First Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2022, among Atmos Energy Corporation, Crdit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as the Administrative Agent, the agents, arrangers and bookrunners named therein, and the lenders named therein

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Credit Agreements
EX-10.1 2 d279855dex101.htm EX-10.1 EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

(Three-Year Facility)

THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”), is made and entered into as of March 31, 2022, by and among ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION, a Texas and Virginia corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders signatory hereto (the “Lenders”) and CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrower, certain of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are parties to a certain Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 2021 (the “Credit Agreement”; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement), pursuant to which such Lenders have made certain financial accommodations available to the Borrower;

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, an extension of the term of the Commitments, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are willing to do so.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency and receipt of all of which are acknowledged, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree as follows:

1. Amendments. Effective as of the First Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), the Credit Agreement and Schedule I and Exhibit 2.3 thereto, but excluding all other appendices, schedules and exhibits, is hereby amended to delete the stricken text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) and to add the double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text) as set forth in the pages of the Credit Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.

2. Conditions to Effectiveness of this Amendment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Amendment and without affecting in any manner the rights of the Lenders hereunder, it is understood and agreed that this Amendment, the extension of the Commitments contemplated hereunder and the other terms contemplated hereby shall not become effective, and the Borrower shall have no rights under this Amendment, until the first date (the “First Amendment Effective Date”) that each of the following conditions has been met, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or waived by the Administrative Agent in writing:

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) such fees as the Borrower has agreed to pay the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with this Amendment pursuant to that certain Fee Letter dated as of the date hereof between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (ii) reimbursement or payment of all reasonable, out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of King & Spalding, LLP, as counsel for the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, in connection with this Amendment or the Credit Agreement; and


(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following:

 

  i.

executed counterparts to this Amendment from the Borrower and the Lenders; and

 

  ii.

a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit 3.1(b)(iii), attaching and certifying copies of resolutions of its board of directors, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Amendment, certifying that no changes or amendments have been made to the bylaws or articles or certificate of incorporation of Borrower since the Closing Date, and certifying the name, title and true signature of each officer of the Borrower executing the Amendment;

3. Representations and Warranties. To induce the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to enter into this Amendment, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent:

(a) Borrower (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdictions of its incorporation, (b) is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation authorized to do business in every jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify would have or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (c) has the requisite corporate power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted;

(b) The Borrower (a) has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Amendment and (b) has been authorized by all necessary corporate action, to execute, deliver and perform this Amendment;

(c) The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Amendment do not (i) violate or conflict with, in any material respect, any provision of its articles of incorporation or bylaws, (ii) violate, contravene or conflict with, in any material respect, any law, regulation (including without limitation, Regulation U, Regulation X or any regulation promulgated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or permit applicable to it, (iii) except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, violate, contravene or conflict with contractual provisions of, or cause an event of default under, any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound, or (iv) in any material respect, result in or require the creation of any Lien upon or with respect to its properties, other than a Permitted Lien;

(d) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any court or Governmental Authority or third party is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Amendment, except any such consent, approval, authorization, order, filing, registration or qualification as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(e) This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms except as the enforceability hereof may be limited by bankruptcy or insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally or by general equitable principles; and

(f) After giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all material respects, and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof.

4. Effect of Amendment. Except as set forth expressly herein, all terms of the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and the other Credit Documents shall be and remain in full force and effect and shall constitute the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Borrower to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent. The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment

 

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shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of the Credit Agreement. This Amendment shall constitute a Credit Document for all purposes. Upon and after the execution of this Amendment by each of the parties hereto, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Credit Documents to “the Credit Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement as modified hereby.

5. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with and governed by the law (without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof, except for Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law) of the State of New York.

6. No Novation. This Amendment is not intended by the parties to be, and shall not be construed to be, a novation of the Credit Agreement or an accord and satisfaction in regard thereto.

7. Costs and Expenses. To the extent required pursuant to Section 9.3 of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of outside counsel for the Administrative Agent with respect thereto.

8. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto in any number of separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this letter by telecopy or other electronic image scan transmission (e.g., “.pdf” or “tif” via email) shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this letter. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any assignment agreement, transfer agreement or this letter shall in each case be deemed to include electronic signatures, signatures exchanged by electronic transmission, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

9. Binding Nature. This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their respective successors, successors-in-titles, and permitted assigns.

10. Entire Understanding. This Amendment sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters set forth herein, and shall supersede any prior negotiations agreements, whether written or oral, with respect thereto.

[Signature Pages To Follow]

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION, as Borrower
By:   /s/ Daniel M. Meziere
Name:   Daniel M. Meziere
Title:   Vice President of Investor Relations and Teasurer

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK, as Administrative Agent and as a Lender
By:   /s/ Andrew Sidford
Name:   Andrew Sidford
Title:   Managing Director

 

By:   /s/ Dixon Schultz
Name:   Dixon Schultz

Title:

  Managing Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


MIZUHO BANK, LTD., as Co-Syndication Agent and as a Lender
By:   /s/ Edward Sacks
Name:   Edward Sacks
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agent and as a Lender
By:   Nancy R. Barwig
Name:   Nancy R. Barwig
Title:   Executive Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Co-Documentation Agent
By:   /s/ Joe Creel
Name:   Joe Creel
Title:   Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a

Co-Documentation Agent and as a Lender

By:   /s/ John M. Egerman
Name:   John M. Egerman
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Co-Documentation Agent and as a Lender
By:   /s/ Jesse Tannuzzo
Name:   Jesse Tannuzzo
Title:   Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP., as a Co-Documentation Agent and as a Lender
By:   /s/ Nicole Rodriguez
Name:   Nicole Rodriguez
Title:   Director
By:   /s/ Nicolas Doche
Name:   Nicolas Doche
Title:   Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


COBANK, ACB, as a Co-Documentation Agent and as a Lender

By:

 

/s/ Kelly Cholas

Name: Kelli Cholas

Title: Assistant Corporate Secretary

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


BOFA SECRITIES, INC., as a Joint Lead

Arranger Join-Bookrunner

By:   /s/ B. Timothy Keller
Name:   B. Timothy Keller
Title:   Managing Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


MUFG BANK, LTD., as a Lender

By:

 

/s/ Matthew Bly

Name:

 

Matthew Bly

Title:

 

Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


TRUIST BANK, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Justin Lien
Name:   Justin Lien
Title:   Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Anju Abraham
Name:   Anju Abraham
Title:   Executive Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender

By:   /s/ Michael Borowiecki
Name:  

Michael Borowiecki

Title:  

Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as a Lender

By:   /s/ Andrew B. Vernon
Name:  

Andrew B. Vernon

Title:  

Authorized Signatory

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


REGIONS BANK, as a Lender

By:   /s/ Tedrick Tarver
Name:  

Tedrick Tarver

Title:  

Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION, as a Lender

By:   /s/ Kelly Shield
Name:  

Kelly Shield

Title:  

Managing Director

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


BOKF, NA D/B/A BANK OF TEXAS, as a Lender

By:   /s/ Erin Davis
Name:  

Erin Davis

Title:  

SVP

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, as a Lender

By:   /s/ Will Hicks
Name:  

Will Hicks

Title:  

Vice President

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FIRST AMENDMENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (THREE-YEAR)]


EXHIBIT A

Conformed Credit Agreement


EXECUTION VERSIONCONFORMED THROUGH FIRST AMENDMENT

MARCH  31, 2022

REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of March 31, 2021

among

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION,

as Borrower,

THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO,

CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK

as Administrative Agent,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

and

MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,

as Co-Syndication Agents,

BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP.,

BOFA SECURITIES, INC.

BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

COBANK, ACB,

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Co-Documentation Agents

 

 

CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK, MIZUHO BANK, LTD., JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP., BOFA SECURITIES, INC., COBANK, ACB, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC.

As Joint Lead Arrangers

and

Joint-Bookrunners


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

     1  

Section 1.1.

   Definitions      1  

Section 1.2.

   Classifications of Loans and Borrowings      26  

Section 1.3.

   Accounting Terms and Determination      26  

Section 1.4.

   Terms Generally      27  

Section 1.5.

   Divisions.      27  

ARTICLE II AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS

     27  

Section 2.1.

   General Description of Facility      27  

Section 2.2.

   Loans      28  

Section 2.3.

   Procedure for Borrowings      28  

Section 2.4.

   Funding of Borrowings      28  

Section 2.5.

   Interest Elections      29  

Section 2.6.

   Optional Reduction and Termination of Commitments      30  

Section 2.7.

   Repayment of Loans      30  

Section 2.8.

   Evidence of Indebtedness      30  

Section 2.9.

   Prepayments      31  

Section 2.10.

   Interest on Loans      31  

Section 2.11.

   Fees      32  

Section 2.12.

   Computation of Interest and Fees      32  

Section 2.13.

   Inability to Determine Interest Rates      32  

Section 2.14.

   Illegality      36  

Section 2.15.

   Increased Costs      36  

Section 2.16.

   Funding Indemnity      37  

Section 2.17.

   Taxes      38  

Section 2.18.

   Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs      42  

Section 2.19.

   Mitigation of Obligations      43  

Section 2.20.

   Replacement of Lenders      43  

Section 2.21.

   Increase of Commitments; Additional Lenders      43  

Section 2.22.

   Defaulting Lenders      45  

Section 2.23.

   Extension of Termination Date      46  
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS      47  

Section 3.1.

   Conditions To Effectiveness      47  

Section 3.2.

   Each Credit Event      49  

Section 3.3.

   Delivery of Documents      49  
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      50  

Section 4.1.

   Organization and Good Standing      50  

Section 4.2.

   Due Authorization      50  

Section 4.3.

   No Conflicts      50  

Section 4.4.

   Consents      50  

Section 4.5.

   Enforceable Obligations      50  

Section 4.6.

   Financial Condition      50  

Section 4.7.

   Intentionally Omitted      51  

Section 4.8.

   No Default      51  

Section 4.9.

   Intentionally Omitted      51  

Section 4.10.

   Taxes      51  

Section 4.11.

   Compliance with Law      51  


Section 4.12.

   [Reserved]      51  

Section 4.13.

   ERISA      51  

Section 4.14.

   Use of Proceeds      52  

Section 4.15.

   Government Regulation      52  

Section 4.16.

   Disclosure      53  

Section 4.17.

   OFAC; Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws      53  

Section 4.18.

   Insurance      53  

Section 4.19.

   Franchises, Licenses, Etc      54  

Section 4.20.

   [Reserved]      54  

Section 4.21.

   Subsidiaries      54  

Section 4.22.

   Affected Financial Institution      54  

Section 4.23.

   Beneficial Ownership      54  

ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     54  

Section 5.1.

   Information Covenants      54  

Section 5.2.

   Debt to Capitalization Ratio      56  

Section 5.3.

   Preservation of Existence, Franchises and Assets      56  

Section 5.4.

   Books and Records      56  

Section 5.5.

   Compliance with Law      56  

Section 5.6.

   Payment of Taxes      57  

Section 5.7.

   Insurance      57  

Section 5.8.

   Use of Proceeds      57  

Section 5.9.

   Audits/Inspections      57  

ARTICLE VI NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     58  

Section 6.1.

   Nature of Business      58  

Section 6.2.

   Consolidation and Merger      58  

Section 6.3.

   Sale or Lease of Assets      58  

Section 6.4.

   Arm’s-Length Transactions      58  

Section 6.5.

   [Reserved]      58  

Section 6.6.

   Liens      58  

Section 6.7.

   Required Clear Period      60  

ARTICLE VII EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     60  

Section 7.1.

   Events of Default      60  

Section 7.2.

   Acceleration; Remedies      62  

Section 7.3.

   Allocation of Payments After Event of Default      63  

ARTICLE VIII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

     63  

Section 8.1.

   Appointment of Administrative Agent      63  

Section 8.2.

   Nature of Duties of Administrative Agent      64  

Section 8.3.

   Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agent      64  

Section 8.4.

   Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent      64  

Section 8.5.

   Reliance by Administrative Agent      65  

Section 8.6.

   The Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity      65  

Section 8.7.

   Successor Administrative Agent      65  

Section 8.8.

   Co-Documentation Agents; Syndication Agent      65  

Section 8.9.

   Erroneous Payments.      66  

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

     68  

Section 9.1.

   Notices      68  

Section 9.2.

   Waiver; Amendments      71  

Section 9.3.

   Expenses; Indemnification      72  

 

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Section 9.4.

   Successors and Assigns      73  

Section 9.5.

   Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process      77  

Section 9.6.

   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      78  

Section 9.7.

   Right of Setoff      78  

Section 9.8.

   Counterparts; Integration      78  

Section 9.9.

   Survival      79  

Section 9.10.

   Severability      79  

Section 9.11.

   Confidentiality      79  

Section 9.12.

   Interest Rate Limitation      80  

Section 9.13.

   Waiver of Effect of Corporate Seal      80  

Section 9.14.

   Patriot Act      80  

Section 9.15.

   No Fiduciary Duty      80  

Section 9.16.

   Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions      81  

Section 9.17.

   Certain ERISA Matters      81  

Section 9.18.

   Acknowledgment Regarding Any Supporting QFCs      83  

 

iii


Schedules

 

Schedule I

   —      Applicable Margins and Applicable Percentages

Schedule II

   —      Commitment Amounts

Schedule 4.20

   —      Secured Indebtedness

Schedule 4.21

   —      Subsidiaries

Exhibits

 

Exhibit A

   —      Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit B-1

   —      Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

Exhibit B-2

   —      Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

Exhibit B-3

   —      Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

Exhibit B-4

   —      Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

Exhibit 2.3

   —      Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit 2.5

   —      Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation

Exhibit 3.1(b)(iii)

   —      Form of Secretary’s Certificate

Exhibit 3.1(b)(vi)

   —      Form of Officer’s Certificate

Exhibit 5.1(c)

   —      Form of Compliance Certificate

 

iv


REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of March 31, 2021, by and among ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION, a Texas and Virginia corporation (the “Borrower”), the several banks and other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party hereto (the “Lenders”), and CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders establish in favor of the Borrower a $900,000,000 three-year revolving credit facility;

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders, to the extent of their respective Commitments as defined herein, are willing severally to establish the requested revolving credit facility in favor of the Borrower.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants herein contained, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

Section 1.1. Definitions. In addition to the other terms defined herein, the following terms used herein shall have the meanings herein specified (to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

Additional Commitment Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.21.

Additional Commitment Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23(d).

Additional Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.21.

Adjusted LIBO Rate shall mean, with respect to each Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing, the rate per annum obtained by dividing (i) LIBOR for such Interest Period by (ii) a percentage equal to 1.00 minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

“Adjusted Term SOFR” means, for purposes of any calculation, the rate per annum equal to (a) Term SOFR for such calculation plus (b) the Term SOFR Adjustment; provided that if Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.

Administrative Questionnaire” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, an administrative questionnaire in the form prepared by the Administrative Agent and submitted to the Administrative Agent duly completed by such Lender.


Affected Financial Institution” shall mean (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

Affiliate” shall mean, as to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. A Person

shall be deemed to control another Person if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power (a) to vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such other Person or (b) to direct or cause direction of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Aggregate Commitment Amount” shall mean the aggregate principal amount of the Aggregate Commitments from time to time. On the Closing Date, the Aggregate Commitment Amount equals $900,000,000.

