergers or any related transactions.
8. Following the CEI Merger, the Company or the Company's "qualified
group" of corporations (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.368-1(d)(4)(ii)) will continue the "historic business" of CEI or use a
significant portion of CEI's "historic business assets" in a business (as such
terms are defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(d)). Following the NU
Merger, the Company will cause NU to continue its historic business or to use a
significant portion of its historic business assets in a trade or business.
9. The Company is not an investment company as defined in Section
368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Code, Section 351(e)(1) of the Code or
Treasury Regulation Section
1.351-1(c)(1)(ii).
10. The Company will not take any position on any Federal, state or
local income or franchise tax return, or take any other tax reporting position,
that is inconsistent (i) with the treatment of the Mergers as a transaction
described in Section 351 of the Code or (ii) with the treatment of the CEI
Merger as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, in
each case unless otherwise required by a "determination" (as defined in Section
1313(a)(1) of the Code) or by applicable state or local tax law (and then only
to the extent required by such applicable state or local tax law).
11. None of the compensation received by any stockholder-employee of
CEI in respect of periods ending at or prior to the CEI Effective Time
represents separate consideration for any of his or her CEI Common Stock. None
of the compensation received by any stockholder-employee of NU in respect of
periods ending at or prior to the NU Effective Time represents separate
consideration for any of his or her NU Common Shares or associated NU Rights.
None of the Company Common Stock that will be received by any
stockholder-employee of CEI or NU in the Mergers represents separately bargained
for consideration which is allocable to any employment agreement or arrangement.
The compensation paid to any stockholder-employees will be for services actually
rendered and will be determined by bargaining at arm's-length.
12. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between (i) the
Company and CEI or (ii) the Company and NU.
13. The Company is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title
11 or similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.
14. To the best knowledge of the management of the Company and
taking into account any issuance of additional shares of Company Common Stock,
any issuance of Company Common Stock for services, the exercise of any Company
stock rights, options, warrants or subscriptions, any public offerings of
Company stock, and the sale, exchange, transfer by gift or other disposition of
any Company Common Stock received in the Mergers, the holders of CEI Common
Stock and NU Common Shares will collectively be in "control" of the Company
immediately after the Mergers. For purposes of this representation letter,
"control" shall mean the ownership of (i) stock possessing at least 80% of the
total combined voting power of all classes of Company stock entitled to vote and
(ii) at least 80% of the total number of shares of each other class of Company
stock.
15. The Company has no present plan or intention to, or to cause any
of its affiliates to, (i) liquidate the Company or NU, (ii) merge (other than in
connection with the CEI Merger), liquidate or consolidate the Company or NU with
or into any other entity (including, without limitation, any affiliate), (iii)
sell, transfer, distribute or otherwise dispose of the NU Common Shares or
associated NU Rights or interests in any of its material affiliates or (iv)
sell, transfer, distribute or otherwise dispose of any of the material assets of
CEI, NU or their affiliates acquired in the Mergers (other than in the ordinary
course of business or transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) of the Code or
Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(k) that also qualify as transactions
described in Section 351 of the Code).
16. The Company Common Stock issued in the Mergers will constitute
all of the Company's outstanding stock immediately after the Mergers. Except as
specifically set forth in the Merger Agreement, the Company will not issue any
Company Common Stock in connection with the Mergers in consideration for
services rendered to or for the benefit of the Company or any of its affiliates,
or in consideration for the transfer of any property other than NU Common Shares
and the associated NU Rights or CEI assets.
17. None of the holders of NU Common Shares will retain any rights
in the NU Common Shares or associated NU Rights transferred to the Company
pursuant to the NU Merger. CEI will not retain any rights in the CEI assets
transferred to the Company pursuant to the CEI Merger.
18. The NU Merger, the CEI Merger and the simultaneous exchange of
NU Common Shares and CEI Common Stock for Company Common Stock and cash are all
part of a single integrated transaction and no one part of the transaction will
be carried out without the entire transaction being consummated in its entirety.
All exchanges will occur on approximately the same date.
19. Except for the activities required to accomplish the actions to
effect the Mergers, prior to the Effective Time, Merger LLC will have no
material assets or liabilities and will carry on no business.
