Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 17, 2018, by and among Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P., Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C., Enbridge Inc., Enbridge (U.S.) Inc., Winter Acquisition Sub II, LLC, and solely for the purposes of Articles I, II and XI, Enbridge US Holdings Inc

EX-2.1 2 d611115dex21.htm EXHIBIT 2.1 Exhibit 2.1

Exhibit 2.1

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Among

ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,

ENBRIDGE ENERGY COMPANY, INC.,

ENBRIDGE ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.,

ENBRIDGE INC.,

ENBRIDGE (U.S.) INC.,

WINTER ACQUISITION SUB II, LLC

and, solely for purposes of ARTICLE I, ARTICLE II and ARTICLE XI,

ENBRIDGE US HOLDINGS INC.

Dated as of September 17, 2018


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I

 

Definitions; Interpretation and Construction

 

1.1

 

Definitions

     2  

1.2

 

Additional Definitions

     10  

1.3

 

Interpretation and Construction

     11  
ARTICLE II

 

Pre-Merger Subscriptions

 

2.1

 

Subscriptions

     13  

2.2

 

Transfer of Aggregate Merger Consideration to the Exchange Agent

     13  
ARTICLE III

 

The Merger

 

3.1

 

The Merger

     13  

3.2

 

Closing

     14  

3.3

 

Effective Time

     14  

3.4

 

Amendment of Partnership Agreement

     14  

3.5

 

Organizational Documents of the Surviving Entity

     14  
ARTICLE IV

 

Merger Consideration; Effect of the Merger on Partnership Interests

 

4.1

 

Merger Consideration

     14  

4.2

 

Conversion of Class A Common Units

     15  

4.3

 

Treatment of Excluded Units and Other Parent-Owned Partnership Interests

     15  

4.4

 

Merger Sub

     15  

4.5

 

Tax Treatment of the Merger

     15  
ARTICLE V

 

Delivery of Merger Consideration; Procedures for Surrender

 

5.1

 

Exchange Agent

     15  

5.2

 

Procedures for Surrender

     16  

5.3

 

Distributions with Respect to Unsurrendered Certificates

     17  

5.4

 

Transfers

     18  

5.5

 

Fractional Shares

     18  

 

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5.6

 

Termination of Exchange Fund

     19  

5.7

 

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

     19  

5.8

 

Withholding Rights

     19  

5.9

 

Adjustments to Prevent Dilution

     20  

5.10

 

No Dissenters’ Rights

     20  
ARTICLE VI

 

Representations and Warranties of the Partnership Parties

 

6.1

 

Organization, Good Standing and Qualification

     20  

6.2

 

Capital Structure of the Partnership

     21  

6.3

 

Authority; Approval and Fairness

     22  

6.4

 

Governmental Filings; No Violations; Certain Contracts; Etc.

     22  

6.5

 

Partnership Reports; Financial Statements

     23  

6.6

 

Absence of Certain Changes

     24  

6.7

 

Litigation and Liabilities

     24  

6.8

 

Compliance with Laws; Licenses

     25  

6.9

 

Environmental Matters

     25  

6.10

 

Tax Matters

     26  

6.11

 

Property

     27  

6.12

 

Partnership Material Contracts

     27  

6.13

 

Opinion of Financial Advisor

     27  

6.14

 

Brokers and Finders

     28  

6.15

 

Insurance

     28  

6.16

 

No Other Representations or Warranties

     28  
ARTICLE VII

 

Representations and Warranties of the Parent Parties and Merger Sub

 

7.1

 

Organization, Good Standing and Qualification

     29  

7.2

 

Capital Structure of Parent Parties; Capitalization of Merger Sub

     29  

7.3

 

Authority; Approval

     30  

7.4

 

Governmental Filings; No Violations

     30  

7.5

 

Parent Reports; Financial Statements

     31  

7.6

 

Absence of Certain Changes

     32  

7.7

 

Litigation and Liabilities

     32  

7.8

 

Compliance with Laws; Licenses

     33  

7.9

 

Environmental Matters

     33  

7.10

 

Tax Matters

     33  

7.11

 

Property

     34  

7.12

 

Parent Material Contracts

     34  

7.13

 

Brokers and Finders

     35  

7.14

 

Insurance

     35  

7.15

 

EEQ Merger Agreement

     35  

7.16

 

No Other Representations or Warranties

     35  

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

Covenants

 

8.1

 

Interim Operations

     36  

8.2

 

Change in Recommendation

     38  

8.3

 

Prospectus/Proxy Filing; Information Supplied

     41  

8.4

 

Unitholders Meeting

     42  

8.5

 

Cooperation; Efforts to Consummate

     43  

8.6

 

Status; Notifications

     44  

8.7

 

Information; Access and Reports

     44  

8.8

 

Stock Exchange Listing and Delisting

     45  

8.9

 

Expenses

     45  

8.10

 

Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance

     45  

8.11

 

Takeover Statutes

     48  

8.12

 

Distributions

     48  

8.13

 

Section 16 Matters

     48  

8.14

 

Transaction Litigation

     48  

8.15

 

Voting

     49  

8.16

 

Special Committee

     49  

8.17

 

Performance by General Partner

     49  
ARTICLE IX

 

Conditions

 

9.1

 

Conditions to Obligation of Each Party

     50  

9.2

 

Conditions to Obligation of Parent, EUS and Merger Sub

     50  

9.3

 

Conditions to Obligation of the Partnership Parties

     51  
ARTICLE X

 

Termination

 

10.1

 

Termination by Mutual Written Consent

     52  

10.2

 

Termination by Either Parent or the Partnership

     52  

10.3

 

Termination by Parent

     52  

10.4

 

Termination by the Partnership

     53  

10.5

 

Effect of Termination and Abandonment

     53  

10.6

 

Payment of Partnership Expenses

     53  

 

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ARTICLE XI

 

Miscellaneous and General

 

11.1

 

Survival

     53  

11.2

 

Modification or Amendment; Waiver

     54  

11.3

 

Counterparts

     54  

11.4

 

Governing Law and Venue; Submission to Jurisdiction; Selection of Forum; Waiver of Trial by Jury

     54  

11.5

 

Specific Performance

     55  

11.6

 

Notices

     56  

11.7

 

Entire Agreement

     58  

11.8

 

Third-Party Beneficiaries

     58  

11.9

 

Non-Recourse

     59  

11.10

 

Fulfillment of Obligations

     59  

11.11

 

Severability

     59  

11.12

 

Successors and Assigns

     59  

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Partnership Agreement Amendment

  

 

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”), dated as of September 17, 2018, is entered into by and among Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the general partner of the Partnership (the “General Partner”), Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and the delegate of the General Partner (the “GP Delegate”), Enbridge Inc., a Canadian corporation (“Parent”), Enbridge (U.S.) Inc., a Delaware corporation (“EUS” and, together with Parent, the “Parent Parties”), Winter Acquisition Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and, solely for purposes of ARTICLE I, ARTICLE II and ARTICLE XI, Enbridge US Holdings Inc., a Canadian corporation (“EUSHI” and, together with the Partnership, General Partner, GP Delegate, Parent, EUS and Merger Sub, the “Parties” and each, a “Party”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Parties intend that, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Merger Sub shall merge with and into the Partnership (the “Merger”), with the Partnership surviving the Merger, pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “DLLCA”) and the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “DRULPA”);

WHEREAS, the special committee composed of the independent members (the “Special Committee”) of the board of directors of the GP Delegate (the “Partnership Board”) has, acting in good faith, unanimously (a) determined, based upon the facts and circumstances it deemed relevant, reasonable or appropriate to its decision, that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger (the “Transactions”), are fair and reasonable to the Partnership, including the holders of the Outstanding Units (other than Parent and its Affiliates) (the “Public Unitholders”), (b) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and (c) recommended that the Partnership Board approve this Agreement and the Transactions;

WHEREAS, the Partnership Board, upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, has, acting in good faith, unanimously (a) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions are fair and reasonable to the Partnership, including the Public Unitholders, (b) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, (c) recommended that the GP Board approve this Agreement and the Transactions, and (d) resolved to recommend that the Limited Partners approve the Transactions and this Agreement (the “Partnership Recommendation”) and directed that this Agreement be submitted to the Limited Partners for their approval;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the General Partner (the “GP Board”), upon the recommendation of the Partnership Board, has, acting in good faith, unanimously (a) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions are fair and reasonable to the Partnership, including the Public Unitholders, (b) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and (c) resolved to recommend that the Limited Partners approve the Transactions and this Agreement and directed that this Agreement be submitted to the Limited Partners for their approval;

 

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WHEREAS, the board of directors of EUS has unanimously approved this Agreement and the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the board of directors of Parent (the “Parent Board”) has unanimously (of those voting) (a) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and (b) approved the issuance of Parent’s common shares (the “Parent Common Stock”), in connection with the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with this Agreement and set forth certain conditions to the Merger.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS; INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION

1.1    Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the following terms have meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:

Acquisition Proposal” means (a) any proposal, offer, inquiry or indication of interest relating to a merger, joint venture, partnership, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, tender offer, recapitalization, reorganization, spin-off, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction involving the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries or (b) any acquisition by any Person or group (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), resulting in, or any proposal, offer, inquiry or indication of interest that if consummated would result in, any Person or group (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act) becoming the beneficial owner of, directly or indirectly, in one or a series of related transactions, 15% or more of the total voting power or of any class of equity securities of the Partnership or 15% or more of the consolidated net revenues, net income or total assets (it being understood that total assets include equity securities of Subsidiaries) of the Partnership, in each case, other than the Transactions.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person as of the date on which, or at any time during the period for which, the determination of affiliation is being made. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including the correlative meanings of the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by Contract or otherwise; provided that, for purposes of this Agreement, prior to the Closing, the

 

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Partnership and its Subsidiaries shall not be considered Affiliates of Parent or any of Parent’s other Affiliates, nor shall Parent or any of Parent’s Affiliates (other than the Partnership and its Subsidiaries) be considered Affiliates of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries.

Business Day” means any day ending at 11:59 p.m. (New York Time) other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banks in the City of New York or in Calgary, Alberta, Canada are required or authorized by Law to close.

Canadian Securities Laws” means all applicable securities Laws in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and the respective rules and regulations made thereunder, together with applicable published national and local instruments, policy statements, notices, blanket orders and rulings thereunder of the Canadian Securities Regulators.

Canadian Securities Regulators” means the applicable securities commission or securities regulatory authority in each of the provinces and territories of Canada.

Class A Common Unit” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Contract” means any legally binding written contract, agreement, lease, license, note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other obligation.

DTC” means The Depositary Trust Company.

EEQ Merger” means the merger of Winter Acquisition Sub I, Inc. with and into the GP Delegate, with the GP Delegate surviving such merger, as provided in the EEQ Merger Agreement.

EEQ Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated September 17, 2018, among Parent, the GP Delegate, Winter Acquisition Sub I, Inc. and, for certain purposes set forth therein, Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., as may be amended from time to time in compliance with the applicable provisions thereof, including all annexes, exhibits, schedules, disclosure letters and other documents delivered in connection therewith.

Effect” means any effect, event, development, change or occurrence.

Energy Products” means, collectively, natural gas, crude oil, refined petroleum products, other hydrocarbon products, natural gas liquids and products produced from the fractionation of natural gas liquids.

Environmental Law” means any Law relating to (a) pollution, the protection, preservation or restoration of the environment (including air, surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural resource) or workplace health or occupational safety, or (b) the exposure to, or the use, storage, recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production, release or disposal of Hazardous Substances, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement.

 

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Environmental Permit” means all Licenses required under Environmental Law.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Excluded Units” means Class A Common Units owned by Parent, Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., Merger Sub or any other direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent and Class A Common Units owned by the Partnership Parties or any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Partnership, and in each case not held on behalf of third parties.

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

Governmental Entity” means any United States, non-United States, supranational or transnational governmental (including public international organizations), quasi-governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory authority, agency, commission, body, department or instrumentality or any court, tribunal or arbitrator or other entity or subdivision thereof or other legislative, executive or judicial entity or subdivision thereof, in each case, of competent jurisdiction.

Governmental Order” means any order, writ, judgment, temporary, preliminary or permanent injunction, decree, ruling, stipulation, determination or award entered by or with any Governmental Entity.

Hazardous Substance” means any substance, material or waste that is listed, defined, designated or classified as hazardous, toxic, radioactive, dangerous or a “pollutant” or “contaminant” or words of similar meaning under any Environmental Law or that is otherwise regulated by any Governmental Entity with jurisdiction over the environment, natural resources, or workplace health or occupational safety.

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976.

Intervening Event” means any Effect that is not known or reasonably foreseeable to or by the Special Committee as of the date of this Agreement (or if known, the consequences of which were not known by the Special Committee as of the date of this Agreement), which Effect (or consequences) becomes known to or by the Special Committee prior to the Unitholder Approval having been obtained; provided, however, that in no event shall any of the following constitute or be deemed to be an Intervening Event: (i) the receipt, existence or terms of an Acquisition Proposal or any matter relating thereto or consequences thereof, (ii) any action taken by any Party pursuant to and in compliance with the covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, and the consequences of any such action, (iii) changes in the Energy Products gathering, processing, treating, transportation and storage industries, (iv) the fact that, in and of itself, the Partnership exceeds internal or published projections, or (v) changes, in and of themselves, in the market price of the Class A Common Units.

Knowledge” when used in this Agreement (a) with respect to the Partnership Parties or any of their Subsidiaries means the actual knowledge of the Persons listed on

 

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Section 1.1(a) of the Partnership Disclosure Letter, and (b) with respect to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries means the actual knowledge of the Persons listed on Section 1.1(a) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, in each case, after reasonable inquiry.

Laws” means any federal, state, local, foreign, international or transnational law, statute, ordinance, common law, rule, regulation, standard, judgment, determination, order, writ, injunction, decree, arbitration award, treaty, agency requirement, authorization, license or permit of any Governmental Entity.

Licenses” means permits, licenses, certifications, approvals, registrations, consents, authorizations, franchises, variances, exemptions and orders issued or granted by a Governmental Entity.

Limited Partners” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

Listed Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

Majority of the Minority Vote” means approval of this Agreement by the holders of a majority of the Outstanding Class A Common Units (other than Class A Common Units held by Parent and its Affiliates) and the Outstanding I-Units (other than I-Units voted at the direction of Parent and its Affiliates), entitled to vote on such matter at the Partnership Unitholders Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, voting together as a single class.

Material Adverse Effect”, with respect to Parent or the Partnership, means any Effect that, individually or in the aggregate with any other Effect, is materially adverse to the financial condition, properties, assets, operations, liabilities, business or results of operations of such Party and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a whole; provided, however, that none of the following, alone or in combination, shall be deemed to constitute a Material Adverse Effect, or be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur:

(a)    Effects affecting the economy, credit, capital, securities or financial markets or political, regulatory or business conditions in general in the U.S., Canada or elsewhere in the world;

(b)    Effects that are the result of factors affecting the Energy Products gathering, drilling, processing, treating, transportation, storage, marketing and other related industries, markets or geographical areas in which such Party and its Subsidiaries conduct their respective businesses (including any change in the prices of Energy Products, industry margins or any regulatory changes or changes in applicable Law);

(c)    Effects caused by the entry into, announcement or performance of the Transactions, including any impact on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, distributors, lenders, partners, Governmental Entities, or employees or any Transaction Litigation or actions taken or requirements imposed by any Governmental Entity in connection with the Transactions;

 

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(d)    changes or modifications in GAAP or applicable accounting regulations or principles, or in the interpretation or enforcement thereof, after the date of this Agreement;

(e)    any Effect resulting from any adoption, implementation, promulgation, repeal, modification, reinterpretation, change of enforcement or proposal of any Law, decision or protocol or any other legislative or political conditions or policy or practices of any Governmental Entity;

(f)    changes in stock price, trading volume or credit rating or any failure by such Party to meet any internal or public projections or forecasts or estimates of revenues or earnings for any period; provided that the exception in this clause (f) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any Effect underlying such failure has resulted in, or contributed to, or would reasonably be expected to result in, or contribute to, a Material Adverse Effect;

(g)    any Effect resulting from acts of war (whether or not declared), civil disobedience, hostilities, terrorism, military actions or the escalation of any of the foregoing, any hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake or other weather or natural disaster or acts of God, whether or not caused by any Person;

(h)    the performance by any Party of its obligations under this Agreement, including any action taken or omitted to be taken at the request or with the consent of Parent, with respect to the Partnership, or at the request or with the consent of the Partnership, with respect to Parent, as applicable;

(i)    any Effect or announcement of an Effect affecting the credit rating or other rating of financial strength of such Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities; provided that the exception in this clause (i) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any Effect underlying such Effect or announcement of an Effect has resulted in, or contributed to, or would reasonably be expected to result in, or contribute to, a Material Adverse Effect;

(j)    a decline in the market price, or change in trading volume, of the Class A Common Units on the NYSE or the shares of Parent Common Stock on the TSX or the NYSE, as applicable; provided that the exception in this clause (j) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any Effect underlying such decline or change has resulted in, or contributed to, or would reasonably be expected to result in, or contribute to, a Material Adverse Effect;

(k)    any Proceeding commenced by or involving any current or former member, partner, unitholder or stockholder of such Person (on their own behalf or on behalf of such Person) arising out of or related to this Agreement or the Transactions; or

(l)    Effects caused by the entry into, announcement, consummation or performance of, or failure to enter into or consummate, the Other Parent Transactions, including any impact on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, distributors, lenders, partners, Governmental Entities or employees or any litigation related to the Other Parent Transactions or actions taken or requirements imposed by any Governmental Entity in connection with the Other Parent Transactions;

 

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provided, further, that, with respect to clauses (a), (b), (d), (e) and (g), such Effect shall be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred to the extent it disproportionately adversely affects such Party and its Subsidiaries compared to other companies operating in the industries in which such Party and its Subsidiaries operate.