Aggregate Commitments” shall mean, collectively, all Commitments of all Lenders at any time outstanding.

Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Corruption Laws” shall mean any applicable laws, rules, or regulations relating to economic or trade sanctions, terrorism, bribery, corruption or money laundering, including without limitation any regulations or sanctions programs administered by OFAC, the United Nations, the United Kingdom, the European Union or any other applicable authority.

Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage” shall mean, as of any date, with respect to the Commitment Fee as of any date, the percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Rating Category as set forth on Schedule I; provided, that a change in the Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage resulting from a change in the Rating Category shall be effective on the day on which any rating agency changes its rating and shall continue until the day prior to the day that a further change becomes effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage for the Commitment Fee from the Closing Date until the first change in the applicable Rating Category after the Closing Date shall be at Level III as set forth on Schedule I.

Applicable Lending Office” shall mean, for each Lender and for each Type of Loan, the “Lending Office” of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) designated for such Type of Loan in the Administrative Questionnaire submitted by such Lender or such other office of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the office by which its Loans of such Type are to be made and maintained.

Applicable Margin” shall mean, as of any date, the percentage per annum determined by reference to the applicable Rating Category from time to time in effect as set forth on Schedule I; provided, that a change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Rating Category shall be effective on the day on which any rating agency changes its rating and shall continue until the day prior to the day that a further change becomes effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Applicable Margin from the Closing Date until the first change in the applicable Rating Category after the Closing Date shall be at Level III as set forth on Schedule I.

 

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Approved Fund” shall mean any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender or (iii) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Assignment and Acceptance” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.4(b)) and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Availability Period shall mean the period from the Closing Date to the Commitment Termination Date.

Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to clause (fe) of Section 2.13.

Bail-In Action” shall mean the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation” shall mean (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

Bankruptcy Code” shall mean the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from time to time.

Base Rate” shall mean the highest of (i) the per annum rate which the Administrative Agent announces from time to time to be its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate, as in effect from time to time, (any changes in such rate to be effective as of the date of any change in such rate) plus one-half of one percent (0.50%) and (iii) the one-month Adjusted LIBO RateTerm SOFR, which rate shall be determined on a daily basis (any changes in such rate to be effective as of the date of any change in such rate) plus 100 basis points per annum, which rate shall be determined on a daily basis. The Administrative Agent’s prime lending rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate charged to customers. The Administrative Agent may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Administrative Agent’s prime lending rate. If the Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.13 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until any amendment has become effective pursuant to Section 2.13(b)), then for purposes of clause (iii) above the Adjusted LIBO RateTerm SOFR on any day shall be deemed to be zero. Each change in the Administrative Agent’s prime lending rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

 

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“Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term SOFR”.

Benchmark” means, initially, the Adjusted LIBOTerm SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have has occurred with respect to Adjusted LIBOTerm SOFR Reference Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to clause (b) or clause (c) of Section 2.13(b).

Benchmark Replacement” means, forwith respect to any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:

(1)the sum of: (a) Term SOFR and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

(2) the sum of: (a) Daily Simple SOFR and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

(3)Transition Event, the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement forto the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollarDollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

provided that, in the case of clause (1),if such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion; provided further that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document, upon the occurrence of a Term SOFR Transition Event, and the delivery of a Term SOFR Notice, on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date the Benchmark Replacement shall revert to and shall be deemed to be the sum of (a) Term SOFR and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment, as set forth in clause (1) of this definition (subject to the first proviso above).). If the Benchmark Replacement asas so determined pursuant to clause (1), (2) or (3) above would be less than the Floor, thesuch Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement:

(1)for purposes of clauses (1) and (2) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent:

 

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(a), the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Interest Period that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for the applicable Corresponding Tenor;

(b) the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Interest Period that would apply to the fallback rate for a derivative transaction referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon an index cessation event with respect to such Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor; and

(2) for purposes of clause (3) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (ia) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date or (iib) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollarDollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities;

provided that, in the case of clause (1) above, such adjustment is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such Benchmark Replacement Adjustment from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion at such time.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of Base Rate, the definition of Business Day, the definition of Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides in its reasonable discretion may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents).

Benchmark Replacement Date means the earliest

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of

 

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(a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein; and

(b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein; or

(3) in the case of a Term SOFR Transition Event, the date that is thirty (30) days after the date a Term SOFR Notice is provided to the Lenders and the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.13(c); or

(4) in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the sixth (6th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election from Lenders comprising the Required Lendersfirst date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

(1) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

(2) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or

 

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such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer representative of the underlying market and economic reality that such Benchmark is intended to measure and that representativenessnot, or as of a specified future date will not be restored, representative.

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

“Benchmark Transition Start Date means, in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (a) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (b) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than 90 days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication).

Benchmark Unavailability Period” means the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (1) or (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in accordance with Section 2.13 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in accordance with Section 2.13.

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan” (provided that such provision regarding prohibited transactions is subject to the source of fund for the loan hereunder not constituting “plan assets”).

Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

Borrowing shall mean a borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and in the case of EurodollarSOFR Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

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Business Day” shall mean (i) any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close and (ii) if such day relates to a Borrowing of, a payment or prepayment of principal or interest on, a conversion of or into, or an Interest Period for, a EurodollarSOFR Loan or a notice with respect to any of the foregoing, any day on which dealings in Dollars are carried on in the London interbank market.

Capital Stock” shall mean (a) in the case of a corporation, all classes of capital stock of such corporation, (b) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (c) in the case of a limited liability company, membership interests and (d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

Change in Law” shall mean (i) the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation after the date of this Agreement, (ii) any change in any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change in the interpretation, implementation or application thereof, by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement, or (iii) compliance by any Lender (or its Applicable Lending Office) (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by the Parent Company of such Lender, if applicable) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Change of Control” shall mean either of the following events:

(a) any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) has become, directly or indirectly, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 (other than subsection (d) thereof) and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise of 40% or more of the voting power of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis, after giving effect to the conversion and exercise of all outstanding warrants, options and other securities of the Borrower convertible into or exercisable for voting stock of the Borrower (whether or not such securities are then currently convertible or exercisable); or

(b) during any period of two consecutive calendar years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the board of directors of the Borrower together with any new members of such board of directors whose elections by such board of directors or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Borrower was approved by a vote of a majority of the members of such board of directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the directors of the Borrower then in office.

Charges” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.12.

Closing Date” shall mean the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 9.2.

 

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Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Co-Documentation Agents” shall mean, collectively, BNP Paribas Securities Corp., BofA Securities, Inc.Bank of America, National Association, CoBank, ACB, U.S. Bank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

Commitment” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the amount set forth with respect to such Lender on Schedule II, as such schedule may be amended pursuant to Section 2.21, or in the case of a Person becoming a Lender after the Closing Date through an assignment of an existing Commitment, the amount of the assigned “Commitment” as provided in the Assignment and Acceptance executed by such Person as an assignee, as the same may be increased or decreased pursuant to terms hereof.

Commitment Fee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(b).

Commitment Termination Date” shall mean the earliest of (i) March 31, 20242025 or such later date to which such Lender has agreed to extend its Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.23, (ii) the date on which the Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 2.6 and (iii) the date on which all amounts outstanding under this Agreement have been declared or have automatically become due and payable (whether by acceleration or otherwise).

Compliance Certificate” shall mean a certificate from a Financial Officer of the Borrower in the form of, and containing the certifications set forth in, the certificate attached hereto as Exhibit 5.1(c).

“Conforming Changes” means, with respect to either the use or administration of Term SOFR or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of Base Rate, the definition of Business Day, the definition of U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the definition of Interest Period or any similar or analogous definition (or the addition of a concept of interest period), timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of Section 2.13 and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents).

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

Consolidated Capitalization” shall mean, without duplication, the sum of (a) all of the shareholders’ equity or net worth of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as determined in accordance with GAAP plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of Preferred Securities plus (c) the aggregate Minority Interests in Subsidiaries plus (d) Consolidated Funded Debt.

 

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Consolidated Funded Debt” shall mean, without duplication, the sum of (a) all indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for borrowed money, (b) all purchase money indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than trade accounts payable), (c) the principal portion of all obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under capital leases, (d) all commercial letters of credit and all performance and standby letters of credit issued or bankers’ acceptances created for the account of the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries, including, without duplication, all unreimbursed draws thereunder, (e) all Guaranty Obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to funded indebtedness of another Person of the types listed in clauses (a) through (d), (f) all indebtedness of another entity secured by a Lien on any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries whether or not such indebtedness has been assumed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (g) all indebtedness of any partnership or unincorporated joint venture to the extent the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries is legally obligated with respect thereto, net of any assets of such partnership or joint venture and in the case of the Capital Stock of such partnership or joint venture being held by a Subsidiary, limited to the net worth of such Subsidiary, (h) all obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to advance or provide funds or other support for the payment or purchase of funded indebtedness (including, without limitation, maintenance agreements, comfort letters or similar agreements or arrangements)) and (i) the principal balance outstanding under any synthetic lease, tax retention operating lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing product of the Borrower or one of its Material Subsidiaries where such transaction is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax purposes but is classified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that for the purposes of calculating the Debt to Capitalization Ratio, Consolidated Funded Debt will exclude (to the extent otherwise included in Consolidated Funded Debt) (i) any pension and other post-retirement benefits liability adjustments recorded in accordance with GAAP and (ii) an amount of Hybrid Securities not to exceed a total of 15% of Consolidated Capitalization.

Consolidated Net Property” shall mean the Fixed Assets less, without duplication, the amount of accumulated depreciation and amortization attributable thereto.

Consolidated Net Worth” shall mean, as of any date, (i) the total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that would be reflected on the Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet as of such date prepared in accordance with GAAP, after eliminating all amounts properly attributable to minority interests, if any, in the stock and surplus of Subsidiaries, minus (ii) the total liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that would be reflected on the Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet as of such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Contractual Obligation” of any Person shall mean any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking under which such Person is obligated or by which it or any of the property in which it has an interest is bound.

Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.

Co-Syndication Agents” shall mean, collectively, Mizuho Bank, Ltd. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

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Credit Documents” shall mean, collectively, this Agreement, any promissory notes issued pursuant to this Agreement, the Fee Letters, all Notices of Borrowing, all Notices of Conversion/Continuation, all Compliance Certificates and any and all other instruments, agreements, documents and writings executed in connection with any of the foregoing.

Credit Exposure” shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans.

Daily Simple SOFR means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which will include a lookback) being established by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining Daily Simple SOFR for business loans; provided, that if the Administrative Agent decides that any such convention is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then the Administrative Agent may establish another convention in its reasonable discretion.

Debt to Capitalization Ratio” shall mean the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt to (b) Consolidated Capitalization.

Default” shall mean any act, condition or event that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender” shall mean, at any time, subject to Section 2.22, any Lender that, as determined by the Administrative Agent acting in good faith, (a) has failed to fund any portion of its Commitments required to be funded by it within two Business Days after the date required to be funded by it, unless the subject of a good faith dispute as specified to the Administrative Agent, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it under the Credit Documents within three Business Days after the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute as specified to the Administrative Agent, (c) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations under the Credit Documents unless such notification or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund any portion of its Commitments hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding cannot be satisfied, (d) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations; provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (d) upon receipt of such confirmation by the Administrative Agent, or (e) as to which a Lender Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing.

Default Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(b).

Dollar(s)” and the sign “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

Early Opt-in Effective Date means, with respect to any Early Opt-in Election, the sixth (6th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Borrower, so long as the Lender has not received, by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Borrower, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election from the Borrower.

 

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Early Opt-in Election means, if the then-current Benchmark is the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, the occurrence of:

(1) a notification by the Administrative Agent to (or the request by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to notify) each of the other parties hereto that at least five currently outstanding U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time contain (as a result of amendment or as originally executed) a SOFR-based rate (including SOFR, a term SOFR or any other rate based upon SOFR) as a benchmark rate (and such syndicated credit facilities are identified in such notice and are publicly available for review), and

(2) the joint election by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to trigger a fallback from the Adjusted LIBO Rate and the provision by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Lenders.

EEA Financial Institution” shall mean (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country” shall mean any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority” shall mean any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Environmental Laws” shall mean any current or future legal requirement of any Governmental Authority pertaining to (a) the protection of health, safety, and the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) the conservation, management, or use of natural resources and wildlife, (c) the protection or use of surface water and groundwater or (d) the management, manufacture, possession, presence, use, generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, release, threatened release, abatement, removal, remediation or handling of, or exposure to, any hazardous or toxic substance or material or (e) pollution (including any release to land surface water and groundwater) and includes, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, 42 USC 9601 et seq., Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 and Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment of 1984, 42 USC 6901 et seq., Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act of 1977, 33 USC 1251 et seq., Clean Air Act of 1966, as amended, 42 USC 7401 et seq., Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, 15 USC 2601 et seq., Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 USC App. 1801 et seq., Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, 29 USC 651 et seq., Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 USC 2701 et seq., Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 USC 11001 et seq., National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 USC 4321 et seq., Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, 42 USC 300(f) et seq., any analogous implementing or successor law, and any amendment, rule, regulation, order, or directive issued thereunder.

ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time. References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

 

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ERISA Affiliate” shall mean an entity, whether or not incorporated, which is under common control with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or is a member of a group which includes the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and which is treated as a single employer under Sections 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the Code.

Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.9(a).

Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.9(d).

Erroneous Payment Impacted Class” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.9(d).

Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.9(d).

Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.9(d).

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” shall mean the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Eurodollar when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

Eurodollar Reserve Percentage shall mean the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including, without limitation, any emergency, supplemental, special or other marginal reserves) expressed as a decimal (rounded upwards to the next 1/100th of 1%) in effect on any day with respect to the Adjusted LIBO Rate pursuant to regulations issued by the Board (or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions) with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as eurocurrency liabilities under Regulation D). Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under Regulation D. The Eurodollar Reserve Percentage shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

Event of Default” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.1.

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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Excluded Taxes shall mean any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.20) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Sections 2.17(e) and 2.17(f) and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

Existing 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement” shall mean that certain 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 23, 2020, among the Borrower, the lenders identified therein and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as administrative agent, as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

Existing Credit Agreements” shall mean the Existing 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement and the Existing Revolving Credit Agreement.

Existing Revolving Credit Agreement” shall mean that certain Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2015, among the Borrower, the lenders identified therein and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as administrative agent, as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

Existing Term Loan Agreement” means that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2020, by and among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders, as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

Extension Effective Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.23.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities entered into in connection with the implementation of the foregoing.

Federal Funds Rate” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with member banks of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the next succeeding Business Day or if such rate is not so published for any Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent; provided that in no event shall the Federal Funds Rate be less than zero.

 

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Fee Letters” shall mean, collectively, (i) that certain fee letter, dated as of March 31, 2021, executed by the Administrative Agent and accepted by the Borrower, (ii) that certain fee letter dated as of March 9, 2021, executed by the Administrative Agent, Mizuho Bank, Ltd. and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and accepted by the Borrower and (iii) that certain fee letter dated as of March 31, 2021, executed by BNP Paribas Securities Corp., BofA Securities, Inc., CoBank, ACB, U.S. Bank National Association and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.