20. To the best knowledge of the management of the Company, no
foreign person owns or has owned beneficially more than 5% of the total fair
market value of (i) the NU Common Shares or (ii) the CEI Common Stock, in each
case, during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the
Code.
21. The Company will remain in existence and hold the NU Common
Shares and CEI assets transferred to it for use in its trade or business.
22. Throughout the period of time that the Yankee Merger Agreement
was negotiated and at the time the Yankee Merger Agreement was signed, neither
NU nor CEI had any plan or intention to engage, directly or indirectly, in the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
23. Discussion concerning the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement did not occur prior to [ ].
24. To the best knowledge of the management of the Company, there is
no plan or intention on the part of the Yankee Shareholders to utilize the NU
Merger to have the Company acquire for cash the NU Common Shares issued to them
in the acquisition of Yankee pursuant to the Yankee Merger Agreement.
25. The Company's obligation under the Merger Agreement to acquire
NU Common Shares for cash was not undertaken at the request of Yankee or any
Yankee Shareholder.
26. The signing of the Merger Agreement was not dependent upon the
Yankee Shareholders' approval of the acquisition of Yankee pursuant to the
Yankee Merger Agreement.
27. The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement are not dependent on the closing of the acquisition of Yankee pursuant
to the Yankee Merger Agreement.
28. The Company has no plan or intention of repurchasing for cash
the NU Common Shares that will be issued to the Yankee Shareholders in the
acquisition of Yankee pursuant to the Yankee Merger Agreement, except as
required by Article II of the Merger Agreement.
29. Any actual purchase by the Company of any NU Common Shares for
cash will not be made at the request of Yankee or NU.
30. The Merger Agreement, the Registration Statement and the other
documents described in the Registration Statement represent the entire
understanding of the Company with respect to the Mergers.
31. The Mergers are being undertaken for purposes of enhancing the
business of the Company and for other good and valid business purposes of the
Company.
32. The Company is not a personal service corporation within the
meaning of Section 269A of the Code.
33. The undersigned is authorized to make all the representations
set forth herein on behalf of the Company.
The undersigned acknowledges that (i) the opinions to be delivered
pursuant to Sections 6.02(c) and 6.03(c) of the Merger Agreement will be based
on the accuracy of the representations set forth herein and on the accuracy of
the representations and warranties and the satisfaction of the covenants and
obligations contained in the Merger Agreement and the various other documents
related thereto, and (ii) such opinions will be subject to certain limitations
and qualifications including that they may not be relied upon if any such
representations or warranties are not accurate or if any such covenants or
obligations are not satisfied in all material respects.
The undersigned acknowledges that such opinions will not address any
tax consequences of the Mergers or any action taken in connection therewith
except as expressly set forth in such opinions.
Very truly yours,
CWB HOLDINGS, INC.,
by
Name:
Title:
[CON EDISON LOGO] [NORTHEAST UTILITIES LOGO]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONSOLIDATED EDISON TO ACQUIRE NORTHEAST UTILITIES
IN $19 BILLION STRATEGIC COMBINATION
Creates Nation's Largest Electric Distribution Utility With Over 5 Million
Customers
NEW YORK, NY and BERLIN, CT (October 13, 1999) - Consolidated Edison, Inc.
("Consolidated Edison") [NYSE: ED] and Northeast Utilities [NYSE: NU] today
announced that the boards of both companies have approved a definitive merger
agreement to combine the two companies. Under the agreement, Consolidated Edison
will acquire all of the common stock of Northeast Utilities for $25.00 per share
in a combination of cash and Consolidated Edison common stock, subject in the
case of the common stock, to certain collar provisions.