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

Ordinary Course” means, with respect to an action taken by any Person, that such action is consistent with the ordinary course of business and past practices of such Person.

Organizational Documents” means (a) with respect to any person that is a corporation, its articles or certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, as applicable, and bylaws, or comparable documents; (b) with respect to any person that is a partnership, its certificate of partnership and partnership agreement, or comparable documents; (c) with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, its certificate of formation and limited liability company or operating agreement, or comparable documents; (d) with respect to any Person that is a trust or other entity, its declaration or agreement of trust or other constituent document or comparable documents; and (e) with respect to any other Person that is not an individual, its comparable organizational documents.

Other Parent Transactions” means any and all potential transactions entered into between Parent, on the one hand, and any of the GP Delegate, Spectra Energy Partners, LP, or Enbridge Income Fund Holdings Inc., on the other hand, pursuant to which Parent acquires ownership, directly or indirectly, of all equity interests of the respective counterparty, whether prior to, concurrently with or subsequent to the date of this Agreement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the EEQ Merger.

Outstanding” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

Parent Material Adverse Effect” means a Material Adverse Effect on Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Partnership Agreement” means the Eighth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of April 27, 2017, as amended.

Partnership Expenses” means an amount in cash equal to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including all reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment bankers, experts and consultants) incurred by the Partnership Parties, including such expenses of the Special Committee, and their respective Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions up to a maximum amount of $4.0 million.

Partnership Group Entities” means the Partnership Parties and any Subsidiaries of the Partnership.

Partnership Interest” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

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Partnership Material Adverse Effect” means a Material Adverse Effect on the Partnership and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Partnership Parties” means the Partnership, General Partner and GP Delegate.

Partnership Unitholders Meeting” means the meeting of Limited Partners of the Partnership (including the meeting of holders of Listed Shares for the purpose of determining the manner in which I-Units shall be voted) to be held in connection with the Merger, as may be adjourned or postponed from time to time.

Person” means any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, Governmental Entity or other entity of any kind or nature.

Proceeding” means any action, cause of action, claim, demand, litigation, suit, investigation, grievance, citation, summons, subpoena, inquiry, audit, hearing, originating application to a tribunal, arbitration or other similar proceeding of any nature, civil, criminal, regulatory, administrative or otherwise, whether in equity or at law, in contract, in tort or otherwise.

Representative” means, with respect to any Person, any director, officer, principal, partner, manager, member (if such Person is a member-managed limited liability company or similar entity), employee, consultant, investment banker, financial advisor, legal counsel, attorney-in-fact, accountant or other advisor, agent or other representative of such person, in each case acting in their capacity as such.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which (a) more than 50% of (i) the total combined voting power of all classes of voting securities of such other Person, (ii) the total combined equity interests or (iii) the capital or profit interests, in each case, is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by such first Person or (b) the power to vote or to direct the voting of sufficient securities to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body is held by such first Person; provided, however, that when used with respect to Parent, the term “Subsidiary” shall not include the Partnership or its Subsidiaries.

Superior Proposal” means an unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that would result in a Person or group (as defined under Section 13 of the Exchange Act), other than Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or controlled Affiliates, becoming the beneficial owner of, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total voting power of the equity securities of the Partnership (or of the surviving entity in a merger involving the Partnership, as applicable) or more than 50% of the consolidated net revenues, net income or total assets (including equity securities of its Subsidiaries) of the Partnership that the Special Committee has determined in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel and its financial advisor, that (a) if

 

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consummated, would result in a transaction more favorable to the Public Unitholders, from a financial point of view, than the Merger (after taking into account any revisions to the terms of this Agreement proposed by the Partnership pursuant to Section 8.2(d)(ii) and the time likely to be required to consummate such Acquisition Proposal), and (b) is reasonably likely to be consummated on the terms proposed, taking into account any legal, financial, regulatory and unitholder approval requirements, the sources, availability and terms of any financing, financing market conditions and the existence of a financing contingency, the likelihood of termination, the timing of closing, and the identity of the Person or Persons making the proposal; provided that any requisite vote or consent of Parent or its Affiliates that may be required to effect the proposal shall not be taken into account in determining whether a proposal is reasonably likely to be consummated.

Tax” or “Taxes” means (a) any and all federal, state, local or foreign or provincial taxes, charges, imposts, levies or other assessments, including all net income, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, franchise, profits, inventory, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, property and estimated taxes, customs duties, fees, escheat or unclaimed property obligations, assessments and similar charges, including any and all interest, penalties, fines, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any Governmental Entity with respect thereto and (b) any liability for the payment of amounts described in clause (a) of any other Person (other than the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of applicable state, local or foreign Law), as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise.

Tax Return” means any return, report or similar filing (including any attached schedules, supplements and additional or supporting material) filed or required to be filed with respect to Taxes, including any information return, claim for refund, amended return or declaration of estimated Taxes (and including any amendments with respect thereto).

Trading Day” means any day on which the NYSE is open for trading.

TSX” means the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Unit” means the Class A Common Units, Class B Common Units, Class E Units, Class F Units and I-Units.

Unitholder Approval” means the approval of this Agreement by (i) Limited Partners constituting the Requisite Partnership Vote and (ii) Limited Partners constituting the Majority of the Minority Vote.

Willful Breach” means, subject to Section 8.17, an intentional and willful material breach, or an intentional and willful material failure to perform, in each case, that is the consequence of an act or omission by a Party with the actual knowledge that the taking of such act or failure to take such act would cause a breach of this Agreement.

 

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1.2    Additional Definitions. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaning specified in the Section set forth opposite to such term:

 

Term

  

Section

Agreement

   Preamble

Aggregate Merger Consideration

   4.1

Alternative Acquisition Agreement

   8.2(d)(i)(D)

Amended Partnership Agreement

   3.4

Applicable Date

   6.5(a)

Bankruptcy and Equity Exception

   6.3(a)

Book-Entry Unit

   4.2

Certificate

   4.2

Certificate of Merger

   3.3

Change of Recommendation

   8.2(d)(i)(D)

Chosen Courts

   11.4(b)

Class B Common Units

   6.2(a)

Class E Units

   6.2(a)

Class F Units

   6.2(a)

Closing

   3.2

Closing Date

   3.2

D&O Insurance

   8.10(b)

DLLCA

   Recitals

DRULPA

   Recitals

Effective Time

   3.3

Eligible Units

   4.1

Encumber

   6.2(a)

Encumbrance

   6.2(a)

Exchange Agent

   5.1

Exchange Fund

   5.1

EUSHI

   Preamble

EUSHI Subscription

   2.1(a)

EUS

   Preamble

EUS Subscription

   2.1(b)

EUS Capital Stock

   7.2(a)

Exchange Ratio

   4.1

General Partner

   Preamble

General Partner Subscription

   2.1(c)

GP Board

   Recitals

GP Delegate

   Preamble

I-Units

   6.2(a)

Indemnified Parties

   8.10(a)

Letter of Transmittal

   5.2(a)

Merger

   Recitals

Merger Consideration

   4.1

Merger Sub

   Preamble

Merger Sub Subscription

   2.1(d)

Non-DTC Book-Entry Unit

   4.2(b)

 

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Original Date

  

8.4(b)

Outside Date

  

10.2(a)

Parent

   Preamble

Parent Board

   Recitals

Parent Capital Stock

  

7.2(a)

Parent Common Stock

   Recitals

Parent Disclosure Letter

  

ARTICLE VII

Parent Material Contract

  

7.12(a)

Parent Parties

   Preamble

Parent Reports

  

7.5(a)

Partnership

   Preamble

Partnership Board

   Recitals

Partnership Disclosure Letter

  

ARTICLE VI

Partnership GP Interest

  

6.2(a)

Partnership Material Contract

  

6.12(a)

Partnership Recommendation

   Recitals

Partnership Reports

  

6.5(a)

Party/Parties

   Preamble

Preference Shares

  

7.2(a)

Proxy/Prospectus

  

8.3(a)

Public Unitholders

   Recitals

Registration Statement

  

8.3(a)

Requisite Partnership Vote

  

6.3(a)

Special Committee

   Recitals

Surviving Entity

  

3.1

Tail Period

  

8.10(b)

Transaction Litigation

  

8.14

Transactions

   Recitals

1.3    Interpretation and Construction.

(a)    The table of contents and headings herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.

(b)    The Preamble, and all Recital, Article, Section, Subsection, schedule and exhibit references used in this Agreement are to the recitals, articles, sections, subsections, schedules and exhibits to this Agreement unless otherwise specified herein.

(c)    Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, for purposes of this Agreement: (i) the terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural and vice versa; (ii) words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neutral genders and vice versa; (iii) whenever the words “includes” or “including” are used, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (iv) the word “or” is not exclusive; (v) the words “hereto”, “hereof”, “hereby”, “herein”, “hereunder” and similar terms in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not any particular provision of this Agreement; and (vi) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”.

 

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(d)    Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Partnership Disclosure Letter or the Parent Disclosure Letter, as applicable, the term “dollars” and the symbol “$” mean United States Dollars, and currency amounts referenced in this Agreement, the Partnership Disclosure Letter and the Parent Disclosure Letter are in United States Dollars.

(e)    Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, when calculating the period of time within which, or following which, any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference day in calculating such period shall be excluded and if the last day of the period is a non-Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next Business Day or if any action must be taken hereunder on or by a day that is not a Business Day, then such action may be validly taken on or by the next day that is a Business Day. References to a number of days shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified.

(f)    Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all references in this Agreement to any statute include the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, in each case as amended, re-enacted, consolidated or replaced from time to time and in the case of any such amendment, re-enactment, consolidation or replacement, reference herein to a particular provision shall be read as referring to such amended, re-enacted, consolidated or replaced provision and shall also include, unless the context otherwise requires, all applicable guidelines, bulletins or policies made in connection therewith.

(g)    The Partnership Disclosure Letter and Parent Disclosure Letter may include items and information the disclosure of which is not required either in response to an express disclosure requirement contained in a provision of this Agreement or as an exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in ARTICLE VI or ARTICLE VII, as applicable, or to one or more covenants contained in this Agreement. Inclusion of any items or information in the Partnership Disclosure Letter or Parent Disclosure Letter, as applicable, shall not be deemed to be an acknowledgement or agreement that any such item or information (or any non-disclosed item or information of comparable or greater significance) is “material” or that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have either a Partnership Material Adverse Effect or a Parent Material Adverse Effect, as applicable, or to affect the interpretation of such term for purposes of this Agreement.

(h)    The Parties have participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE II

PRE-MERGER SUBSCRIPTIONS

2.1    Subscriptions. The following matters provided for in this ARTICLE II shall take place on the Closing Date, immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, in the order set forth below:

(a)    Subscription for EUSHI Shares. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall subscribe for shares of EUSHI in exchange for the right of EUSHI to receive from Parent the Aggregate Merger Consideration (the “EUSHI Subscription”).

(b)    Subscription for EUS Shares. Immediately prior to the Effective Time and following the EUSHI Subscription, EUSHI shall subscribe for shares of EUS in exchange for the right of EUS to receive from EUSHI the Aggregate Merger Consideration (the “EUS Subscription”).

(c)    Subscription for General Partner Shares. Immediately prior to the Effective Time and following the EUS Subscription, EUS shall subscribe for shares of the General Partner in exchange for the right of the General Partner to receive from EUS the Aggregate Merger Consideration (the “General Partner Subscription”).

(d)    Subscription for Merger Sub Membership Interests. Immediately prior to the Effective Time and following the General Partner Subscription, Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. shall subscribe for additional membership interests of Merger Sub in exchange for the right of Merger Sub to receive from Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. the Aggregate Merger Consideration (the “Merger Sub Subscription”).

2.2    Transfer of Aggregate Merger Consideration to the Exchange Agent. Immediately prior to the Effective Time and following the Merger Sub Subscription, Merger Sub shall direct Parent to deposit or cause to be deposited the Aggregate Merger Consideration with the Exchange Agent for the benefit (subject to Closing) of the holders of Eligible Units pursuant to Section 5.1.

ARTICLE III

THE MERGER

3.1    The Merger. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, (a) at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Partnership in accordance with the DLLCA and the DRULPA and the separate existence of Merger Sub shall thereupon cease; (b) the Partnership shall be the surviving limited partnership in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as the “Surviving Entity”) and from and after the Effective Time, shall be a Subsidiary of Parent, and the separate existence of the Partnership with all of its rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises shall continue unaffected by the Merger, except as set forth in ARTICLE IV; and (c) the Merger shall have such other effects as provided in the DRULPA and the DLLCA, in each case, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.

 

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3.2    Closing. The closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, 125 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, at 9:00 a.m. (New York Time) on the third Business Day following the day on which the last to be satisfied or waived of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE IX (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing (so long as such conditions are reasonably capable of being satisfied) or that may be waived at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions) shall be satisfied or waived in accordance with this Agreement or at such other date, time or place (or by means of remote communication) as the Partnership and Parent may mutually agree in writing (the date on which the Closing actually occurs, the “Closing Date”). If the parties to the EEQ Merger are ready, willing and able to consummate the EEQ Merger substantially simultaneously with the Merger, then each of the Merger and the EEQ Merger shall be consummated substantially concurrently on the same date in the sequence set forth in Section 3.2 of the Parent Disclosure Letter.

3.3    Effective Time. As soon as practicable following, and on the date of, the Closing, the Partnership will cause a certificate of merger relating to the Merger (the “Certificate of Merger”) to be executed, acknowledged and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Partnership Agreement, the DRULPA and the DLLCA. The Merger shall become effective at the time when the Certificate of Merger has been duly filed with and accepted by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later date and time as may be agreed by the Parties in writing and specified in the Certificate of Merger (such date and time, the “Effective Time”).

3.4    Amendment of Partnership Agreement. Immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, the General Partner, as general partner of the Partnership, pursuant to Section 15.1(j) of the Partnership Agreement, shall amend the Partnership Agreement as set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the Partnership Agreement, as so amended, the “Amended Partnership Agreement”).

3.5    Organizational Documents of the Surviving Entity. At the Effective Time, (a) the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue as the certificate of limited partnership of the Surviving Entity, until duly amended as provided therein or by applicable Law, and (b) the Amended Partnership Agreement shall remain unchanged and shall continue as the agreement of limited partnership of the Surviving Entity, until duly amended as provided therein or by applicable Law, and in each case any further amendments or restatements must be consistent with the obligations set forth in Section 8.10 of this Agreement.