Financial Officer” shall mean any one of the chief financial officer, the controller or the treasurer of the Borrower.

Five-Year Facility” means that certain Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2021, by and among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders, pursuant to which revolving commitments for an initial term of five years are established.

Fixed Assets” shall mean the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries constituting “net property, plant and equipment” on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

Floor” means 0% per annum.

Foreign Lender shall mean any Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to Section 1.3.

Governmental Authority” shall mean any Federal, state, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Guaranty Obligations” shall mean, with respect to any Person, without duplication, any obligations (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection) guaranteeing any indebtedness for borrowed money of any other Person in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and including without limitation any obligation, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such indebtedness or other obligation or any property constituting security therefor, (b) to lease or purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of such indebtedness or (c) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the owner of such indebtedness or obligation against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any Guaranty Obligation hereunder shall (subject to any limitations set forth therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of the indebtedness in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made.

Hazardous Materials” shall mean all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

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Hedging Obligations” shall mean any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired under (i) any and all Hedging Transactions, (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Hedging Transactions and (iii) any and all renewals, extensions and modifications of any Hedging Transactions and any and all substitutions for any Hedging Transactions.

Hedging Transaction” shall mean any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter entered into by such Person that is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collateral transaction, forward transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, whether linked to one or more interest rates, foreign currencies, commodity prices, equity prices or other financial measures.

Hybrid Securities” shall mean any trust preferred securities, or deferrable interest subordinated debt with a maturity of at least 20 years, which provides for the optional or mandatory deferral of interest or distributions, issued by the Borrower, or any business trusts, limited liability companies, limited partnerships or similar entities (i) substantially all of the common equity, general partner or similar interests of which are owned (either directly or indirectly through one or more wholly owned subsidiaries) at all times by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) that have been formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities or deferrable interest subordinated debt, and (iii) substantially all the assets of which consist of (A) subordinated debt of the Borrower or a subsidiary of the Borrower, and (B) payments made from time to time on the subordinated debt.

Indemnified Taxes” shall mean (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Credit Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

Information Memorandum” shall mean the Confidential Information Memorandum dated March, 2021 relating to the Borrower and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

Interest Period shall mean with respect to any EurodollarSOFR Borrowing, a period of one, three or six months; provided, that:

(i) the initial Interest Period for such Borrowing shall commence on the date of such Borrowing (including the date of any conversion from a Borrowing of another Type), and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Borrowing shall commence on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;

(ii) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period would end on the next preceding Business Day;

(iii) any Interest Period which begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month;

 

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(iv) no Interest Period may extend beyond the Commitment Termination Date; and

(iv)(v) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.13(e) shall be available for any such Borrowing.

ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or such successor thereto.

Joint Lead Arrangers” shall mean, collectively, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., BofA Securities, Inc., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., CoBank, ACB, U.S. Bank National Association and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.

Lender Insolvency Event” shall mean that (i) a Lender or its Parent Company is, or has been, adjudicated as, or determined by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over such Person or its assets to be, insolvent, or is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (ii) a Lender or its Parent Company is the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation or similar proceeding, or a receiver, trustee, conservator, custodian or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such capacity, has been appointed for such Lender or its Parent Company, or such Lender or its Parent Company has taken any action in furtherance of or indicating its consent to or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment, (iii) a Lender or its Parent Company has become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a Lender Insolvency Event shall not be deemed to have occurred solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in or control of a Lender or a Parent Company thereof by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof so long as such ownership or acquisition does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

Lenders” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the opening paragraph of this Agreement and shall include, where appropriate, each Additional Lender that joins this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.21.

Lender Extension Notice Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.23(b).

LIBOR shall mean, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) appearing on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or such other commercially available source providing quotations of LIBOR as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time), two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period; provided that in no event shall such LIBOR be less than zero.

 

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Lien” shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), preference, priority or charge of any kind.

Listed Country” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.17(b).

Loan” shall mean a loan made by a Lender to the Borrower under its Commitment, which may either be a Base Rate Loan or a EurodollarSOFR Loan.

Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents, or the rights and remedies of the Lenders hereunder or thereunder.

Material Indebtedness” shall mean any indebtedness of the Borrower in excess of $100,000,000 (other than indebtedness outstanding under this Agreement or Non-Recourse Indebtedness).

Material Subsidiary” shall mean, at any date, a Subsidiary of the Borrower whose aggregate assets properly included under the category “property, plant and equipment” on the balance sheet of such Subsidiary, less the amount of depreciation and amortization attributable thereto, constitutes at least 10% of Consolidated Net Property as of such date; provided that if at any time the Borrower has Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries whose total aggregate assets under the category “property, plant and equipment” on the balance sheet of such Subsidiaries, less the amount of depreciation and amortization attributable thereto, constitute more than 20% of Consolidated Net Property as of such date the Borrower shall designate one or more of such Subsidiaries as Material Subsidiaries for the purposes of this Agreement in order that all Subsidiaries of the Borrower, other than Material Subsidiaries, own not more than 20% of Consolidated Net Property.

Maximum Rate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.12.

Minority Interests” shall mean interests owned by Persons (other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower) in a Subsidiary of the Borrower in which less than 100% of all classes of the voting securities are owned by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

MNPI” means material information concerning the Borrower or the securities of any of the foregoing that could reasonably be expected to be material for purposes of the United States federal and state securities laws and that has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally, within the meaning of Regulation FD under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such company in the business of rating securities.

Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA which is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

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Multiple Employer Plan” shall mean a Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one employer other than the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate are contributing sponsors.

1998 Indenture” shall mean, collectively, that certain Indenture, dated as of July 15, 1998, granted by the Borrower to US Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, and all Supplemental Indentures thereto.

Non-Defaulting Lender” shall mean, at any time, a Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender.

Non-Recourse Indebtedness” shall mean, at any time, indebtedness incurred after the date hereof by the Borrower or a Material Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of property or assets by the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary or the financing of the construction of or improvements on property, whenever acquired, that, under the terms of such indebtedness and pursuant to applicable law, the recourse at such time and thereafter of the lenders with respect to such indebtedness is limited solely to the assets and equity interests of the special purpose vehicle that incurred such indebtedness or to the property or assets so acquired, or such construction or improvements, and any accession or additions thereto and proceeds thereof, including indebtedness as to which a performance or completion guarantee or similar undertaking was initially applicable to such indebtedness or the related property or assets if such guarantee or similar undertaking has been satisfied and is no longer in effect at such time. Indebtedness which is otherwise Non-Recourse Indebtedness will not lose its character as Non-Recourse Indebtedness because there is recourse to the Borrower, any Material Subsidiary, any guarantor or any other Person for (a) environmental representations, warranties or indemnities or (b) indemnities for and liabilities arising from (i) fraud, (ii) misrepresentation, (iii) misapplication or non-payment of rents, profits, insurance and condemnation proceeds and other sums actually received from secured assets to be paid to the lender, (iv) waste, (v) materialmen’s and mechanics’ liens or (vi) similar matters or (c) equity commitments that are customary and of a type consistent with other limited recourse project financings, and other limited guarantees and other contractual carve-outs to the non-recourse nature of such indebtedness that are customary and consistent with other limited recourse project financings, in each case as determined reasonably and in good faith by the Borrower.

Nonconsenting Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.23(b).

Notice of Borrowing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall mean the notice given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent in respect of the conversion or continuation of an outstanding Borrowing as provided in Section 2.5(b).

Obligations” shall mean all amounts owing by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, including without limitation, all principal, interest (including any interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), all reimbursement obligations, Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights, fees, expenses, indemnification and reimbursement payments, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent and any Lender incurred pursuant to this Agreement or any other Credit Document), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, now existing or hereafter arising

 

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hereunder or thereunder, and all Hedging Obligations owed to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their Affiliates incurred in order to limit interest rate or fee fluctuation with respect to the Loans, and all obligations and liabilities incurred in connection with collecting and enforcing the foregoing, together with all renewals, extensions, modifications or refinancings thereof.

OFAC” shall mean the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Credit Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Credit Document).

Other Taxes” shall mean all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Credit Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.20).

Parent Company” shall mean, with respect to a Lender, the bank holding company (as defined in Federal Reserve Board Regulation Y), if any, of such Lender, and/or any Person owning, beneficially or of record, directly or indirectly, a majority of the shares of such Lender.

Participant” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(d).

Participant Register” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(e).

Payment Office” shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent located at 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019, or such other location as to which the Administrative Agent shall have given written notice to the Borrower and the other Lenders.

Payment Recipient” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.9(a).

PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereto.

“Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term SOFR”.

Permitted Lien” shall mean, with respect to any asset, the Liens permitted to exist on such asset under Section 6.6.

Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, association, trust, limited liability company or other enterprise (whether or not incorporated), or any government or political subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.

 

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Physical Trade Contract” shall mean any agreement that is for the purchase, sale, transfer or exchange of natural gas or any other similar transaction (including any option to enter into any of the foregoing) or any combination of the foregoing and any master agreement relating to or governing any or all of the foregoing, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business.

Physical Trade Obligations” shall mean any and all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired under (i) any and all Physical Trade Contracts, (ii) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any Physical Trade Contracts and (iii) any and all renewals, extensions and modifications of any Physical Trade Contracts and any and all substitutions for any Physical Trade Contracts.

Plan” shall mean any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” within the meaning of Section 3(5) of ERISA.

Preferred Securities” shall mean, at any date, any equity interests in the Borrower, in a Special Purpose Financing Subsidiary of the Borrower or in any other Subsidiary of the Borrower (such as those known as “TECONS”, “MIPS” or “RHINOS”): (a) that are not (i) required to be redeemed or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to the fifth anniversary of the Commitment Termination Date or (ii) convertible into or exchangeable for (unless solely at the option of the Borrower or such Subsidiary of the Borrower) equity interests referred to in clause (i) above or indebtedness having a scheduled maturity, or requiring any repayments or prepayments of principal or any sinking fund or similar payments in respect of principal or providing for any such repayment, prepayment, sinking fund or other payment at the option of the holder thereof prior to the fifth anniversary of the Commitment Termination Date and (b) as to which, at such date, the Borrower or such Subsidiary of the Borrower has the right to defer the payment of all dividends and other distributions in respect thereof for the period of at least 19 consecutive quarters beginning at such date.

Pro Rata Share” shall mean with respect to any Commitment of any Lender at any time, a percentage, the numerator of which shall be such Lender’s Commitment (or if such Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, such Lender’s Credit Exposure), and the denominator of which shall be the sum of such Commitments of all Lenders (or if such Commitments have been terminated or expired or the Loans have been declared to be due and payable, all Credit Exposure of all Lenders).

PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Rating Category” shall mean the applicable credit ratings categories given to the Borrower by Moody’s and S&P as set forth on Schedule I.

Recipient” shall mean the Administrative Agent, any Lender and any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Credit Document.

Reference Time with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (1) if such Benchmark is the Adjusted LIBO Rate, 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the day that is two London banking days preceding the date of such setting, and (2) if such Benchmark is not the Adjusted LIBO Rate, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

 

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Register” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.4(c).

Regulation D, T, U, or X” shall mean Regulation D, T, U or X, respectively, of the Board (or any successor body) as from time to time in effect, any amendment thereto and any successor to all or a portion thereof.

Related Parties” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, partners, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

Release” shall mean any 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.

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.

Reportable Event” shall mean a “reportable event” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA with respect to which the notice requirements to the PBGC have not been waived.

Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time, Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Commitments of the Lenders at such time or if the Lenders have no Commitments outstanding, then Lenders holding more than 50% of the Credit Exposure of the Lenders; provided however, that to the extent that any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender and all of its Commitments and Credit Exposure shall be excluded for purposes of determining Required Lenders.

Requirement of Law” for any Person shall mean the articles or certificate of incorporation, bylaws, partnership certificate and agreement, or limited liability company certificate of organization and agreement, as the case may be, and other organizational and governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation, or determination of a Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.

Resolution Authority” shall mean an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor or assignee of the business of such division in the business of rating securities.

Sanctions Lists” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.14.

SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

Senior Credit Facility” means any senior credit facility or senior term loan of the Borrower that is pari passu with the Obligations, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Existing Term Loan Agreement and the Five-Year Facility.

 

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Senior Note Indenture” means any indenture or similar agreement pursuant to which the Borrower issues any senior notes that are pari passu with the Obligations.

Single Employer Plan” shall mean any Plan which is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan.

SOFR” means, with respect to any Business Day, a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate for such Business Day publishedas administered by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrators Website at approximately 8:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the immediately succeeding Business Day.

SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

SOFR Administrators Website means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.Borrowing” means, as to any Borrowing, the SOFR Loans comprising such Borrowing.

“SOFR Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on Adjusted Term SOFR, other than pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition of “Base Rate”.

Special Purpose Financing Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Borrower that has no direct or indirect interest in the business of the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries and was formed solely for the purpose of issuing Preferred Securities.

Subsidiary” shall mean, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not, at the time, any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity in which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than 50% voting equity interest at any time.

Taxes” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges, assessments, fees or withholdings (including backup withholding) imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term SOFR” means, for the applicable Corresponding Tenor as of the applicable Reference Time, the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

Term SOFR Notice means a notification by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders and the Borrower of the occurrence of a Term SOFR Transition Event.

Term SOFR Transition Event means the determination by the Administrative Agent that (a) Term SOFR has been recommended for use by the Relevant Governmental Body, (b)

 

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(a) for any calculation with respect to a SOFR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on any Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day, and

(b) for any calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor of one month on the day (such day, the “Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on any Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Base Rate SOFR Determination Day.

“Term SOFR Adjustment” means, for any calculation with respect to a SOFR Loan, ten basis points (0.10%) per annum.

“Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of the administration of Term SOFR is administratively feasible forReference Rate selected by the Administrative Agent and (c) a Benchmark Transition Event has previously occurred resulting in a Benchmark Replacement in accordance with Section 2.13 that is not in its reasonable discretion).

Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.

Termination Event” shall mean (a) with respect to any Single Employer Plan, the occurrence of a Reportable Event or the substantial cessation of operations (within the meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA), (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple Employer Plan, (c) the distribution of a notice of intent to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate or the actual termination of a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA, (e) any event or condition which might reasonably constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan, or (f) the complete or partial withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan.

 

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Total Assets” shall mean all assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as shown on its most recent quarterly consolidated balance sheet, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

2001 Indenture” shall mean, collectively, that certain Indenture, dated as of May 22, 2001, granted by the Borrower to SunTrust Bank, Atlanta, as Trustee, and all Supplemental Indentures thereto.

2007 Indenture shall mean, collectively, that certain Indenture, dated as of June 14, 2007, granted by the Borrower to U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, and all Supplemental Indentures, if any, thereto.

2009 Indenture” shall mean, collectively, that certain Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2009, granted by the Borrower to U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, and all Supplemental Indentures, if any, thereto.

Type”, when used in reference to a Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO RateTerm SOFR or the Base Rate.

UK Financial Institution” shall mean any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

UK Resolution Authority” shall mean the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

U.S. Borrower” means any Borrower that is a U.S. Person.

“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.