Northeast Utilities shareholders will have the right to elect cash or stock
subject to proration if the elections exceed 50 percent in cash or 50 percent in
stock. The actual number of shares of Consolidated Edison common stock to be
exchanged for each Northeast Utilities common share will be determined based on
the average trading prices prior to the closing, but so long as such average
trading prices are between $36.00 and $46.00, the total value to the Northeast
Utilities shareholders will be $25.00. The Northeast Utilities shareholders also
have the right to receive an additional $1.00 in value if a definitive agreement
to sell its interests (other than that held by its New Hampshire subsidiary) in
Millstone 2 and Millstone 3 is entered into and is recommended by the Utility
Operations and Management Unit of the Connecticut Department of Public Utility
Control on or prior to the later of December 31, 2000 or the closing of the
merger. Further, the value of the amount of cash or stock to be received by the
Northeast Utilities shareholders is subject to increase by an amount of $0.0034
per share per day for each day that the transaction does not close after August
5, 2000. The stock component of the transaction is anticipated to be tax free to
Northeast Utilities shareholders.
The transaction has a value of approximately $7.5 billion, including Northeast
Utilities' debt, capitalized leases, and preferred securities. The transaction
will be accounted for as a purchase and is expected to be accretive to
Consolidated Edison's earnings per share in the first full year after closing.
The combined company will be the nation's largest electric distribution utility
with over 5 million electric as well as 1.4 million gas customers serving a
diverse mix of urban and suburban communities with a population of more than 13
million. The combined company will have revenues on a pro forma basis of
approximately $11 billion and a total enterprise value of $19 billion ($10
billion in equity; $9 billion in net debt and preferred securities).
-more-
-2-
Eugene R. McGrath, chairman, president and chief executive officer of
Consolidated Edison, said, "This strategic combination reinforces Con Edison's
position as one of the leading electric transmission and distribution companies
in the country. This transaction is consistent with our strategy of growing our
core wires and pipes business and enables us to leverage what both companies do
best. The merged company will have a strong, regional foundation, providing us
with the scale and scope necessary to invest in infrastructure, develop advanced
technologies and better serve all customers. Our neighboring service territories
will allow us to generate significant synergies and operating efficiencies.
"Con Edison and Northeast Utilities are natural partners who share a common
vision. As the energy industry evolves, we are confident that, together, we will
leverage our expertise and experience to create new growth in competitive energy
markets," added Mr. McGrath.
"We look forward to working with Northeast Utilities' strong management team to
continue their progress in returning NU to financial and operating stability,"
stated Mr. McGrath. "We welcome Northeast Utilities' capable and experienced
employees to Con Edison. NU and Con Edison share a strong track record of
community involvement and will continue this commitment to the neighborhoods
that we serve."
Michael G. Morris, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Northeast
Utilities, said, "This combination with Consolidated Edison will be good for our
shareholders, employees, customers and communities because it gives us the
financial strength and expanded scope to realize our shared vision.
"The headquarters of the combined company's unregulated businesses and NU's
service company headquarters will be here in Connecticut, thus keeping a major
presence in the state. Our operating companies, The Connecticut Light & Power
Company, Public Service of New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts Electric
Company will retain their names and their local operating presence in their
territories," said Mr. Morris.
"Most importantly, this merger with Consolidated Edison combines two
organizations dedicated to maintaining the highest environmental standards,
while providing superior service to our customers and a stimulating workplace
for our employees," Mr. Morris added.
The companies anticipate substantial merger savings in their regulated and
unregulated businesses, from the elimination of duplicate corporate and
administrative programs and greater efficiencies in operations and business
processes and increased purchasing efficiencies. The companies will seek to
minimize any impact of the merger on the workforce through a combination of
programs including attrition, retraining, reduced hiring and other appropriate
measures. All union contracts will be honored.
The combined company anticipates a continuation of the existing dividend policy
at Consolidated Edison. Consolidated Edison has increased its dividend in each
of the past 25 years; its current annual dividend is $2.14. On September 14,
Northeast Utilities declared its first quarterly dividend in nearly three years
of 10 cents a share payable December 30, 1999. The payment of quarterly
dividends is unaffected by the merger announcement.
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Upon completion of the merger, Northeast Utilities will become a wholly owned
subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, the holding company. Mr. McGrath will
continue as chairman and chief executive officer and Mr. Morris will become
president of the holding company. The board of directors of Consolidated Edison
will be increased to include four members from the board of Northeast Utilities,
including Mr. Morris. The combined company will be headquartered in New York
City. The headquarters of The Connecticut Light & Power Company (CL&P), Public
Service Company of New Hampshire (PSNH), Western Massachusetts Electric Company
(WMECO), Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. and Orange and Rockland
Utilities, Inc. will continue to be located in their respective service
territories.