ARTICLE IV

MERGER CONSIDERATION; EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

4.1    Merger Consideration. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Parties or any holder of any Partnership Interests, each Class A Common Unit issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time other than Excluded Units (each such Class A Common Unit, an “Eligible Unit”) shall be exchanged for

 

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the right to receive 0.335 shares of Parent Common Stock (such ratio, the “Exchange Ratio”, such number of shares of Parent Common Stock, the “Merger Consideration”, and the aggregate of such number of shares of Parent Common Stock to be exchanged for the Eligible Units, the “Aggregate Merger Consideration”).

4.2    Conversion of Class A Common Units. Each Eligible Unit, upon being converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to this Section 4.2, and each certificate formerly representing any of the Eligible Units (each, a “Certificate”) and each book-entry account formerly representing any non-certificated Eligible Units (each, a “Book-Entry Unit”) shall thereafter represent only the right to receive the Merger Consideration with respect to such Eligible Unit(s) and the right, if any, to receive, pursuant to Section 5.5, cash in lieu of fractional shares into which such Eligible Unit(s) have been converted pursuant to this Section 4.2, and any dividends or other distributions pursuant to Section 5.3.

4.3    Treatment of Excluded Units and Other Parent-Owned Partnership Interests. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Parties or any holder of any partnership interests of the Partnership, (a) each Excluded Unit shall remain outstanding as a Class A Common Unit in the Surviving Entity, unaffected by the Merger; (b) each Class B Common Unit, Class E Unit, Class F Unit and I-Unit issued and outstanding and immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain outstanding in the Surviving Entity, unaffected by the Merger, and no consideration shall be delivered in respect thereof; and (c) all other Partnership Interests, including the Partnership GP Interest, that are owned immediately prior to the Effective Time by the General Partner, the GP Delegate, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall remain outstanding as Partnership Interests in the Surviving Entity, unaffected by the Merger, and no consideration shall be delivered in respect thereof.

4.4    Merger Sub. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Parties, all membership interests in Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to be outstanding, be cancelled without payment of any consideration therefor and cease to exist.

4.5    Tax Treatment of the Merger. For United States federal income tax purposes (and for purposes of any applicable state, local or foreign Tax that follows the United States federal income tax treatment), the Parties agree to treat the Merger as a taxable sale of the Eligible Units by the holders of such Eligible Units in exchange for the Merger Consideration. The Parties will prepare and file all Tax Returns consistent with the foregoing and will not take any inconsistent position on any Tax Return, or during the course of any Proceeding with respect to Taxes, except as otherwise required by applicable Law following a final determination by a court of competent jurisdiction or other administrative settlement with or final administrative decision by the relevant Governmental Entity.

ARTICLE V

DELIVERY OF MERGER CONSIDERATION; PROCEDURES FOR SURRENDER

5.1    Exchange Agent. At or immediately prior to the Effective Time, pursuant to Section 2.2, Parent shall deposit or cause to be deposited with a nationally recognized

 

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financial institution or trust company selected by Parent with the Partnership’s prior approval (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) to serve as the exchange agent (the “Exchange Agent”), for the benefit of the holders of Eligible Units upon Closing, (a) an aggregate number of shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in non-certificated book-entry form comprising the amounts required to be delivered in respect of Eligible Units pursuant to Section 4.1 and (b) an aggregate amount of cash comprising approximately the amounts required to be delivered in respect of Eligible Units pursuant to Section 5.5. In addition, Parent shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Exchange Agent, as necessary from time to time after the Effective Time, dividends or other distributions, if any, to which the holders of Eligible Units may be entitled pursuant to Section 5.3 with both a record and payment date after the Effective Time and prior to the surrender of such Eligible Units. Such shares of Parent Common Stock, cash in lieu of fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 5.5 and the amount of any dividends or other distributions deposited with the Exchange Agent pursuant to this Section 5.1 are referred to collectively in this Agreement as the “Exchange Fund”. The Exchange Fund shall not be used for any purpose other than the purpose expressly provided for in this Agreement. The cash portion of the Exchange Fund may be deposited by the Exchange Agent as reasonably directed by Parent. Any interest or other income resulting from such investment shall become a part of the Exchange Fund, and any amounts in excess of the amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be promptly returned to Parent. To the extent there are losses with respect to such investments, or the Exchange Fund diminishes for other reasons below the level required to fully satisfy all of the payment obligations to be made in cash by the Exchange Agent hereunder, Parent shall promptly replace or restore the cash in the Exchange Fund so that the Exchange Fund is at all times maintained at a level sufficient for the Exchange Agent to fully satisfy such cash payment obligations. No investment losses resulting from investment of the Exchange Fund shall diminish the rights of any former holder of Eligible Units to receive the Merger Consideration as provided in this Agreement.

5.2    Procedures for Surrender.

(a)    With respect to Certificates, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time (and in any event within three Business Days thereafter), the Surviving Entity shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of each such Certificate (i) notice advising such holders of the effectiveness of the Merger; (ii) a letter of transmittal in customary form, which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to a Certificate shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificate (or satisfaction of the conditions provided in Section 5.7 in lieu of a Certificate) to the Exchange Agent (the “Letter of Transmittal”); and (iii) instructions for surrendering a Certificate (or satisfaction of the conditions provided in Section 5.7 in lieu of a Certificate) to the Exchange Agent. Upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate (or satisfaction of the conditions provided in Section 5.7 in lieu of a Certificate) together with a duly executed and completed Letter of Transmittal and such other documents as may reasonably be required pursuant to such instructions, the Surviving Entity shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of any such Certificate in exchange therefore, as promptly as reasonably practicable thereafter, (x) a statement reflecting the number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock, if any, that such holder is entitled to receive pursuant to ARTICLE IV in the name of such record holder and (y) a check in the amount (after giving effect to any required Tax withholdings as provided in Section 5.8) of (A) any cash in lieu of fractional shares plus (B) any unpaid dividends or other distributions that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to this ARTICLE V. Any Certificate that has been so surrendered shall be cancelled by the Exchange Agent.

 

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(b)    With respect to Book-Entry Units not held through DTC (each, a “Non-DTC Book-Entry Unit”), as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time (and in any event within three Business Days thereafter), the Surviving Entity shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of a Non-DTC Book-Entry Unit (i) a notice advising such holders of the effectiveness of the Merger; (ii) a statement reflecting the number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock, if any, that such holder is entitled to receive pursuant to ARTICLE IV in the name of such record holder; and (iii) a check in the amount (after giving effect to any required Tax withholdings as provided in Section 5.8) of (A) any cash in lieu of fractional shares plus (B) any unpaid dividends or other distributions that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to this ARTICLE V. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any holder of an Eligible Unit that is duplicatively evidenced by both a Certificate and a book-entry account shall not receive the notice, statement and check contemplated by the immediately preceding sentence with respect to such Eligible Unit, but shall surrender the applicable Certificate in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 5.2(a) to receive the Merger Consideration and any other amounts due under this Agreement with respect to such Eligible Unit, and no additional Merger Consideration or other amounts under this Agreement will accrue or be payable to the duplicative book-entry account for such Eligible Unit.

(c)    With respect to Book-Entry Units held through DTC, Parent and the Partnership shall cooperate to establish procedures with the Exchange Agent and DTC to ensure that the Exchange Agent will transmit to DTC or its nominees as soon as reasonably practicable on or after the Closing Date, upon surrender of Eligible Units held of record by DTC or its nominees in accordance with DTC’s customary surrender procedures, the Merger Consideration, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock, if any, and any unpaid dividends or other distributions, in each case, that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to this ARTICLE V.

(d)    No interest will be paid or accrued on any amount payable for Eligible Units pursuant to this ARTICLE V.

5.3    Distributions with Respect to Unsurrendered Certificates. All shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger shall be deemed issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time and whenever a dividend or other distribution is declared by Parent in respect of the Parent Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the Effective Time, that declaration shall include dividends or other distributions in respect of all shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement. Subject to Section 5.5, no dividends or other distributions in respect of shares of Parent Common Stock shall be paid to any holder with respect to any unsurrendered Certificate until the Certificate (or satisfaction of the conditions provided in Section 5.7 in lieu of a Certificate) is surrendered for exchange in accordance with this ARTICLE V. Subject to applicable Law, following such surrender, dividends or distributions with respect to the Parent Common Stock issued in exchange for Eligible Units in accordance with this ARTICLE V shall be paid to the holders of record of such Eligible Units, without interest, (a) promptly after the time of such surrender for any dividends or other

 

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distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but a payment date prior to surrender and (b) at the appropriate payment date for any dividends or other distributions payable with respect to shares of Parent Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time and prior to surrender, but with a payment date subsequent to surrender.

5.4    Transfers.

(a)    From and after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of the Partnership of the Eligible Units that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Units shall cease to have any rights with respect to such Eligible Units except as otherwise provided herein or by applicable Law. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Surviving Entity for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Agreement.

(b)    With respect to Certificates, in the event of a transfer of ownership of any Certificate that is not registered in the transfer books of the Partnership as of the Effective Time, the proper number of shares of Parent Common Stock, together with a check for any cash (after giving effect to any required Tax withholdings as provided in Section 5.8) to be paid upon due surrender of the Certificate and any dividends or distributions in respect thereof, may be issued or paid to such a transferee if the Certificate is presented to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and to evidence that any applicable stock transfer Taxes have been paid or are not applicable, in each case, in form and substance, reasonably satisfactory to the Exchange Agent. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 5.4, each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive the Merger Consideration, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock, if any, and any unpaid dividends or other distributions, in each case, payable or issuable pursuant to this ARTICLE V.

(c)    With respect to Book-Entry Units, payment of the Merger Consideration, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock, if any, and any unpaid dividends or other distributions, in each case, payable or issuable pursuant to this ARTICLE V, shall only be made to the Person in whose name such Book-Entry Units are registered in the stock transfer books of the Partnership as of the Effective Time.

5.5    Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no fractional shares of Parent Common Stock will be issued upon the conversion of Class A Common Units pursuant to Section 4.1. All fractional shares of Parent Common Stock that a holder of Eligible Units would be otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to Section 4.1, but for this Section 5.5, shall be aggregated and rounded to three decimal places, and such holder shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, without interest, rounded down to the nearest cent, equal to the product of (a) the amount of the fractional share interest in a share of Parent Common Stock to which such holder would, but for this Section 5.5, be entitled to receive pursuant to Section 4.1, aggregated and rounded to three decimal points, and (b) an amount equal to the average of the volume-weighted average price per share of Parent Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg L.P., or, if not reported therein, in another authoritative source mutually selected by Parent and the Partnership on the Trading Day

 

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immediately prior to the Effective Time for ten Trading Days ending on the fifth full Business Day immediately prior to the Closing Date. No holder of Eligible Units shall be entitled by virtue of the right to receive cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock described in this Section 5.5 to any dividends, distributions, voting rights or any other rights in respect of any fractional share of Parent Common Stock. The payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock is not a separately bargained-for consideration but merely represents a mechanical rounding-off of the fractions in the exchange.

5.6    Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund (including the proceeds of any investments of the Exchange Fund and any shares of Parent Common Stock) that remains unclaimed as of the date that is twelve months following the Effective Time shall be delivered to Parent. Any holder of Eligible Units who has not theretofore complied with this ARTICLE V shall thereafter look only to Parent for delivery of the Merger Consideration, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock, if any, and any unpaid dividends or other distributions, in each case, that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to this ARTICLE V, in each case, without any interest thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the Surviving Entity, Parent, the Exchange Agent or any other Person shall be liable to any former holder of Class A Common Units for any amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws. Any portion of the Exchange Fund which remains undistributed to the holders of Eligible Units immediately prior to the time at which the Exchange Fund would otherwise escheat to, or become property of, any Governmental Entity, shall, to the extent permitted by Law, become the property of Parent, free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.

5.7    Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event that any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and the posting by such Person of a bond in customary amount and upon such terms as may be required as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the Merger Consideration, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock, if any, and any unpaid dividends or other distributions, in each case, payable or issuable pursuant to this ARTICLE V, had such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate been surrendered.

5.8    Withholding Rights. Each of Parent, the General Partner, Merger Sub, the Partnership, the Exchange Agent and the Surviving Entity shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement, without duplication, such amounts, which may include shares of Parent Common Stock, as may be required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by Parent, the General Partner, Merger Sub, the Partnership, the Exchange Agent or the Surviving Entity, as applicable, such withheld amounts (a) shall be timely remitted by Parent, the General Partner, Merger Sub, the Partnership, the Exchange Agent or the Surviving Entity, as applicable, to the applicable Governmental Entity, and (b) to the extent such withheld amounts are remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity, shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of Class A Common Units in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by Parent, the General Partner, Merger Sub, the

 

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Partnership, the Exchange Agent or the Surviving Entity, as applicable. If withholding is taken in shares of Parent Common Stock, Parent, the General Partner, Merger Sub, the Partnership, the Surviving Entity and the Exchange Agent, as applicable, shall be treated as having sold such consideration for an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of such consideration at the time of such deemed sale and paid such cash proceeds to the appropriate Governmental Entity.

5.9    Adjustments to Prevent Dilution. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if, from the date of this Agreement to the earlier of the Effective Time and termination in accordance with ARTICLE X, the issued and outstanding Class A Common Units or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for Class A Common Units or the issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of Parent Common Stock, shall have been changed into a different number of shares or securities or a different class by reason of any reclassification, stock split (including a reverse stock split), stock dividend or distribution, recapitalization, merger, issuer tender or exchange offer, or other similar transaction, or a stock dividend with a record date within such period shall have been declared, then the Merger Consideration (and the Exchange Ratio) shall be equitably adjusted to provide the holders of Class A Common Units and Parent the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event, and such items so adjusted shall, from and after the date of such event, be the Merger Consideration (and the Exchange Ratio). Nothing in this Section 5.9 shall be construed to permit the Parties to take any action except to the extent consistent with, and not otherwise prohibited by, the terms of this Agreement.

5.10    No Dissenters Rights. No dissenters’ or appraisal rights shall be available with respect to the Merger or the other Transactions.

ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTNERSHIP PARTIES

Except as set forth in the Partnership Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding any disclosures set forth in any risk factor section or in any other section to the extent they are forward-looking statements or cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature) or in the corresponding sections or subsections of the disclosure letter delivered to the Parent Parties by the Partnership Parties concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “Partnership Disclosure Letter”), (it being agreed that for purposes of the representations and warranties set forth in this ARTICLE VI, disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the Partnership Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any other section or subsection to which the relevance of such item is reasonably apparent on its face), the Partnership, and, with respect to themselves where provided for in this ARTICLE VI, the General Partner and the GP Delegate, each hereby represents and warrants to the Parent Parties and Merger Sub that:

6.1    Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. Each of the Partnership Group Entities is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite limited partnership, limited liability company or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties

 

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and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted and is qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign entity in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets or properties or conduct of its business requires such qualification, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

6.2    Capital Structure of the Partnership.

(a)    As of the close of business on September 14, 2018, the issued and outstanding limited partner interests and general partner interests of the Partnership consisted of: (i) 326,517,110 Class A Common Units, of which 110,827,018 were owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent; (ii) 7,825,500 Class B common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Class B Common Units”), all of which were owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent; (iii) 18,114,975 Class E units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Class E Units”), all of which were owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent; (iv) 1,000 Class F units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Class F Units”), all of which were owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent; (v) 98,611,092.745544 I-units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “I-Units”), all of which were owned directly by the GP Delegate; (vi) the general partner interest in the Partnership (the “Partnership GP Interest”); and (vii) no other equity interests or other voting securities of the Partnership were issued or outstanding. All of the outstanding Class A Common Units, Class B Common Units, Class E Units, Class F Units, I-Units, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the DRULPA and the Partnership Agreement).

(b)    As of the date of this Agreement, the General Partner owns the Partnership GP Interest, and such Partnership GP Interest was duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and represents the entire general partner interest in the Partnership. The General Partner owns the Partnership GP Interest free and clear of any pledge, lien, charge, mortgage, encumbrance, option, right of first refusal or other preferential purchase right, adverse claim and interest, or security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any restriction on the right to vote or transfer the same, except for such transfer restrictions of general applicability as may be provided under the Securities Act, the “blue sky” Laws of the various States of the United States or similar Law of other applicable jurisdictions and except those existing or arising pursuant to the applicable Organizational Documents of such entities) (an “Encumbrance”, and any action of correlative meaning, to “Encumber”).