U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(3).

Withholding Agent” shall mean the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b)

 

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with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

Section 1.2. Classifications of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g. a “EurodollarSOFR Loan”, or “Base Rate Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g. “EurodollarSOFR Borrowing”).

Section  1.3. Accounting Terms and Determination; Rates.

Section 1.3.(a) Unless otherwise defined or specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a); provided, that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower wishes to amend the covenant in Section 5.2 to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP on the operation of such covenant (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders wish to amend Section 5.2 for such purpose), then the Borrower’s compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner satisfactory to the Borrower and the Required Lenders. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification Section 825-10 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Consolidated Funded Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower at “fair value”, as defined therein.

(b) The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to (a) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to the Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, the Adjusted Term SOFR or Term SOFR, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, the Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of the Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, the Adjusted Term SOFR, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark

 

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Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain the Base Rate, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, the Adjusted Term SOFR or any other Benchmark, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.

Section 1.4. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” means “to but excluding”. Unless the context requires otherwise (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as it was originally executed or as it may from time to time be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (ii) any reference to a statute, law, regulation, and rule shall be deemed to refer to such statute, law, regulation, and rule as in effect from time to time, including any amendments of the same and any successor statute, law, regulation, and rule, unless any such reference is expressly limited to refer to any statute, act, law, regulation, or rule “as in effect on” a specified date, (iii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns, (iv) the words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import shall be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision hereof, (v) all references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement and (vi) all references to a specific time shall be construed to refer to the time in the city and state of the Administrative Agent’s principal office, unless otherwise indicated. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, references to statutes, legislative acts, laws, regulations, and rules shall be deemed to refer to such statutes, acts, laws, regulations, and rules as in effect from time to time, including any amendments of the same and any successor statutes, acts, laws, regulations, and rules, unless any such reference is expressly limited to refer to any statute, act, law, regulation, or rule “as in effect on” a specified date.

Section 1.5. Divisions. For all purposes under the Credit Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws), if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person.

ARTICLE II

AMOUNT AND TERMS OF THE COMMITMENTS

Section 2.1. General Description of Facility. Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Lenders hereby establish in favor of the Borrower a revolving credit facility pursuant to which each Lender severally agrees (to the extent of such Lender’s Commitment) to make Loans to the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.2.

 

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Section 2.2. Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make Loans in Dollars, ratably in proportion to its Pro Rata Share, to the Borrower, from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment or (b) the sum of the aggregate Credit Exposures of all Lenders exceeding the Aggregate Commitment Amount. During the Availability Period, the Borrower shall be entitled to borrow, prepay and reborrow Loans in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; provided, that the Borrower may not borrow or reborrow should there exist a Default or Event of Default.

Section 2.3. Procedure for Borrowings. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.3 (a “Notice of Borrowing”) (x) prior to 11:00 Aa.Mm . (New York time) on the requested date of each Base Rate Borrowing and (y) prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the requested date of each EurodollarSOFR Borrowing. Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify: (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Borrowing, (ii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the Type of such Loan comprising such Borrowing and (iv) in the case of a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing, the duration of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto (subject to the provisions of the definition of Interest Period). Each Borrowing shall consist entirely of Base Rate Loans or EurodollarSOFR Loans, as the Borrower may request. The aggregate principal amount of each EurodollarSOFR Borrowing shall be not less than $5,000,000 or a larger multiple of $1,000,000, and the aggregate principal amount of each Base Rate Borrowing shall not be less than $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000; provided, that Base Rate Loans made pursuant to Section 2.4 may be made in lesser amounts as provided therein. At no time shall the total number of EurodollarSOFR Borrowings outstanding exceed six. Promptly following the receipt of a Notice of Borrowing in accordance herewith, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

Section 2.4. Funding of Borrowings.

(a) Each Lender will make available each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer in immediately available funds by 12:00 noon (New York time) to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts that it receives, in like funds by the close of business on such proposed date, to an account maintained by the Borrower with the Administrative Agent or at the Borrower’s option, by effecting a wire transfer of such amounts to an account designated by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) one (1) Business Day prior to the date of a funding of a requested Borrowing in which such Lender is to participate that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on such date, and the Administrative Agent, in reliance on such assumption, may make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender on the date of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate until the second Business Day after such demand and thereafter at the Base Rate. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount

 

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forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s demand therefor, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent together with interest at the rate specified for such Borrowing. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Borrowing hereunder or to prejudice any rights which the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

(c) All Borrowings shall be funded by the Lenders severally on the basis of their respective Pro Rata Shares. No Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in its obligations hereunder, and each Lender shall be obligated to make its Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to make its Loans hereunder.

Section 2.5. Interest Elections.

(a) Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing, and in the case of a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Notice of Borrowing. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing into a different Type or to continue such Borrowing, and in the case of a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section 2.5. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.

(b) To make an election pursuant to this Section 2.5, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Borrowing substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.5 attached hereto (a “Notice of Conversion/Continuation”) that is to be converted or continued, as the case may be, (x) prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) one (1) Business Day prior to the requested date of a conversion into a Base Rate Borrowing and (y) prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York time) three (3) Business Days prior to a continuation of or conversion into a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing. Each such Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the Borrowing to which such Notice of Conversion/Continuation applies and if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof that are to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing); (ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Notice of Conversion/Continuation, which shall be a Business Day, (iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be a Base Rate Borrowing or a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing; and (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is to be a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing, the Interest Period applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of “Interest Period”. If any such Notice of Conversion/Continuation requests a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. The principal amount of any resulting Borrowing shall satisfy the minimum borrowing amount for EurodollarSOFR Borrowings and Base Rate Borrowings set forth in Section 2.3.

(c) If, on the expiration of any Interest Period in respect of any EurodollarSOFR Borrowing, the Borrower shall have failed to deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Borrowing to a Base Rate Borrowing. No Borrowing may be converted into, or continued as, a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing if a Default or an Event of Default exists, unless the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall have otherwise consented in writing. No conversion of any EurodollarSOFR Loans shall be permitted except on the last day of the Interest Period in respect thereof.

 

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(d) Upon receipt of any Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

Section 2.6. Optional Reduction and Termination of Commitments.

(a) Unless previously terminated, all Commitments shall terminate on the Commitment Termination Date.

(b) Upon at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent (which notice shall be irrevocable), the Borrower may reduce the Aggregate Commitments in part or terminate the Aggregate Commitments in whole; provided, that (i) any partial reduction shall apply to reduce proportionately and permanently the Commitment of each Lender, (ii) any partial reduction pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be in an amount of at least $5,000,000 and any larger multiple of $1,000,000, and (iii) no such reduction shall be permitted which would reduce the Aggregate Commitment Amount to an amount less than the outstanding Credit Exposures of all Lenders.

Section 2.7. Repayment of Loans. The outstanding principal amount of all Loans shall be due and payable (together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon) on the Commitment Termination Date.

Section 2.8. Evidence of Indebtedness.

(a)Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice appropriate records evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable thereon and paid to such Lender from time to time under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall maintain appropriate records in which shall be recorded (i) the Commitment of each Lender, (ii) the amount of each Loan made hereunder by each Lender, the Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (iii) the date of each continuation thereof pursuant to Section 2.5, (iv) the date of each conversion of all or a portion thereof to another Type pursuant to Section 2.5, (v) the date and amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder in respect of such Loans and (vi) both the date and amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower in respect of the Loans and each Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof. The entries made in such records shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein recorded; provided, that the failure or delay of any Lender or the Administrative Agent in maintaining or making entries into any such record or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans (both principal and unpaid accrued interest) of such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b) This Agreement evidences the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans and is being executed as a “noteless” credit agreement. However, at the request of any Lender at any time, the Borrower agrees that it will prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans

 

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evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment permitted hereunder) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

Section 2.9. Prepayments.

(a) Optional Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, by giving irrevocable written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Administrative Agent no later than (i) in the case of prepayment of any EurodollarSOFR Borrowing, 11:00 a.m. (New York time) not less than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to any such prepayment, and (ii) in the case of any prepayment of any Base Rate Borrowing, not less than one Business Day prior to the date of such prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the proposed date of such prepayment and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender of the contents thereof and of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any such prepayment. If such notice is given, the aggregate amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date designated in such notice, together with accrued interest to such date on the amount so prepaid in accordance with Section 2.10(c); provided, that if a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing is prepaid on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay all amounts required pursuant to Section 2.16. Each partial prepayment of any Loan shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type pursuant to Section 2.3. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans comprising such Borrowing.

(b) Mandatory Repayments. No later than the earlier of (i) 364 days after the date any Loan is made and (ii) the Commitment Termination Date, the Borrower shall repay the principal amount and any interest outstanding of such Loan.

Section 2.10. Interest on Loans.

(a) The Borrower shall pay interest on each Base Rate Loan at the Base Rate in effect from time to time and on each EurodollarSOFR Loan at the Adjusted LIBO RateTerm SOFR for the applicable Interest Period in effect for such Loan, plus, in each case, the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time.

(b) Upon the occurrence, and during the continuation, of an Event of Default under Section 7.1(a) or, at the option of the Required Lenders, any other Event of Default, the Borrower shall pay interest (“Default Interest”) with respect to all EurodollarSOFR Loans at the rate otherwise applicable for the then-current Interest Period plus an additional 2% per annum until the last day of such Interest Period, and thereafter, and with respect to all Base Rate Loans and all other Obligations hereunder (other than Loans), at an all-in rate in effect for Base Rate Loans, plus an additional 2% per annum.

(c) Interest on the principal amount of all Loans shall accrue from and including the date such Loans are made to but excluding the date of any repayment thereof. Interest on all outstanding Base Rate Loans shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December and on the Commitment Termination Date. Interest on all outstanding EurodollarSOFR Loans shall be payable on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto, and, in the case of any EurodollarSOFR Loans having an Interest Period in

 

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excess of three months, on each day which occurs every three months after the initial date of such Interest Period, and on the Commitment Termination Date. Interest on any Loan which is converted into a Loan of another Type or which is repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such conversion or on the date of any such repayment or prepayment (on the amount repaid or prepaid) thereof. All Default Interest shall be payable on demand.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall determine each interest rate applicable to the Loans hereunder and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of such rate in writing (or by telephone, promptly confirmed in writing). Any such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Section 2.11. Fees.

(a) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account fees in the amounts and at the times previously agreed upon in writing by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”), which shall accrue at the Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage per annum (determined daily in accordance with Schedule I) on the daily amount of the unused Commitment of such Lender during the Availability Period. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to the contrary, a Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to receive any Commitment Fees under this Section 2.11(b) for any date in which such Lender was and/or continued to be a Defaulting Lender.

(c) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of each Lender, the upfront fee previously agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, which shall be due and payable on the Closing Date.

(d) Accrued fees under paragraph (b) above shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on June 30, 2021, and on the Commitment Termination Date.

Section 2.12. Computation of Interest and Fees. Interest hereunder based on the Administrative Agent’s prime lending rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) and paid for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). All other interest and all fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and paid for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day) Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest amount or fee hereunder shall be made in good faith and, except for manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.

Section 2.13. Inability to Determine Interest Rates.

(a) If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for any EurodollarSOFR Borrowing,

(i) (i) Subject to clauses (b) through (if) of this Section 2.13, the Administrative Agent shall have determined in good faith (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant interbank market, adequate means do not exist for ascertaining LIBORTerm SOFR for such Interest Period, or

 

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(ii) (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO RateTerm SOFR does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making, funding or maintaining their EurodollarSOFR Loans for such Interest Period,

the Administrative Agent shall give written notice (or telephonic notice, promptly confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and to the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. Until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) the obligations of the Lenders to make EurodollarSOFR Loans or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into EurodollarSOFR Loans shall be suspended and (ii) all such affected Loans shall be converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto unless the Borrower prepays such Loans in accordance with this Agreement. Unless the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day before the date of any EurodollarSOFR Borrowing for which a Notice of Borrowing has previously been given that it elects not to borrow on such date, then such Borrowing shall be made as a Base Rate Borrowing.

(b)Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, ifupon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if with a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) or (2) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (3) of the definition of Benchmark Replacement for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in respect of any Benchmark setting. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is providedAdministrative Agent has posted such proposed amendment to theall affected Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Credit Documentand the Borrower so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacementamendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. No replacement of a Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 2.13(b) will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document and subject to the proviso below in this paragraph, if a Term SOFR Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then the applicable Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder or under any Credit Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings, without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document; provided that this clause (c) shall not be effective unless the Administrative Agent has delivered to the Lenders and the Borrower a Term SOFR Notice.

(b) (d)

(c) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Credit Document.

(e) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) the implementation of any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date,and (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes,. The Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower of (ivx) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (dSection 2.13(e) below and (vy) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section  2.162.13, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Credit Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.162.13.

(f) On March 5, 2021, the administrator of such Benchmark publicly stated that it will permanently cease to provide all of the tenor-settings of the Benchmark contemplated by this agreement after June 30, 2023. On the earliest of (i) the date that the administrator of such Benchmark has permanently or indefinitely ceased to provide all Available Tenors of LIBOR, (ii) all Available Tenors of LIBOR have been announced

 

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by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative and (iii) the Early Opt-in Effective Date, if the then-current Benchmark is LIBOR, the Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in respect of any setting of such Benchmark on such day and all subsequent settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Credit Document. If the Benchmark Replacement is Daily Simple SOFR, all interest payments will be payable on a quarterly basis.

(d) (g)

(e) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR or the Adjusted LIBORReference Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be no longer representative of the underlying market and economic reality that such Benchmark is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will no longernot be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

(hf)Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of EurodollarSOFR Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans. During anya Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of Base Rate.

 

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(f) (i) LIBOR is intended to represent the rate at which contributing banks could obtain short-term borrowings from one another in the London interbank market. Recent announcements by regulators have signaled a transition away from LIBOR, and, as a result, LIBOR may no longer be available or appropriate for purposes of serving as a reference rate for Eurodollar Loans in the near future. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, Section 2.13(b) and (c) provide the mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower, pursuant to Section 2.13(e), of any change to the reference rates upon which the interest rates on Eurodollar Loans are based. However, the Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to LIBOR or other rates in the definition of Adjusted LIBO Rate or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof (including, without limitation, (i) any such alternative, successor or replacement rate implemented pursuant to Section 2.13(b) or (c), whether upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, and (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes pursuant to Section 2.13(d)), including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the Adjusted LIBO Rate or have the same volume or liquidity as did LIBOR prior to its discontinuance or unavailability.

Section 2.14 .. Illegality. If any Change in Law shall make it unlawful or impossible for any Lender to make, maintain or fund any EurodollarSOFR Loan and such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrower and the other Lenders, whereupon until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, the obligation of such Lender to make EurodollarSOFR Loans, or to continue or convert outstanding Loans as or into EurodollarSOFR Loans, shall be suspended. In the case of the making of a EurodollarSOFR Borrowing, such Lender’s Loan shall be made as a Base Rate Loan as part of the same Borrowing for the same Interest Period and if the affected EurodollarSOFR Loan is then outstanding, such Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan either (i) on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such EurodollarSOFR Loan if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Loan to such date or (ii) immediately if such Lender shall determine that it may not lawfully continue to maintain such EurodollarSOFR Loan to such date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the affected Lender shall, prior to giving such notice to the Administrative Agent, designate a different Applicable Lending Office if such designation would avoid the need for giving such notice and if such designation would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in the good faith exercise of its discretion.