The merger is conditioned upon, among other things, the approvals of
shareholders of both companies, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and
the completion of state regulatory procedures. Consolidated Edison intends to
register as a holding company with the SEC under the Public Utility Holding
Company Act. The companies anticipate that regulatory procedures can be
completed in 12 to 18 months.
Both companies have recently implemented restructuring plans, which have
resulted in significant rate decreases:
Consolidated Edison has been active in promoting competition and is in the
second phase of retail choice for its electric customers with almost 20
percent of its electric load participating in the program. All gas
customers have had a choice of competitive suppliers since 1997.
Consolidated Edison is also in the third year of a 5-year agreement under
which electric customers will receive $1.1 billion in rate reductions. The
rate reductions will grow to 10 percent for customers by 2001.
The three states served by Northeast Utilities are in various stages of
retail competition. One-third of Connecticut's homes and businesses will
be able to choose their electric suppliers on January 1, 2000 with the
balance on July 1, 2000. As part of the restructuring process, CL&P will
implement a five percent rate cut on January 1, 2000 on top of the total
of five percent rate reductions implemented in 1998 and 1999. PSNH,
Northeast Utilities' second largest operating subsidiary, has a settlement
agreement pending at the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission under
which it will implement an 18.3 percent rate reduction and provide open
access to all customers, after securitization of $725 million of stranded
costs and the after-tax write-off of $225 million of stranded costs. WMECO
already has implemented rate reductions totaling 11.8 percent as part of
the 1998 restructuring of the Massachusetts electric utility industry.
Consolidated Edison plans to continue its $1.0 billion share repurchase program
of which approximately $790 million (or 17.1 million shares) has already been
repurchased. Northeast Utilities expects to repurchase approximately $215
million of its outstanding shares over the next year in connection with its
merger with Yankee Energy System. That acquisition was approved October 12 by
Yankee shareholders and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2000.
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Salomon Smith Barney acted as financial advisor and Cravath, Swaine & Moore
acted as legal counsel to Consolidated Edison. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and SG
Barr Devlin acted as financial advisors and LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae,
L.L.P. acted as legal counsel to Northeast Utilities.
Northeast Utilities is New England's largest electric utility system, with more
than $4 billion in annual revenues and $10 billion in assets, serving more than
1.7 million customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well
as in the newly competitive energy markets in Rhode Island, New York and
Pennsylvania.
Consolidated Edison Inc. is one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy
companies, with more than $7 billion in annual revenues and $14 billion in
assets. The company provides a wide range of energy-related products and
services to its customers through its six subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison
Company of New York Inc., a regulated utility providing electric, gas and steam
service to New York City and Westchester County, New York; Orange and Rockland
Utilities Inc., a regulated utility serving customers in a 1,350 square mile
area in southeastern New York State, as well as adjacent sections of northern
New Jersey and northeastern Pennsylvania; Con Edison Solutions, a retail energy
services company; Con Edison Energy, a wholesale energy supply company; Con
Edison Development, an infrastructure development company; and Con Edison
Communications, a telecommunications infrastructure company.
The press release includes forward-looking statements, which are statements of
future expectations and not facts. Actual results or developments might differ
materially from those included in the forward-looking statements because of
factors such as competition and industry restructuring, changes in economic
conditions, changes in historical weather patterns, changes in laws, regulations
or regulatory policies, the failure to successfully address year 2000 problems,
developments in legal or public policy doctrines, technological developments and
other presently unknown or unforeseen factors. Other risk factors are detailed
from time to time in the two companies' SEC reports.
# # #
Note to Editors: Today's news release along with other news about Consolidated
Edison and Northeast Utilities, is available on the Internet at
http://www.coned.com and http://www.nu.com.
Contacts: Consolidated Edison: Northeast Utilities:
Media: Media:
Mary McCartney Mary Jo Keating
(212) 460-4111 (860) 665-5181
Investors: Investors:
Jan Childress Jeffrey Kotkin
(212) 460-6611 (860) 665-5154