(c)    The Partnership does not have outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or that are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the Limited Partners on any matter. Except as set forth in Section 6.2(c) of the Partnership Disclosure Letter, there are no preemptive or other outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase rights, agreements, arrangements, calls, commitments or rights of any kind that obligate any of the Partnership Group Entities to issue or to sell any Partnership Interests or other securities of any of the Partnership Group Entities or any securities or

 

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obligations convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, valued by reference to or giving any Person a right to subscribe for or acquire, any securities of the Partnership Group Entities, and no securities or obligations evidencing such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding.

6.3    Authority; Approval and Fairness.

(a)    The Partnership Parties have all requisite power and authority and have taken all action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions, subject only to approval of this Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of 66 23% of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote on such matter at the Partnership Unitholders Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Requisite Partnership Vote”). This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Partnership Parties and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of each of the Partnership Parties, enforceable against each of the Partnership Parties in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles (the “Bankruptcy and Equity Exception”).

(b)    As of the date of this Agreement, the Special Committee has, acting in good faith, unanimously (i) determined based upon the facts and circumstances it deemed relevant, reasonable or appropriate to its decision, that this Agreement and the Transactions are fair and reasonable to the Partnership, including the Public Unitholders, (ii) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and (iii) recommended that the Partnership Board approve this Agreement and the Transactions.

(c)    As of the date of this Agreement, the Partnership Board, upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, has, acting in good faith, unanimously (i) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions are fair and reasonable to the Partnership, including the Public Unitholders, (ii) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, (iii) recommended that the GP Board approve this Agreement and the Transactions, and (iv) resolved to recommend that the Limited Partners approve the Transactions and this Agreement and directed that this Agreement be submitted to the Limited Partners of the Partnership for their approval.

(d)    As of the date of this Agreement, the GP Board, upon the recommendation of the Partnership Board, has, acting in good faith, unanimously (i) determined that this Agreement and the Transactions are fair and reasonable to the Partnership, including the Public Unitholders, (ii) approved this Agreement and the Transactions, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and (iii) resolved to recommend that the Limited Partners approve the Transactions and this Agreement and directed that this Agreement be submitted to the Limited Partners for their approval.

6.4    Governmental Filings; No Violations; Certain Contracts; Etc.

(a)    Other than the filings, notices, reports, consents, registrations, approvals, permits, expirations of waiting periods or authorizations (i) pursuant to the DRULPA and the

 

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DLLCA, (ii) under the HSR Act, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, (iii) required to be made with the NYSE and (iv) under state securities, takeover, public utility and “blue sky” Laws, no filings, notices, reports, consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations are required to be made by the Partnership Parties with, nor are any required to be made or obtained by the Partnership Parties with or from, any Governmental Entity, in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Partnership Parties and the consummation of the Transactions, or in connection with the continuing operation of the business of the Partnership Group Entities following the Effective Time, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    Subject to obtaining the Requisite Partnership Vote, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Partnership Parties do not, and the consummation of the Transactions will not, (i) contravene, violate, conflict with any of, result in any breach of, or require the consent of any Person under, the terms, conditions or provisions of the Organizational Documents of any of the Partnership or its Subsidiaries; (ii) contravene, conflict with or violate any provision of applicable Law; (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under (whether with notice or the lapse of time or both), or accelerate or permit the acceleration of the performance required by, or require any consent, authorization or approval under, or result in the suspension, termination or cancellation of, or in a right of suspension, termination or cancellation of, any Partnership Material Contract; or (iv) result in the creation of any lien on any of the assets or businesses of any of the Partnership or its Subsidiaries under any such Partnership Material Contract, except in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), for those items that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

6.5    Partnership Reports; Financial Statements.

(a)    The Partnership has filed or furnished, as applicable, on a timely basis, all forms, statements, certifications, reports and documents required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Securities Act since December 31, 2016 (the “Applicable Date”) (the forms, statements, reports and documents filed or furnished since the Applicable Date and those filed or furnished subsequent to the date of this Agreement, including any amendments thereto, the “Partnership Reports”). Each of the Partnership Reports, at the time of its filing or being furnished, complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As of their respective dates (or, if amended prior to the date of this Agreement, as of the date of such amendment), the Partnership Reports did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except for any statements (x) in any Partnership Report that may have been modified by an amendment to such report or a subsequent report filed with the SEC prior to the date of this Agreement or (y) with respect to information supplied in writing by or on behalf of Parent, as to which the Partnership makes no representation or warranty. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding comments from, or unresolved issues raised by, the staff of the SEC with respect to the Partnership Reports.

 

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(b)    Each of the consolidated statements of financial position included in or incorporated by reference into the Partnership Reports (including the related notes and schedules) fairly presents in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Partnership and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of its date and each of the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, statements of partners capital and statements of cash flows included in or incorporated by reference into the Partnership Reports (including any related notes and schedules) fairly presents in all material respects the results of operations, retained earnings (loss) and changes in financial position, as applicable, of such companies for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to notes and normal year-end audit adjustments that will not be material in amount or effect), in each case in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except as may be noted therein or in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC or other applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.

(c)    The Partnership makes and keeps books, records, and accounts and has devised and maintains a system of internal controls, in each case, in all material respects, as required pursuant to Section 13(b)(2) under the Exchange Act. The Partnership has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, of Rule 13A-15 under the Exchange Act) as required by Rule 13A-15 under the Exchange Act and applicable listing standards of the NYSE. Such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed by the Partnership in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules, forms and regulations of the SEC, and that all such material information is accumulated and communicated to its management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The GP Delegate’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer have disclosed, based on their most recent evaluation, to the Partnership’s auditors and the audit committee of the Partnership Board (x) all significant deficiencies in the designation or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Partnership’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the Partnership’s auditors any material weakness in internal controls and (y) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Partnership’s internal controls.

6.6    Absence of Certain Changes. Since December 31, 2017, there has not been any Effect that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

6.7    Litigation and Liabilities.

(a)    Except as set forth in Partnership Reports, there are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Partnership Parties, threatened in writing against the Partnership, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b)    Except for obligations and liabilities (i) reflected or reserved against in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of financial position (and the notes thereto) included in the Partnership Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement, or (ii) incurred in the Ordinary Course since December 31, 2017, neither the Partnership nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due and including any off-balance sheet financings, loans, indebtedness, make-whole or similar liabilities or obligations) that would be required by GAAP to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto) of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

(c)    As of the date of this Agreement, neither the Partnership, nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties or assets are party or subject to, or affected by, the provisions of any material judgment, order, writ, injunction, stipulation, ruling, determination, decree or award of any Governmental Entity, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

(d)    Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 6.7, no representation or warranty shall be deemed to be made in this Section 6.7 in respect of environmental matters.

6.8    Compliance with Laws; Licenses.

(a)    The businesses of each of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries are not currently being conducted, and at no time since the Applicable Date have been conducted, in violation of any applicable Law, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    The Partnership and each of its Subsidiaries has obtained and is in compliance with all Licenses necessary to conduct their respective businesses as presently conducted, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect. No Licenses shall cease to be effective as a result of the consummation of the Transactions except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 6.8, no representation or warranty shall be deemed to be made in this Section 6.8 in respect of environmental matters.

6.9    Environmental Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Partnership Material Adverse Effect: (a) since January 1, 2013, each of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries is and has been in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes obtaining, maintaining and complying with all Environmental Permits; (b) all Environmental Permits are in full force and effect and, where applicable, applications for renewal or amendment thereof have been timely filed; (c) as of the date of this Agreement, no suspension or cancellation of any Environmental Permit is pending or threatened in writing; (d) no property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries (including soils, groundwater, surface water, buildings and surface and subsurface structures) is contaminated with any Hazardous

 

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Substance requiring remediation or other action pursuant to any Environmental Law; (e) as of the date of this Agreement, there are no Proceedings pending or threatened in writing against the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries or involving any real property currently or formerly owned, operated or leased by or for the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries alleging noncompliance with, or liability under, any Environmental Law; and (f) neither the Partnership nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Governmental Order with any Governmental Entity or any indemnity or other agreement with any third party that imposes any current or future obligations under any Environmental Law.

6.10    Tax Matters. Except for any such matter that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect:

(a)    The Partnership and each of its Subsidiaries have prepared in good faith and duly and timely filed (taking into account any extension of time within which to file) all Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them with the appropriate Governmental Entity and all such filed Tax Returns are complete and accurate in all material respects.

(b)    All Taxes owed by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries that are or have become due have been timely paid in full or an adequate reserve for the payment of such Taxes has been established on the consolidated statements of financial position of the Partnership and its consolidated Subsidiaries included in the Partnership Reports.

(c)    Except as set forth in Section 6.10(c) of the Partnership Disclosure Letter, to the Knowledge of the Partnership, no deficiency with respect to a material amount of Taxes has been proposed, asserted or assessed against the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries. There are no Proceedings pending or threatened in writing regarding any material Taxes of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries or the assets of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries.

(d)    Except as set forth in Section 6.10(d) of the Partnership Disclosure Letter, each of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes has in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code.

(e)    The Partnership is currently (and has been since its formation) either (i) properly classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) properly disregarded as an entity separate from its respective owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section  ###-###-####-3(b).

(f)    At least 90% of the gross income of the Partnership for each taxable year ending after October 2002 and including the current taxable year has been income that is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Code.

(g)    Except as set forth in Section 6.10(g) of the Partnership Disclosure Letter, each Subsidiary of the Partnership is currently (and has been since its respective formation or acquisition by the Partnership) either (i) properly classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) properly disregarded as an entity separate from its respective owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section  ###-###-####-3(b).

 

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6.11    Property. The Partnership or a Subsidiary of the Partnership owns and has good title to all of its owned real property and good title to all of its owned personal property, and has valid leasehold interests in all of its leased real properties free and clear of all Encumbrances, in each case, to an extent sufficient to conduct their respective businesses as currently conducted (except in all cases for Encumbrances permissible under or not prohibited by any applicable material loan agreements and indentures (together with all related mortgages, deeds of trust and other security agreements)), except in each case as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect. All leases under which the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries lease any real or personal property are valid and effective against the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of the Partnership Parties, the counterparties thereto, in accordance with their respective terms, and there is not, under any of such leases, any existing material default by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Partnership Parties, the counterparties thereto, or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a material default by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Partnership Parties, the counterparties thereto, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

6.12    Partnership Material Contracts.

(a)    Except for this Agreement and except for Contracts filed with or publicly furnished to the SEC by the Partnership prior to the date of this Agreement, as of the date of this Agreement, neither the Partnership nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, “Partnership Material Contract”).

(b)    Each Partnership Material Contract is valid and binding on the Partnership or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and, to the Knowledge of the Partnership Parties, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect. There is no default under any such Partnership Material Contracts by the Partnership or its Subsidiaries, or, to the Knowledge of the Partnership Parties, any other party thereto, and no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default thereunder by the Partnership or its Subsidiaries, or, to the Knowledge of the Partnership Parties, any other party thereto, in each case, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

6.13    Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Special Committee has received the opinion of Evercore Group L.L.C., dated as of September 17, 2018, to the effect that, as of such date, and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Partnership and the holders of Class A Common Units other than Parent and its Affiliates. A copy of such opinion letter will be made available to the Parent Parties as soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement on a confidential basis solely for informational purposes (it being agreed that such opinion is solely for the benefit of the Special Committee and may not be relied upon by the Parent Parties or Merger Sub).

 

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6.14    Brokers and Finders. Neither the Partnership nor any of its officers, directors or employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finders’ fees in connection with the Transactions, except that the Special Committee has engaged Evercore Group L.L.C. as its financial advisor. The Partnership has made available to the Parent Parties correct and complete copies of all Contracts pursuant to which Evercore Group L.L.C. is entitled to any fees and expenses in connection with any of the Transactions.

6.15    Insurance. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect, (a) the businesses and assets of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries are covered by, and insured under, insurance policies underwritten by reputable insurers that include coverages and related limits and deductibles that are customary in the Energy Products gathering, processing, treating, transportation and storage industries, (b) all such insurance policies are in full force and effect and all premiums due and payable on such policies have been paid and (c) no notice of cancellation of or indication of an intention not to renew, any such insurance policy has been received by the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries other than in the Ordinary Course.

6.16    No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties made by the Partnership Parties in this ARTICLE VI, none of the Partnership Parties nor any other Person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Partnership Parties or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions, and each of the Partnership Parties hereby expressly disclaims any such other representations or warranties. In particular, without limiting the foregoing, none of the Partnership Parties nor any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty to the Parent Parties, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives with respect to (a) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospect information relating to the Partnership Parties, any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective businesses or (b) any oral or, except for the representations and warranties made by any of the Partnership Parties in this ARTICLE VI, written information made available to the Parent Parties, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives in the course of their evaluation of the Partnership, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the Transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 6.16 shall limit the Parent Parties’ or Merger Sub’s remedies with respect to intentional or willful misrepresentation of material facts that constitute common law fraud arising from or relating to the express representations and warranties made by the Partnership in this ARTICLE VI.

ARTICLE VII

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT PARTIES AND MERGER SUB

Except as set forth in the Parent Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC or filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval maintained by the Canadian Securities Regulators prior to the date of this Agreement (excluding any disclosures set forth in any risk factor section or in any other section to the extent they are forward-looking statements

 

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or cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature) or in the corresponding sections or subsections of the disclosure letter delivered to the Partnership Parties by the Parent Parties concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (the “Parent Disclosure Letter”) (it being agreed that for purposes of the representations and warranties set forth in this ARTICLE VII, disclosure of any item in any section or subsection of the Parent Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure with respect to any other section or subsection to which the relevance of such item is reasonably apparent on its face), Parent and Merger Sub, and, with respect to itself where provided for in this ARTICLE VII, EUS, each hereby represents and warrants to the Partnership Parties that:

7.1    Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. Each of the Parent Parties and their respective Subsidiaries is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted and is qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other legal entity in each jurisdiction where the ownership, leasing or operation of its assets or properties or conduct of its business requires such qualification, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

7.2    Capital Structure of Parent Parties; Capitalization of Merger Sub.

(a)    The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of an unlimited number of shares of Parent Common Stock, of which 1,724,340,802 shares were outstanding as of the close of business on September 14, 2018, and an unlimited number of preference shares, issuable in series (“Preference Shares”), of which 5,000,000 Series A Preference Shares, 18,269,812 Series B Preference Shares, 1,730,188 Series C Preference Shares, 18,000,000 Series D Preference Shares, 20,000,000 Series F Preference Shares, 14,000,000 Series H Preference Shares, 8,000,000 Series J Preference Shares, 16,000,000 Series L Preference Shares, 18,000,000 Series N Preference Shares, 16,000,000 Series P Preference Shares, 16,000,000 Series R Preference Shares, 16,000,000 Series 1 Preference Shares, 24,000,000 Series 3 Preference Shares, 8,000,000 Series 5 Preference Shares, 10,000,000 Series 7 Preference Shares, 11,000,000 Series 9 Preference Shares, 20,000,000 Series 11 Preference Shares, 14,000,000 Series 13 Preference Shares, 11,000,000 Series 15 Preference Shares, 30,000,000 Series 17 Preference Shares and 20,000,000 Series 19 Preference Shares were issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement (collectively, the “Parent Capital Stock”). The authorized capital stock of EUS consists of 5,000 shares of common stock (the “EUS Capital Stock”). All of the outstanding shares of Parent Capital Stock and EUS Capital Stock have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

(b)    Parent does not have outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or that are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of Parent on any matter. Except as set forth in Section 7.2 of the Parent Disclosure Letter, there are no preemptive or other outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, redemption rights, repurchase rights, agreements, arrangements, calls, commitments or rights of any kind that obligate Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to issue or to sell any shares of Parent Capital Stock

 

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or other securities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any securities or obligations convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, valued by reference to or giving any Person a right to subscribe for or acquire, any securities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and no securities or obligations evidencing such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding.

(c)    All of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Merger Sub are, and at the Effective Time will be, owned by the General Partner. Merger Sub has not conducted any business prior to the date of this Agreement and has no, and prior to the Effective Time will have no, assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than those incident to its formation and pursuant to this Agreement and the Transactions.