Section 2.15 . Increased Costs.

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Adjusted LIBO RateTerm SOFR hereunder against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO RateTerm SOFR); or

 

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(ii) impose on any Lender or the eurodollar interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or any EurodollarSOFR Loans made by such Lender;

and the result of either of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining a EurodollarSOFR Loan or to reduce the amount received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), then the Borrower shall promptly pay, upon written notice from and demand by such Lender on the Borrower (with a copy of such notice and demand to the Administrative Agent), to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender, within five Business Days after the date of such notice and demand, additional amount or amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes, in each case, imposed on such Lender as a result of a Change in Law).

(b) If any Lender shall have determined that on or after the date of this Agreement any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital (or on the capital of the Parent Company of such Lender) as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or the Parent Company of such Lender could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies or the policies of the Parent Company of such Lender with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity) then, from time to time, within five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Borrower of written demand by such Lender (with a copy thereof to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Parent Company of such Lender for any such reduction suffered.

(c) A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Parent Company of such Lender, as the case may be, specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 2.15 shall be delivered to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) and shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay any such Lender such amount or amounts within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation.

Section 2.16. Funding Indemnity. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of a EurodollarSOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion or continuation of a EurodollarSOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or (c) the failure by the Borrower to borrow, prepay, convert or continue any EurodollarSOFR Loan on the date specified in any applicable notice (regardless of whether such notice is withdrawn or revoked), then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender, within five (5) Business Days after written demand from such Lender, for any loss, reasonable cost or expense directly attributable to such event. In the case of a EurodollarSOFR Loan, such loss, cost or expense shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (A) the

 

37


amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such EurodollarSOFR Loan if such event had not occurred at the Adjusted LIBO RateTerm SOFR applicable to such EurodollarSOFR Loan for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such EurodollarSOFR Loan) over (B) the amount of interest that would accrue on the principal amount of such EurodollarSOFR Loan for the same period if the Adjusted LIBO RateTerm SOFR were set on the date such EurodollarSOFR Loan was prepaid or converted or the date on which the Borrower failed to borrow, convert or continue such EurodollarSOFR Loan. A certificate as to any additional amount payable under this Section 2.16 submitted to the Borrower by any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

Section 2.17. Taxes.

(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law (including FATCA). If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b) The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(c) The Borrower shall indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) Business Days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.17) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Credit Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly

 

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completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in paragraphs (f)(i), (f)(ii) and (f)(iv) of this Section) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(f) Without limiting the generality of Section 2.17(e), in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Borrower,

(i) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or about the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(ii) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or about the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

  1)

In the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Credit Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Credit Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

  2)

executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

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  3)

in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W 8BEN-E; or

 

  4)

to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W 8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 or Exhibit B-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(iii) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or about the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(iv) if a payment made to a Lender under any Credit Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (iv), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(g) Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within five (5) Business Days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.4(e) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Credit Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Credit Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (g).

(h) If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

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(i) Each party’s obligations under this Section shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Credit Document.

Section 2.18. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.

(a) The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees, or amounts payable under Sections 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon (New York time) on the date when due, in immediately available funds, free and clear of any defenses, rights of set-off, counterclaim, or withholding or deduction of taxes. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at the Payment Office, except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 and 9.3 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be made payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in Dollars.

(b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

(c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans that would result in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans; provided, that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

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(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount or amounts due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

Section 2.19. Mitigation of Obligations. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, Section 2.16, or Section 2.17, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the sole judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable under Section 2.15 or Section 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with such designation or assignment.

Section 2.20. Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority of the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 9.4(b)) all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender); provided, that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of all Loans owed to it, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (in the case of such outstanding principal and accrued interest) and from the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

Section 2.21. Increase of Commitments; Additional Lenders.

(a) So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, from time to time after the Closing Date and provided that (a) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any such proposed increase, no Default or Event of Default shall exist, all representations and warranties of each Borrower set forth in the Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than those representations and warranties that are expressly qualified by a Material Adverse Effect or other materiality, in which case such representations and warranties

 

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shall be true and correct in all respects), and, since September 30, 2020, there shall have been no change which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (b) Borrower may, upon at least 30 days’ written notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall promptly provide a copy of such notice to each Lender), propose to increase the Aggregate Commitments up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000,000 (the amount of any such increase, the “Additional Commitment Amount”). All Additional Commitments shall have the same terms and conditions applicable to the Commitments established on the Closing Date including without limitation, as to yield, maturity and amortization. The Lenders shall have the right, for a period of 20 days following receipt of such notice, to elect by written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to increase their Commitments by a principal amount equal to the Additional Commitment Amount, subject to allocations agreed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. No Lender (or any successor thereto) shall have any obligation to increase its Commitment or its other obligations under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and any decision by a Lender to increase its Commitment shall be made in its sole discretion independently from any other Lender.

(b) If the Lenders do not commit to increase the Commitments by the entire Additional Commitment Amount pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 2.21, the Borrower may designate another bank or other financial institution (an “Additional Lender”) to become a party to this Agreement; provided, however, that any new bank or financial institution must be acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The sum of the increases in the Commitments of the existing Lenders pursuant to this subsection (b) plus the Commitments of the Additional Lenders shall not in the aggregate exceed the Additional Commitment Amount.

(c) An increase in the Aggregate Commitment Amount pursuant to this Section 2.21 shall become effective upon the receipt by the Administrative Agent of a supplement or joinder in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent executed by the Borrower and by each Additional Lender and by each existing Lender whose Commitment is to be increased, setting forth the new Commitments of such Lenders and setting forth the agreement of each Additional Lender to become a party to this Agreement and to be bound by all the terms and provisions hereof, and such evidence of appropriate corporate authorization on the part of the Borrower with respect to the increase in the Commitments and such opinions of counsel for the Borrower with respect to the increase in the Commitments as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

(d) Upon the acceptance of any such agreement by the Administrative Agent, the Aggregate Commitment Amount shall automatically be increased by the amount of the Commitments added or increased through such agreement and Schedule II shall automatically be deemed amended to reflect the Commitments of all Lenders after giving effect to the addition and increase of such Commitments.

(e) Upon any increase in the Aggregate Commitment Amount pursuant to this Section 2.21 that is not pro rata among all Lenders, within five Business Days, in the case of any Base Rate Loans then outstanding, and at the end of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, in the case of any EurodollarSOFR Loans then outstanding, the Borrower shall prepay such Loans in their entirety and, to the extent the Borrower elects to do so and subject to the conditions specified in Article III, the Borrower shall reborrow Loans from the Lenders in proportion to their respective Commitments after giving effect to such increase, until such time as all outstanding Loans are held by the Lenders in proportion to their respective Commitments after giving effect to such increase. Prepayments made under this Section 2.21(e) shall not be subject to the notice requirements of Section 2.9.

 

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Section 2.22. Defaulting Lenders.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Requirement of Law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Required Lenders and in Section 9.2.

(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise) shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement; fourth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any then final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any the final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments without giving effect to Section 2.18. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Section 2.22(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(b) If the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans

 

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of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments, whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

Section 2.23. Extension of Termination Date.

(a) The Borrower may, by notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) request that each Lender extend the Commitment Termination Date of such Lender’s Commitment for an additional one year period after the Commitment Termination Date then in effect for such Lender, effective as of a date selected by the Borrowers (the “Extension Effective Date”); provided, that (i) the Borrower may make no more than two such requests during the term of this Agreement (but may make such requests concurrently), (ii) in no event shall the extended Commitment Termination Date be more than five years after the Extension Effective Date, and (iii) the Extension Effective Date shall be at least 30 days, but not more than 45 days, after the date such extension request is received by the Administrative Agent.

(b) Each Lender, acting in its sole and individual discretion, shall, by notice to the Administrative Agent given not later than the date that is 20 days prior to the Extension Effective Date (the “Lender Extension Notice Date”), advise the Administrative Agent whether or not such Lender agrees to such extension. Each Lender that notifies the Administrative Agent that it is not extending the Commitment Termination Date for its Commitment, and any Lender that does not respond to the Administrative Agent regarding an extension request on or before the Lender Extension Notice Date, shall be deemed to be a “Nonconsenting Lender”. The election of any Lender to agree to such extension shall not obligate any other Lender to so agree. The Commitment of any Nonconsenting Lender shall be terminated on the Commitment Termination Date then in effect for such Lender (without regard to any extension by other Lenders), and on such Commitment Termination Date, the Borrower shall pay in full the unpaid principal amount of all Loans owing to such Nonconsenting Lender, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and all accrued and unpaid fees owing to such Nonconsenting Lender under this Agreement to the date of such payment of principal and all other amounts due to such Nonconsenting Lender under this Agreement.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of each Lender’s determination under this Section no later than the date 15 days prior to the Extension Effective Date, or, if such date is not a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day.

(d) The Borrower shall have the right on or before the date 10 days prior to the Extension Effective Date to replace each Nonconsenting Lender effective as of the applicable Extension Effective Date (i) with an existing Lender, and/or (ii) by adding as “Lenders” under this Agreement in place thereof, one or more Persons (each Lender in clauses (i) and (ii), an “Additional Commitment Lender”), in each case, with the approval of the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), each of which Additional Commitment Lenders shall have entered into an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent pursuant to which such Additional Commitment Lender shall, effective as of the applicable Extension Effective Date, undertake a Commitment (and, if any such Additional Commitment Lender is already a Lender, its Commitment shall be in addition to such Lender’s

 

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Commitment hereunder on such date); provided that the aggregate amount of the Commitments for all Additional Commitment Lenders shall be no more than the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Nonconsenting Lenders; provided, further, that the existing Lenders shall have the right to increase their Commitments up to the amount of the Nonconsenting Lenders’ Commitments before the Borrowers shall have the right to substitute any other Person for any Nonconsenting Lender.

(e) If (and only if) the aggregate amount of the Commitments of the Lenders that have agreed to extend the Commitment Termination Date for their Commitments, together with Commitments from Additional Commitment Lenders replacing Commitments from Nonconsenting Lenders, shall be more than 50% of the aggregate amount of all Commitments, the Commitment Termination Date of the Commitments of each Lender agreeing to an extension and of each Additional Commitment Lender shall be extended to the requested date, and each Additional Commitment Lender shall thereupon become a “Lender” for all purposes of this Agreement.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the extension of the Commitment Termination Date for any Lender’s Commitment pursuant to this Section shall be effective with respect to such Lender on the applicable Extension Effective Date, but only if (i) the following statements shall be true: (A) no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from the extension of the Commitment Termination Date that constitutes an Event of Default or a Default and (B) the representations and warranties contained in Article IV are correct in all material respects on and as of the applicable Extension Effective Date, before and after giving effect to such extension, as though made on and as of such date, except for those made specifically as of another date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true as of such other date and (ii) on or prior to the applicable Extension Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received the following, each dated the applicable Extension Effective Date and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (x) a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the effect that as of the applicable Extension Effective Date the statements set forth in clauses (A) and (B) above are true, (y) certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower authorizing such extension and the performance of this Agreement on and after the applicable Extension Effective Date, and of all documents evidencing other necessary corporate actions or Governmental Actions with respect to this Agreement and such extension of the Commitment Termination Date and (z) an opinion of counsel to the Borrowers, as to such matters related to the foregoing as the Administrative Agent or the Lenders through the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS

Section 3.1. Conditions To Effectiveness. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.2).

(a) The Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent) required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder, under any other Credit Document and under any agreement with the Administrative Agent or the Joint Lead Arrangers.

 

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(b) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received the following:

(i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed by or on behalf of each party hereto or written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or .pdf transmission of an executed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement;

(ii) evidence that (A) the Borrower has delivered notice of its termination of commitments under the Existing Credit Agreements to the Administrative Agent three Business Days prior to the Closing Date, (B) all amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreements have been paid (including, without limitation, principal, interest and fees), or will be repaid substantially concurrently with the closing of this Agreement, and (C) the “commitments” of the lenders under the Existing Credit Agreements have been terminated or will be terminated substantially concurrently with the closing of this Agreement;

(iii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower in the form of Exhibit 3.1(b)(iii), attaching and certifying copies of its bylaws and of the resolutions of its boards of directors, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents and certifying the name, title and true signature of each officer of the Borrower executing the Credit Documents;

(iv) certified copies of the articles or certificate of incorporation of the Borrower, together with certificates of good standing or existence, as may be available from the Secretary of State of the jurisdictions of organization of the Borrower;

(v) a favorable written opinion of inside or outside counsel to the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, and covering such matters relating to the Borrower, the Credit Documents and the transactions contemplated therein as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall reasonably request;

(vi) a certificate in the form of Exhibit 3.1(b)(vi), dated the Closing Date and signed by a Financial Officer, certifying that (A) no Default or Event of Default exists, (B) all representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in the Credit Documents are true and correct in all material respects and (C) since September 30, 2020, there shall have been no material adverse change in the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, liabilities (contingent or otherwise), properties or prospects of the Borrower and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(vii) if a Borrowing will be made on the Closing Date, a duly executed Notice of Borrowing and a duly executed funds disbursement agreement, together with a report setting forth the sources and uses of the proceeds hereof;

(viii) [Reserved.];

 

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(ix) copies of (A) the quarterly financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the fiscal quarter ending on December 31, 2020 and (B) the audited consolidated financial statements for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020 (it being agreed that this clause (ix) is satisfied by the Borrower’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the date hereof); and

(x) such other documents, certificates or information as the Joint Lead Arrangers may reasonably request, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Joint Lead Arrangers.

(c) To the extent requested by the Administrative Agent in writing not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received, not later than two (2) calendar days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information with respect to the Borrower that the Administrative Agent reasonably believes is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know-your-customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the Patriot Act (as defined below).

(d) At least five (5) days prior to the Closing Date, to the extent the Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, the Borrower shall deliver a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower.

Section 3.2. Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing, no Default or Event of Default shall exist;

(b) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing, all representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in the Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if already qualified by “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect” or similar phrases, in all respects (after giving effect to such qualification)) on and as of the date of such Borrowing before and after giving effect thereto; and

(c) the Borrower shall have delivered the required Notice of Borrowing.

Each Borrowing shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 3.2.

Section 3.3. Delivery of Documents. All of the Credit Documents, certificates, legal opinions and other documents and papers referred to in this Article III, unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent for the account of each of the Lenders and, except for any promissory notes, in sufficient counterparts or copies for each of the Lenders and shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender as follows:

Section 4.1. Organization and Good Standing. The Borrower (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdictions of its incorporation, (b) is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation authorized to do business in every jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify would have or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (c) has the requisite corporate power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted.

Section 4.2. Due Authorization. The Borrower (a) has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and to incur the obligations herein and therein provided for and (b) has been authorized by all necessary corporate action, to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

Section 4.3. No Conflicts. Neither the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein, nor performance of and compliance with the terms and provisions thereof by the Borrower will (a) violate or conflict with, in any material respect, any provision of its articles of incorporation or bylaws, (b) violate, contravene or conflict with, in any material respect, any law, regulation (including without limitation, Regulation U, Regulation X or any regulation promulgated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or permit applicable to it, (c) except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, violate, contravene or conflict with contractual provisions of, or cause an event of default under, any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or its properties may be bound, or (d) in any material respect, result in or require the creation of any Lien upon or with respect to its properties, other than a Permitted Lien.

Section 4.4. Consents. No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, registration or qualification with, any court or Governmental Authority or third party is required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, except any such consent, approval, authorization, order, filing, registration or qualification as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.5. Enforceable Obligations. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents have been duly executed and delivered and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy or insolvency laws or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general equitable principles.

Section 4.6. Financial Condition.

(a) The consolidated financial statements delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 3.1(b)(ix) and pursuant to Section 5.1(a) and (b): (i) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (subject to the provisions of Section 1.3) and (ii) present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date and for such periods.

 

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(b) Since September 30, 2020, there has been no sale, transfer or other disposition by the Borrower of any material part of the business or property of the Borrower, and no purchase or other acquisition by the Borrower of any business or property (including any Capital Stock of any other Person) material in relation to the financial condition of the Borrower, in each case which is not (i) reflected in the most recent financial statements delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 3.1(b)(ix) and pursuant to Section 5.1 or in the notes thereto or (ii) otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement and communicated to the Administrative Agent.

Section 4.7. Intentionally Omitted.

Section 4.8. No Default. No Default or Event of Default presently exists and is continuing.

Section 4.9. Intentionally Omitted.

Section 4.10. Taxes. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed, or caused to be filed, all material Tax returns (federal, state, local and foreign) required to be filed and paid all amounts of Taxes shown thereon to be due and have paid all other material Taxes owing by them, except for such Taxes which are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings, and against which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP, except where failure to make such payments or filings would not have or would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.11. Compliance with Law. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, rules, regulations, orders and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except where the failure to be in compliance would not have or would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.12. [Reserved.]

Section 4.13. ERISA. Except as would not result or be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect:

(a) During the five-year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made: (i) no Termination Event has occurred, and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no event or condition has occurred or exists as a result of which any Termination Event is reasonably expected to occur, with respect to any Plan; (ii) no “accumulated funding deficiency,” as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, has occurred with respect to any Plan; (iii) each Plan has been maintained, operated, and funded in material compliance with its own terms and in material compliance with the provisions of ERISA, the Code, and any other applicable federal or state laws; and (iv) no Lien in favor or the PBGC or a Plan has arisen or is reasonably expected to arise on account of any Plan.

(b) No liability has been or is reasonably expected by the Borrower to be incurred under Sections 4062, 4063 or 4064 of ERISA with respect to any Single Employer Plan by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which has or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The actuarial present value of all “benefit liabilities” under each Single Employer Plan (determined within the meaning of Section 401(a)(2) of the Code, utilizing the actuarial assumptions used to fund such Plans), whether or not vested, did not, as of the last annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made, exceed the current value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such accrued liabilities, except as disclosed in the Borrower’s financial statements.

 

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(d) Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, is reasonably expected to incur, any withdrawal liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has received any notification that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), is insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA), or has been terminated (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA), and no Multiemployer Plan is, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, reasonably expected to be in reorganization, insolvent, or terminated.

(e) No prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility has occurred with respect to a Plan which has subjected or is reasonably likely to subject the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to any liability under Sections 406, 407, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify any person against any such liability.

(f) The present value (determined using actuarial and other assumptions which are reasonable with respect to the benefits provided and the employees participating) of the liability of the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate for post-retirement welfare benefits to be provided to their current and former employees under Plans which are welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), net of all assets under all such Plans allocable to such benefits, are reflected on the financial statements referenced in Section 5.1 in accordance with FASB 106.

(g) Each Plan which is a welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) to which Sections 601-609 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code apply has been administered in compliance in all material respects with such sections.

(h) None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise), and neither the execution, delivery nor performance of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the making of any Loan hereunder, will give rise to a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

Section 4.14. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans hereunder will be used solely for the purposes specified in Section 5.8. None of such proceeds will be used for the acquisition of another Person unless the board of directors (or other comparable governing body) or stockholders, as appropriate, of such Person has approved such acquisition.

Section 4.15. Government Regulation.

(a) No proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulation U, or for the purpose of purchasing or carrying or trading in any securities. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 referred to in Regulation U. No indebtedness being reduced or retired out of the proceeds of the Loans was or will be incurred for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U or any “margin security” within the meaning of Regulation T. “Margin stock” within the meaning of Regulation U does not constitute more than 25% of the value of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

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(b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and is not controlled by an “investment company”.

Section 4.16. Disclosure. Neither this Agreement nor the Information Memorandum nor any financial statements delivered to the Lenders nor any other document, certificate or statement furnished to the Lenders by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein or herein, taken as a whole, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time (it being understood that the projected financial information is subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Borrower’s control, and that no assurance can be given that any projections will be realized).

Section 4.17. OFAC; Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws.

(a) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor to its knowledge any of its or their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives, has taken or will take any action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment or giving of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any “government official” (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) to improperly influence official action or secure an improper advantage for the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any of its Affiliates where such actions would constitute a material breach of Anti-Corruption Laws; and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates have conducted their businesses in material compliance with applicable Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Corruption Laws and have instituted and maintain and will continue to maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and with the representation and warranty contained herein.

(b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor to its knowledge any of its or their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, or employees, agents or representatives, is (i) named on any Sanctions List, (ii)(A) an agency of the government of a country, or (B) an organization controlled by a country, (iii) a Person resident in a country that is subject to a sanctions program identified on any Sanctions List (each a “Listed Country”), or, if a resident in a Listed Country, that residency and the operations of that Person relating to that Listed Country are in compliance with all Anti-Terrorism Laws and Anti-Corruption Laws in all material respects or (iv) directly conducting business or engaged in any transaction with any Persons named on any Sanctions List or resident in a Listed Country.

Section 4.18. Insurance. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such risks as is usually carried by companies engaged in similar business and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries operate and/or maintain a system or systems of self-insurance or assumption of risk which accords with the practices of similar businesses.

 

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Section 4.19. Franchises, Licenses, Etc. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries possess (a) good title to, or the legal right to use, all properties and assets and (b) all franchises, certificates, licenses, permits and other authorizations, in each case as are necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, except to the extent the failure to possess any of the foregoing would not and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.20. [Reserved.]

Section 4.21. Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, all Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the designation as to which such Subsidiaries are Material Subsidiaries are set forth on Schedule 4.21.

Section 4.22. Affected Financial Institution. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is an Affected Financial Institution.

Section 4.23. Beneficial Ownership. As of the Closing Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct in all respects.

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Lender has a Commitment hereunder or any Obligation remains unpaid or outstanding:

Section 5.1. Information Covenants. The Borrower will furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Administrative Agent (who shall forward copies thereof to each Lender):

(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet and income statement of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as of the end of such fiscal year, together with retained earnings and a consolidated statement of cash flows for such fiscal year setting forth in comparative form figures for the preceding fiscal year, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and audited by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing and whose opinion shall be furnished to the Administrative Agent, shall be to the effect that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for changes with which such accountants concur) and shall not be limited as to the scope of the audit or qualified by a going concern or similar qualification.

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event within 65 days after the close of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower (other than the fourth fiscal quarter)(commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2021) a consolidated balance sheet and income statement of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, together with a related consolidated statement of cash flows for such fiscal quarter in each case setting forth in comparative form figures for the corresponding period of the preceding fiscal year, all such financial information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and accompanied by a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower to the effect that such quarterly financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit adjustments and absence of notes.

 

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(c) Officer’s Certificate. At the time of delivery of the financial statements provided for in Sections 5.1(a) and 5.1(b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.1(c), (i) demonstrating compliance with Section 5.2 by calculation thereof as of the end of each such fiscal period, (ii) stating that no Default or Event of Default exists, or if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto and (iii) setting forth any Subsidiaries that have become Material Subsidiaries during such fiscal period.

(d) Reports. Promptly after the same are available, copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Borrower may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto.

(e) Notices. Upon the Borrower obtaining knowledge thereof, the Borrower will give written notice to the Administrative Agent promptly of (i) the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and existence thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, (ii) any change in any rating from S&P or Moody’s and/or any loss of rating from S&P or Moody’s (it being agreed that any notice requirement of the Borrower shall be deemed satisfied upon the public announcement by such ratings agencies), (iii) the occurrence of any of the following with respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary: (A) the pendency or commencement of any litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding against the Borrower or such Subsidiary which, if adversely determined, would have or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (B) the institution of any proceedings against the Borrower or such Subsidiary with respect to, or the receipt of notice by such Person of potential liability or responsibility for violation or alleged violation of, any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation (including, without limitation, any Environmental Law), the violation of which would have or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and/or (iv) any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in parts (c) or (d) of such certification.

(f) ERISA. Upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate obtaining knowledge thereof, the Borrower will give written notice to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders promptly (and in any event within five Business Days) of: (i) any event or condition, including, but not limited to, any Reportable Event, that constitutes, or would be reasonably expected to lead to, a Termination Event; (ii) any communication from the PBGC stating its intention to terminate any Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan together with a statement of the amount of liability, if any, incurred or expected to be incurred by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection therewith; (iii) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the receipt of notice as prescribed in ERISA or otherwise of any withdrawal liability assessed against the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, or of a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent (both within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA); (iv) the failure to make full payment on or before the due date (including extensions) thereof of all amounts which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates is required to contribute to each Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA pursuant to its terms and as required to meet the minimum funding standard set forth in ERISA and the Code with respect thereto; or (v) any change in the funding status of any Plan that would have or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; together, with a description of any such event or condition or a copy of any such notice and a statement by an officer of the Borrower briefly setting forth the details regarding such event, condition, or notice, and the action, if any, which has been or is being taken or is proposed to be taken by the Borrower with respect thereto. Promptly upon request, the Borrower shall furnish the Administrative Agent with such additional information concerning any Plan as may be reasonably requested by the

 

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Administrative Agent or any Lender, including, but not limited to, copies of each annual report/return (Form 5500 series), as well as all schedules and attachments thereto required to be filed with the Department of Labor and/or the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to ERISA and the Code, respectively, for each “plan year” (within the meaning of Section 3(39) of ERISA).

(g) Other Information. With reasonable promptness upon any such request, such other information regarding the business, properties or financial condition of the Borrower as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request.

(h) Delivery of Information. Documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address www.atmosenergy.com; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third party website or sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly forward to the Lenders). Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to provide paper or facsimile copies of the officer’s certificates required by Section 5.1(c) to the Administrative Agent. Except for such officer’s certificates, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for maintaining its copies of such documents.

Section 5.2. Debt to Capitalization Ratio. As of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the Debt to Capitalization Ratio shall be less than or equal to 0.70 to 1.0.

Section 5.3. Preservation of Existence, Franchises and Assets. The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, do all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights, franchises and authority, except where failure to do so would not or would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, generally maintain its properties, real and personal, in good condition, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not waste or otherwise permit such properties to deteriorate, reasonable wear and tear excepted, except, in each case, where failure to do so would not or would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.4. Books and Records. The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, keep complete and accurate books and records of its transactions in accordance with good accounting practices on the basis of GAAP (including the establishment and maintenance of appropriate reserves).

Section 5.5. Compliance with Law. The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, comply with, and obtain all permits and licenses required by, all laws (including, without limitation, all Environmental Laws and ERISA laws), rules, regulations and orders, and all applicable restrictions imposed by all Governmental Authorities, applicable to it and its property, if the failure to comply would have or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates to, comply with, and not act in any manner that would result in a violation by any Person (including Lender) of, Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

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Section 5.6. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, pay, settle or discharge all material Taxes before they shall become delinquent which, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon any of its properties; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such Tax which is being contested in good faith by appropriate action and as to which adequate reserves therefor, if required, have been established in accordance with GAAP, unless the failure to make any such payment (i) would give rise to an immediate right to foreclose or collect on a Lien securing such amounts or (ii) would have or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.7. Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, at all times maintain in full force and effect insurance (including worker’s compensation insurance, liability insurance and casualty insurance) with financially sound and reputable insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such risks as is usually carried by companies engaged in similar business and owning similar properties in the same general areas in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries operate and/or maintain a system or systems of self-insurance or assumption of risk which accords with the practices of similar businesses.

Section 5.8. Use of Proceeds.

(a) The proceeds of the Loans may be used solely (a) to refinance the indebtedness under each of the Existing Credit Agreements on the Closing Date and to pay related fees and expenses, (b) to fund future acquisitions permitted by Section 4.14 and (c) for working capital, capital expenditures and other lawful corporate purposes of the Borrower.

(b) The proceeds of the Loans hereunder shall not be used, wholly, partially, directly or indirectly to finance any transaction relating to a client, customer, importer, exporter or any other Person who appears on any list of OFAC, the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering or on any control list of a similar nature of any governmental authority (collectively, the “Sanctions Lists”) or in violation of any Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Corruption Law.

Section 5.9. Audits/Inspections. Upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business hours and no more frequently than once during any fiscal year upon reasonable advance notice through the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the Borrower will permit representatives appointed by the Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, independent accountants, agents, attorneys, and appraisers to visit and inspect the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ property, including their books and records, their accounts receivable and inventory, the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ facilities and their other business assets, and to make photocopies or photographs thereof and to write down and record any information such representative obtains and shall permit the Administrative Agent or its representatives to discuss all such matters with the officers, employees and representatives of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that when an Event of Default exists the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours.

 

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ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any Lender has a Commitment hereunder or any Obligation remains outstanding:

Section 6.1. Nature of Business. The Borrower will not materially alter the character of its business from that conducted as of the Closing Date.

Section 6.2. Consolidation and Merger. The Borrower will not (a) enter into any transaction of merger, or (b) consolidate, liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) unless (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such proposed transaction or would result therefrom, and (ii) if the successor entity is a Person other than the Borrower, (A) such successor entity assumes, pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, all obligations and liabilities of the Borrower under the Credit Documents, (B) such successor entity is a corporation or limited liability company formed under the laws of the United States of America, one of the states thereof or the District of Columbia, (C) the Borrower provides notice of such transaction at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the consummation thereof, and (D) the Lenders shall have received, and be reasonably satisfied with, all documentation and other information with respect to such successor that the Administrative Agent reasonably believes is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the Patriot Act, to the extent such documentation or information is requested by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders prior to the date of such proposed transaction.

Section 6.3. Sale or Lease of Assets. Within any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, the Borrower will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, convey, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of assets, business or operations (excluding the sale of assets in the ordinary course of business) with a net book value in excess of 25% of Total Assets as calculated as of the end of the most recent such fiscal quarter.

Section 6.4. Arm’s-Length Transactions. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction or series of transactions, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, with any Affiliate other than on terms and conditions substantially as favorable as would be obtainable in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate; provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (i) intercompany transactions between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or between Subsidiaries and (ii) the payment or grant of reasonable compensation, benefits and indemnities to any director, officer, employee or agent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

Section 6.5. [Reserved.]