7.3    Authority; Approval.

(a)    No vote of holders of Parent Capital Stock is necessary to approve this Agreement and the Transactions, including the issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock as the Aggregate Merger Consideration. Each of the Parent Parties and Merger Sub has all requisite power and authority and has taken all action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions, subject only to approval of this Agreement by the General Partner as the sole member of Merger Sub. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Parent Parties and Merger Sub and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Parent Parties and Merger Sub, enforceable against each of the Parent Parties and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy and Equity Exception.

(b)    Prior to the Effective Time, Parent will have taken all necessary action to permit it to issue the number of shares of Parent Common Stock required to be issued by it pursuant to ARTICLE VI of this Agreement. The shares of Parent Common Stock, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and no stockholder of Parent will have any preemptive right of subscription or purchase in respect thereof. The shares of Parent Common Stock, when issued, will be registered under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and registered or exempt from registration under any applicable state securities or “blue sky” Laws.

7.4    Governmental Filings; No Violations.

(a)    Other than the filings, notices, reports, consents, registrations, approvals, permits, expirations of waiting periods or authorizations (i) pursuant to the Canada Business Corporations Act, (ii) under the HSR Act, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act and applicable Canadian Securities Laws, (iii) required to be made with the NYSE and the TSX, and (iv) state or provincial securities, takeover, public utility and “blue sky” Laws, no filings, notices, reports, consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations are required to be made by the Parent Parties or Merger Sub with, nor are any required to be made or obtained by the Parent Parties or Merger Sub with or from, any Governmental Entity in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Parent Parties and Merger Sub and the consummation of the Transactions or in connection with the continuing operation of the business of Parent and its Subsidiaries following the Effective Time, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b)    The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Parent Parties do not, and the consummation of the Transactions will not, (i) contravene, violate, conflict with any of, result in any breach of, or require the consent of any Person under, the terms, conditions or provisions of the Organizational Documents of any of Parent or its Subsidiaries; (ii) contravene, conflict with or violate any provision of applicable Law; (iii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under (whether with notice or the lapse of time or both), or accelerate or permit the acceleration of the performance required by, or require any consent, authorization or approval under, or result in the suspension, termination or cancellation of, or in a right of suspension, termination or cancellation of, any Parent Material Contract; or (iv) result in the creation of any lien on any of the assets or businesses of any of Parent or its Subsidiaries under any such Parent Material Contract, except in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), for those items that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

7.5    Parent Reports; Financial Statements.

(a)    Parent has filed or furnished, as applicable, on a timely basis, all forms, statements, certifications, reports and documents required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Securities Act and with applicable Canadian Securities Regulators since the Applicable Date (the forms, statements, reports and documents filed or furnished since the Applicable Date and those filed or furnished subsequent to the date of this Agreement, including any amendments thereto, the “Parent Reports”). Each of the Parent Reports, at the time of its filing or being furnished, complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and applicable Canadian Securities Laws. As of their respective dates (or, if amended prior to the date of this Agreement, as of the date of such amendment), the Parent Reports did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except for any statements in any Parent Report that may have been modified by an amendment to such report or a subsequent report filed with the SEC or with applicable Canadian Securities Regulators prior to the date of this Agreement. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding comments from, or unresolved issues raised by, the staff of the SEC or applicable Canadian Securities Regulators with respect to the Parent Reports

(b)    Each of the consolidated statements of financial position included in or incorporated by reference into the Parent Reports (including the related notes and schedules) fairly presents in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of its date and each of the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows included in or incorporated by reference into Parent Reports (including any related notes and schedules) fairly presents in all material respects the results of operations, retained earnings (loss) and changes in financial position, as applicable, of such companies for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to notes and normal year-end audit adjustments that will not be material in amount or effect), in each case in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except as may be noted therein or in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC or other applicable rules and regulations of the SEC or Canadian Securities Regulators.

 

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(c)    Parent makes and keeps books, records, and accounts and has devised and maintains a system of internal controls, in each case, in all material respects, as required pursuant to Section 13(b)(2) under the Exchange Act and with applicable Canadian Securities Regulators, as applicable. Parent has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, of Rule 13A-15 under the Exchange Act) as required by Rule 13A-15 under the Exchange Act, the applicable listing standards of the TSX and applicable Canadian Securities Laws. Such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed by Parent in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act and applicable Canadian Securities Laws are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules, forms and regulations of the SEC and Canadian Securities Regulators, and that all such material information is accumulated and communicated to its management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Parent’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer have disclosed, based on their most recent evaluation, to Parent’s auditors and the audit committee of the Parent Board (x) all significant deficiencies in the designation or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect Parent’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for Parent’s auditors any material weakness in internal controls and (y) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in Parent’s internal controls.

7.6    Absence of Certain Changes. Since December 31, 2017, there has not been any Effect that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

7.7    Litigation and Liabilities.

(a)    Except as set forth in the Parent Reports, there are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened in writing against Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    Except for obligations and liabilities (i) reflected or reserved against in Parent’s consolidated statements of financial position (and the notes thereto) included in the Parent Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement or (ii) incurred in the Ordinary Course since December 31, 2017, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due and including any off-balance sheet financings, loans, indebtedness, make-whole or similar liabilities or obligations) that would be required by GAAP to be reflected on a consolidated statement of financial position (or notes thereto) of Parent and its Subsidiaries, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(c)    As of the date of this Agreement, neither Parent, nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties or assets are a party or subject to, or affected by, the provisions of any material judgment, order, writ, injunction, stipulation, ruling, determination, decree or award of any Governmental Entity except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(d)    Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 7.7, no representation or warranty shall be deemed to be made in this Section 7.7 in respect of environmental matters.

7.8    Compliance with Laws; Licenses.

(a)    The businesses of each of Parent and its Subsidiaries are not currently being conducted, and at no time since the Applicable Date have been conducted, in violation of any applicable Law, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has obtained and is in compliance with all Licenses necessary to conduct their respective businesses as presently conducted, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. No Licenses shall cease to be effective as a result of the consummation of the Transactions, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 7.8, no representation or warranty shall be deemed to be made in this Section 7.8 in respect of environmental matters.

7.9    Environmental Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect: (a) since January 1, 2013, each of Parent and its Subsidiaries is and has been in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance includes obtaining, maintaining and complying with all Environmental Permits; (b) all Environmental Permits are in full force and effect and, where applicable, applications for renewal or amendment thereof have been timely filed; (c) as of the date of this Agreement, no suspension or cancellation of any Environmental Permit is pending or threatened in writing; (d) no property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including soils, groundwater, surface water, buildings and surface and subsurface structures) is contaminated with any Hazardous Substance requiring remediation or other action pursuant to any Environmental Law; (e) as of the date of this Agreement, there are no Proceedings pending or threatened in writing against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or involving any real property currently or formerly owned, operated or leased by or for Parent or any of its Subsidiaries alleging noncompliance with, or liability under, any Environmental Law; and (f) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Governmental Order with any Governmental Entity or any indemnity or other agreement with any third party that imposes any current or future obligations under any Environmental Law.

7.10    Tax Matters. Except for any such matter that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect:

(a)    Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have prepared in good faith and duly and timely filed (taking into account any extension of time within which to file) all Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them with the appropriate Governmental Entity and all such filed Tax Returns are complete and accurate in all material respects.

 

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(b)    All Taxes owed by Parent and each of its Subsidiaries that are or have become due have been timely paid in full or an adequate reserve for the payment of such Taxes has been established on the statement of financial position of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries included in the Parent Report.

(c)    Except as set forth in Section 7.10(c) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, to the Knowledge of Parent, no deficiency with respect to a material amount of Taxes has been proposed, asserted or assessed against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. There are no Proceedings pending or threatened in writing regarding any material Taxes of Parent and its Subsidiaries or the assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries.

(d)    Except as set forth in Section 7.10(d) of the Parent Disclosure Letter, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has been, within the past two years or otherwise, as part of a “plan (or series of related transactions)” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code of which the Merger is also a part, a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code.

7.11    Property. Parent or a Subsidiary of Parent owns and has good title to all of its owned real property and good title to all of its owned personal property, and has valid leasehold interests in all of its leased real properties free and clear of all Encumbrances, in each case, to an extent sufficient to conduct their respective businesses as currently conducted (except in all cases for Encumbrances permissible under or not prohibited by any applicable material loan agreements and indentures (together with all related mortgages, deeds of trust and other security agreements)), except in each case as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. All leases under which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries lease any real or personal property are valid and effective against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of Parent, the counterparties thereto, in accordance with their respective terms and there is not, under any of such leases, any existing material default by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of Parent, the counterparties thereto, or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a material default by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of Parent, the counterparties thereto, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

7.12    Parent Material Contracts.

(a)    Except for this Agreement and except for Contracts filed with or publicly furnished to the SEC or filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval maintained by the Canadian Securities Regulators by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the date of this Agreement, as of the date of this Agreement, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, “Parent Material Contract”).

(b)    Each Parent Material Contract is valid and binding on Parent or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and, to the Knowledge of Parent, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be

 

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expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. There is no default under any such Parent Material Contracts by Parent or its Subsidiaries, or, to the Knowledge of Parent, any other party thereto, and no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default thereunder by Parent or its Subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of Parent, any other party thereto, in each case, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

7.13    Brokers and Finders. Neither Parent, nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective officers, directors or employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finders fees in connection with the Transactions, except that Parent has employed Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Scotia Capital Inc. as its financial advisors.

7.14    Insurance. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (a) the businesses and assets of Parent and its Subsidiaries are covered by, and insured under, insurance policies underwritten by reputable insurers that include coverages and related limits and deductibles that are customary in the Energy Products gathering, processing, treating, transportation and storage industries and natural gas liquids marketing industry, (b) all such insurance policies are in full force and effect and all premiums due and payable on such policies have been paid, and (c) no notice of cancellation of or indication of an intention not to renew, any such insurance policy has been received by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries other than in the Ordinary Course.

7.15    EEQ Merger Agreement. Parent has provided the Partnership with a correct and complete copy of the EEQ Merger Agreement.

7.16    No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties made by the Parent Parties and Merger Sub in this ARTICLE VII, none of the Parent Parties, Merger Sub or any other Person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Parent Parties, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions, and each of the Parent Parties and Merger Sub hereby expressly disclaims any such other representations or warranties. In particular, without limiting the foregoing, none of the Parent Parties, Merger Sub or any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty to the Partnership Parties or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives with respect to (a) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospect information relating to Parent, any of its Affiliates or any of their respective businesses, or (b) any oral or, except for the representations and warranties made by Parent or Merger Sub in this ARTICLE VII, written information made available to the Partnership Parties or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives in the course of their evaluation of Parent, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the Transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7.16 shall limit the Partnership Parties’ remedies with respect to intentional or willful misrepresentation of material facts that constitute common law fraud arising from or relating to the express representations and warranties made by Parent and Merger Sub in this ARTICLE VII.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

COVENANTS

8.1    Interim Operations.

(a)    Each of the Partnership and Parent covenants and agrees as to itself and its Subsidiaries that, after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time (unless Parent or the Partnership, as applicable, shall otherwise approve in writing (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed)), and except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement, as provided in any Contract in effect as of the date of this Agreement, or as required by applicable Law, the business of it and its Subsidiaries shall be conducted in the Ordinary Course and, to the extent consistent therewith, it and its Subsidiaries shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to preserve their business organizations intact and maintain existing relations and goodwill with Governmental Entities, customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, distributors, creditors, lessors, employees and business associates. Without limiting the generality of and in furtherance of the foregoing, from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly: (i) contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) contemplated by any Contract entered into prior to, concurrently with or after the date of this Agreement by Parent with respect to the Other Parent Transactions (as such Contract may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time); (iii) required by applicable Law or the terms of any Contract in effect on the date of this Agreement, (iv) as approved in writing (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) by the other Party; or (v) set forth in the corresponding subsection of Section 8.1 of the Partnership Disclosure Letter, as it relates to the Partnership and its Subsidiaries, or on Section 8.1 of the Parent Disclosure Letter, as it relates to Parent and its Subsidiaries, each Party, on its own account, shall not and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to:

(i)    make any material change to the nature of its business and operations;

(ii)    make any change to its Organizational Documents as in effect on the date of this Agreement in any manner that would reasonably be expected to prohibit, prevent or materially impede, hinder or delay the ability of such Party to satisfy any of the conditions to, or the consummation of, the Merger or the other Transactions;

(iii)    (A) merge or consolidate itself or any of its Subsidiaries with any other Person (expressly excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any of the Other Parent Transactions), or (B) adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization, in each case, except (1) such transactions solely between or among, or solely involving, such Party and one or more of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, or a Subsidiary of such Party and one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of such Subsidiary, (2) as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Partnership Material Adverse Effect or Parent Material Adverse Effect, as applicable, or (3) as would not reasonably be expected to prohibit, prevent or materially impede, hinder or delay the ability of such Party to satisfy any of the conditions to, or the consummation of, the Merger or the other Transactions;

 

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(iv)    issue, sell, grant, transfer or authorize the issuance, sale or grant, or otherwise enter into any Contract with respect to the voting of, any of its partnership interests, limited liability company interests, shares of capital stock or equity interests, as applicable (other than the issuance of partnership interests, limited liability company interests, shares of capital stock or equity interests, as applicable, (A) by its wholly owned Subsidiary to it or another of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, (B) by the Partnership to the GP Delegate pursuant to the Partnership Agreement or (C) in respect of equity-based awards outstanding as of the date of this Agreement in accordance with their terms and, as applicable, the plan documents as in effect on the date of this Agreement), or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for any such partnership interests, limited liability company interests, shares of capital stock or equity interests, as applicable, or any options, warrants or other rights of any kind to acquire any partnership interests, limited liability company interests, shares of capital stock or equity interests, as applicable, or such convertible or exchangeable securities;

(v)    reclassify, split, combine, subdivide or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of its partnership interests, limited liability company interests, shares of capital stock or equity interests, as applicable, or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for any partnership interests, limited liability company interests, shares of capital stock or equity interests, as applicable;

(vi)    waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding, including any state or federal regulatory proceeding seeking damages or injunction or other equitable relief, which waiver, release, assignment, settlement or compromise would reasonably be expected to result in a Partnership Material Adverse Effect or Parent Material Adverse Effect, as applicable;

(vii)    other than in the Ordinary Course, make, change or revoke any material Tax election, adopt or change any material Tax accounting method, file any material amended Tax Return, settle any material Tax claim, audit, assessment or dispute for an amount materially in excess of the amount reserved or accrued on such Party’s most recent consolidated balance sheet included in the Parent Reports or Partnership Reports, as applicable, or surrender any right to claim a refund of a material amount of Taxes;

(viii)    make any material changes with respect to accounting policies, except as required by changes in GAAP;

(ix)    make or declare any dividends or distributions to the holders of Common Units or Parent Common Stock, in each case, other than in the Ordinary Course, subject to Section 8.12; or

(x)    agree, authorize or commit to do any of the foregoing.

(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Party’s obligations under Section 8.1(a) to take an action or not to take an action, or to cause its Subsidiaries to take an action or not to take an action, shall, with respect to any Persons (and their respective Subsidiaries) controlled by such Party, or in which such Party otherwise has a voting interest, but that are not wholly owned Subsidiaries of such Party or have public equity

 

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holders, only apply (i) to the extent permitted by the organizational documents and governance arrangements of such entity and its subsidiaries, (ii) to the extent a Party is authorized and empowered to bind such entity and its subsidiaries and (iii) to the extent permitted by the Party’s or its Subsidiaries’ duties (fiduciary or otherwise) to such entity and its subsidiaries or any of its equity holders.

8.2    Change in Recommendation.

(a)    No Solicitation. Except as expressly permitted by this Section 8.2, the Partnership shall not, and none of its Subsidiaries nor any of the directors, officers or employees of it or its Subsidiaries shall, and the Partnership shall instruct its and its Subsidiaries’ Representatives not to, directly or indirectly:

(i)    initiate, solicit, propose, encourage or facilitate any inquiry or the making of any proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal;

(ii)    engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions with or negotiations relating to any Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry, proposal or offer that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal;

(iii)    provide any non-public information to any Person in connection with any Acquisition Proposal or any proposal or offer that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal; or

(iv)    otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make an Acquisition Proposal.