Section 6.6. Liens. The Borrower will not, nor will it permit any of its Material Subsidiaries to, contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien with respect to any of its property or assets of any kind (whether real or personal, tangible or intangible), whether now owned or after acquired, except for the following: (a) Liens securing Obligations, (b) Liens for Taxes not yet due or Liens for Taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves, if required, determined in accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the property subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof), (c) Liens in respect of property imposed by law arising in the ordinary course of business such as materialmen’s, mechanics’, warehousemen’s, carrier’s, landlords’ and other nonconsensual statutory Liens which are not yet due and payable, which have been in existence less than 90 days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves, if required, determined in accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the property subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof), (d) pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure payment

 

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of worker’s compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, pensions or social security programs, (e) Liens arising from good faith deposits in connection with or to secure performance of tenders, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than obligations in respect of the payment of borrowed money), (f) Liens arising from good faith deposits in connection with or to secure performance of statutory obligations and surety and appeal bonds, (g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar charges or encumbrances not, in any material respect, impairing the use of the encumbered property for its intended purposes, (h) judgment Liens that would not constitute an Event of Default or securing appeal or other surety bonds related to such judgments, (i) Liens arising by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of setoff or similar rights as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution, (j) any Lien on any assets securing indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring, developing, operating, constructing, altering, repairing or improving all or part of such assets; provided that such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently with or within 90 days after the acquisition thereof, completion of construction, improvement or repair, or commencement of commercial operation of such assets, (k) any Lien on any asset of any Person existing at the time such Person is merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries and not created in contemplation of such event, (l) any Lien existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries and not created in contemplation of such acquisition, (m) any Lien on the assets of the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary created by or pursuant to Section 803 of the 1998 Indenture, Section 803 of the 2001 Indenture, Section 803 of the 2007 Indenture, Section 803 of the 2009 Indenture, or securing the Existing Term Loan Agreement, the Five-Year Credit Agreement or any other Senior Credit Facility or Senior Indenture, in each case to the extent such Lien is placed on the property of the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary on an equal and ratable basis with Liens securing Obligations and other Liens that may be placed on the properties of the Borrower or such Material Subsidiary in the future, (n) any Lien created in connection with a project financed with, or created to secure, Non-Recourse Indebtedness, (o) Liens on goods (and the proceeds thereof) and documents of title and the property covered thereby securing indebtedness in respect of commercial letters of credit, (p) Liens that have been placed by any developer, landlord or other third party on property over which the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary has easement rights or on any real property leased by the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary and subordination or similar agreements relating thereto, (q) any condemnation or eminent domain proceedings affecting any real property, (r) any provision for the retention of title to an asset by vendor or transferor of such asset which asset is acquired by the Borrower or a Material Subsidiary in a transaction entered into in the ordinary course of business, (s) Liens on the proceeds of assets that were subject to Liens permitted hereunder or on assets acquired with such proceeds as a replacement of such former assets, (t) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Agreement securing indebtedness in the aggregate (at the time such Liens are created) not in excess of ten percent (10%) of Consolidated Net Property, (u) Liens constituted by a right of set off, or rights over a margin call account, or any form of cash collateral, or any similar arrangement, securing Hedging Obligations and/or Physical Trade Obligations, in each case so long as the aggregate principal amount of cash securing such Hedging Obligations and Physical Trade Obligations, do not exceed ten percent (10%) of Consolidated Net Worth, (v) Liens on accounts and related assets arising under an areawide utility contract or similar contract with the federal government related to energy management, conservation, or similar services, securing indebtedness of the Persons to whom Borrower has subcontracted to provide such services to the federal government and (w) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole or in part, of any Liens referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (v) for amounts not exceeding the principal amount of the indebtedness (including undrawn commitments) secured by the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced (except for accrued

 

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interest and a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with such extension, renewal or replacement); provided that such extension, renewal or replacement Lien is limited to all or a part of the same property or assets that were covered by the Lien extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such property or assets).

Section 6.7. Required Clear Period. The Borrower shall cause there to be no Loans outstanding hereunder for a period of at least thirty (30) consecutive days during each fiscal year of the Borrower.

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Section 7.1. Events of Default. An Event of Default shall exist upon the occurrence of any of the following specified events (each an “Event of Default”):

(a) Payment. The Borrower shall default in the payment (i) when due of any principal of any of the Loans or (ii) within three Business Days of when due of any interest on the Loans or of any fees owing hereunder or any of the other Credit Documents or (iii) within ten days of when due of any other amounts owing hereunder, under any of the other Credit Documents or in connection herewith.

(b) Representations. Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower herein, in any of the other Credit Documents, or in any statement or certificate delivered or required to be delivered pursuant hereto or thereto (including without limitation the certificate delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(b)(vi)) shall prove untrue in any material respect on the date as of which it was deemed to have been made.

(c) Covenants. The Borrower shall:

(i) default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 5.2, 5.3 (as to maintenance of existence of the Borrower only), 5.8(b) or 6.1 through 6.6 inclusive; or

(ii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.1 and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five Business Days after the earlier of the Borrower becoming aware of such default or notice thereof given by the Administrative Agent; or

(iii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in subsections (a), (b), (c)(i), or (c)(ii) of this Section 7.1) contained in this Agreement or any other Credit Document and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after the earlier of the Borrower becoming aware of such default or notice thereof given by the Administrative Agent.

(d) Credit Documents. The Borrower shall default in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement in any of the other Credit Documents and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of at least 30 days after the earlier of (i) the Borrower becoming aware of such default or notice thereof given by the Administrative Agent or (ii) any Credit Document shall fail to be in full force and effect or the Borrower shall so assert.

 

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(e) Bankruptcy, etc. The occurrence of any of the following with respect to the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries: (i) a court or governmental agency having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appoint a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries or for any substantial part of its property or order the winding up or liquidation of its affairs; or (ii) an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect is commenced against the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries and such petition remains unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days; or (iii) the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of such Person or any substantial part of its property or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (iv) the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or any action shall be taken by such Person in furtherance of any of the aforesaid purposes.

(f) Defaults under Other Agreements. With respect to Material Indebtedness (A) the Borrower shall (1) default in any payment (beyond the applicable grace period with respect thereto, if any) with respect to any such indebtedness, or (2) default (after giving effect to any applicable grace period) in the observance or performance of any covenant or agreement relating to such indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event or condition shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or permit, the holder of the holders of such indebtedness (or trustee or agent on behalf of such holders) to cause (determined without regard to whether any notice or lapse of time is required) any such indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; or (B) any such indebtedness shall be declared due and payable, or required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment, or by a mandatory prepayment upon specified events or conditions, in each case, prior to the stated maturity thereof; or (C) any such indebtedness shall mature and remain unpaid.

(g) Judgments. One or more final judgments, orders, or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower involving a liability of $100,000,000 or more, in the aggregate (to the extent not paid or covered by insurance provided by a carrier who has acknowledged coverage) and such judgments, orders or decrees shall continue unsatisfied, undischarged and unstayed for a period of 90 days; provided that if such judgment, order or decree provides for periodic payments over time then the Borrower shall have a grace period of 30 days with respect to each such periodic payment.

(h) ERISA. The occurrence of any of the following events or conditions if any of the same would be reasonably expected to result in a liability of an amount greater than or equal to $20,000,000: (A) any “accumulated funding deficiency,” as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan, or any lien shall arise on the assets of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in favor of the PBGC or a Plan; (B) a Termination Event shall occur with respect to a Single

 

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Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA; (C) a Termination Event shall occur with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, likely to result in (i) the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurring any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, reorganization of (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or insolvency (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA) of such Plan; or (D) any prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall occur which would be reasonably expected to subject the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to any liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify any person against any such liability.

(i) Change of Control. The occurrence of any Change of Control.

Section 7.2. Acceleration; Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, and shall, upon the request and direction of the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower take any of the following actions without prejudice to the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to enforce its claims against the Borrower, except as otherwise specifically provided for herein:

(a) Termination of Commitments. Declare the Commitments terminated whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately terminated.

(b) Acceleration of Loans. Declare the unpaid amount of all Obligations to be due whereupon the same shall be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

(c) Enforcement of Rights. Enforce any and all rights and interests created and existing under the Credit Documents or otherwise available at law or in equity, including, without limitation, all rights of set-off.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section 7.1(e) shall occur, then the Commitments shall automatically terminate and all Loans, all accrued interest in respect thereof, all accrued and unpaid fees and other indebtedness or obligations owing to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent hereunder shall immediately become due and payable without the giving of any notice or other action by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

Notwithstanding the fact that enforcement powers reside primarily with the Administrative Agent, each Lender has, to the extent permitted by law, a separate right of payment and shall be considered a separate “creditor” holding a separate “claim” within the meaning of Section 101(5) of the Bankruptcy Code or any other insolvency statute.

 

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Section 7.3. Allocation of Payments After Event of Default.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, but subject in all respects to Section 2.22, after the occurrence of an Event of Default, all amounts collected or received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender on account of amounts outstanding under any of the Credit Documents shall be paid over or delivered as follows:

FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) of the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders in connection with enforcing the rights of the Lenders under the Credit Documents, pro rata as set forth below;

SECOND, to payment of any fees owed to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, pro rata as set forth below;

THIRD, to the payment of all accrued interest payable to the Lenders hereunder, pro rata as set forth below;

FOURTH, to the payment of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans, pro rata as set forth below;

FIFTH, to all other obligations which shall have become due and payable under the Credit Documents and not repaid pursuant to clauses “FIRST” through “FOURTH” above; and

SIXTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to whoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

In carrying out the foregoing, (a) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next succeeding category and (b) each of the Lenders shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share (based on the proportion that the then outstanding Loans held by such Lender bears to the aggregate then outstanding Loans) of amounts available to be applied.

ARTICLE VIII

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Section 8.1. Appointment of Administrative Agent. Each Lender irrevocably appoints Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank as the Administrative Agent and authorizes it to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together with all such actions and powers that are reasonably incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder or under the other Credit Documents by or through any one or more sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent or attorney-in-fact may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions set forth in this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent or attorney-in-fact and the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent, any such sub-agent and any such attorney-in-fact and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 8.2. Nature of Duties of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Credit Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except those discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated by the Credit Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.2), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Credit Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it, its sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.2) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until written notice thereof (which notice shall include an express reference to such event being a “Default” or “Event of Default” hereunder) is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or any Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Credit Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements, or other terms and conditions set forth in any Credit Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Credit Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article III or elsewhere in any Credit Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrower) concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.

Section 8.3. Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agent. Each of the Lenders acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each of the Lenders also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking of any action under or based on this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

Section 8.4. Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent. If the Administrative Agent shall request instructions from the Required Lenders with respect to any action or actions (including the failure to act) in connection with this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such act, unless and until it shall have received instructions from such Lenders; and the Administrative Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Administrative Agent as a result of the Administrative Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the Required Lenders where required by the terms of this Agreement.

 

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Section 8.5. Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent may also rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrower), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

Section 8.6. The Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity. The bank serving as the Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and any other Credit Document in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise or refrain from exercising the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent; and the terms “Lenders”, “Required Lenders” or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity. The bank acting as the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Borrower as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

Section 8.7. Successor Administrative Agent.

(a) The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent, subject to the approval by the Borrower provided that no Default or Event of Default shall exist at such time. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed, and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or a bank which maintains an office in the United States, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000.

(b) Upon the acceptance of its appointment as the Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents. If within 45 days after written notice is given of the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation under this Section 8.7 no successor Administrative Agent shall have been appointed and shall have accepted such appointment, then on such 45th day (i) the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall become effective, (ii) the retiring Administrative Agent shall thereupon be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Credit Documents and (iii) the Required Lenders shall thereafter perform all duties of the retiring Administrative Agent under the Credit Documents until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent and its representatives and agents in respect of any actions taken or not taken by any of them while it was serving as the Administrative Agent.

Section 8.8. Co-Documentation Agents; Co-Syndication Agents. Each of the Lenders and the Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Co-Documentation Agents and the Co-Syndication Agents shall have no duties or obligations under any Credit Documents to any Lender or the Borrower.

 

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Section 8.9. Erroneous Payments.

(a) If the Administrative Agent notifies a Lender or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, such Lender (any such Lender or other recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)) that any funds received by such Payment Recipient from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Lender or other Payment Recipient on its behalf) (any such funds, whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and demands the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent and shall be segregated by the Payment Recipient and held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and such Lender shall (or, with respect to any Payment Recipient who received such funds on its behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Payment Recipient under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Lender, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, hereby further agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise) from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such Lender or other such recipient otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part) in each case.

(i) (A) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error shall be presumed to have been made (absent written confirmation from the Administrative Agent to the contrary) or (B) an error has been made (in the case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and

(ii) such Lender shall (and shall cause any other recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf to) promptly (and, in all events, within one Business Day of its knowledge of such error) notify the Administrative Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail) and that it is so notifying the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 8.9(b).

 

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(c) Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Credit Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender from any source, against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under immediately preceding clause (a) or under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement.

(d) In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Administrative Agent for any reason, after demand therefor by the Administrative Agent in accordance with immediately preceding clause (a), from any Lender that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) (and/or from any Payment Recipient who received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) on its respective behalf) (such unrecovered amount, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), upon the Administrative Agent’s notice to such Lender at any time, (i) such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned its Loans (but not its Commitments) of the relevant Class with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class”) in an amount equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Commitments) of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Class, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest (with the assignment fee to be waived by the Administrative Agent in such instance), and is hereby (together with the Borrower) deemed to execute and deliver an Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and such Lender shall deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, (ii) the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall be deemed to acquire the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, (iii) upon such deemed acquisition, the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and the assigning Lender shall cease to be a Lender hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, its obligations under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement and its applicable Commitments which shall survive as to such assigning Lender and (iv) the Administrative Agent may reflect in the Register its ownership interest in the Loans subject to the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. The Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, sell any Loans acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and upon receipt of the proceeds of such sale, the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender shall be reduced by the net proceeds of the sale of such Loan (or portion thereof), and the Administrative Agent shall retain all other rights, remedies and claims against such Lender (and/or against any recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf). For the avoidance of doubt, no Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment will reduce the Commitments of any Lender and such Commitments shall remain available in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In addition, each party hereto agrees that, except to the extent that the Administrative Agent has sold a Loan (or portion thereof) acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent may be equitably subrogated, the Administrative Agent shall be contractually subrogated to all the rights and interests of the applicable Lender under the Credit Documents with respect to each Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”).

(e) The parties hereto agree that an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower, except, in each case, to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment.

 

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(f) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including without limitation waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.

(g) Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section 8.9 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Credit Document.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1. Notices.

(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications to any party herein to be effective shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail, sent by telecopy or to the extent permitted below, by email as follows:

 

To the Borrower:   

Atmos Energy Corporation

Three Lincoln Centre, Suite 1800

5430 LBJ Freeway

Dallas, Texas 75240

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

Telecopy Number: (972) 855-3793

Email Address:

***@***

With a copy to:   

Atmos Energy Corporation

700 Three Lincoln Centre

5430 LBJ Freeway

Dallas, Texas 75240

Attention: Treasurer

Telecopy Number: (214) 550-9326

Email Address: ***@***

and   

Atmos Energy Corporation

Three Lincoln Centre, Suite 1800

5430 LBJ Freeway

Dallas, Texas 75240

Attention: General Counsel

Telecopy Number: (972) 855-3080

Email                                                      Address:

***@***

 

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To the Administrative Agent:

 

For operations topics:   

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

1301 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Shonda Fisher/Jai Sanichar

Email Address: ***@***

                           ***@***

Tel: 1 ###-###-#### ###-###-####

Fax: 1 ###-###-####

With a copy to:   

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

1301 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Marisol Ortiz

Email Address: ***@***

Tel: 1 ###-###-####

   and
  

King & Spalding LLP

1180 Peachtree Street, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Attention: Carolyn Z. Alford

Telecopy Number: (404) 572-5100

Email Address: ***@***

For all other topics:   

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

1301 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Marisol Ortiz & Linda Boardman

Email Address: ***@***

                           l ***@***

   and
With a copy to:   

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

1301 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Andrew Sidford

Email Address: ***@***

   and
  

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

1100 Louisiana Street

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Dixon Schultz

Email address: ***@***

 

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   and
  

King & Spalding LLP

1180 Peachtree Street, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Attention: Carolyn Z. Alford

Telecopy Number: (404) 572-5100

Email Address: ***@***

To any other Lender:   

the address set forth in the Administrative

Questionnaire or the Assignment and Acceptance

executed by such Lender

Notices and other communications hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices and other communications shall, when transmitted by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for overnight (next-day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day after the date deposited into the mail or if delivered, upon delivery; provided, that notices delivered to the Administrative Agent shall not be effective until actually received by such Person at its address specified in this Section 9.1 during normal business hours for such Person, or if received after normal business hours for such Person, such notice shall be effective on the next Business Day.

(b) Any agreement of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders herein to receive certain notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the convenience and at the request of the Borrower. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by the Borrower to give such notice and the Administrative Agent and Lenders shall not have any liability to the Borrower or other Person on account of any action taken or not taken by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile notice. The obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans and all other Obligations hereunder shall not be affected in any way or to any extent by any failure of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to receive written confirmation of any telephonic or facsimile notice or the receipt by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of a confirmation which is at variance with the terms understood by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to be contained in any such telephonic or facsimile notice.

 

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(c) The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the Communications (as defined below) available to the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the “Platform”). The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available”. The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications of the Platform. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Communications through the Platform. “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material that the Borrower provides to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any Credit Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through the Platform.

Section 9.2. Waiver; Amendments.

(a) No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or any other Credit Document, and no course of dealing between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent or any Lender, shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 9.2, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.

(b) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents (excluding (i) amendments made pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.13(b) and (ii) amendments or waivers of provisions of the Fee Letters, each of which may be amended by written agreement executed by each of the parties thereto), nor consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders or the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, that no amendment or waiver shall: (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without

 

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the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the date fixed for any payment of any principal of, or interest on, any Loan or interest thereon or any fees hereunder or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date for the termination or reduction of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change the definition of “Pro Rata Share” or Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section 9.2 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the consent of each Lender; (vi) release any guarantor or limit the liability of any such guarantor under any guaranty agreement, without the written consent of each Lender other than Defaulting Lenders; (vii) release all or substantially all collateral (if any) securing any of the Obligations, without the written consent of each Lender other than Defaulting Lenders; provided further, that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights, duties or obligations of the Administrative Agent without the prior written consent of such Person. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated (but such Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.3), such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.

Section 9.3. Expenses; Indemnification.

(a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable, out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of the Credit Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or any other Credit Document shall be consummated), and (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsel and the allocated cost of inside counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement, including its rights under this Section 9.3, or in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), the Joint Lead Arrangers, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the

 

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transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any liability arising under the Environmental Laws related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Credit Document, if the Borrower has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. This Section 9.3 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

(c) [Reserved.]

(d) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid to the Administrative Agent under clauses (a), (b) or (c) hereof, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Pro Rata Share (determined as of the time that the unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided, that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified payment, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such.

(e) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to actual or direct damages) arising out of, in connection with or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated therein, any Loan or the use of proceeds thereof.

(f) All amounts due under this Section 9.3 shall be payable promptly after written demand therefor.

Section 9.4. Successors and Assigns.

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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(b) Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts.

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) in any case not described in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans and Credit Exposure outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans and Credit Exposure of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Acceptance, as of the “Trade Date”) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans, Credit Exposure or the Commitment assigned.

(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that, the Borrower will be deemed to have provided consent if it fails to approve or disapprove of such assignment within ten (10) Business Days after the date on which it receives notice thereof.

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund.

(iv) Assignment and Acceptance. The parties to each assignment shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (A) a duly executed Assignment and Acceptance, (B) a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (unless waived by the Administrative Agent), (C) an Administrative Questionnaire unless the assignee is already a Lender and (D) the documents required under Sections 2.17(e) and 2.17(f) if such assignee is a Foreign Lender.

 

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(v) No Assignment to Borrower. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons or Defaulting Lender. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person (or an investment vehicle or trust for the primary benefit of a natural person or relatives of a natural person) or a Defaulting Lender or an Affiliate thereof.

(vii) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 9.4, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.3 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section 9.4. If the consent of the Borrower to an assignment is required hereunder (including a consent to an assignment which does not meet the minimum assignment thresholds specified above), the Borrower shall be deemed to have given its consent five Business Days after the date notice thereof has actually been delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Administrative Agent) to the Borrower, unless such consent is expressly refused by the Borrower prior to such fifth Business Day.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and Credit Exposure owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is

 

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recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender (as to its commitment only), at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person (or an investment vehicle or trust for the primary benefit of a natural person or relatives of a natural person), the Borrower, any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries or any Defaulting Lender) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

(e) Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to the following to the extent affecting such Participant: (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the date fixed for any payment of any principal of, or interest on, any Loan or interest thereon or any fees hereunder or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date for the termination or reduction of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the provisions of this Section 9.4 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the consent of each Lender; (vi) release any guarantor or limit the liability of any such guarantor under any guaranty agreement without the written consent of each Lender except to the extent such release is expressly provided under the terms of this Agreement or such guaranty agreement; or (vii) release all or substantially all collateral (if any) securing any of the Obligations. Subject to paragraph (e) of this Section 9.4, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 9.4, provided, that such Participant agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.19 and 2.20 as if it were an assignee hereunder, further, to the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.7 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.15 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement and other Credit Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans or its other obligations under any Credit Document) to any

 

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Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15 and Section 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Sections 2.17(e) and 2.17(f) as though it were a Lender.

(g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any other central bank or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any Lender or its parent; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

Section 9.5. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

(a) This Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be construed in accordance with and be governed by the law (without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof, except for Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law) of the State of New York.

(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and of any state court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state court or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Credit Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

(c) The Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding described in paragraph (b) of this Section 9.5 and brought in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 9.5. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

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(d) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to the service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.1, provided that such service of process is delivered only by overnight courier, signature required. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

Section 9.6. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

Section 9.7. Right of Setoff. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, each Lender shall have the right, at any time or from time to time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply against all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) of the Borrower at any time held or other obligations at any time owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all Obligations held by such Lender irrespective of whether such Lender shall have made demand hereunder and although such Obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower after any such set-off and any application made by such Lender; provided, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. Each Lender agrees to apply all amounts collected from any such set-off to the Obligations before applying such amounts to any other indebtedness or other obligations owed by the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries to such Lender.

Section 9.8. Counterparts; Integration. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by telecopy), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement, the Fee Letters, the other Credit Documents, and any separate letter agreement(s) relating to any fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto and thereto regarding the subject matters hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, regarding such subject matters. Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement or any other Credit Document by facsimile transmission or by electronic mail in pdf format shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. Each party agrees that the electronic signatures, whether digital or encrypted, of the parties included in this Agreement are intended to authenticate this writing and to have the same force and effect as manual signatures. Electronic signature and, when used elsewhere in this Agreement, “electronic transmission,” means any electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed and adopted by a party with the intent to sign such record, including facsimile or email electronic signatures.

 

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Section 9.9. Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, and 9.3 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof. All representations and warranties made herein, in the certificates, reports, notices, and other documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and the making of the Loans.

Section 9.10. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Credit Document held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability without affecting the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 9.11. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees to take normal and reasonable precautions to maintain the confidentiality of any Information, except that such Information may be disclosed (i) to any Related Party of the Administrative Agent or any such Lender, including without limitation accountants, legal counsel and other advisors, (ii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iii) to the extent requested by any regulatory agency or authority or self-regulatory organization, (iv) to the extent that such information becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.11, or which becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Borrower, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder, (vi) subject to provisions substantially similar to this Section 9.11, to any actual or prospective assignee or Participant, or to any direct or indirect contractual counterparties (or the professional advisors thereto) to any swap or derivative transaction or any credit insurance provider, in each case, relating to Borrower and its obligations, (vii) on a confidential basis to (a) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or the facilities or (b) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the facilities, or (viii) with the consent of the Borrower. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of any information as provided for in this Section 9.11 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such information as such Person would accord its own confidential information. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Each Lender acknowledges that all information, including requests for waivers and amendments,

 

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furnished by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to or in connection with, or in the course of administering, this Agreement will be syndicate-level information, which may contain MNPI. Each Lender represents to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that (a) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of MNPI and that it will handle MNPI in accordance with such procedures and applicable law, including Federal, state and foreign securities laws, and (b) it has identified in its administrative questionnaire a credit contact who may receive information that may contain MNPI in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law, including Federal, state and foreign securities laws.

Section 9.12. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which may be treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively, the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate of interest (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by a Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section 9.12 shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

Section 9.13. Waiver of Effect of Corporate Seal. The Borrower represents and warrants that it is not required to affix its corporate seal to this Agreement or any other Credit Document pursuant to any requirement of law or regulation, agrees that this Agreement is delivered by Borrower under seal and waives any shortening of the statute of limitations that may result from not affixing the corporate seal to this Agreement or such other Credit Documents.

Section 9.14. Patriot Act. The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, provide to the extent commercially reasonable, such information and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in order to assist the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in maintaining compliance with the Patriot Act.

Section 9.15. No Fiduciary Duty. The Administrative Agent, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents, the Joint Lead Arrangers, each Lender and their Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the “Lenders”), may have economic interests that conflict with those of Borrower. Borrower agrees that nothing in the Credit Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between the Lenders and Borrower, its stockholders or its affiliates. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and Borrower, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction each of the Lenders is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of Borrower, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other person, (iii) no Lender has assumed

 

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an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of Borrower with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender or any of its affiliates has advised or is currently advising Borrower on other matters) or any other obligation to Borrower except the obligations expressly set forth in the Credit Documents and (iv) Borrower has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. Borrower further acknowledges and agrees that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto. Borrower agrees that it will not claim that any Lender has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to Borrower, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

Section 9.16. Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Credit Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Credit Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Credit Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

Section 9.17. Certain ERISA Matters. (a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments or this Agreement,

 

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(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement,

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Credit Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

 

82


Section 9.18. Acknowledgment Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Credit Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Hedging Transactions or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Credit Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

(a) In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Credit Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Credit Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(b) As used in this Section 9.18, the following terms have the following meanings:

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

Covered Entity” means any of the following:

(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b)

(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

(remainder of page left intentionally blank)

 

83


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION, as Borrower
By:    
Name: Chris Forsythe
Title: Senior Vice President and CFO

 

[Signature Page to 3-Year Revolving Credit Agreement]


CRÉDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK,
as Administrative Agent and as a Lender
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to 3-Year Revolving Credit Agreement]


MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,
as a Co-Syndication Agent and as a Lender
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to 3-Year Revolving Credit Agreement]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Co-
Syndication Agent and as a Lender
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to 3-Year Revolving Credit Agreement]


[___________], as a Co-Documentation Agent and as a Lender
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

[Signature Page to 3-Year Revolving Credit Agreement]


Schedule I

APPLICABLE MARGINS AND APPLICABLE PERCENTAGES

 

Level

   Rating Category:
Moody’s/S&P
   Applicable Margin
for Eurodollar
Advances
SOFR
Loans
  Applicable
Margin for

Base Rate
AdvancesLoans
  Applicable
Commitment
Fee Percentage

I

   Aa3/AA- or
higher
   0.750%   0.000%   0.050%

II

   A1/A+    0.875%   0.000%   0.070%

III

   A2/A    1.000%   0.000%   0.090%

IV

   A3/A-    1.125%   0.125%   0.115%

V

   Baa1/BBB+ or
lower
   1.250%   0.250%   0.165%

The credit ratings to be utilized for purposes of this Schedule are those assigned to the senior, unsecured long-term debt securities of the Borrower without third-party credit enhancement, whether or not any such debt securities are actually outstanding, and any rating assigned to any other debt security of the Borrower shall be disregarded. The rating in effect on any date is that in effect at the close of business on such date. If the ratings established or deemed to have been established by Moody’s and S&P for the Borrower fall within different Levels, the highest rating (or numerically lower Level) shall apply, unless the ratings differ by more than one Level, in which case, the governing rating shall be the rating next below the highest of the two. If the Borrower is not rated by Moody’s or S&P, then the rate shall be established by reference to Level V.

If the rating system of Moody’s or S&P shall change, or if any of these rating agencies shall cease to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall negotiate in good faith to amend this Schedule to reflect such changed rating system or the unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness of any such amendment, the Applicable Margin and the Applicable Percentage shall be determined by reference to the rating most recently in effect prior to any such change or cessation. If after a reasonable time (not to exceed 90 days) the parties cannot agree to a mutually acceptable amendment, the Applicable Margin and the Applicable Percentage shall be determined by reference to Level V.

 

[SCHEDULE 4.20]


EXHIBIT 2.3

FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING

[Five Year] [Three Year] Credit Agreement

[Date]

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank,

as Administrative Agent

for the Lenders referred to below

1301 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Shonda Fisher/Jai Sanichar

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

1301 Avenue of the Americas, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10019

Attention: Marisol Ortiz

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of March 31, 2021 (as amended and in effect on the date hereof, the Credit Agreement), among the undersigned, as Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as Administrative Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings. This notice constitutes a Notice of Borrowing, and the Borrower hereby requests a Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower specifies the following information with respect to the Borrowing requested hereby:

 

  (A)

Aggregate principal amount of Borrowing1: ___________________

 

  (B)

Date of Borrowing (which is a Business Day): __________________

 

  (C)

Interest Rate basis2: ___________________

 

  (D)

Interest Period3: ______________________

 

  (E)

Location and number of Borrowers account to which proceeds of Borrowing are to be disbursed: ___________________

 

1 

Not less than $5,000,000 for SOFR Borrowing or $1,000,000 for Base Rate Borrowing.

2 

SOFR Borrowing or Base Rate Borrowing.

3 

Which must comply with the definition of Interest Period and end not later than the Commitment Termination Date.

 

2.3-1


The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that the conditions specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 3.2 of the Credit Agreement are satisfied.

 

Very truly yours,
ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION
By:                                                                                     
  Name:
  Title:

 

2.3-2