It is understood and agreed that no act or failure to act by Parent or any of its Affiliates or Representatives shall be a violation or breach of this Section 8.2 by the Partnership.

(b)    Exceptions. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.2(b) to the contrary, prior to the time, but not after, the Unitholder Approval is obtained, in response to an unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that did not arise from or in connection with a material breach of the obligations set forth in this Section 8.2, the Partnership may:

(i)    provide information in response to a request therefor (including non-public information regarding the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries) to the Person who made such Acquisition Proposal, provided that such information has previously been made available to, or is made available to, Parent prior to or concurrently with the time such information is made available to such Person and, prior to furnishing any such information, the Partnership receives from the Person making such Acquisition Proposal an executed confidentiality agreement containing customary terms (it being understood that such confidentiality agreement need not contain a standstill provision prohibiting the making or amending of an Acquisition Proposal); and

(ii)    participate in any discussions or negotiations with any such Person regarding such Acquisition Proposal;

 

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in each case, if, and only if, prior to taking any action described in clauses (i) or (ii) above, the Special Committee determines in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel, based on the information then available and after consultation with its financial advisor, that such Acquisition Proposal (A) constitutes a Superior Proposal or would reasonably be expected to result in a Superior Proposal and (B) such Acquisition Proposal did not result from a breach of this Section 8.2.

(c)    Notice of Acquisition Proposals. The Partnership shall promptly (and, in any event, within 24 hours) give notice to Parent if (i) any inquiries, proposals or offers with respect to an Acquisition Proposal are received by; (ii) any non-public information is requested in connection with any Acquisition Proposal from; or (iii) any discussions or negotiations with respect to an Acquisition Proposal are sought to be initiated or continued with, it or any of its Representatives, setting forth in such notice the name of such Person and the material terms and conditions of any proposals or offers (including, if applicable, complete copies of any written requests, proposals or offers, including proposed agreements) and thereafter shall keep Parent reasonably informed, on a current basis (and, in any event, within 24 hours), of the status and terms of any such proposals or offers (including any amendments thereto) and the status of any such discussions or negotiations, including any change in its intentions as previously notified.

(d)    No Change of Recommendation.

(i)    Except as permitted by Section 8.2(d)(ii), Section 8.2(d)(iii) and Section 8.2(e), the Special Committee agrees it shall not:

(A)    withhold, withdraw, qualify or modify (or publicly propose or resolve to withhold, withdraw, qualify or modify) the Partnership Recommendation in a manner adverse to Parent;

(B)    fail to include the Partnership Recommendation in the Proxy/Prospectus;

(C)    fail to recommend, within ten Business Days after the commencement of such Acquisition Proposal through a tender or exchange offer pursuant to Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act for outstanding Class A Common Units (other than by Parent or an Affiliate of Parent), against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by its Limited Partners;

(D)    approve or recommend, or publicly declare advisable or publicly propose to enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other agreement (other than a confidentiality agreement referred to in Section 8.2(a) entered into in compliance with Section 8.2(a)) relating to any Acquisition Proposal (an “Alternative Acquisition Agreement”, and any of the actions set forth in the foregoing clauses (A), (B), (C) and (D), a “Change of Recommendation”); or

(E)    except as expressly permitted by, and after compliance with, Section 8.2(d)(ii), recommend that the Partnership to enter into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement.

 

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(ii)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, prior to the time the Unitholder Approval is obtained, the Special Committee may effect a Change of Recommendation if (A) an unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that did not arise from or in connection with a breach of the obligations set forth in Section 8.2(a) is received by the Partnership and is not withdrawn, and (B) the Special Committee determines in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel and its financial advisor, that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; provided, however, that a Change of Recommendation may not be made unless and until the Partnership has given Parent written notice of such action and the basis thereof five days in advance (unless at the time such notice is otherwise required to be given there are fewer than five days prior to the expected date of the Partnership Unitholders Meeting, as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 8.4, in which case such notice shall be provided as far in advance as practicable), which notice shall set forth in writing that the Special Committee intends to consider whether to take such action and comply in form, substance and delivery with the provisions of Section 8.2(c). After giving such notice and prior to effecting such Change of Recommendation the Partnership shall negotiate in good faith with Parent (to the extent Parent wishes to negotiate) to make such revisions to the terms of this Agreement as would permit the Special Committee not to effect a Change of Recommendation in response thereto. At the end of the five day period (or such shorter period as is permitted by this Section 8.2(d)(ii)), prior to taking action to effect a Change of Recommendation, the Special Committee shall take into account any changes to the terms of this Agreement proposed by Parent in writing and any other information offered by Parent in response to the notice, and shall have determined in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel and its financial advisor that the Superior Proposal would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal if such changes offered in writing were to be given effect. Any modification to any Acquisition Proposal will be deemed to be a new Acquisition Proposal for purposes of Section 8.2(c) and this Section 8.2(d)(ii) except that the advance written notice obligation set forth in this Section 8.2(d)(ii) shall be reduced to three days.

(iii)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, prior to the time the Unitholder Approval is obtained, the Special Committee may effect a Change of Recommendation in response to an Intervening Event if the Special Committee has reasonably determined in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel and its financial advisor, that the failure to do so would be materially adverse to the interests of the Partnership or the Public Unitholders or would otherwise be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its duties under applicable Law or obligations under the Partnership Agreement; provided, however, that a Change of Recommendation may not be made unless and until the Partnership has given Parent written notice of such action and the basis thereof five days in advance (unless at the time such notice is otherwise required to be given there are fewer than five days prior to the expected date of the Partnership Unitholders Meeting, as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 8.4, in which case such notice shall be provided as far in advance as practicable), which notice shall set forth in writing that the Special Committee intends to consider whether to take such action and a reasonably detailed description of such Intervening Event. After giving such notice and prior to effecting such Change of Recommendation the Partnership shall negotiate in good faith with Parent (to the extent Parent wishes to negotiate) to make such revisions to the terms of this Agreement as would permit the Special Committee not to effect a Change of Recommendation in response thereto. At the end of the five day period (or such shorter period as is permitted by this Section 8.2(d)(iii)), prior to taking action to effect a Change of Recommendation, the Special

 

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Committee shall take into account any changes to the terms of this Agreement proposed by Parent in writing and any other information offered by Parent in response to the notice, and shall have determined in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel and its financial advisor that the failure to effect a Change of Recommendation would continue to be materially adverse to the interests of the Partnership or the Public Unitholders or would otherwise be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its duties under applicable Law or obligations under the Partnership Agreement.

(e)    Certain Permitted Disclosure. Nothing contained in this Section 8.2 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall prohibit the Partnership or the Special Committee from disclosures to the Public Unitholders of: (A) a position contemplated by Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or (B) any disclosure the Special Committee has reasonably determined in good faith, after consultation with outside legal counsel, that the failure to do so would be materially adverse to the interests of the Partnership or the Public Unitholders or would otherwise be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its duties under applicable Law or obligations under the Partnership Agreement.

(f)    Existing Discussions. The Partnership shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any Person conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, or proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal. The Partnership shall promptly deliver a written notice to each such Person providing only that the Partnership is ending all discussions and negotiations with such Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, or proposal or transaction that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal and informing such Persons of the obligations undertaken in this Section 8.2 which notice shall also request the prompt return or destruction of all confidential information concerning the Partnership and any of its Subsidiaries heretofore furnished to such Person by or on behalf of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable.

8.3    Prospectus/Proxy Filing; Information Supplied.

(a)    As promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, the Partnership shall prepare and file with the SEC the proxy statement relating to the Partnership Unitholders Meeting (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Proxy/Prospectus”), and Parent shall prepare and file with the SEC, Parent’s registration statement on Form S-4 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Registration Statement”, with the Proxy/Prospectus constituting a part thereof). Parent and the Partnership each shall use its reasonable best efforts to respond promptly to comments from the SEC and have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable after such filing, to promptly thereafter mail the Proxy/Prospectus (including the Registration Statement) to the Limited Partners, and to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement for as long as necessary to consummate the Transactions or until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.

(b)    Each of the Partnership and Parent shall promptly notify the other of the receipt of all comments from the SEC and of any request by the SEC for any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Proxy/Prospectus or for additional information and shall promptly provide to the other copies of all correspondence between it or any of its Representatives and the SEC with respect to the Registration Statement or Proxy/Prospectus.

 

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(c)    Each of the Partnership Parties and Parent agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that none of the information supplied or to be supplied by it or its Subsidiaries for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (ii) the Proxy/Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto will, at the date of mailing to the Limited Partners and at the time of the Partnership Unitholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each of the Partnership and Parent further agrees that, if prior to the Closing Date, it should become aware of any information that would cause any of the statements in the Proxy/Prospectus or the Registration Statement to be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein (in light of the circumstances under which they were made, in the case of the Proxy/Prospectus) not false or misleading, it will promptly inform the other Party thereof and, subject to Section 8.3(d), take the steps necessary to correct such information in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy/Prospectus or the Registration Statement.

(d)    Each of Parent and the Partnership will provide the other Party and their respective legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on drafts of the Proxy/Prospectus, the Registration Statement and other documents related to the Partnership Unitholders Meeting or the issuance of the shares of Parent Common Stock in respect of the Merger, prior to filing such documents with the applicable Governmental Entity and mailing such documents to the Limited Partners of the Partnership. Each Party will include in the Proxy/Prospectus, the Registration Statement and such other documents related to the Partnership Unitholders Meeting or the issuance of the shares of Parent Common Stock in respect of the Merger all comments reasonably and promptly proposed by the other Party or its legal counsel and each agrees that all information relating to Parent and its Subsidiaries included in the Proxy/Prospectus and the Registration Statement shall be in form and content satisfactory to Parent, acting reasonably, and all information relating to the Partnership and its Subsidiaries included in the Proxy/Prospectus and the Registration Statement shall be in form and content satisfactory to the Partnership, acting reasonably.

8.4    Unitholders Meeting.

(a)    The Partnership will take, in accordance with applicable Law and its Organizational Documents, all action necessary to convene the Partnership Unitholders Meeting as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective and the SEC advises it has no further comments on the Proxy/Prospectus to consider and vote upon the approval of this Agreement and to cause such vote to be taken, and shall not postpone or adjourn such meeting except to the extent required by Law or pursuant to Section 8.4(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the partnership delivers a notice of an intent to make a Change of Recommendation pursuant to Section 8.2(d)(ii) or Section 8.2(d)(iii) within the five days prior

 

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to the Original Date or any date that the Partnership Unitholders Meeting is scheduled to be held thereafter in accordance with the terms of this Section 8.4, if directed by Parent, the Partnership shall as promptly as practicable thereafter postpone or adjourn the Partnership Unitholders Meeting for up to ten days in accordance with Parent’s direction. Subject to Section 8.2 of this Agreement, the Partnership Board shall recommend such approval and shall take all lawful action to solicit such approval.

(b)    The Partnership agrees (i) to provide Parent reasonably detailed periodic updates concerning proxy solicitation results on a timely basis (including, if requested, promptly providing daily voting reports) and (ii) to give written notice to Parent one day prior to the Partnership Unitholders Meeting and, if requested, on the day of, but prior to, the Partnership Unitholders Meeting, indicating whether as of such date sufficient proxies representing the Unitholder Approval have been obtained. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, on a date that is two Business Days prior to the date the Partnership Unitholders Meeting is scheduled (in either case, the “Original Date”), (A) the Partnership has not received proxies representing the Unitholder Approval, whether or not a quorum is present or (B) it is necessary to ensure that any supplement or amendment to the Proxy/Prospectus is required to be delivered, the Partnership may, or if Parent so requests, shall, postpone or adjourn, or make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of, the Partnership Unitholders Meeting as long as the date of the Partnership Unitholders Meeting is not postponed or adjourned more than ten days in connection with any one postponement or adjournment or more than an aggregate of twenty days from the Original Date in reliance on the preceding sentence.

(c)    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Partnership agrees that its obligation to hold the Partnership Unitholders Meeting pursuant to this Section 8.4(c) shall not be affected by the making of a Change of Recommendation and its obligations pursuant to this Section 8.4(c) shall not be affected by the commencement of or announcement or disclosure of or communication to the Partnership of any Acquisition Proposal. The Partnership agrees that it shall not submit to the vote of the Limited Partners any Acquisition Proposal (whether or not a Superior Proposal) prior to the vote of the Partnership’s Limited Partners with respect to the Unitholder Approval at the Partnership Unitholders Meeting.

8.5    Cooperation; Efforts to Consummate.

(a)    On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, each of the Partnership and Parent shall cooperate with each other and use (and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to use) its respective reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable on its part under this Agreement and applicable Law to consummate and make effective the Transactions as soon as reasonably practicable, including (i) preparing and filing as promptly as reasonably practicable all documentation to effect all necessary notices, reports and other filings (including by filing as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement the notification and report form required under the HSR Act), (ii) obtaining as promptly as reasonably practicable all consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations necessary or advisable to be obtained from any third party or any Governmental Entity in order to consummate the Transactions and (iii) defending any Proceedings challenging this Agreement or the Transactions and seeking to have lifted or rescinded any injunction or restraining order or

 

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other order adversely affecting the ability of the Parties to consummate the Merger and the Transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement will require any Party to hold separate or make any divestiture of any asset or otherwise agree to any restriction on its operations or other condition in order to obtain any consent or approval or other clearance required by this Agreement.

(b)    Subject to applicable Law relating to the exchange of information, Parent shall have the right to direct all matters with any Governmental Entity consistent with its obligations hereunder; provided that Parent and the Partnership Parties shall have the right to review in advance and, to the extent reasonably practicable, each will consult with the other on and consider in good faith the views of the other in connection with, all of the information relating to Parent or the Partnership Parties, as applicable, and any of their respective Subsidiaries, that appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any third party or any Governmental Entity in connection with the Transactions (including the Proxy/Prospectus). Neither the Partnership Parties nor Parent shall permit any of its officers or other Representatives to participate in any meeting with any Governmental Entity in respect of any filings, investigation or other inquiry relating to the Transactions unless it consults with the other Parties in advance and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Entity, gives the other Parties the opportunity to attend and participate thereat. The Partnership Parties shall not agree to any actions, restrictions or conditions with respect to obtaining any consents, registrations, approvals, permits, expirations of waiting periods or authorizations in connection with the Transactions without the prior written consent of Parent (which consent, subject to this Section 8.5, may be withheld in Parent’s sole discretion). In exercising the foregoing rights, each of the Partnership Parties and Parent shall act reasonably and as promptly as reasonably practicable.

8.6    Status; Notifications. Subject to applicable Law and as otherwise required by any Governmental Entity, the Partnership and Parent each shall keep the other apprised of the status of matters relating to the consummation of the Transactions, including promptly furnishing the other with copies of notices or other communications received by the Parent Parties or the Partnership Parties, as applicable, or any of their respective Subsidiaries, from any third party or any Governmental Entity with respect to the Transactions. The Partnership and Parent each shall give prompt notice to the other of any Effect that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect or Parent Material Adverse Effect, as applicable, or of any failure of any condition to the other Party’s obligation to consummate the Transactions; provided that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 8.6 shall not affect or be deemed to modify any representation, warranty, covenant, right, remedy, or condition to any obligation of any Party or update the Partnership Disclosure Letter or Parent Disclosure Letter, as applicable.

8.7    Information; Access and Reports.

(a)    Subject to applicable Law and the other provisions of this Section 8.7, the Partnership and Parent each shall (and shall cause its Subsidiaries to), upon request by the other Party, furnish the other Party and its Representatives with all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, directors, officers and stockholders and such other matters as may be required in connection with the Proxy/Prospectus, the Registration Statement or any other statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of Parent, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries to any Governmental Entity in connection with the Transactions.

 

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(b)    The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.7 shall not require and shall not be construed to require either the Partnership or Parent to permit any access to any of its officers, employees, agents, contracts, books or records, or its properties, offices or other facilities, or to permit any inspection, review, sampling or audit, or to disclose or otherwise make available any information that in the reasonable judgment of the Partnership or Parent, as applicable, would (i) violate the terms of any confidentiality provisions in any agreement with a third party entered into prior to the date of this Agreement; (ii) result in a violation of applicable Law; (iii) waive the protection of any attorney-client privilege; or (iv) result in the disclosure of any personal information that would expose the Party to the risk of liability.

(c)    No exchange of information or investigation by Parent or its Representatives shall affect or be deemed to affect, modify or waive the representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties set forth in this Agreement, and no investigation by the Partnership or its Representatives shall affect or be deemed to affect, modify or waive the representations and warranties of the Parent Parties or Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement.

8.8    Stock Exchange Listing and Delisting. Parent shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger to be approved for listing on the NYSE and the TSX, subject to official notice of issuance, prior to the Closing Date. Prior to the Closing Date, the Partnership shall cooperate with Parent and use reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable on its part under applicable Law and rules and policies of the NYSE to enable the delisting by the Surviving Entity of the Class A Common Units from the NYSE and the deregistration of the Class A Common Units under the Exchange Act as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time.

8.9    Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.9 or Section 10.6, whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the Transactions, including all fees and expenses of its Representatives, shall be paid by the Party incurring such expense, except that Parent shall pay for (a) any filing fees with respect to the Registration Statement, (b) the costs and expenses of printing and mailing of the Proxy/Prospectus and (c) any filing fees in connection with the HSR Act.

8.10    Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance.

(a)    From and after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, each of Parent and the Surviving Entity agrees that it will jointly and severally (i) indemnify, defend and hold harmless each present and former (determined as of the Effective Time) director and officer of the Partnership, the GP Delegate and the General Partner, in each case, when acting in such capacity (including the heirs, executors and administrators of any such director or officer, the “Indemnified Parties”), against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, penalties, sanctions, losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other

 

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charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of any thereof) in connection with, arising out of or otherwise related to any acts or omissions or actual or threatened Proceeding, in each case in connection with, arising out of or otherwise related to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, including in connection with (A) the Transactions, and (B) actions to enforce this provision or any other indemnification or advancement right of any Indemnified Party, and (ii) advance expenses as incurred in each case described in clause (i) to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law; provided that any Person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined by a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction that such Person is not entitled to indemnification.

(b)    Parent shall maintain in effect, or cause to be maintained in effect, (i) the insurance liability coverage of the existing directors’ and officers’ insurance policies for directors and officers of the GP Delegate, and (ii) the Partnership’s existing fiduciary liability insurance policies (collectively, the “D&O Insurance”) in place as of the date of this Agreement, in each case, for a claims reporting or discovery period of six years from and after the Effective Time (the “Tail Period”), with terms, conditions and limits of liability that are at least as favorable to the insureds as provided in the existing policies providing such coverage as of the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that in no event during the Tail Period shall Parent be required to expend more on the annual cost of the D&O Insurance than an amount per year equal to 300 percent of the current annual premiums charged to the Partnership by Parent for such insurance; and provided, further, that if the cost of such insurance coverage exceeds such amount, the Surviving Entity shall have the option to obtain a policy with the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding such amount. If Parent in its sole discretion elects, then, in lieu of the obligations of the Surviving Entity under this Section 8.10(b), Parent may, but shall be under no obligation to, prior to the Effective Time, obtain and fully pay the premium for “tail” insurance policies for the extension of the D&O Insurance for the Tail Period with respect to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (including in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions).

(c)    Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under this Section 8.10, upon learning of any such Proceeding, shall promptly notify Parent thereof in writing, but the failure to so notify shall not relieve Parent or the Surviving Entity of any liability it may have to such Indemnified Party, except to the extent such failure materially prejudices the indemnifying party. In the event of any Proceeding: (i) Parent or the Surviving Entity shall have the right to assume the defense thereof (it being understood that by electing to assume the defense thereof, neither Parent nor the Surviving Entity will be deemed to have waived any right to object to the Indemnified Party’s entitlement to indemnification hereunder with respect thereto or assumed any liability with respect thereto), except that if Parent or the Surviving Entity elects not to assume such defense or legal counsel or the Indemnified Party advises that there are issues which raise conflicts of interest between Parent or the Surviving Entity and the Indemnified Party, the Indemnified Party may retain legal counsel satisfactory to them, and Parent or the Surviving Entity shall pay all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of such legal counsel for the Indemnified Party promptly as statements therefor are received; provided, however, that Parent and the Surviving Entity shall be obligated pursuant to this Section 8.10(c) to pay for only one firm of legal counsel for all Indemnified Parties with respect to any

 

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Proceeding in any jurisdiction unless the use of one legal counsel for such Indemnified Parties would present such legal counsel with a conflict of interest (provided that the fewest number of legal counsels necessary to avoid conflicts of interest shall be used); (ii) the Indemnified Parties shall cooperate in the defense of any such matter if Parent or the Surviving Entity elects to assume such defense, and Parent and the Surviving Entity shall cooperate in the defense of any such matter if Parent or the Surviving Entity elects not to assume such defense; (iii) the Indemnified Parties shall not be liable for any settlement effected without their prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) if Parent or the Surviving Entity elects to assume such defense and Parent and the Surviving Entity shall not be liable for any settlement effected without their prior written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) if Parent or the Surviving Entity elects not to assume such defense; and (iv) all rights to indemnification in respect of any such Proceedings shall continue until final disposition of all such Proceedings.

(d)    During the Tail Period, Parent shall honor (and shall cause the General Partner, the GP Delegate and the Surviving Entity to honor) all rights to indemnification, elimination of liability and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time and rights to advancement of expenses relating thereto as in effect as of the date of this Agreement in favor of any Indemnified Party as provided in the Organizational Documents of the General Partner, the GP Delegate, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any indemnification agreement between such Indemnified Party and the General Partner, the GP Delegate, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries, in each case, as in effect on the date of this Agreement, and all of such rights shall survive the Transactions unchanged and shall not be amended, restated, repealed or otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely affect any right thereunder of any such Indemnified Party.

(e)    If Parent, the General Partner, the GP Delegate or the Surviving Entity or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) shall consolidate with or merge into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving Person of such consolidation or merger or (ii) shall transfer all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provisions shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Parent, the General Partner, the GP Delegate or the Surviving Entity, as applicable, shall assume all of the obligations set forth in this Section 8.10.

(f)    The rights of the Indemnified Parties under this Section 8.10 are in addition to any rights such Indemnified Parties may have under the Organizational Documents of the General Partner, the GP Delegate, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or under any applicable Contracts or Laws, and nothing in this Agreement is intended to, shall be construed to or shall release, waive or impair any rights to directors’ and officers’ insurance claims under any policy that is or has been in existence with respect to the General Partner, the GP Delegate, the Partnership or any of their respective Subsidiaries for any of their respective directors, officers or other employees (it being understood that the indemnification provided for in this Section 8.10 is not prior to or in substitution of any such claims under such policies).

(g)    This Section 8.10 is intended to be for the benefit of, and from and after the Effective Time shall be enforceable by, each of the Indemnified Parties, who shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Section 8.10. Any right of an Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 8.10 shall not be amended, repealed, terminated or otherwise modified at any time in a manner that would adversely affect the rights of such Indemnified Party as provided herein.

 

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8.11    Takeover Statutes. If any “fair price”, “moratorium”, “control share acquisition” or other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation is or may become applicable to the Transactions, each of Parent and the Partnership and the Parent Board and the Partnership Board, respectively, shall grant such approvals and use reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary so that the Transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of such statute or regulation on the Transactions.

8.12    Distributions.

(a)    Until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Partnership Board shall declare, and shall cause the Partnership to pay, the Partnership’s regular quarterly cash distribution in an amount not less than $0.35 per Class A Common Unit in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and consistent with the Partnership’s historical payment schedule of quarterly cash distributions.

(b)    Subject to Section 8.12(a), the Partnership and Parent shall coordinate with each other with respect to the declaration and setting of record dates and payment dates of distributions on Class A Common Units and Parent Common Stock, subject to applicable Law, so that holders of Class A Common Units do not receive dividends and distributions, as applicable, on both Class A Common Units and shares of Parent Common Stock received in the Merger in respect of any calendar quarter or fail to receive a dividend or distribution, as applicable, on either Class A Common Units or shares of Parent Common Stock received in the Merger in respect of any calendar quarter.

8.13    Section 16 Matters. The Partnership and Parent, and the Partnership Board and the Parent Board (or duly formed committees thereof consisting of non-employee directors (as such term is defined for the purposes of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act)), shall, prior to the Effective Time, take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to cause the Transactions and any other dispositions of equity securities of the Partnership (including derivative securities) or acquisitions of equity securities of Parent Common Stock (including derivative securities) in connection with the Transactions by any individual who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Partnership, or will become subject to such reporting requirements with respect to Parent, to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, to the extent permitted by applicable Law.

8.14    Transaction Litigation. In the event that any unitholder litigation related to this Agreement or the Transactions is brought, or, to the Partnership’s Knowledge, threatened, against the Partnership or any members of the Partnership Board from and following the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time (such litigation, “Transaction Litigation”), the Partnership shall as promptly as reasonably practicable notify Parent of such Transaction Litigation and shall keep Parent reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof. The Partnership shall give Parent the opportunity to participate in the defense or settlement and shall

 

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consider in good faith Parent’s advice with respect to such Transaction Litigation; provided that the Partnership shall in any event control such defense or settlement and the disclosure of information to Parent in connection therewith shall be subject to the provisions of Section 8.7; provided, further, that the Partnership shall not agree to settle any Transaction Litigation without the prior written consent of Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

8.15    Voting. The Parent Parties covenant and agree that, until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, (a) at the Partnership Unitholders Meeting or any other meeting of the Limited Partners or any vote of the Limited Partners or of Listed Shares in connection with a vote of the Limited Partners however called, the Parent Parties shall vote, or cause to be voted, to the extent permitted under the Organizational Documents of the GP Delegate, any Units and Listed Shares then owned beneficially or of record them or any of their Subsidiaries, as of the record date for such meeting, in favor of the approval of this Agreement (as it may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time) and the Merger and the approval of any actions required in furtherance thereof, and (b) at any meeting or vote of the holders of Listed Shares of the GP Delegate or in connection with any approval of the holders of Listed Shares, however called, the Parent Parties will vote, or cause to be voted, to the extent permitted under the Organizational Documents of the GP Delegate, all Listed Shares then owned, beneficially or of record, by them or any of their Subsidiaries, as of the record date for such meeting, in favor of, for purposes of determining the manner in which the I-Units are voted, the approval of this Agreement (as it may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time) and the Merger and the approval of any actions required in furtherance thereof.

8.16    Special Committee.

(a)    Prior to the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, Parent shall not and it shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, and it shall not and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to take any action intended to cause the GP Delegate to, without the consent of a majority of the then existing members of the Special Committee, eliminate the Special Committee, revoke or diminish the authority of the Special Committee or remove or cause the removal of any director of the Partnership Board that is a member of the Special Committee either as a director or as a member of such committee. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 8.16 shall not apply to the filling, in accordance with the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the GP Delegate, of any vacancies caused by the resignation, death or incapacity of any such director.

(b)    Unless otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, whenever a determination, decision, approval, consent, waiver or agreement of the Partnership or the Partnership Board is permitted or required pursuant to this Agreement, such determination, decision, approval, consent, waiver or agreement must be authorized by the Special Committee.

8.17    Performance by General Partner. Parent shall cause the General Partner and the General Partner shall cause the GP Delegate and the Partnership and its Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that actions or inactions by the Partnership, the GP Delegate, the General Partner and

 

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their respective Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be breaches or violations or failures to perform by the Partnership, the GP Delegate, the General Partner and their respective Subsidiaries of any of the provisions of this Agreement if such action or inaction was or was not taken, as applicable, at the direction of Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers.

ARTICLE IX

CONDITIONS

9.1    Conditions to Obligation of Each Party. The respective obligation of each Party to consummate the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions:

(a)    Partnership Unitholder Approval. The Unitholder Approval shall have been obtained in accordance with applicable Law and the Partnership Agreement.

(b)    Listing. The shares of Parent Common Stock issuable to the holders of Class A Common Units pursuant to this Agreement shall have been authorized for listing on the NYSE and the TSX, subject to official notice of issuance.

(c)    Regulatory Approvals. The waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the consummation of the Transactions under the HSR Act shall have expired or been earlier terminated.

(d)    Laws or Governmental Orders. No Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law or Governmental Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins, makes illegal or otherwise prohibits the consummation of the Transactions.

(e)    Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have become effective in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and remain in effect, and no Proceedings for that purpose shall have commenced or been threatened in writing by the SEC, unless subsequently withdrawn.

9.2    Conditions to Obligation of Parent, EUS and Merger Sub. The respective obligations of Parent, EUS and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger are also subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Parent at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(a)    Representations and Warranties. (i) Each of the representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties set forth in Section 6.3 (Authority; Approval and Fairness) and Section 6.6 (Absence of Certain Changes) shall have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of a particular date or period of time, in which case such representation and warranty shall be so true and correct in all material respects as of such particular date or period of time); (ii) the representations and warranties of the Partnership set forth in Section 6.2 (Capital Structure of the Partnership) shall have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date

 

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(except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of a particular date or period of time, in which case such representation and warranty shall be so true and correct in all material respects as of such particular date or period of time), except for such inaccuracies as would not be material in amount or effect; and (iii) each other representation and warranty of the Partnership Parties set forth in this Agreement shall have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of a particular date or period of time, in which case such representation and warranty shall be so true and correct as of such particular date or period of time), except, in the case of this clause (iii), for any failure of any such representation and warranty to be so true and correct (without giving effect to any qualification by materiality or Partnership Material Adverse Effect contained therein) that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

(b)    Performance of Obligations of the Partnership. The Partnership shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.

(c)    Partnership Closing Certificate. Parent, EUS and Merger Sub shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Partnership by an executive officer of the Partnership certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 9.2(a) and Section 9.2(b) have been satisfied.

9.3    Conditions to Obligation of the Partnership Parties. The respective obligations of the Partnership Parties to consummate the Merger are also subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Partnership at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(a)    Representations and Warranties. (i) Each of the representations and warranties of the Parent Parties and Merger Sub set forth in Section 7.3 (Authority; Approval) and Section 7.6 (Absence of Certain Changes) shall have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of a particular date or period of time, in which case such representation and warranty shall be so true and correct in all material respects as of such particular date or period of time); (ii) the representations and warranties of Parent set forth in Section 7.2 (Capital Structure of Parent; Capitalization of Merger Sub) shall have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of a particular date or period of time, in which case such representation and warranty shall be so true and correct in all material respects as of such particular date or period of time), except for such inaccuracies as would not be material in amount or effect; and (iii) the other representations and warranties of the Parent Parties and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement shall have been true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of a particular date or period of time, in which case such representation and warranty shall be so true and correct as of such particular date or period of time), except, in the case of this clause (iii), for any failure of any such representation and warranty to be so true and correct (without giving effect to any qualification by materiality or Parent Material Adverse Effect set forth therein) that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b)    Performance of Obligations of Parent, EUS and Merger Sub. Each of Parent, EUS and Merger Sub shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date.

(c)    Parent, EUS and Merger Sub Closing Certificate. The Partnership shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent, EUS and Merger Sub by an executive officer of Parent certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 9.3(a) and Section 9.3(b) have been satisfied.

ARTICLE X

TERMINATION

10.1    Termination by Mutual Written Consent. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by mutual written consent of Parent and the Partnership by action of the Parent Board and the Partnership Board, with approval of the Special Committee.

10.2    Termination by Either Parent or the Partnership. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time by action of either the Parent Board or the Partnership Board, with approval of the Special Committee, if:

(a)    the Merger shall not have been consummated by March 18, 2019 (the “Outside Date”); provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.2(a) shall not be available to any Party that has breached in any material respect its obligations set forth in this Agreement in any manner that shall have proximately contributed to the occurrence of the failure of a condition to the consummation of the Merger;

(b)    the Unitholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the Partnership Unitholders Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof taken in accordance with this Agreement; or

(c)    any Law or Governmental Order permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the Merger shall become final and non-appealable; provided that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.2(b) shall not be available to any Party that has breached in any material respect its obligations set forth in this Agreement in any manner that shall have proximately contributed to the occurrence of the failure of a condition to the consummation of the Merger.

10.3    Termination by Parent. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by the Parent Board if:

(a)    prior to the time the Unitholder Approval is obtained, the Special Committee shall have made a Change of Recommendation; or

 

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(b)    at any time prior to the Effective Time, there has been a breach by the Partnership of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of the Partnership shall have become untrue, in either case, such that the conditions in Section 9.2(a) or Section 9.2(b) would not be satisfied (and such breach or failure to be true and correct is not curable prior to the Outside Date, or if curable prior to the Outside Date, has not been cured within the earlier of (i) sixty days after the giving of notice thereof by Parent to the Partnership or (ii) the Outside Date); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.3(b) shall not be available to Parent if it has breached in any material respect its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement.

10.4    Termination by the Partnership. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by the Partnership Board, with approval of the Special Committee, if, at any time prior to the Effective Time, there has been a breach by Parent, EUS or Merger Sub of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement, or if any representation or warranty of Parent, EUS or Merger Sub shall have become untrue, in either case, such that the conditions in Section 9.3(a) or Section 9.3(b) would not be satisfied (and such breach or failure to be true and correct is not curable prior to the Outside Date, or if curable prior to the Outside Date, has not been cured within the earlier of (a) sixty days after the giving of notice thereof by the Partnership to Parent or (b) the Outside Date); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.4 shall not be available to the Partnership if it has breached in any material respect its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement.

10.5    Effect of Termination and Abandonment. In the event of the termination of this Agreement and the abandonment of the Merger pursuant to this Article X, this Agreement shall become void and of no effect with no liability to any Person on the part of any Party (or any of its Representatives or Affiliates); provided, however, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (a) no such termination shall relieve any Party of any liability or damages to any other Party resulting from any Willful Breach of this Agreement and (b) the provisions set forth in this Section 10.5 and the second sentence of Section 11.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

10.6    Payment of Partnership Expenses. If this Agreement is terminated by (a) the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.4 or (b) the Partnership or Parent pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.2(a) or 10.2(b), Parent shall pay to the Partnership by wire transfer of immediately available funds an account designated by the Partnership an amount equal to the Partnership Expenses, and such payment shall be made within five (5) Business Days after such termination.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS AND GENERAL

11.1    Survival. ARTICLE I, this ARTICLE XI and the agreements of the Partnership Parties, the Parent Parties and Merger Sub contained in ARTICLE IV, ARTICLE V, Section 8.9 (Expenses), Section 8.10 (Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance) and

 

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Section 8.12 (Distributions) shall survive the Effective Time. ARTICLE I, this ARTICLE XI and the agreements of the Partnership Parties, the Parent Parties and Merger Sub contained in Section 8.9 (Expenses), Section 10.5 (Effect of Termination and Abandonment) and Section 10.6 (Payment of Partnership Expenses) shall survive the termination of this Agreement. All other representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement or in any instrument or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall not survive the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement.

11.2    Modification or Amendment; Waiver.

(a)    Subject to the provisions of applicable Law and the provisions of Section 8.10 (Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance), at any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived if such amendment, modification or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment or modification or waiver, by each of the Parties, or in the case of a waiver, by the Party against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided that, in the case of amendments, modifications or waivers by the Partnership, any such amendments, modifications or waivers must be approved by the Special Committee. The conditions to each of the Parties’ respective obligations to consummate the Transactions are for the sole benefit of such Party and may be waived by such Party, in whole or in part, to the extent permitted by applicable Law; provided, however, that any such waiver shall only be effective if made in writing and executed by the Party against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided, further, that the Partnership may not make or authorize any such waiver without the prior approval of the Special Committee.

(b)    No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under applicable Law shall operate as a waiver of such rights and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no single or partial exercise thereof shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by Law.

11.3    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each such counterpart being deemed to be an original instrument, and all such counterparts shall together constitute the same agreement. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, email or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.

11.4    Governing Law and Venue; Submission to Jurisdiction; Selection of Forum; Waiver of Trial by Jury.

(a)    THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE IN AND IN ALL RESPECTS SHALL BE INTERPRETED, CONSTRUED AND GOVERNED BY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF (OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH PRINCIPLES WOULD DIRECT A MATTER TO ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

 

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(b)    Each of the Parties agrees that: (i) it shall bring any Proceeding in connection with, arising out of or otherwise relating to this Agreement, any instrument or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or the Transactions exclusively in the courts of the State of Delaware in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (and only if) such court finds it lacks subject matter jurisdiction, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware (Complex Commercial Division); provided that if subject matter jurisdiction over the matter that is the subject of the Proceeding is vested exclusively in the United States federal courts, such Proceeding shall be heard in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware (the “Chosen Courts”); and (ii) solely in connection with such Proceedings, (A) it irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, (B) it waives any objection to the laying of venue in any Proceeding in the Chosen Courts, (C) it waives any objection that the Chosen Courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any Party, (D) mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such Proceeding in the manner provided in Section 11.6 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable Law shall be valid and sufficient service thereof and (E) it shall not assert as a defense, any matter or claim waived by the foregoing clauses (A) through (D) of this Section 11.4(b) or that any Governmental Order issued by the Chosen Courts may not be enforced in or by the Chosen Courts.

(c)    EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY BE IN CONNECTION WITH, ARISE OUT OF OR OTHERWISE RELATE TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY INSTRUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS, IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN CONNECTION WITH, ARISING OUT OF OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY INSTRUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS. EACH PARTY HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES AND CERTIFIES: (i) THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OTHER PARTIES HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTIES WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER; (ii) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER; (iii) IT MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY; AND (iv) IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 11.4(c).

11.5    Specific Performance.

(a)    Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that the rights of each Party to consummate the Transactions are special, unique and of extraordinary character and that if for any reason any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached (including by a Party’s failing to take such actions as

 

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are required of such Party hereunder in order to consummate the Transactions), immediate and irreparable harm or damage would be caused for which money damages would not be an adequate remedy. Accordingly, each Party agrees that, in addition to any other available remedies a Party may have in equity or at law, each Party shall be entitled to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to obtain an injunction restraining any breach or violation or threatened breach or violation of the provisions of this Agreement in the Chosen Courts, provided that such Party seeking specific performance, injunction or other equitable remedy pursuant to this Section 11.5 is not in material default under this Agreement. Each Party agrees that no Party shall be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this Section 11.5, and each Party irrevocably waives any right it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar instrument. In the event that any Proceeding should be brought in equity to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, no Party shall allege, and each Party hereby waives the defense, that there is an adequate remedy at law.

(b)    To the extent any Party brings a Proceeding to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions of this Agreement (other than a Proceeding to specifically enforce any provision that expressly survives termination of this Agreement) when expressly available to such Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Outside Date shall automatically be extended to (i) the twentieth Business Day following the resolution of such Proceeding, or (ii) such other time period established by the court presiding over such Proceeding.

11.6    Notices. All notices, requests, instructions, consents, claims, demands, waivers, approvals and other communications to be given or made hereunder by one or more Parties to one or more of the other Parties shall be in writing and delivered in person or by courier service, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or sent by email; provided that any email transmission must be promptly confirmed by telephone or email. Such communications shall be sent to the respective Parties at the following street addresses or email addresses or at such other street address or email address for a Party as shall be specified for such purpose in a notice given in accordance with this Section 11.6:

If to the Partnership, General Partner or GP Delegate:

 

Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.

5400 Westheimer Court

Houston, TX 77056

Attention:

   Corporate Secretary

Telephone:

   (713) 627-5400

Email:

   ***@***

 

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with a copy to the Special Committee’s legal counsel (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Bracewell LLP

Suite 2300

711 Louisiana Street

Houston, TX 77002

Attention:

   Will Anderson

Telephone:

   (713) 221-1122

Email:

   ***@***

If to Parent:

 

Enbridge Inc.

200 Fifth Avenue Place

425 1st Street S.W.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

T2P 3L8

Attention:

   Corporate Secretary

Telephone:

   (201) 231-5935

Email:

   ***@***

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

125 Broad Street

New York, New York 10004

Attention:

   George J. Sampas

Telephone:

   (212) 558-4000

Email:

   ***@***

If to EUS or Merger Sub:

 

5400 Westheimer Court

Houston, TX 77056

Attention:

   Corporate Secretary

Telephone:

   (713) 627-5400

Email:

   ***@***

 

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with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

125 Broad Street

New York, New York 10004

Attention:

   George J. Sampas

Telephone:

   (212) 558-4000

Email:

   ***@***

11.7    Entire Agreement.

(a)    This Agreement (including any exhibits hereto), the Partnership Disclosure Letter and the Parent Disclosure Letter constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations, understandings and representations and warranties, whether oral or written, with respect to such matters.

(b)    Each Party acknowledges the provisions set forth in Section 6.16 (No Other Representations or Warranties) and Section 7.15 (No Other Representations or Warranties) and, without limiting such provisions, additionally acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Partnership Disclosure Letter, the Parent Disclosure Letter or any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement: (i) no Party has made or is making any other representations, warranties, statements, information or inducements; (ii) no Party has relied on or is relying on any other representations, warranties, statements, information or inducements; and (iii) each Party hereby disclaims reliance on any other representations, warranties, statements, information or inducements provided to such Party by the other Party, in each case for clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), oral or written, express or implied, or as to the accuracy or completeness of any statements or other information, made by, or made available by, itself or any of its Representatives, in each case with respect to, or in connection with, the negotiation, execution or delivery of this Agreement, any instrument or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or the Transactions, and notwithstanding the distribution, disclosure or other delivery to the other or the other’s Representatives of any documentation or other information with respect to any one or more of the foregoing, and waives any claims or causes of action relating thereto.

11.8    Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except for, from and after the Effective Time, the Indemnified Parties with respect to the provisions of Section 8.10 (Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance), the Parties hereby agree that their respective representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Agreement are solely for the benefit of the other Parties on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any Person other than the Parties and their respective successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns any rights or remedies, express or implied, hereunder, including the right to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement. The representations and warranties in this Agreement are the product of negotiations among the Parties. Any inaccuracies in such representations and warranties are subject to waiver by the Parties in accordance with Section 11.2 without notice or liability to any other Person. In some instances, the representations and warranties in this Agreement may

 

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represent an allocation among the Parties of risks associated with particular matters regardless of the knowledge of any of the Parties. Consequently, Persons other than the Parties may not rely upon the representations and warranties in this Agreement as characterizations of actual facts or circumstances as of the date of this Agreement or as of any other date.

11.9    Non-Recourse. Unless expressly agreed to otherwise by the Parties in writing, this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any Proceeding in connection with, arising out of or otherwise resulting from this Agreement, any instrument or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or the Transactions may only be brought against the Persons expressly named as Parties (or any of their respective successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns) and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth herein with respect to such Party. No past, present or future director employee (including any officer), incorporator, manager, member, partner, stockholder, unitholder, other equity holder or persons in a similar capacity, controlling person, Affiliate or other Representative of any Party or of any Affiliate of any Party, or any of their respective successors, Representatives and permitted assigns shall have any liability or other obligation for any obligation of any Party under this Agreement or for any Proceeding in connection with, arising out of or otherwise resulting from this Agreement, any instrument or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or the Transactions; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 11.9 shall limit any liability or other obligation of the Parties for breaches of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

11.10    Fulfillment of Obligations. Whenever this Agreement requires a Subsidiary of Parent to take any action, such requirement shall be deemed to include an undertaking on the part of Parent to cause such Subsidiary to take such action. Whenever this Agreement requires a Subsidiary of the Partnership to take any action, such requirement shall be deemed to include an undertaking on the part of the Partnership to cause such Subsidiary to take such action and, after the Effective Time, on the part of the Surviving Entity to cause such Subsidiary to take such action.

11.11    Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application of such provision to any Person or any circumstance, is illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) a suitable and equitable provision shall be substituted therefor in order to carry out, so far as may be legal, valid and enforceable, the intent and purpose of such legal, invalid or unenforceable provision, and (b) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability, nor shall such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability affect the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision, or the application of such provision, in any other jurisdiction.

11.12    Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties (and any of their respective successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns). No Party may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, by operation of Law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other Parties, except as provided for in Section 11.10, and any attempted or purported assignment or delegation in violation of this Section 11.12 shall be null and void;

 

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provided, however, that Parent may designate another wholly owned direct or indirect Subsidiary to be a constituent corporation in the Merger in lieu of Merger Sub, so long as Parent provides the Partnership with advance written notice thereof, in which event all references to Merger Sub in this Agreement shall be deemed references to such other wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent, except that all representations and warranties made in this Agreement with respect to Merger Sub as of the date of this Agreement shall be deemed representations and warranties made with respect to such other wholly owned Subsidiary as of the date of such designation; provided, further, that any such designation shall not prevent or materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the Transactions or otherwise adversely affect the rights of the unitholders of the Partnership under this Agreement in any material respect.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of the parties to this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
By   Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C. (as delegate of its general partner)
By  

/s/ Laura J. Buss Sayavedra

  Name:   Laura J. Buss Sayavedra
  Title:   Vice President
ENBRIDGE ENERGY COMPANY, INC. (acting both in its individual capacity and in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership)
By  

/s/ Kenneth C. Lanik

  Name:   Kenneth C. Lanik
  Title:   Tax Officer
ENBRIDGE ENERGY MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
By  

/s/ Kenneth C. Lanik

  Name:   Kenneth C. Lanik
  Title:   Tax Officer

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]


ENBRIDGE INC.
By  

/s/ Al Monaco

  Name:    Al Monaco
  Title:    President & Chief Executive Officer
By  

/s/ Tyler W. Robinson

  Name:    Tyler W. Robinson
  Title:    Vice President & Corporate Secretary
ENBRIDGE (U.S.) INC.
By  

/s/ Kenneth C. Lanik

  Name:    Kenneth C. Lanik
  Title:    Tax Officer
WINTER ACQUISITION SUB II, LLC
By  

/s/ Kenneth C. Lanik

  Name:    Kenneth C. Lanik
  Title:    Tax Officer
ENBRIDGE US HOLDINGS INC.
By  

/s/ David Taniguchi

  Name:    David Taniguchi
  Title:    Corporate Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]


Exhibit A

Form of Partnership Agreement Amendment


AMENDMENT NO. 2

TO

EIGHTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

OF

ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

[●] [●], 20[●]

This Amendment No. 2 (this “Amendment No. 2”) to the Eighth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (as amended to date, the “Partnership Agreement”) of Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is hereby adopted by Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “General Partner”), as general partner of the Partnership, and the Limited Partners, together with any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Section 15.1(j) of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partner or Assignee, may amend any provision of the Partnership Agreement to reflect an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in accordance with Section 16.3 of the Partnership Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Partnership entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated [●], 2018 (the “Merger Agreement”), among the Partnership, the General Partner, Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C., Enbridge Inc., Enbridge (U.S.) Inc., Winter Acquisition Sub II, LLC and, solely for the purposes set forth therein, Enbridge US Holdings Inc.;

WHEREAS, Unitholder Approval (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Merger Agreement was obtained on [●], 2018, which Unitholder Approval constitutes approval of the Merger Agreement in accordance with Section 16.3 of the Partnership Agreement; and

WHEREAS, according pursuant to the power and authority granted to it under Section 15.1(j) of the Partnership Agreement, the General Partner has determined that the following amendment to the Partnership Agreement is effected, necessitated and contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, the General Partner does hereby amend the Partnership Agreement as follows:

Section 1.    Amendment. Section 5.10(d)(iii) of the Partnership Agreement is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows: “[Reserved.]”

Section 2.    Ratification of Partnership Agreement. Except as expressly modified and amended herein, all of the terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.


Section 3.    Governing Law. This Amendment No. 2 will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

[Signature Page Follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the General Partner and the Limited Partners have executed this Amendment No. 2 as of [●][●], 20[●].

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
ENBRIDGE ENERGY COMPANY, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

LIMITED PARTNERS:
All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as limited partners of the Partnership, pursuant to Powers of Attorney now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and delivered to, the General Partner.
By:   Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., General Partner, as attorney-in-fact for all Limited Partners pursuant to the Powers of Attorney granted pursuant to Section 1.4 of the Partnership Agreement.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title: