Purchase Agreement

EX-4.1 5 c83399exv4w1.txt INDENTURE EXHIBIT 4.1 EXECUTION COPY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NRG ENERGY, INC. AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO 8% SECOND PRIORITY SENIOR SECURED NOTES DUE 2013 --------------------------- INDENTURE Dated as of December 23, 2003 --------------------------- Law Debenture Trust Company of New York Trustee --------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Trust Indenture Act Section Indenture Section 310(a)(1)................................................................... 7.10 (a)(2)................................................................... 7.10 (a)(3)................................................................... N.A. (a)(4)................................................................... N.A. (a)(5)................................................................... 7.10 (b)...................................................................... 7.10 (c)...................................................................... N.A. 311(a)...................................................................... 7.11 (b)...................................................................... 7.11 (c)...................................................................... N.A. 312(a)...................................................................... 2.05 (b)...................................................................... 13.03 (c)...................................................................... 13.03 313(a)...................................................................... 7.06 (b)(1)................................................................... N.A. (b)(2)................................................................... 7.06; 7.07 (c)...................................................................... 7.06; 13.02 (d)...................................................................... 7.06 314(a)...................................................................... 4.03;13.02; 13.05 (b)...................................................................... N.A. (c)(1)................................................................... 13.04 (c)(2)................................................................... 13.04 (c)(3)................................................................... N.A. (d)...................................................................... N.A. (e)...................................................................... 13.05 (f)...................................................................... N.A. 315(a)...................................................................... 7.01 (b)...................................................................... 7.05,13.02 (c)...................................................................... 7.01 (d)...................................................................... 7.01 (e)...................................................................... 6.11 316(a) (last sentence)...................................................... 2.09 (a)(1)(A)................................................................ 6.05 (a)(1)(B)................................................................ 6.04 (a)(2)................................................................... N.A. (b)...................................................................... 6.07 (c)...................................................................... 2.12 317(a)(1)................................................................... 6.08 (a)(2)................................................................... 6.09 (b)...................................................................... 2.04 318(a)...................................................................... 13.01 (b)...................................................................... N.A. (c)...................................................................... 13.01
N.A. means not applicable. * This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE Section 1.01 Definitions...................................................... 1 Section 1.02 Other Definitions................................................ 35 Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act................ 36 Section 1.04 Rules of Construction............................................ 36 ARTICLE 2. THE NOTES Section 2.01 Form and Dating.................................................. 37 Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication..................................... 37 Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent....................................... 38 Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.............................. 38 Section 2.05 Holder Lists..................................................... 38 Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange............................................ 39 Section 2.07 Replacement Notes................................................ 50 Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes................................................ 50 Section 2.09 Treasury Notes................................................... 50 Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.................................................. 51 Section 2.11 Cancellation..................................................... 51 Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest............................................... 51 ARTICLE 3. REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee............................................... 51 Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased................... 52 Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption............................................. 52 Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption................................... 53 Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.......................... 53 Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.............................. 53 Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.............................................. 54 Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption............................................. 54 Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.............. 54 ARTICLE 4. COVENANTS Section 4.01 Payment of Notes................................................. 56 Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.................................. 56 Section 4.03 Reports.......................................................... 57 Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate........................................... 57 Section 4.05 Taxes............................................................ 58 Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws................................... 58 Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.............................................. 58 Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries... 61 Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock....... 63 Section 4.10 Asset Sales...................................................... 67
i Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates..................................... 69 Section 4.12 Liens............................................................ 70 Section 4.13 Business Activities.............................................. 71 Section 4.14 Corporate Existence.............................................. 71 Section 4.15 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control....................... 71 Section 4.16 Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.................... 73 Section 4.17 Payments for Consent............................................. 73 Section 4.18 Additional Subsidiary Guarantees................................. 73 Section 4.19 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.......... 73 Section 4.20 Changes in Covenant When Notes Rated Investment Grade............ 74 ARTICLE 5. SUCCESSORS Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets......................... 74 Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted................................ 75 ARTICLE 6. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES Section 6.01 Events of Default................................................ 76 Section 6.02 Acceleration..................................................... 78 Section 6.03 Other Remedies................................................... 78 Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.......................................... 79 Section 6.05 Control by Majority.............................................. 79 Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.............................................. 79 Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.................... 80 Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee....................................... 80 Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim................................. 80 Section 6.10 Priorities....................................................... 80 Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs............................................ 81 ARTICLE 7. TRUSTEE Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee................................................ 81 Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee................................................ 82 Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee..................................... 84 Section 7.04 Trustee's Disclaimer............................................. 84 Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults............................................... 84 Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes....................... 84 Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity....................................... 84 Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee........................................... 85 Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc................................. 86 Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.................................... 86 Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company................ 86 ARTICLE 8. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance......... 87 Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge................................... 87 Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.............................................. 87 Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance....................... 88
ii Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions................................... 89 Section 8.06 Repayment to Company............................................. 89 Section 8.07 Reinstatement.................................................... 90 ARTICLE 9. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.............................. 90 Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes................................. 91 Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.............................. 92 Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents................................ 92 Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes................................. 93 Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.................................. 93 ARTICLE 10. COLLATERAL AND SECURITY Section 10.01 Equal and Ratable Sharing of Collateral by Holders of Parity Lien Debt; Sharing Confirmation.................................. 93 Section 10.02 Ranking of Note Liens............................................ 94 Section 10.03 Release of Security Interest in Respect of Notes................. 94 ARTICLE 11. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES Section 11.01 Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee................... 95 Section 11.02 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms............... 95 Section 11.03 Releases......................................................... 96 ARTICLE 12. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE Section 12.01 Satisfaction and Discharge....................................... 97 Section 12.02 Application of Trust Money....................................... 98 ARTICLE 13. MISCELLANEOUS Section 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls..................................... 98 Section 13.02 Notices.......................................................... 98 Section 13.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.... 100 Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent............... 100 Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.................... 100 Section 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents...................................... 100 Section 13.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders..................................................... 100 Section 13.08 Governing Law.................................................... 101 Section 13.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.................... 101 Section 13.10 Successors....................................................... 101 Section 13.11 Severability..................................................... 101 Section 13.12 Counterpart Originals............................................ 101 Section 13.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc................................. 101
iii EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES Exhibit A FORM OF NOTE Exhibit B FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER Exhibit C FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE Exhibit D FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR Exhibit E FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE Exhibit F FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE Schedule I GUARANTORS iv INDENTURE dated as of December 23, 2003 among NRG Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the Guarantors (as defined) and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined) of the 8% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the "Notes"): ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE Section 1.01 Definitions. "144A Global Note" means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A. "Account" has the meaning assigned to that term in the UCC. "Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person: (1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and (2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person. "Additional Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness of an Excluded Subsidiary of the Company that would qualify as Non-Recourse Debt but for the fact that Excluded Subsidiaries are obligors with respect thereto. "Additional Notes" means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes. "Administrative Agent" means Credit Suisse First Boston, acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement. "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control," as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with" have correlative meanings. "Agent" means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent. 1 "Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream, as applicable, that apply to such transfer or exchange. "Arrangers" means Credit Suisse First Boston, acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, and Lehman Brothers Inc., as joint lead arrangers under the Credit Agreement. "Asset Acquisition" means (1) an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any other Person if, as a result of such Investment, such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, or is merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, or (2) the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of all or substantially all of the assets of any other Person or any division or line of business of any other Person. "Asset Sale" means: (1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights; provided that the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Section 4.15 hereof and/or Section 5.01 hereof and not by Section 4.10 hereof; and (2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale: (1) any single transaction or series of related transactions for which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries receive aggregate cash consideration of less than $30.0 million; (2) a transfer of assets or Equity Interests between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (4) the sale or lease of products or services in the ordinary course of business and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business; (5) the sale or discount, in each case without recourse, of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof; (6) the licensing of intellectual property; (7) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition for value of fuel or emission credits in the ordinary course of business; (8) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents; (9) a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment; and (10) a disposition of assets (other than any assets securing Secured Debt) in connection with a foreclosure, transfer or deed in lieu of foreclosure or other exercise of remedial action. 2 "Attributable Debt" in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that if such sale and leaseback transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of "Capital Lease Obligation." "Bankruptcy Case" means any case under Title 11 of the United States Code or any or any comparable foreign law equivalent, or any successor bankruptcy law commenced voluntarily or involuntarily against the Company or any other Obligor. "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors. "Beneficial Owner" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act. The terms "Beneficially Owns" and "Beneficially Owned" have a corresponding meaning. "Board of Directors" means: (1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board; (2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership; (3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and (4) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function. "Broker-Dealer" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. "Business Day" means any day other than a Legal Holiday. "Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty. "Capital Stock" means: (1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; (2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; 3 (3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and (4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock. "Cash Equivalents" means: (1) United States dollars, Euros or, in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, any local currencies held by it from time to time; (2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition; (3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers' acceptances with maturities not exceeding 12 months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of "B" or better; (4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above; (5) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Rating Services and in each case maturing within 12 months after the date of acquisition; and (6) money market funds that invest primarily in securities described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition. "Casualty Event" means any damage to or destruction of a Facility that results in insurance proceeds in excess of $30.0 million. "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any "person" (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of such plan); (2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" (as defined above) becomes the Beneficial Owner, 4 directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares; (4) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Voting Stock of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance); or (5) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors. "Change of Control Offer" has the meaning assigned to it in this Indenture governing the Notes. "Class" means all Secured Parties having the same priority. "Clearstream" means Clearstream Banking, S.A. "Collateral" means all properties and assets of the Obligors, now or hereafter acquired, other than the Excluded Assets. "Collateral Agent" means Credit Suisse First Boston, acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, under the Credit Agreement. "Collateral Trust Agreement" means that certain Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2003, by and among the Company, PMI, the Guarantors party thereto, Credit Suisse First Boston, acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent, the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee. "Collateral Trustee" means Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas in its capacity as collateral trustee under the Collateral Trust Agreement, together with its successors in such capacity. "Commodity Account" has the meaning assigned to that term in the UCC. "Commodity Contract" has the meaning assigned to that term in the UCC. "Company" means NRG Energy, Inc., and any and all successors thereto. "Confirmation Order" means a certified order confirming any of the Plans. "Consolidated Cash Flow" means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication: (1) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss (including any loss on the extinguishment or conversion of Indebtedness) plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale (without giving effect of the threshold provided in the definition thereof), to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus 5 (2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus (3) the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus (4) all non-recurring costs and expenses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in connection with the Reorganization Events, including but not limited to non-recurring costs and expenses incurred in the related financing transactions and as a result of operating changes implemented within 18 months of the completion of the Reorganization Events; plus (5) the amount of any restructuring charges (including, without limitation, retention, severance, facility closure costs and benefit charges) related to the Reorganization Events; plus (6) any professional and underwriting fees related to any equity offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition, recapitalization or Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture and, in each case, deducted in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus (7) any non-cash compensation charges, including any such charges arising from stock options, restricted stock grants or other equity-incentive programs to the extent that such charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus (8) depreciation, depletion, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash charges and expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, depletion, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus (9) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business; in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company will exclude the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to Excluded Subsidiaries to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by the Excluded Subsidiary of that Consolidated Cash Flow is not, as a result of an Excluded Subsidiary Debt Default, then permitted by operation of the terms of the relevant Excluded Subsidiary Debt Agreement; provided that the Consolidated Cash Flow of the Excluded Subsidiary will only be so excluded for that portion of the period during which the condition described in the preceding proviso has occurred and is continuing. "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that: (1) the Net Income of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions (including pursuant to other intercompany payments) paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person; 6 (2) for purposes of Section 4.07 hereof only, the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders; (3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded; and (4) notwithstanding clause (1) above, the Net Income of any Unrestricted Subsidiary will be excluded, whether or not distributed to the specified Person or one of its Subsidiaries. "Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who: (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of this Indenture; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election. "Core Collateral" shall mean all Equity Interests in, and property and assets of, NRG Mid-Atlantic, NRG Northeast and NRG South Central and their respective subsidiaries (other than NRG Sterlington Power LLC, Big Cajun I Peaking Power LLC and Bayou Cove Peaking Power LLC for so long as such entities shall constitute Excluded Project Subsidiaries), whether now owned or hereafter acquired. "Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee" will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company. "Credit Agreement" means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2003 by and among the Company; PMI; the lenders party thereto; Credit Suisse First Boston, acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, and Lehman Brothers, Inc., as joint lead book runners and joint lead arrangers; Credit Suisse First Boston, acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent; Lehman Commercial Paper Inc., as syndication agent, and General Electric Capital Corporation, as revolver agent; providing for up to $1.450 billion of revolving credit and term loan borrowings, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time. "Credit Agreement Agent" means, at any time, so long as the Credit Agreement is in effect, the Person serving at such time as the "Administrative Agent" under the Credit Agreement or any other representative of the Lenders then most recently designated by the Lenders in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, in a written notice delivered to each Secured Debt Representative and the Collateral Trustee, as the Credit Agreement Agent for the purposes of each of the Priority Lien Documents, and, at any time when the Credit Agreement shall no longer be in effect, the person serving at such time as the "Agent" or the "Administrative Agent" under the applicable Credit Facility or any other representative of the lenders thereunder then most recently designated by such lenders in accordance with the terms of the agreement relating to such facility, in a written notice delivered to each Secured Debt 7 Representative and the Collateral Trustee, as the Credit Agreement Agent for the purposes of each of the Priority Lien Documents. "Credit Agreement Documents" means the Credit Agreement and the Security Documents relating to the Credit Agreement. "Credit Facilities" means, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, credit-linked deposits (or similar deposits), receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time. "Credit-Linked Deposits" means the cash deposit made by the Lenders to reimburse drawings on certain letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement, which deposit is held by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the Credit Agreement. "Creditor Notes" shall mean unsecured notes issued by the Company in an aggregate principal amount of up to $100.0 million which may be issued pursuant to the NRG Plan of Reorganization to certain holders of unsecured pre-petition claims against the Company and PMI to the extent that the Company does not maintain a reserve for such claims after the date of this Indenture; provided that such notes (a) shall have an interest rate not to exceed 10%, (b) shall not be guaranteed by any Subsidiaries of the Company and (c) shall not have a stated maturity, and shall not be subject to repurchase, redemption or amortization (other than pursuant to customary asset sale or change of control provisions requiring redemption or repurchase only if and to the extent permitted by this Indenture), prior to the date that is seven years following the date of this Indenture. "Custodian" means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto. "Default" means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default. "Definitive Note" means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto. "Depositary" means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture. "Deposit Account" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC. "Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. 8 Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends. "Domestic Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia or that guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company. "Equally and Ratably" means, in reference to sharing of Liens or proceeds thereof as between the Secured Parties of the same Class, that such Liens or proceeds: (1) shall be allocated and distributed first to each Secured Debt Representative for each outstanding Series of Secured Debt within that Class, for the account of the holders of such Series of Secured Debt, ratably in proportion to the principal of (and, in the case of the Credit Agreement, any Credit-Linked Deposits) and interest and premium (if any) and reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) with respect to letters of credit, if any, outstanding (whether or not drawings have been made under such letters of credit) on each outstanding Series of Secured Debt within that Class when the allocation or distribution is made, and thereafter (2) shall be allocated and distributed (if any remain after payment in full of all of the principal of (and, in the case of the Credit Agreement, any Credit-Linked Deposit) and interest and premium (if any) on all outstanding Secured Obligations within that Class) to each Secured Debt Representative for each outstanding series of Secured Obligations within that Class, for the account of the holders of any remaining Secured Obligations within that Class with respect to such outstanding Series of Secured Debt within that Class, ratably in proportion to the aggregate unpaid amount of such remaining Secured Obligations within that Class due and demanded (with written notice to the applicable Secured Debt Representative and the Collateral Trustee) prior to the date such distribution is made; it being understood and agreed that Liens and proceeds will not be shared between Classes. "Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock). "Equity Offering" means an offer and sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company pursuant to (1) a public offering or (2) a private placement to Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company. "Euroclear" means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. "Exchange Notes" means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof. "Exchange Offer" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. 9 "Exchange Offer Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. "Excluded Assets" means each of the following: (1) any lease, license, contract, property right or agreement to which any Obligor is a party or any of such Obligor's rights or interests thereunder if and only for so long as the grant of a security interest under the Security Documents shall constitute or result in a breach, termination, default or invalidity under any such lease, license, contract, property right or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law or principles of equity); provided that such lease, license, contract, property right or agreement shall be an Excluded Asset only to the extent and for so long as the consequences specified above shall result and shall cease to be an Excluded Asset and shall become subject to the security interest granted under the Security Documents, immediately and automatically, at such time as such consequences shall no longer result; (2) any interests in real property owned or leased by any Obligor only for so long as such interest represents an Excluded Perfection Asset; (3) any Equity Interests in any Excluded Project Subsidiary the pledge of which pursuant to the Security Documents would constitute a default under the applicable Non-Recourse Debt in respect of which it is an obligor and any voting Equity Interests in excess of 66% (or, in the case of NRG International Holdings GmbH, NRG International Holdings (No.2) GmbH and NRGenerating International BV, 65%) of the total outstanding voting Equity Interests in any Excluded Foreign Subsidiary; (4) any Deposit Account, Securities Account or Commodities Account (and all cash and cash equivalents and Commodity Contracts permitted by the terms of the Secured Debt Documents that are held therein) if and only for so long as such Deposit Account, Securities Account or Commodities Account is subject to a Lien permitted under clause (19) of the definition of "Permitted Liens"; (5) the Equity Interests in, and all properties and assets of, NRG Energy Insurance Ltd. (Cayman Islands); (6) the Equity Interests in, and all properties and assets of, NRGenerating Holdings (No. 4) GmbH (only for so long as such entity shall remain a direct subsidiary of NRG International LLC and shall have no assets other than those owned on the date of this Indenture), NRGenerating III (Gibraltar), NRGenerating Holdings (No. 23) BV, NRGenerating IV Gibraltar, ONSITE Marianas Corporation, NRG Pacific Corporate Services Pty Ltd., Coniti Holding BV (only for so long as such entity shall own no assets other than the Equity Interests in Tosli (Gibraltar) BV) and Tosli (Gibraltar) BV (only for so long as such entity shall own no assets); (7) the Equity Interests in, and all properties and assets of, NRG Latin America Inc., Sterling Luxembourg (No. 4) S.a.r.l, NRGenerating Luxembourg (No. 6) S.a.r.l., NRGenerating Holdings (No. 21) BV (only for so long as such entity shall own no assets other than the stock of its subsidiaries owned on the date of this Indenture) and Compania Boliviana de Energia Electrica S.A. (Cobee Nova Scotia); (8) the Equity Interests in NRG Sterlington Power LLC and Big Cajun I Peaking Power LLC for so long as such Equity Interests are pledged within 90 days of the date of this Indenture to the lenders of Non-Recourse Debt of NRG Peaker Finance Company LLC existing on the date of this Indenture; 10 (9) any Equity Interest of a person (other than a Subsidiary) held by any Obligor if and for so long as the pledge thereof under the Security Documents shall constitute or result in a breach, termination or default under any joint venture, stockholder or partnership agreement between such Obligor and one or more other holders of Equity Interests of such person; provided that (a) such Obligor shall have used reasonable efforts to obtain the consent or waiver of such other holders of Equity Interests of such person to such a pledge and such consent or waiver shall not have been obtained and (b) such Equity Interest shall be an Excluded Asset only to the extent and for so long as the consequences specified above shall result and shall cease to be an Excluded Asset and shall become subject to the security interest granted under the Security Documents, immediately and automatically, at such time as such consequences shall no longer result; (10) all personal property and equipment (except two heat recovery steam generators) of Meriden Gas Turbines LLC; provided that such equipment is transferred to Dick Corporation within 180 days of the date of this Indenture; (11) all properties and assets of NRG Energy Inc.'s resource recovery facility located at North Newport, MN and all property and assets of NRG Energy Inc.'s resource recovery facility located at Elk River, MN if and for so long as the grant of a security interest therein under the Security Documents shall constitute or result in a breach, termination or default under any service agreement with the applicable municipalities in which such facilities reside; provided that (a) the Company shall have used reasonable efforts to obtain the consent or waiver of such municipalities to the grant of such security interests and such consent or waiver shall not have been obtained and (b) such properties and assets shall be an Excluded Asset only to the extent and for so long as the consequences specified above shall result and shall cease to be an Excluded Asset and shall become subject to the security interest granted under the Security Documents, immediately and automatically, at such time as such consequences shall no longer result; (12) any Account of PMI solely to the extent that (a) such Account relates to the sale by PMI of power or capacity that was purchased by PMI from a Subsidiary that is an Excluded Project Subsidiary and (b) the grant of a security interest in such Account under the Security Documents shall constitute or result in a breach, termination or default under any agreement or instrument governing the applicable Non-Recourse Debt of such Subsidiary (as such agreement or instrument is in effect on the date of this Indenture); (13) the Deposit Account (and all cash held therein not to exceed $37,000,000) which has been pledged to ANZ Bank to cash collateralize a letter of credit issued by ANZ Bank and the Deposit Account (and all cash held therein not to exceed $600,000) which has been pledged to Bremer Bank to cash collateralize a letter of credit issued by Bremer Bank; provided that each such Deposit Account (and all cash held therein) shall automatically cease to be an Excluded Asset from and after the date that is 60 days after the date of this Indenture; (14) the Equity Interests in (a) either of the NEO Companies and (b) any of Commonwealth Atlantic Power LLC, Hanover Energy Company or Chickahominy River Energy Corp., in the case of each of clause (a) and (b), to the extent that a grant of a security interest in such Equity Interests under the Security Documents shall constitute or result in a breach, termination or default under any agreement or instrument governing the applicable Non-Recourse Debt of their subsidiaries (as such agreement or instrument is in effect on the date of this Indenture); provided that the Equity Interests in the entities listed in clause (b) shall automatically cease to be Excluded Assets from and after the date that is 180 days after the date of this Indenture; 11 (15) the Deposit Account established by the Company pursuant to the NRG Plan of Reorganization in respect of the Consolidated Edison dispute and all cash held therein not to exceed (a) $11,700,000 as of the date of this Indenture plus (b) any amounts required by the NRG Plan of Reorganization to be deposited therein in respect of invoices owing to Consolidated Edison; provided that such Deposit Account (and all cash therein) shall automatically cease to be an Excluded Asset from and after the date that such dispute is resolved in accordance with the NRG Plan of Reorganization; and (16) the Xcel Cash. "Excluded Foreign Subsidiary" means, at any time, any Foreign Subsidiary that is (or is treated as) for United States federal income tax purposes either (1) a corporation or (2) a pass-through entity owned directly or indirectly by another Foreign Subsidiary that is (or is treated as) a corporation; provided that (a) none of NRG Mid-Atlantic, NRG Northeast or NRG South Central or any of their respective Subsidiaries may at any time be an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary and (b) notwithstanding the foregoing, the following entities will be deemed to be "Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries": Sterling Luxembourg (No. 4) S.a.r.l., Tosli Acquisition BV, NRGenerating (No. 6) S.a.r.l., NRGenerating Holdings (No. 4) GmbH (only for so long as such entity shall remain a direct subsidiary of NRG International LLC and shall have no other assets other than those owned on the date of this Indenture), NRGenerating Holdings (No. 23) BV, NRG Pacific Corporate Services Pty Ltd., NRGenerating III (Gibraltar), NRGenerating IV (Gibraltar), Coniti Holding BV (only for so long as such entity shall own no assets other than the Equity Interests in Tosli (Gibraltar) BV) and Tosli (Gibraltar) BV (only for so long as such entity shall own no assets). As of the date of this Indenture, the Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries are: Compania Boliviana de Energia Electrica S.A - Bolivian Power Company Limited; Csepel Luxembourg (No. 1) S.a.r.l.; Coniti Holding B.V.; Entrade Holdings B.V.; Flinders Coal Pty Ltd; Flinders Labuan (No. 1) Ltd.; Flinders Labuan (No. 2) Ltd.; Flinders Osborne Trading Pty Ltd; Flinders Power Partnership; Gunwale B.V.; Hsin Yu Energy Development Co., Ltd.; Itiquira Energetica S.A.; Kiksis B.V.; Kladno Power (No. 1) B.V.; Kladno Power (No. 2) B.V.; Lambique Beheer B.V.; NRG Andean Development Ltda.; NRG Australia Holdings (No. 4) Pty Ltd.; NRG Caymans Company; NRG Caymans-C; NRG Caymans-P; NRG Collinsville Operating Services Pty Ltd; NRG do Brasil Ltda.; NRG Energy Development B.V. NRG Energy Development GmbH; NRG Energy Insurance, Ltd.; NRG Energy Ltd.; NRG Flinders Operating Services Pty Ltd; NRG Gladstone Operating Services Pty Ltd; NRG Gladstone Superannuation Pty Ltd - in liquidation; NRG International Holdings (No. 2) GmbH; NRG International Holdings GmbH; Nrg pacific Corporate Services Pty Ltd.; NRG Taiwan Holding Company Limited; NRG Victoria I Pty Ltd; NRG Victoria II Pty Ltd; NRG Victoria III Pty Ltd; NRGenerating (Gibraltar); NRGenerating Energy Trading Ltd; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 11) B.V..; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 13) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 14) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 15) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 16) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 18) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 19) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 2) GmbH; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 23) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 24) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 3) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 4) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 4) GmbH; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 5) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 6) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 7) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings (No. 8) B.V.; NRGenerating Holdings GmbH; NRGenerating II (Gibraltar); NRGenerating III (Gibraltar); NRGenerating International B.V.; NRGenerating IV (Gibraltar); NRGenerating Luxembourg (No. 1) S.a.r.l.; NRGenerating Luxembourg (No. 2) S.a.r.l.; NRGenerating Luxembourg (No. 6) S.a.r.l.; NRGenerating Rupali B.V.; NRGenerating, Ltd.; ONSITE Marianas Corporation; OU NRG Energy Est - Dissolution in Progress; P.T. NRG West Java; Rybnik Power B.V.; Saale Energie GmbH; Saale Energie Services GmbH; Sachsen Holding B.V.; Servicios Energeticos, S.A; Sterling (Gibraltar); Sterling Luxembourg (No. 1) s.a.r.l.; Sterling Luxembourg (No. 2) s.a.r.l.; Sterling Luxembourg (No. 4) s.a.r.l.; Sunshine State Power (No. 2) B.V.; Sunshine State Power B.V.; Tosli Acquisition B.V. and Tosli Gibraltar B.V. 12 "Excluded NEO Subsidiaries" means NEO Hackensack LLC and NEO Prima Deshecha LLC, in each case, if and for so long as the provision of a full and unconditional guarantee by such subsidiary of the Notes will constitute or result in a breach, termination or default under the agreement or instrument governing the applicable Non-Recourse Debt of such subsidiary; provided that such subsidiary shall be an Excluded NEO Subsidiary only to the extent that and for so long as the requirements and consequences above shall exist. "Excluded Perfection Assets" means each of the following: (1) any Specified Assets Held for Sale if and only to the extent that the grant of a security interest with respect thereto cannot be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the UCC of the relevant jurisdiction or, in the case of any Specified Assets Held for Sale that consist of Equity Interests, either the filing of a financing statement under the UCC of the relevant jurisdiction or the possession of certificates representing such Equity Interests; provided that any of such Specified Assets Held for Sale that are not sold or otherwise disposed of by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any person other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries within 12 months of the issue date of the Notes shall cease to be an Excluded Perfection Asset; and (2) any other property or assets (other than any Core Collateral except (i) the lease of Dunkirk Power LLC relating to 347 Seneca Street, Buffalo, NY, (ii) the lease of Astoria Gas Turbine Power LLC relating to the Consolidated Edison site located at 31-02 20th Avenue, Astoria, NY, (iii) the lease of Astoria Gas Turbine Power LLC relating to the A-11 dock located at 31-02 20th Avenue, Astoria, NY, (iv) the lease of NRG New Roads Holding LLC relating to the turbine storage facilities located at GTS Duratek, 1790 Dock Street, Memphis, TN, (v) the lease of NRG New Roads Holding LLC relating to the turbine storage facilities located at Liebherr American Inc., 4100 Chestnut, Newport News, VA and (vi) the lease of NRG New Roads Holding LLC relating to the warehouse facilities for turbine storage located at Tidewater Warehouses, Bay 3, 814 Childs Avenue, Hampton, VA) in which a security interest cannot be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the UCC of the relevant jurisdiction or, in the case of Equity Interests, either the filing of a financing statement under the UCC of the relevant jurisdiction or the possession of certificates representing such Equity Interests; provided that such property or assets shall not have a Fair Market Value at any time exceeding $2.0 million (or, if such property or asset is a Deposit Account or Securities Account, $250,000) individually or $20.0 million in the aggregate and, to the extent that the Fair Market Value of any such property or asset shall exceed $2.0 million (or, if such property or asset is a Deposit Account or Securities Account, $250,000) individually, such property or asset shall cease to be an Excluded Perfection Asset and, to the extent that the Fair Market Value of such property or assets shall exceed $20.0 million in the aggregate at any time, such property or assets shall cease to be Excluded Perfection Assets to the extent of such excess Fair Market Value. "Excluded Proceeds" means any Net Proceeds of an Asset Sale involving the sale of Specified Assets Held for Sale. "Excluded Project Subsidiary" shall mean, at any time, (a) any subsidiary of the Company existing on the date of this Indenture that is an obligor with respect to Non-Recourse Debt outstanding at such time and (b) any Subsidiary that is an Excluded Project Subsidiary as of the date of this Indenture (so long as such Subsidiary does not become (and remain for a period of 365 days or more) a Guarantor after the date of this Indenture) or any Subsidiary that becomes a Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture that is an obligor with respect to Additional Non-Recourse Debt outstanding at such time, in each case, if and for so long as the grant of a security interest in the property or assets of such subsidiary or the pledge of the Equity Interests of such subsidiary, in each case in favor of the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall constitute or result in a breach, termination or default under the 13 agreement or instrument governing the applicable Non-Recourse Debt; provided that such subsidiary shall be an Excluded Project Subsidiary only to the extent that and for so long as the requirements and consequences above shall exist; provided further, that none of NRG Mid-Atlantic, NRG Northeast or NRG South Central or any of their respective Subsidiaries (other than NRG Sterlington Power LLC, NRG Big Cajun I Peaking Power LLC and Bayou Cove Peaking Power LLC for so long as such entities shall constitute Excluded Project Subsidiaries) may at any time be an Excluded Project Subsidiary. As of the date of this Indenture, the Excluded Project Subsidiaries are: Bayou Cove Peaking Power LLC; Big Cajun I Peaking Power LLC; Cadillac Renewable Energy LLC; Camas Power Boiler Limited Partnership; Commonwealth Atlantic, Limited Partnership; Flinders Power Finance Pty Ltd; LSP Batesville Funding Corporation; LSP Batesville Holding LLC; LSP Energy Limited Partnership; LSP Energy, Inc.; LSP Equipment, LLC; LSP-Energy, LLC; LSP-Kendall Energy, LLC; LSP-Nelson Energy, LLC; Northbrook New York, LLC; NRG Audrain Generating LLC; NRG Audrain Holding LLC; NRG Batesville LLC; NRG Cadillac, Inc.; NRG Capital II LLC; NRG Energy Center Dover LLC; NRG Energy Center Harrisburg Inc.; NRG Energy Center Minneapolis LLC; NRG Energy Center Paxton LLC; NRG Energy Center Pittsburgh LLC; NRG Energy Center Rock Tenn LLC; NRG Energy Center San Diego LLC; NRG Energy Center San Francisco LLC; NRG Energy Center Smyrna LLC; NRG Energy Center Washco LLC; NRG McClain LLC; NRG Nelson Turbines LLC; NRG Peaker Finance Company LLC; NRG Rockford Equipment II LLC; NRG Rockford II LLC; NRG Rockford LLC; NRG Sterlington Power LLC; NRG Thermal LLC; NRG Thermal Operating Services LLC; NRG Thermal Services LLC; Statoil Energy Power/PA, Inc.; and NRG Cadillac Inc. "Excluded Subsidiaries" means the Excluded Project Subsidiaries, the Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries, the Excluded NEO Subsidiaries and the Immaterial Subsidiaries. "Excluded Subsidiary Debt Agreement" means the agreement or documents governing the relevant Indebtedness referred to in the definition of "Excluded Subsidiary Debt Default." "Excluded Subsidiary Debt Default" shall mean, with respect to any Excluded Subsidiary, the failure of such Excluded Subsidiary to pay any principal or interest or other amounts due in respect of any Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable, or the occurrence of any other event or condition that results in any Indebtedness of such Excluded Subsidiary becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause such Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity. "Exempt Subsidiaries" means, collectively, NRG Ilion LP LLC, NRG Ilion Limited Partnership, Meriden Gas Turbine LLC, LSP Kendall Energy LLC, LSP-Pike Energy LLC, LSP-Nelson Energy LLC, NRG Nelson Turbines LLC, NRG Jackson Valley Energy I, Inc., NRG McClain LLC, NRG Audrain Holding LLC, NRG Audrain Generating LLC, LSP Energy Limited Partnership, NRG Batesville LLC, LSP Batesville Funding Corporation, LSP Batesville Holding LLC, LSP Energy, Inc., NRG Peaker Finance Company LLC, Bayou Cove Peaking Power, LLC, Big Cajun I Peaking Power LLC, NRG Rockford LLC, NRG Rockford II LLC and NRG Sterlington Power LLC. "Existing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid. "Facility" means a power or energy generation facility. 14 "Facility Instruments" has the meaning set forth in the (i) Affirmation Agreement, dated as of August 9, 1993, by and among Northern States Power Company, the Company and Ramsey and Washington Counties and (ii) the Agreement and Consent for Transfer to the Company, dated as of August 20, 2001, between Northern States Power Company, the Company, Anoka County, Hennepin County, Sherburne County and Tri-County Solid Waste Management Commission, as in effect on the date of this Indenture. "Fair Market Value" means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture). "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the "Calculation Date"), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period. In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: (1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including any related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect (in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, but including all Pro Forma Cost Savings) as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period will be calculated on the same pro forma basis; (2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded; (3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date; (4) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period; (5) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and 15 (6) if any Indebtedness that is being incurred on the Calculation Date bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months). "Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; plus (2) the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus (3) any interest accruing on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus (4) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP. "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary. "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time. "Global Note Legend" means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2), which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture. "Global Notes" means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4), 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof. "Government Securities" means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit. 16 "Guarantee" means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise). "Guarantee and Collateral Agreement" means that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2003, by the Company, PMI and certain of the subsidiaries of the Company in favor of the Collateral Trustee, Credit Suisse First Boston, acting through its Cayman Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent, and the Trustee. "Guarantors" means each of: (1) the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries other than the Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries, the Excluded Project Subsidiaries, the Excluded NEO Subsidiaries and the Immaterial Subsidiaries; and (2) any other Restricted Subsidiary that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; and their respective successors and assigns. As of the date of this Indenture, the Guarantors are comprised of the entities set forth on Schedule I hereof. "Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under: (1) interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements; (2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and (3) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices. "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Note is registered. "IAI Global Note" means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold to Institutional Accredited Investors. "Immaterial Subsidiary" shall mean, at any time, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Company as an "Immaterial Subsidiary" if and for so long as such Restricted Subsidiary, together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries, has (i) total assets at such time not exceeding 5% of the Company's consolidated assets as of the most recent fiscal quarter for which balance sheet information is available and (ii) total revenues and operating income for the most recent 12-month period for which income statement information is available not exceeding 5% of the Company's consolidated revenues and operating income, respectively; provided that such Restricted Subsidiary shall be an Immaterial Subsidiary only to the extent that and for so long as all of the above requirements are satisfied. As of the date of this Indenture, the Immaterial Subsidiaries are: NRG Rockford Acquisition LLC; NRG Bourbonnais Equipment LLC; NRG Bourbonnais LLC; NRG Ilion LP LLC; NRG Ilion Limited 17 Partnership; NRG Rockford Equipment LLC; NRG PacGen Inc.; Pacific Generation Company; Pacific Crockett Holdings, Inc.; Energy National, Inc.; Enigen, Inc.; ESOCO, Inc.; ESOCO Orrington, Inc.; Enifund, Inc.; Camas Power Boiler, Inc.; Camas Power Boiler Limited Partnership; Pacific Generation Holdings Company; Pacific Generation Development Company; ONSITE Energy, Inc.; Pacific-Mt. Poso Corporation; NRG Granite Acquisition LLC; Granite Power Partners II, L.P.; Granite II Holding, LLC; NRG Telogia Power LLC; NRG Brazos Valley LP LLC; NRG Brazos Valley GP LLC; NRG Energy Jackson Valley I, Inc.; NRG Energy Jackson Valley II, Inc.; San Joaquin Valley Energy I, Inc.; San Joaquin Valley Energy IV, Inc.; Tacoma Energy Recovery Company; NRG Mextrans Inc.; NRG Processing Solutions LLC; NRG ComLease LLC; Meriden Gas Turbines LLC; Elk River Resource Recovery, Inc.; and O Brien Cogeneration, Inc. II. "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent: (1) in respect of borrowed money; (2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof); (3) in respect of banker's acceptances; (4) representing Capital Lease Obligations or Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions; (5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (including trade payables) or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed; or (6) representing the net amount owing under any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit, Attributable Debt and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term "Indebtedness" includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person. "Indenture" means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time. "Indirect Participant" means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant. "Initial Notes" means the first $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof. "Initial Purchasers" means Lehman Brothers Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. "Insolvency Proceeding" means: 18 (1) any proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Company or any other Obligor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Company or any other Obligor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Company or any other Obligor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary; (2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Company or any other Obligor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or (3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Company or any other Obligor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims. "Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an "accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who are not also QIBs. "Investment Grade Rating" means a rating equal to or higher than BBB- by S&P and equal to or higher than Baa3 by Moody's. "Investments" means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company's Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value. "LA Generating Subsidiaries" means Louisiana Generating LLC and its subsidiaries. "Legal Holiday" means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period. "Lenders" means, at any time, the parties to the Credit Agreement then holding (or committed to provide) loans, letters of credit, Credit-Linked Deposits or other extensions of credit that constitute (or when provided will constitute) Priority Lien Debt outstanding under the Credit Agreement. "Letter of Transmittal" means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer. 19 "Lien" means, with respect to any asset: (1) any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, restriction, collateral assignment, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset; (2) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset; and (3) in the case of Equity Interests or debt securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such Equity Interests or debt securities. "Liquidated Damages" means all liquidated damages then owing pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement. "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse change in or material adverse effect on (a) the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, assets, liabilities or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) the validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any of the Security Documents or the rights and remedies of the Arrangers, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Trustee or the secured parties under the Credit Agreement or any of the Security Documents. "Mid-Atlantic Subsidiaries" means NRG Mid-Atlantic Generating LLC and its Subsidiaries. "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or any successor entity. "NEO Companies" means NEO Hackensack LLC and NEO Prima Deshecha LLC. "Net Income" means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends or accretion, excluding, however: (1) any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gain or loss, realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale (without giving effect to the threshold provided for in the definition thereof); or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and (2) any extraordinary gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but not loss). "Net Proceeds" means: (1) the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale) or a Casualty Event, net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale or a Casualty Event, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale or a Casualty Event, in each case, after taking into account any available tax deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness under a Credit Facility, 20 secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale or Casualty Event and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP; and (2) all proceeds of any insurance, indemnity, warranty or guaranty payable from time to time with respect to any Casualty Event that are not applied to the repair, replacement or rebuilding of the applicable Facility to the extent commercially feasible, other than business interruption insurance proceeds net of direct costs relating to the collection of such proceeds. "Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness: (1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender, except to the extent otherwise permitted by the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date of this Indenture; (2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company (other than the Notes, the Priority Lien Debt and any Parity Lien Debt) or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity; and (3) in the case of Non-Recourse Debt incurred after the date of this Indenture, as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries except as otherwise permitted by clauses (1) or (2) above. "Non-U.S. Person" means a Person who is not a U.S. Person. "Northeast Subsidiaries" means NRG Northeast Generating LLC and its Subsidiaries. "Notes" has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. "Note Documents" means this Indenture, the Notes, each Sharing Confirmation and the Security Documents. "NRG Mid-Atlantic" means NRG Mid-Atlantic Generating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. "NRG Northeast" means NRG Northeast Generating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. "NRG Plan of Reorganization" means the plan of reorganization dated October 10, 2003, filed by the Company and certain of its affiliates, including NRG Power Marketing, Inc., under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, as the same was modified and confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court in an order dated November 24, 2003, which, among other things, provides for (1) a settlement with Xcel pursuant to the Xcel Settlement Agreement under which the Company is expected to receive $640 million from Xcel Energy Inc., in exchange for a global release of claims from the Company and its creditors and (2) the pro 21 rata distribution to certain creditors of (a) Xcel Cash of which (i) $515 million will be paid to certain of the pre-petition creditors in 2004, (ii) an additional $25 million (to the extent that the Company satisfies certain liquidity requirements) is expected to be paid to certain of the pre-petition creditors in 2004 and (iii) the remaining $100 million (to the extent that the Company satisfies certain liquidity requirements) may be used by the Company for any other purpose permitted by the terms of this Indenture; (b) 100 million shares of the Company's common stock; and (c) the potential issuance of $100.0 million of Creditor Notes. "NRG South Central" means NRG South Central Generating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. "Obligations" means any principal (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit whether or not any drawings has been made thereon and including, in the case of the Credit Agreement, any obligations to return Credit-Linked Deposits), interest (including any interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in any applicable Secured Debt Document after the maturity of the loans or notes and reimbursement obligations therein and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in any applicable Secured Debt Document after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness. "Obligor" means the Company and the applicable Guarantors. "Offering Memorandum" means the Company's Offering Memorandum dated December 17, 2003 relating to the initial offering of the Notes. "Officer" means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person. "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. "Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee. "Parity Debt Representative" means: (1) in the case of the Notes, the Trustee; or (2) in the case of any other Series of Parity Lien Debt, the trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of Parity Lien Debt who maintains the transfer register for such Series of Parity Lien Debt and is appointed as a Parity Debt Representative (for purposes related to the administration of the Security Documents) pursuant to this Indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Parity Lien Debt, and who has executed a collateral trust joinder. 22 "Parity Lien" means a Lien granted by a Security Document to the Collateral Trustee upon any property of the Company or any other Obligor to secure Parity Lien Obligations. "Parity Lien Debt" means: (1) the Notes; and (2) any other Indebtedness (including Additional Notes) that is permitted to be incurred under Section 4.09: (a) the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge Indebtedness of an Excluded Subsidiary outstanding as of the date of this Indenture or other Parity Lien Debt if such Indebtedness constitutes Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; or (b) on the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness, after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence thereof and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Secured Leverage Ratio would not be greater than 2.75:1.0; provided, in the case of each issue or series of Indebtedness referred to in this clause (2), that: (i) on or before the date on which such Indebtedness was incurred by the Company such Indebtedness is designated by the Company, in an officers' certificate delivered to each Parity Debt Representative and the Collateral Trustee on or before such date, as Parity Lien Debt for the purposes of this Indenture and the Collateral Trust Agreement; (ii) such Indebtedness is governed by an indenture or other agreement that includes a Sharing Confirmation; and (iv) all requirements set forth in the Collateral Trust Agreement as to the confirmation, grant or perfection of the Liens granted to the Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to secure such Indebtedness or Obligations in respect thereof are satisfied (and the satisfaction of such requirements and the other provisions of this clause (iv) shall be conclusively established, for purposes of entitling the holders of such Indebtedness to share Equally and Ratably with the other holders of Parity Lien Debt in the benefits and proceeds of the Collateral Trustee's Liens on the Collateral, if the Company delivers to the Collateral Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such requirements and other provisions have been satisfied and that such Indebtedness is Parity Lien Debt, together with an opinion of counsel stating that such officers' certificate has been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company and has been duly executed and delivered, and the holders of such Indebtedness and Obligations in respect thereof will be entitled to rely conclusively thereon). "Parity Lien Documents" means, collectively, the Note Documents, and this Indenture or agreement governing each other Series of Parity Lien Debt and all agreements binding on any Obligor related thereto. "Parity Lien Obligations" means Parity Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect thereof. "Parity Lien Secured Parties" mean the holders of Parity Lien Obligations and any Parity Lien Debt. 23 "Participant" means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream). "Permitted Business" means the business of acquiring, constructing, managing, developing, improving, owning and operating Facilities, as well as any other activities reasonably related to the foregoing activities (including acquiring and holding reserves), including investing in Facilities. "Permitted Investments" means: (1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor; (2) any Investment in an Immaterial Subsidiary; (3) any Investment in an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary for so long as the Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries do not collectively own more than 20% of the consolidated assets of the Company as of the most recent fiscal quarter end for which financial statements are publicly available; (4) any issuance of letters of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed $125.0 million solely for working capital requirements and general corporate purposes of any of the Excluded Subsidiaries; (5) any Investment in Cash Equivalents (and, in the case of Excluded Subsidiaries only, Cash Equivalents or other liquid investments permitted under any Credit Facility to which it is a party); (6) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment: (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and a Guarantor or an Immaterial Subsidiary; or (b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor; (7) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof; (8) Investments made solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; (9) any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (a) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (b) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates; (10) Investments represented by Hedging Obligations; (11) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1.0 million at any one time outstanding; 24 (12) repurchases of the Notes or pari passu Indebtedness; (13) any Investment in securities of trade creditors or customers received in compromise of obligations of those Persons incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers; (14) negotiable instruments held for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business; (15) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company of any such Restricted Subsidiary of the Company deems reasonable under the circumstances; (16) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business; (17) Investments resulting from the acquisition of a Person that at the time of such acquisition held instruments constituting Investments that were not acquired in contemplation of the acquisition of such Person; (18) any Investment made since the date of this Indenture in Persons engaged primarily in Permitted Businesses, if after giving effect to such Investment, such Person is or will become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Investments made pursuant to this clause (18) (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (18) that are at the time outstanding, does not exceed 10% of the consolidated assets of the Company as of the most recent fiscal quarter end for which financial statements are publicly available; and (19) other Investments made since the date of this Indenture in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (19) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed $200.0 million; provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (19) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and a Guarantor at the date of the making of the Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and a Guarantor after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above, and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (19). "Permitted Liens" means: (1) Liens held by the Collateral Trustee on assets of the Company or any Guarantor securing Priority Lien Obligations of the Company or such Guarantor relating to Priority Lien Debt having an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the Priority Lien Cap; (2) Liens held by the Collateral Trustee Equally and Ratably securing the Notes to be issued on the date of this Indenture and all future Parity Lien Debt and other Parity Lien Obligations; (3) Liens on assets of Excluded Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness of Excluded Subsidiaries that was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred; 25 (4) Liens (a) in favor of the Company or any of the Guarantors; (b) incurred by Excluded Project Subsidiaries in favor of any other Excluded Project Subsidiary and (c) incurred by Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries in favor of any other Excluded Foreign Subsidiary; (5) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; (6) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) hereof covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness; (7) Liens existing on the date of this Indenture; (8) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor; (9) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers', warehousemen's, landlords' and mechanics' Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business; (10) survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person; (11) Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the Notes (or the Subsidiary Guarantees); (12) Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided, however, that: (a) the new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and (b) the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount, of the Permitted Referencing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancings, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; (13) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security; (14) Liens encumbering deposits made to secure obligations arising from statutory, regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including rights of offset and set-off; (15) leases or subleases granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; 26 (16) inchoate statutory Liens arising under ERISA incurred in the ordinary course of business; (17) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary; (18) Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to, such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition; (19) Liens to secure obligations with respect to (i) contracts (other than for Indebtedness) for commercial and trading activities in the ordinary course of business for the purchase, transmission, distribution, sale, lease or hedge of any energy related commodity or service, (ii) agreements relating to Hedging Obligations or netting agreements representing commodity price contracts or derivatives or (iii) agreements relating to Hedging Obligations entered into with qualified counterparties representing interest rate swaps or derivatives; (20) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statements filed on a precautionary basis in respect of operating leases intended by the parties to be true leases (other than any such leases entered into in violation of this Indenture); (21) Liens on assets and Equity Interests of a Subsidiary that is an Excluded Subsidiary as of the date of this Indenture; (22) Liens granted in favor of Xcel Energy, Inc. pursuant to the Xcel Settlement Agreement as in effect on the date of this Indenture on the Company's interest in all revenues received by the Company pursuant to the Facility Instruments; and (23) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to obligations that do not exceed $25.0 million at any one time outstanding. "Permitted Prior Liens" means (a) Liens securing Priority Lien Obligations not exceeding the Priority Lien Cap, (b) Liens that arise by operation of law and are not voluntarily granted, to the extent entitled by law to priority over the security interests created by the Security Documents. "Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that: (1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith); (2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; 27 (3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; (4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company (and may be guaranteed by any Guarantor) or by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and (5) (a) if the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced is earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Notes, the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced or (b) if the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced is later than the Stated Maturity of the Notes, the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity at least 91 days later than the Stated Maturity of the Notes. "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity. "Plans" means (a) the NRG Plan of Reorganization, (b) the joint plan of reorganization with respect to NRG Northeast and NRG South Central, or (c) any other plan of reorganization with respect to any other Significant Subsidiary of the Company, or group of Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company. "PMI" means NRG Power Marketing Inc., a Delaware corporation. "Priority Debt Representative" means: (1) in the case of the Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent; or (2) in the case of any other Series of Priority Lien Debt, the trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of Priority Lien Debt who maintains the transfer register for such Series of Priority Lien Debt and is appointed as a Priority Debt Representative (for purposes related to the administration of the Security Documents) pursuant to the credit agreement, indenture or other agreement governing such Series of Priority Lien Debt, and who has executed a collateral trust joinder. "Priority Lien" means a Lien granted by a Security Document to the Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, upon any property of the Company or any other Obligor to secure Priority Lien Obligations. "Priority Lien Cap" means, as of any date, an amount equal to the Indebtedness outstanding under, and the aggregate Credit-Linked Deposits made pursuant to, the Credit Agreement and/or the Indebtedness outstanding under any other Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the sum of the amount provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt, as of any date, plus the amount provided by clause (16) of the definition of Permitted Debt. For purposes of this definition of Priority Lien Cap, all letters of credit shall be valued at face amount, whether or not drawn. "Priority Lien Debt" means: (1) the Indebtedness under, together with the aggregate amount of all Credit-Linked Deposits made pursuant to, the Credit Agreement; and 28 (2) Indebtedness, including any deposit that is similar to the Credit-Linked Deposits, under any other Credit Facility that is secured by a Priority Lien that was permitted to be incurred under clause (1) of the definition of "Permitted Liens," but only if on or before the day on which such Indebtedness under a Credit Facility described in clause (2) above is incurred by any applicable Obligor such Indebtedness is designated by the Obligor, in an Officers' Certificate delivered to each Parity Debt Representative and the Collateral Trustee on or before such date, as Priority Lien Debt for the purposes of each of the Parity Lien Documents and the Collateral Trust Agreement. "Priority Lien Documents" means the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement Documents, the Security Documents, indenture or other agreement governing any other Credit Facility pursuant to which any Priority Lien Debt is incurred and all other agreements governing, securing or related to any Priority Lien Obligations. "Priority Lien Obligations" means the Priority Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect of Priority Lien Debt and includes, in the case of the Credit Agreement and any other Credit Facility the Indebtedness under which constitutes Priority Lien Debt, any Hedging Obligations that are permitted to be incurred by the terms of each Secured Debt Document and are permitted by the terms of the Priority Lien Documents relating to each Series of Priority Lien Debt to be secured Equally and Ratably with the Priority Lien Obligations thereunder. "Priority Lien Secured Parties" means the holders of Priority Lien Obligations and any Priority Lien Debt. "Private Placement Legend" means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture. "Pro Forma Cost Savings" means, with respect to any period, reductions in costs and related adjustments that occurred during the four-quarter reference period or after the end of the four-quarter reference period and on or prior to the transaction date that were (1) directly attributable to an Asset Acquisition or Asset Sale and calculated on a basis that is consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or (2) actually implemented by the Company or the business that was the subject of such Asset Acquisition or Asset Sale within six months of the date of the Asset Acquisition or Asset Sale and that are supportable and quantifiable by the underlying accounting records of such business, as if, in the case of each of clauses (1) and (2), all such reductions in costs and related adjustments had been effected as of the beginning of such period. "QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A. "Refinancing Transactions" has the meaning set forth under the caption "Summary -- The Financing Transactions" in the Offering Memorandum. "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2003, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Company to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act. 29 "Regulation S" means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act. "Regulation S Global Note" means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S. "Reorganization Events" has the meaning set forth under the caption "Summary -- The Plans of Reorganization" in the Offering Memorandum. "Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer (including any managing director, director, vice president, assistant vice president, trust officer or corporate secretary) within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. "Restricted Definitive Note" means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend. "Restricted Global Note" means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend. "Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment. "Restricted Period" means the 40-day distribution compliance period as set forth in Regulation S. "Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. "Revolving Loans" means the revolving loans and commitments made by the Lenders under the Credit Agreement. "Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act. "Rule 903" means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act. "Rule 904" means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. "Sale of Collateral" means any Asset Sale involving a sale or other disposition of Collateral. "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or any successor entity. "Secured Debt" means Parity Lien Debt and Priority Lien Debt. "Secured Debt Documents" means the Parity Lien Documents and the Priority Lien Documents. "Secured Debt Representative" means each Parity Debt Representative and each Priority Lien Representative. 30 "Secured Leverage Ratio" means, on any date, the ratio of: (1) the aggregate principal amount of Secured Debt outstanding on such date plus all Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company outstanding on such date including, without limitation, Non-Recourse Debt (and, for this purpose, letters of credit will be deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) to (2) the aggregate amount of the Company's Consolidated Cash Flow for the most recent four-quarter period for which financial information is available. In addition, for purposes of calculating the Secured Leverage Ratio: (1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations or acquisitions of assets, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by merger, consolidation or the acquisition of all or substantially all of its assets by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including any related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Secured Leverage Ratio is made (the "Leverage Calculation Date") will be given pro forma effect in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period; (2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Leverage Calculation Date, will be excluded; (3) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Leverage Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period; (4) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Leverage Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and (5) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Leverage Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months). "Secured Obligations" means the Parity Lien Obligations and the Priority Lien Obligations. "Securities Account" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC. "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission. "Security Documents" means one or more security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, deeds of trust or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Company or any other Obligor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms. 31 "Secured Parties" means the Parity Lien Secured Parties and the Priority Lien Secured Parties. "Series of Parity Lien Debt" means, severally, the Notes and each other issue or series of Parity Lien Debt for which a single transfer register is maintained. "Series of Priority Lien Debt" means, severally, the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement and each other issue or series of Priority Lien Debt for which a single transfer register is maintained and shall include, in the case of the Credit Agreement and any other Credit Facility the Indebtedness under which constitutes Priority Lien Debt, any obligations in respect of Hedging Agreements that are permitted to be incurred by the terms of the Priority Lien Documents relating to each Series of Priority Lien Debt to be secured Equally and Ratably with the Priority Lien Obligations. "Series of Secured Debt" means, severally, the Notes and each other Series of Parity Lien Debt, the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement and each Series of Priority Lien Debt. "Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of the indenture. "Sharing Confirmation" means, as to any Series of Parity Lien Debt, the written agreement of the holders of such Series of Parity Lien Debt, as set forth in this Indenture or other agreement governing such Series of Parity Lien Debt, for the enforceable benefit of all holders of each other existing and future Series of Parity Lien Debt and each existing and future Parity Debt Representative, that all Parity Lien Obligations shall be and are secured Equally and Ratably by all Liens at any time granted by the Company or any other Obligor to secure any Obligations in respect of such Series of Parity Lien Debt, whether or not upon property otherwise constituting Collateral, that all such Liens shall be enforceable by the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of all holders of Parity Lien Obligations Equally and Ratably, and that the holders of Obligations in respect of such Series of Parity Lien Debt are bound by the provisions in the Collateral Trust Agreement relating to the order of application of proceeds from enforcement of such Liens, and consent to and direct the Collateral Trustee to perform its obligations under the Collateral Trust Agreement. "Shelf Registration Statement" means the Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement. "Specified Assets Held for Sale" means: (1) some or all of the Company's equity interest in, or assets of, NRG McClain LLC; Energy National, Inc.; Penoboscot Energy Recovery Company, Limited Partnership; ESOCO, Inc.; ESOCO Orrington, Inc.; NEO Corporation and its direct or indirect subsidiaries, except for NEO California Power LLC; NRG Cadillac, Inc.; Cadillac Renewable Energy LLC; Commonwealth Atlantic Power LLC; Hanover Energy Company; Chickahominy River Energy Corp.; Commonwealth Atlantic Limited Partnership; James River Power LLC; Capistrano Cogeneration Company; James River Cogeneration Company; Saguaro Power LLC; Eastern Sierra Energy Company; Saguaro Power Company, L.P.; NRG Saguaro Operations, Inc.; Meridan Gas Turbine LLC; NRG Illion LP, LLC; NRG Rockford Acquisition LLC; NRG Illion Limited Partnership; ENIGEN, Inc., Energy National, Inc.; The PowerSmith Cogeneration Project, Limited Partnership; ONSITE Energy, Inc.; and Turner Falls Limited Partnership; (2) some or all of the Company's equity and/or debt interest in, or assets of, NRGenerating Holdings (No. 4) B.V.; 32 (3) some or all of the Company's equity and/or debt interest in, or assets of, TermoRio S.A and some or all of the Company's equity and/or debt interest in NRG International Holdings (No.2) GmbH or such other interests as may be necessary to comply with any decision of the arbitral tribunal in the pending arbitration in Brazil between Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. -- Petrobas et al. and NRG International Holdings (No.2) GmbH and NRGenerating Luxembourg (No.2) S.a.r.l.; (4) some or all of the Company's equity and/or debt interest in, or assets of, Compania Bolivia De Energia Electrica S.A. -- Bolivian Power Company Limited or in NRGenerating Luxembourg (No. 6) S.a.r.l. or NRGenerating Holdings (No. 21) B.V.; (5) some or all of the Company's equity and/or debt interest in, or assets of, Itiquira Energetica S.A. or in Tosli Acquisition B.V., NRGenerating Luxembourg (No. 6) S.a.r.l. or NRGenerating Holdings (No. 21) B.V.; (6) some or all of the Company's equity and/or debt interest in, or assets of, Hsin Yu Energy Development Co. Ltd., NRG Taiwan Holding Company Ltd or NRGenerating Holdings (No. 19) B.V.; and (7) some of all of the Company's equity and/or debt interest in, or assets of, Enfield Holdings B.V., Enfield Operations LLC or indirect interest in Enfield Energy Centre Ltd; in each case, as they exist on the date of this Indenture and assets acquired subsequent to the date of this Indenture in the ordinary course of business other than assets acquired from an Affiliate of the Company. "Specified Joint Venture Sale" means the sale after the date of this Indenture by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company of its Equity Interest in Enfield Energy Centre Limited or TermoRio S.A. to one or more holders of the remaining Equity Interest therein pursuant to the terms of the joint venture agreements relating thereto. "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the date of this Indenture, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof. "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any specified Person: (1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders' agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and (2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof). "Subsidiary Guarantee" means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company's obligations under this Indenture and on the Notes, evidenced by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and executed pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture. 33 "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified thereunder. "Trustee" means the party named as such in the preamble to this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder. "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York or any other applicable jurisdiction. "Unrestricted Global Note" means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend. "Unrestricted Definitive Note" means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend. "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary: (1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt; (2) except as permitted by Section 4.11 hereof, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company; (3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results except as otherwise permitted by the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date of this Indenture; and (4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries except as otherwise permitted by the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date of this Indenture. Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers' certificate certifying that such designation complied with the conditions set forth in Section 4.19 hereof and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary fails to meet the requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date by Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted by Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation 34 had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation. "U.S. Person" means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act. "Voting Stock" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person. "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness. "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" of any specified Person means a Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares or foreign national qualifying Capital Stock or other ownership interests) will at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more wholly-owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person. "Xcel" means Xcel Energy Inc., a Minnesota corporation. "Xcel Cash" means all amounts paid in cash by Xcel Energy Inc. to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture in connection with the Xcel Settlement Agreement. "Xcel Settlement Agreement" means the Settlement Agreement, delivered as of the effective date of the NRG Plan of Reorganization, by and among Xcel Energy Inc., the Company and each of the subsidiaries party thereto, which was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on November 24, 2003. "Xcel Note" means that certain promissory note made by the Company in favor of Xcel in an initial principal amount of $10.0 million and issued pursuant to the terms and conditions of the NRG Plan of Reorganization approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on November 24, 2003. Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
Defined in Term Section - ---- ------- "Affiliate Transaction"................................ 4.11 "Asset Sale Offer"..................................... 3.09 "Authentication Order"................................. 2.02 "Change of Control Offer".............................. 4.15 "Change of Control Payment"............................ 4.15 "Change of Control Payment Date"....................... 4.15 "Covenant Defeasance".................................. 8.03 "DTC".................................................. 2.03
35
Defined in Term Section - ---- ------- "Event of Default"..................................... 6.01 "Excess Proceeds"...................................... 4.10 "incur"................................................ 4.09 "Legal Defeasance"..................................... 8.02 "Offer Amount"......................................... 3.09 "Offer Period"......................................... 3.09 "Paying Agent"......................................... 2.03 "Permitted Debt"....................................... 4.09 "Payment Default" ..................................... 6.01 "Purchase Date"........................................ 3.09 "Redemption Date" ..................................... 3.07 "Registrar"............................................ 2.03 "Restricted Payments".................................. 4.07 "Suspended Covenants" ................................. 4.20
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings: "indenture securities" means the Notes; "indenture security Holder" means a Holder of a Note; "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture; "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee; and "obligor" on the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees means the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, respectively. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them. Section 1.04 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires: (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it; (2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP; (3) "or" is not exclusive; (4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; 36 (5) "will" shall be interpreted to express a command; (6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and (7) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time. ARTICLE 2. THE NOTES Section 2.01 Form and Dating. (a) General. The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling. (b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof. (c) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the "Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System" and "Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear" and the "General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking" and "Customer Handbook" of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream. Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid. A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture. 37 The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an "Authentication Order"), authenticate Notes for (i) original issue up to the aggregate principal amount stated in paragraph 4 of the Notes and (ii) Additional Notes in such amounts as may be specified from time to time without limit, subject to Article 4 hereof. The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company. Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar") and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent"). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term "Registrar" includes any co-registrar and the term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar. The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes. The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes. Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes. Section 2.05 Holder Lists. The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). 38 Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange. (a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if: (1) the Company delivers to the Trustee written notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary; or (2) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or (3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1), (2) or (3) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof. (b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable: (1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1). (2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either: 39 (A) both: (i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and (ii) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or (B) both: (i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and (ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof. (3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following: (A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; (B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and (C) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable. (4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted 40 Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and: (A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; (B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; (C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or (D) the Registrar receives the following: (i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or (ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above. Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. (c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes. (1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial 41 interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation: (A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof; (B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; (C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; (D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof; (E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable; (F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or (G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein. (2) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest 42 for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if: (A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; (B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; (C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or (D) the Registrar receives the following: (i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or (ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. (3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Unrestricted Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions an Unrestricted Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Unrestricted Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Unrestricted Definitive Note 43 issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend. (d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests. (1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation: (A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof; (B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; (C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; (D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof; (E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable; (F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or (G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof, the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the IAI Global Note. (2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an 44 Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if: (A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; (B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; (C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or (D) the Registrar receives the following: (i) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or (ii) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note. (3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes. If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (2)(B), (2)(D) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted 45 Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Unrestricted Definitive Notes so transferred. (e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder's compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e). (1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following: (A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; (B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and (C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable. (2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if: (A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a broker-dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; (B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; (C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or (D) the Registrar receives the following: 46 (i) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or (ii) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. (3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof. (f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate: (1) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; and (2) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount. (g) Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture. (1) Private Placement Legend. (A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Restricted Global Note and each Restricted Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form: 47 "THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A)(1) TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION COMPLYING WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (3) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (4) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OR (5) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (B) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE BLUE SKY LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES." (B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Unrestricted Global Note or Unrestricted Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend. (2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form: "THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF NRG ENERGY, INC. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) ("DTC"), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN." 48 (h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase. (i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges. (1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 or at the Registrar's request. (2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof). (3) The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. (4) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange. (5) Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required: (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection; (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date. (6) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered 49 as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary. (7) The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof. (8) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile. Section 2.07 Replacement Notes. If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee's requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note. Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder. Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof. If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser. If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue. If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest. Section 2.09 Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of 50 determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded. Section 2.10 Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes. Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture. Section 2.11 Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date may be less than 2 Business Days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 5 Business Days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid. ARTICLE 3. REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days (or such shorter period as agreed to by the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers' Certificate setting forth: (1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur; (2) the redemption date; 51 (3) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and (4) the redemption price. Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption or purchase as follows: (1) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed; or (2) if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 25 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase. The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 12 of this Indenture. The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state: (1) the redemption date; (2) the redemption price; (3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note; (4) the name and address of the Paying Agent; 52 (5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price; (6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; (7) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and (8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes. At the Company's request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company's name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 35 days prior to the redemption date, an Officers' Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph. Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional. Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price. One Business Day prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased. If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. 53 Section 3.07 Optional Redemption. (a) At any time prior to December 15, 2006, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price of 108% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that: (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and (2) the redemption must occur within 45 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering. (b) On or after December 15, 2008, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on December 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of the Holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:
Year Percentage - ---- ---------- 2008....................................................... 104.000% 2009....................................................... 102.667% 2010....................................................... 101.333% 2011 and thereafter........................................ 100.000%
(c) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 hereof. Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds. In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an "Asset Sale Offer"), it will follow the procedures specified below. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets. The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the "Offer Period"). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the "Purchase Date"), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the "Offer Amount") to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made. 54 If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state: (1) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open; (2) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date; (3) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest; (4) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date; (5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in integral multiples of $1,000 only; (6) that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date; (7) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased; (8) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company will select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $1,000, or integral multiples thereof, will be purchased); and (9) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer). On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in 55 accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company, will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date. Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof. ARTICLE 4. COVENANTS Section 4.01 Payment of Notes. The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due. The Company will pay all Liquidated Damages, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful. Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. 56 The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof. Section 4.03 Reports. (a) Whether or not required by the SEC's rules and regulations, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders of Notes or cause the Trustee to furnish to the Holders of Notes, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and regulations: (1) all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such reports; and (2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports. (b) All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Company's consolidated financial statements by the Company's certified independent accountants. In addition, following the consummation of the Exchange Offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and will post the reports on its website within those time periods. (c) If, at any time after consummation of the Exchange Offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in the preceding paragraph with the SEC within the time periods specified above unless the SEC will not accept such a filing. The Company agrees that it will not take any action for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC will not accept the Company's filings for any reason, the Company will post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraph on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the SEC. In addition, the Company and the Guarantors agree that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, at any time they are not required to file the reports required by the preceding paragraphs with the SEC, they will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate. (a) The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers' Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture and the Security Documents, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and the Security Documents and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture or the Security Documents (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of 57 which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. (b) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. Section 4.05 Taxes. The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes. Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Company and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted. Section 4.07 Restricted Payments. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company's or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company's or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company); (2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (other than any such Equity Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company); (3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted 58 Subsidiaries), except (a) a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof or (b) a payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of any subordinated Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or payment at final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of payment, purchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement; or (4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment: (1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment; and (2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.09 hereof; and (3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) of paragraph (b) below), is less than the sum, without duplication, of: (a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning of the first fiscal quarter commencing after the date of this Indenture to the end of the Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are publicly available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus (b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company since the date of this Indenture as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company), plus (c) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received upon the sale or other disposition of any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) made since the date of this Indenture; plus the net reduction in Investments (other than Permitted Investments) in any Person resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets subsequent to the date of this Indenture, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from such Person; plus to the extent that the ability to make Restricted Payments was reduced as the result of the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the portion (proportionate to the Company's Equity Interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated, or liquidated or merged into, a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, in each case, that the foregoing may not exceed, in the 59 aggregate, the amount of all Investments which previously reduced the ability to make Restricted Payments, plus (d) 50% of any dividends received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor after the date of this Indenture from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent that such dividends were not otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period. (b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) will not prohibit: (1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend, if at the date of declaration the dividend payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture; (2) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the contribution of common equity capital to the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from clause (3) (b) of the preceding paragraph; (3) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Subsidiary Guarantee with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; (4) the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis; (5) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, (a) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, severance agreement, shareholders' agreement or similar agreement, employee benefit plan or (b) the cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate price paid for the actions in clause (a) may not exceed $1.0 million in any twelve-month period and $5.0 million in the aggregate since the date of this Indenture; provided, further that (i) such amount in any calendar year may be increased by the cash proceeds of "key man" life insurance policies received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture less any amount previously applied to the making of Restricted Payments pursuant to this clause (5) and (ii) cancellation of the Indebtedness owing to the Company from employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company from such Persons shall be permitted under this clause (5) as if it were a repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for value subject hereto; 60 (6) the repurchase of Equity Interests in connection with the exercise of stock options to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock options; (7) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the date of this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; (8) payments, not to exceed $2.0 million in the aggregate since the date of this Indenture, to holders of the Company's Capital Stock in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of its Capital Stock; (9) the consummation of the Refinancing Transactions and the transactions specifically provided for in the NRG Plan of Reorganization as in effect on the date of this Indenture; (10) the purchase, redemption, acquisition, cancellation or other retirement for a nominal value per right of any rights granted to all the holders of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to any shareholders' rights plan adopted for the purpose of protecting shareholders from unfair takeover tactics; provided that any such purchase, redemption, acquisition, cancellation or other retirement of such rights is not for the purpose of evading the limitations of this covenant (all as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company); (11) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control and after the completion of the offer to repurchase the Notes pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof (including the purchase of all Notes tendered), any purchase, defeasance, retirement, redemption or other acquisition of Capital Stock or Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or any subsidiary guarantee required under the terms of such Capital Stock or Indebtedness as a result of such Change of Control; and (12) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50.0 million since the date of this Indenture. The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 will be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Board of Directors' determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the Fair Market Value exceeds $35.0 million. Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to: (1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or 61 measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or (3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. (b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of: (1) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness, the Creditor Notes, if any, and Credit Facilities as in effect on the date of this Indenture and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of this Indenture; (2) this Indenture, the Notes, the Security Documents and the Subsidiary Guarantees (including the Exchange Notes and related Subsidiary Guarantees); (3) applicable law, rule, regulation or order; (4) customary non-assignment provisions in contracts, agreements, leases, permits and licenses entered into in the ordinary course of business; (5) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in clause (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof; (6) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition; (7) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced; (8) Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens; (9) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into with the approval of the Company's Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements; (10) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; 62 (11) restrictions or conditions contained in any trading, netting, operating, construction, service, supply, purchase, sale or similar agreement to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company is a party entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided that such agreement prohibits the encumbrance of solely the property or assets of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary that are the subject of that agreement, the payment rights arising thereunder and/or the proceeds thereof and not to any other asset or property of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or the assets or property of any other Restricted Subsidiary; (12) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred; (13) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company existing at the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary if such restriction was not created in connection with or in anticipation of the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company; (14) with respect to clause (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof only, restrictions encumbering property at the time such property was acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, so long as such restriction relates solely to the property so acquired and was not created in connection with or in anticipation of such acquisition; and (15) any encumbrance or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (1), (2) and (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (14) of this Section 4.08(b); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company's Board of Directors, no more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewals, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing. Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "incur") any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and the Guarantors may incur Indebtedness or issue preferred stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are publicly available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or Disqualified Stock or the preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period. 63 (b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, "Permitted Debt"): (1) the incurrence by the Company and PMI (and the guarantee thereof by the Guarantors) of additional Indebtedness and letters of credit under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed $1.45 billion less the aggregate amount of all repayments, optional or mandatory, of the principal of any term Indebtedness under a Credit Facility that have been made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture with the Net Proceeds of Asset Sales (other than Excluded Proceeds) and Casualty Events and less, without duplication, the aggregate amount of all repayments or commitment reductions with respect to any revolving credit borrowings under a Credit Facility that have been made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture as a result of the application of the Net Proceeds of Asset Sales (other than Excluded Proceeds) and Casualty Events in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof (excluding temporary reductions in revolving credit borrowings as contemplated by Section 4.10 hereof); (2) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness; (3) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the related Subsidiary Guarantees to be issued on the date of this Indenture and the Exchange Notes and the related Subsidiary Guarantees to be issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement; (4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement or lease of property (real or personal), plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed $150.0 million at any time outstanding; (5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) or clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (11), (13) or (16) of this Section 4.09(b); (6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that: (a) if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Subsidiary Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and 64 (b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6); (7) the issuance by any of the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that: (a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and (b) any sale or other transfer of any such preferred stock to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (7); (8) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes; (9) the guarantee by (i) the Company or any of the Guarantors of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant; (ii) any of the Excluded Project Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of any other Excluded Project Subsidiary; and (iii) any of the Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of any other Excluded Foreign Subsidiary; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed; (10) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, so long as such Indebtedness is covered within five Business Days; (11) the Xcel Note and the Creditor Notes, if any; (12) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of workers' compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers' acceptance and performance and surety bonds provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; (13) the incurrence of Additional Non-Recourse Debt by any Excluded Subsidiary if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Additional Non-Recourse Debt and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Company's pro forma Secured Leverage Ratio would not exceed 2.75 to 1.0; (14) the incurrence of Indebtedness that may be deemed to arise as a result of agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company providing for 65 indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or any similar obligations, in each case, incurred in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Equity Interests of any Subsidiary; provided that the aggregate maximum liability associated with such provisions may not exceed the gross proceeds (including non-cash proceeds) of such disposition; (15) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Indebtedness represented by letters of credit, guarantees of Indebtedness or other similar instruments to the extent (i) such instruments are cash collateralized and (ii) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would have been permitted to expend the funds used to cash collateralize such instrument directly under the terms of this Indenture; and (16) the incurrence by the Company and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (16), not to exceed $250.0 million. The Company will not incur, and will not permit any Guarantor to incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee on substantially identical terms; provided, however, that no Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a first or junior Lien basis. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (16) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a), the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness under Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which Notes are first issued and authenticated under this Indenture will initially be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued. For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency will be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-dominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-dominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be: 66 (1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; (2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and (3) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of: (a) the Fair Market Value of such asset at the date of determination, and (b) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person; provided that any changes in any of the above shall not give rise to a default under this Section 4.09. Section 4.10 Asset Sales. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale (including a Sale of Collateral) unless: (1) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of or, in the case of Specified Joint Venture Sales, receives consideration at least equal to the value prescribed by the agreements relating to such specified joint ventures as in effect on the date of this Indenture; (2) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash: (a) any liabilities, as shown on the Company's most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability; (b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of the receipt of such securities, notes or other obligations, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion; and (c) except in the case of a Sale of Collateral, any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (3) or (5) of the next paragraph of this Section 4.10; and (3) in the case of a Sale of Collateral, the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) will deposit the Net Proceeds (other than Excluded Proceeds) as cash collateral in a segregated account held by the Collateral Trustee or its agent to secure the Secured Obligations. Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, other than Excluded Proceeds and other than Net Proceeds from a Sale of Collateral, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may apply those Net Proceeds: 67 (1) to repay Priority Lien Debt and, if such Priority Lien Debt is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto; (2) in the case of a sale of assets pledged to secured Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) other than Secured Debt, to repay the Indebtedness secured by those assets; (3) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Stock of, another Person engaged primarily in a Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, such Person is or becomes a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company; (4) to make a capital expenditure; (5) to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business; or (6) any combination of the foregoing. Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture. Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale that constitutes a Sale of Collateral, other than Excluded Proceeds, or from a Casualty Event, the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary that owned those assets, as the case may be) may apply those Net Proceeds to purchase other assets (which may include Capital Stock) that would constitute Collateral or to repay Priority Lien Debt and, if such Priority Lien Debt is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto. Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales (including Sales of Collateral but excluding Excluded Proceeds) or Casualty Events that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraphs will constitute "Excess Proceeds." When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, within fifteen days thereof, the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Parity Lien Debt containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such Parity Lien Debt that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other Parity Lien Debt tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the applicable trustee will select the Notes and such other Parity Lien Debt to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero. The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 or 4.10 of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 or this Section 4.10 by virtue of such conflict. 68 Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an "Affiliate Transaction"), unless: (1) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company (as reasonably determined by the Company) or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and (2) the Company delivers to the Trustee: (A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers' Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) of Section 4.11(a) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of such Board of Directors; and (B) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $35.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing. (b) The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a): (1) any employment agreement or director's engagement agreement, employee benefit plan, officer and director indemnification agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith; (2) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries; (3) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person; (4) payment of reasonable directors' fees to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company; (5) any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries to Affiliates of the Company; (6) Restricted Payments that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof; 69 (7) any agreement in effect as of the date of this Indenture or any amendment thereto or replacement thereof and any transaction contemplated thereby or permitted thereunder, so long as any such amendment or replacement agreement taken as a whole is not more disadvantageous to the Holders than the original agreement as in effect on the date of this Indenture; (8) payments or advances to employees or consultants that are incurred in the ordinary course of business or that are approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith; (9) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the date of this Indenture and any similar agreements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the date of this Indenture shall only be permitted by this clause (9) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the Holders of the Notes in any material respect; (10) transactions permitted by, and complying with, the provisions of Section 5.01 hereof; (11) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case, in the ordinary course of business (including pursuant to joint venture agreements) and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture that are fair to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors of the Company or the senior management thereof, or are on terms not materially less favorable taken as a whole as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party; (12) any repurchase, redemption or other retirement of Capital Stock of the Company held by employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries at a price not in excess of the Fair Market Value thereof and, if greater than $1.0 million, approved by the Board of Directors of the Company; (13) loans or advances to employees or consultants in the ordinary course of business not to exceed $2.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding; (14) the Reorganization Events and the Refinancing Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses related thereto; and (15) any agreement to do any of the foregoing. Section 4.12 Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any kind on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, grant or permit to exist a Lien upon any property (whether then held by it or to be acquired by it at a future time) as security for any Parity Lien Debt, unless (1) such Lien secures all Parity Lien Obligations (including the Notes) on 70 an equal and ratable basis and (2) the Collateral Trustee holds an enforceable and perfected Lien upon such property as security Equally and Ratably for all Parity Lien Obligations. Section 4.13 Business Activities. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Section 4.14 Corporate Existence. Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect: (1) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and (2) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes. Section 4.15 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of each Holder's Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes repurchased, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of the Holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the "Change of Control Payment"). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating: (1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment; (2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date"); (3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest; (4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date; 71 (5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date; (6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and (7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof. The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change in Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Sections 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09, 4.10 or this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance. (b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful: (1) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and (3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company. The Paying Agent will promptly mail (but in any case not later than fifteen days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date. (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and Section 3.09 hereof and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price. 72 Section 4.16 Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that the Company or any Guarantor may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if: (1) the Company or that Guarantor, as applicable, could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback transaction under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(a) hereof and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof; (2) the gross cash proceeds of that sale and leaseback transaction are at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the property that is subject of that sale and leaseback transaction, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company; and (3) if such sale and leaseback transaction constitutes an Asset Sale, the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.10 hereof. Section 4.17 Payments for Consent. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement. Section 4.18 Additional Subsidiary Guarantees. If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) after the date of this Indenture or if any Excluded Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, then such newly acquired or created Subsidiary, or former Excluded Subsidiary, will become a Guarantor and execute a Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee and deliver an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee within thirty Business Days of the date on which it was acquired or created or ceased to be an Excluded Subsidiary to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by that Domestic Subsidiary and constitutes a valid and binding agreement of that Domestic Subsidiary, enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions). The form of such Subsidiary Guarantee is attached as Exhibit E hereto. Section 4.19 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as Unrestricted will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be 73 permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the Company may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if that redesignation would not cause a Default. Section 4.20 Changes in Covenants When Notes Rated Investment Grade. (a) If on any date following the date of this Indenture: (1) the rating assigned to the Notes by each of S&P and Moody's is an Investment Grade Rating; and (2) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, beginning on that day and subject to the provisions of the following two paragraphs, Sections 4.10 (other than any provisions contained therein relating to the Sale of Collateral and the application of the proceeds therefrom), 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.19, 4.11 and clause (4) of Section 5.01 hereof (collectively, the "Suspended Covenants") shall be suspended as to the Notes. (b) During any period that the foregoing covenants have been suspended, the Company's Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4.19 hereof or the second paragraph of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary." (c) If at any time the Notes are downgraded from an Investment Grade Rating by either S&P or Moody's, the Suspended Covenants will thereafter be reinstated as if such covenants had never been suspended and be applicable pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (including in connection with performing any calculation or assessment to determine compliance with the terms of this Indenture), unless and until the Notes subsequently attain an Investment Grade Rating from each of S&P and Moody's (in which event the Suspended Covenants will again be suspended for such time that the Notes maintain an Investment Grade Rating from each of S&P and Moody's); provided, however, that no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind will be deemed to exist under this Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Suspended Covenants based on, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring after the Notes attain an Investment Grade Rating from each of S&P and Moody's and before any reinstatement of the Suspended Covenants as provided above, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising prior to the reinstatement, regardless of whether those actions or events would have been permitted if the applicable Suspended Covenant had remained in effect during such period. ARTICLE 5. SUCCESSORS Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets. The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless: (1) either: (a) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of 74 the United States or the District of Columbia; provided that if the Person is a partnership or limited liability company, then a corporation wholly-owned by such Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia that does not and will not have any material assets or operations shall become a co-issuer of the Notes pursuant to a supplemental indenture duly executed by the Trustee; (2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Security Documents pursuant to supplemental agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee; (3) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (4) (i) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09 hereof or (ii) the Company's Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is greater after giving pro forma effect to such consolidation or merger and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period than the Company's actual Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the period. In addition, the Company may not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. This Section 5.01 will not apply to: (1) a merger of the Company with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction; and (2) any sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including by way of merger or consolidation. Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the "Company" shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company's assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof. 75 ARTICLE 6. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES Section 6.01 Events of Default. Each of the following is an "Event of Default": (1) the Company defaults for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Notes; (2) the Company defaults in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes; (3) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 or 5.01 hereof; (4) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to observe or perform any other covenant, representation, warranty or other agreement in this Indenture or the Notes or the Security Documents for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class; (5) a default occurs under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default: (A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a "Payment Default"); or (B) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more (excluding any amounts paid out of the claims reserve established pursuant to the NRG Plan of Reorganization); provided that this clause (5) shall not apply to (i) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company; (ii) Non-Recourse Debt of NRG Peaker Finance Company LLC; and (iii) Non-Recourse Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not parties to such Non-Recourse Debt becomes directly or indirectly liable, including pursuant to any contingent obligation, for any Indebtedness thereunder and such liability, individually or in the aggregate, exceeds $50.0 million (excluding any amounts paid out of the claims reserve established pursuant to the NRG Plan of Reorganization)); (6) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $50.0 million (excluding therefrom any amount covered by insurance as to which the insurer 76 has acknowledged in writing its coverage obligation) or other judgments that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect shall be rendered against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to enforce any such judgment; (7) material breach by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any material representation or warranty or agreement in the Security Documents, the repudiation by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any of its material obligations under any of the Security Documents or the unenforceability of any of the Security Documents against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for any reason with respect to Collateral having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $25.0 million or more; (8) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor (or any group of Guarantors) that constitutes a Significant Subsidiary, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor (or any group of Guarantors) that constitutes a Significant Subsidiary, shall deny or disaffirm its or their obligations under its or their Subsidiary Guarantee(s); (9) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law: (A) commences a voluntary case, (B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (C) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or (E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; (10) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that: (A) is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case; (B) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the 77 property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or (C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days. Section 6.02 Acceleration. In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (9) or (10) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Exempt Subsidiaries) that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company (other than the Exempt Subsidiaries) that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived. If an Event of Default occurs on or after December 15, 2008 by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, then, upon acceleration of the Notes, an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable, to the extent permitted by law, anything in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default occurs prior to December 15, 2008 by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the Notes prior to such date, then, upon acceleration of the Notes, an additional premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable in an amount, for each of the years beginning on December 15 of the years set forth below, as set forth below (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes on the date of payment that would otherwise be due but for the provisions of this sentence):
YEAR PERCENTAGE - ---- ---------- 2003....................................................... 108.0% 2004....................................................... 107.2% 2005....................................................... 106.4% 2006....................................................... 105.6% 2007....................................................... 104.8%
Section 6.03 Other Remedies. 78 If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture including, but not limited to issuing a Notice of Actionable Default under the Collateral Trust Agreement. The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law. Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults. Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Section 6.05 Control by Majority. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it including, but not limited to issuing a Notice of Actionable Default under the Collateral Trust Agreement. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability. Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits. A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if: (1) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing; (2) Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy; (3) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense; (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, if requested; and (5) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request. 79 A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note. Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder; provided that a Holder shall not have the right to institute any such suit for the enforcement of payment if and to the extent that the institution or prosecution thereof or the entry of judgment therein would, under applicable law, result in the surrender, impairment, waiver or loss of the Lien of this Indenture upon any property subject to such Lien. Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel. Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, as administrative expenses associated with any such proceeding, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding. Section 6.10 Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order: 80 First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection; Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any and interest, respectively; and Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct. The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10. Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. ARTICLE 7. TRUSTEE Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own affairs. (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer has actual knowledge of or receives written notice: (1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and (2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture. 81 (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own grossly negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that: (1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01; (2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and (3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof. (d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01. (e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it, and none of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall in any event require the Trustee to perform, or be responsible or liable for the manner of performance of, any obligations of the Company under this Indenture or any related document. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture, or to institute, conduct or defend any litigation hereunder or in relation hereto, at the request, order or direction of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, which may be incurred therein or thereby. (f) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law or the terms of this Indenture. (g) The Trustee shall not be a trustee for or have any fiduciary obligation to any party hereto and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. (b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon. (c) The Trustee may act directly, or by or through its attorneys, agents, custodians or nominees and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence on the part of, or for the supervision of, any agent, attorney, custodian or nominee appointed with due care. 82 (d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture. (e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company. (f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction. (g) The Trustee shall have no obligation to invest or reinvest any amounts held hereunder in the absence of such written investment direction. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for the selection of investments or for investment losses incurred thereon. The Trustee shall have no liability in respect of losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of any such investment prior to its stated maturity or the failure of a party directing such investment to provide timely written investment direction. (h) Neither the Trustee nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for any action taken or omitted under this Indenture or in connection therewith except to the extent caused by the Trustee's gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, no longer subject to appeal or review. (i) The Company (for itself and any person or entity claiming through it) hereby releases, waives, discharges, exculpates and covenants not to sue the Trustee for any action taken or omitted under this Indenture except to the extent caused by the Trustee's gross negligence or willful misconduct. (j) Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action. (k) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, officers' certificate, or other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document. (l) The Trustee shall not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any covenants, conditions or agreements on the part of the Company, except as otherwise set forth herein, but the Trustee may require of the Company full information and advice as to the performance of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein and shall be entitled in connection herewith to examine the books, records and premises of the Company. (m) For so long as the Trustee shall serve as Registrar and Paying Agent, it shall be afforded in such capacities, the same rights, protections, immunities and indemnities provided to the Trustee herein. (n) The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty and the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its gross negligence or willful default. 83 Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. Section 7.04 Trustee's Disclaimer. The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company's direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication. Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if the Trustee receives written notice of, or a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of, such Default or Event of Default, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes. Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes. (a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA Section 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA Section 313(c). (b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes will be mailed by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA Section 313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange. Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity. (a) The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation as agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee's compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in connection with this Indenture and any 84 related document in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee's agents and counsel. (b) The Company and the Guarantors will indemnify and hold harmless and, at their option, defend the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents against and reimburse it and them for any obligation, injuries (to person, property, or natural resources), penalty, action, suit, judgment, reasonable cost and expense (including reasonable attorney's and agent's fees and expenses) and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture and any documents related thereto, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its gross negligence or bad faith. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. (c) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee. (d) To secure the Company's and the Guarantors' payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. (e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(9) or (10) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law or law relating to creditor rights generally. (f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA Section 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable. Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee. (a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. (b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if: (1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof; (2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law; 85 (3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting. (c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. (d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee. (e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. (f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all fees, expenses and indemnification amounts owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee. Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee. Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million (or $50.0 million, in the case of the initial Trustee) as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 310(b). Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein. 86 ARTICLE 8. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers' Certificate, and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8. Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Subsidiary Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "Legal Defeasance"). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Subsidiary Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be "outstanding" only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on written demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof; (2) the Company's obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof; (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, immunities and indemnities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company's and the Guarantors' obligations in connection therewith; and (4) this Article 8. Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof. Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19 and 4.20 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant Defeasance"), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not "outstanding" for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed "outstanding" for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance 87 means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Subsidiary Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(8) hereof will not constitute Events of Default. Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. (a) In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof: (1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such maturity or to a particular redemption date; (2) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that: (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred; (3) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred; (4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound; 88 (5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; (6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others; and (7) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. (b) Upon the occurrence of a Legal Defeasance or a Covenant Defeasance, the Collateral will be released from the Lien Securing the Notes pursuant to Section 10.03 hereof. Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes. Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. Section 8.06 Repayment to Company. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; 89 provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company. Section 8.07 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company's and the Guarantors' obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent. ARTICLE 9. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes. Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder of a Note: (1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; (2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes or to alter the provisions of Article 2 hereof (including the related definitions) in a manner that does not materially adversely affect any Holder; (3) to provide for the assumption of the Company's or a Guarantor's obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to the Company pursuant to Article 5 or Article 11 hereof; (4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder; (5) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA; (6) to make, complete or confirm any grant of Collateral permitted or required by this Indenture or any of the Security Documents or any release of Collateral that becomes effective as set forth in this Indenture or any of the Security Documents; (7) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Notes to any provision of the "Description of Notes" section of the Company's Offering Memorandum, to the 90 extent that such provision in that "Description of Notes" was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Notes; (8) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof; or (9) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes. Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes. Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be "outstanding" for purposes of this Section 9.02. Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture. It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by 91 the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder): (1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver; (2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes except as provided above with respect to Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof; (3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note; (4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration); (5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes; (6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes; (7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Sections 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof); (8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guarantee and this Indenture; (9) release any Collateral from the Liens created by the Security Documents except as specifically provided for in this Indenture and the Security Documents; or (10) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions. Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect. Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder. 92 Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver. Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities, indemnities or immunities of the Trustee; provided that any amendment or supplement that modifies in any way the Trustee's duties, obligations or covenants hereunder shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until its Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04 hereof, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and an Officers' Certificate stating that such supplement or amendment is not inconsistent with the terms of the Collateral Trust Agreement or any Priority Lien Document (as defined in the Collateral Trust Agreement). ARTICLE 10. COLLATERAL AND SECURITY Section 10.01 Equal and Ratable Sharing of Collateral by Holders of Parity Lien Debt; Sharing Confirmation. Notwithstanding (1) anything to the contrary contained in the Security Documents, (2) the time of incurrence of any Series of Parity Lien Debt, (3) the order or method of attachment or perfection of any Liens securing any Series of Parity Lien Debt, (4) the time or order of filing or recording of financing statements, mortgages or other documents filed or recorded to perfect any Lien upon any Collateral, (5) the time of taking possession or control over any Collateral or (6) the rules for determining priority under any law governing relative priorities of Liens: (A) all Liens at any time granted by the Company or any other Obligor to secure any of the Parity Lien Debt shall secure, Equally and Ratably, all present and future Parity Lien Obligations; and (B) all proceeds of all Liens at any time granted by the Company or any Obligor to secure any of the Parity Lien Debt and other Parity Lien Obligations shall be allocated and distributed Equally and Ratably on account of the Parity Lien Debt and other Parity Lien Obligations. The foregoing provision is intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable as a third party beneficiary by, each present and future holder of Parity Lien Obligations, each present and future Parity Debt Representative and the Collateral Trustee as holder of Parity Liens. The Company shall not incur any future Series of Parity Lien Debt unless the Parity Debt Representative of each future Series of Parity 93 Lien Debt delivers a Sharing Confirmation to the Trustee at the time of incurrence of such Series of Parity Lien Debt. Section 10.02 Ranking of Note Liens Notwithstanding: (1) anything to the contrary contained in the Security Documents, (2) the time of incurrence of any Series of Secured Debt, (3) the order or method of attachment or perfection of any Liens securing any Series of Secured Debt, (4) the time or order of filing or recording of financing statements, mortgages or other documents filed or recorded to perfect any Lien upon any Collateral, (5) the time of taking possession or control over any Collateral or (6) the rules for determining priority under any law governing relative priorities of Liens, all Liens at any time granted by the Company or any other Obligor to secure any of the Parity Lien Debt shall be subject and subordinate to Priority Liens securing Priority Lien Obligations up to the Priority Lien Cap. The foregoing provision is intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable as a third party beneficiary by, each present and future holder of Priority Lien Obligations, each present and future Priority Debt Representative and the Collateral Trustee as holder of Priority Liens. No other Person shall be entitled to rely on, have the benefit of or enforce this provision. In addition, the foregoing provision is intended solely to set forth the relative ranking, as Liens, of the Liens securing Parity Lien Debt as against the Priority Liens. Neither the Notes nor any other Parity Lien Obligations nor the exercise or enforcement of any right or remedy for the payment or collection thereof are intended to be, or shall ever by reason of the foregoing provision, in any respect subordinated, deferred, postponed, restricted or prejudiced. Section 10.03 Release of Security Interest in Respect of Notes The Collateral Trustee's Liens upon the Collateral shall no longer secure the Notes or any other Obligations under this Indenture, and the right of the Holders of the Notes and Obligations to the benefits and proceeds of the Collateral Trustee's Liens on Collateral shall terminate and be discharged: (1) upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 12 hereof; (2) upon a Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of the Notes in accordance with Article 8 hereof; or 94 (3) upon payment in full and discharge of all Notes outstanding under this Indenture and all related Obligations that are outstanding, due and payable under this Indenture at the time the Notes are paid in full and discharged. Section 10.04 Collateral Trustee. (a) The Company has appointed Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas to serve as the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the holders of: (1) the Notes; (2) all other Parity Lien Obligations outstanding from time to time; and (3) all Priority Lien Obligations outstanding from time to time. (b) The Collateral Trustee (directly or through co-trustees, agents or sub-agents) will hold, and will be entitled to enforce, all Liens on the Collateral created by the Security Documents. (c) Except as provided in the Collateral Trust Agreement or as directed by an Act of Instructing Debtholders (as defined in the Collateral Trust Agreement), the Collateral Trustee will not be obligated: (1) to act upon directions purported to be delivered to it by any other Person; (2) to foreclose upon or otherwise enforce any Lien; or (3) to take any other action whatsoever with regard to any or all of the Security Documents, the Liens created thereby or the Collateral. ARTICLE 11. SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES Section 11.01 Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee. To evidence its Subsidiary Guarantee, each Guarantor hereby agrees that the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto will be executed by an Officer of such Guarantor. In the event that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries creates or acquires any Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, if required by Section 4.18 hereof, the Company will cause such Domestic Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.18 hereof and this Article 11, to the extent applicable. Section 11.02 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.03 hereof, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless: 95 (1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (2) either: (a) subject to Section 11.03 hereof, the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor, pursuant to supplemental agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee, under this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantee, the relevant Security Documents and the Registration Rights Agreement (unless all material obligations in that agreement have been performed) on the terms set forth herein or therein; and (b) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation, Section 4.10 hereof. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Subsidiary Guarantee and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor and the execution and delivery of the Assumption Agreement in accordance with the terms of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Subsidiary Guarantees which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Subsidiary Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Subsidiary Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Subsidiary Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor. Section 11.03 Releases. (a) In the event of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transactions) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee. 96 (b) Upon designation of any Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, such Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee. (c) Upon Legal Defeasance in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 12 hereof, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee. (d) Upon a dissolution of any Guarantor that is permitted by the terms of this Indenture, such Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee. Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee as provided in this Section 11.03 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor as provided in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. ARTICLE 12. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE Section 12.01 Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when: (1) either: (a) all Notes that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption; (2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound; (3) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and 97 (4) the Company has delivered irrevocable written instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be. In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 12.02 and 8.06 will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 12.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. Section 12.02 Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 12.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's and any Guarantor's obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent. ARTICLE 13. MISCELLANEOUS Section 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA Section 318(c), the imposed duties will control. Section 13.02 Notices. Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others' address: 98 If to the Company and/or any Guarantor: NRG Energy, Inc. 901 Marquette Avenue, Suite 2300 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Telecopier No.: (612) 373-5392 Attention: Scott J. Davido, Esq. With a copy to: Kirkland & Ellis LLP 200 East Randolph Drive Chicago, Illinois 60601 Telecopier No.: (312) 861-2200 Attention: Gerald T. Nowak If to the Trustee: Law Debenture Trust Company of New York 767 Third Avenue, 31st Floor New York, New York 10017 Telecopier No.: (212) 750-1361 Attention: Estelle Lawrence With a copy to: Seward & Kissel One Battery Park Plaza New York, NY 10004 Telecopier No.: (212) 480-8420 Attention: Kalyan "Kal" Das The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications. All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, upon confirmation of receipt by addressee; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery upon confirmation of receipt by addressee. Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA Section 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it. If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time. 99 Section 13.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c). Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee: (1) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and (2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied. Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and must include: (1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied. Section 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions. Section 13.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the 100 consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws. Section 13.08 Governing Law. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY. Section 13.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture. Section 13.10 Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.05. Section 13.11 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Section 13.12 Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. Section 13.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof. [Signatures on following page] 101 SIGNATURES Dated as of December 23, 2003 NRG ENERGY, INC. By: ________________________________________ Name: Title: EACH GUARANTOR LISTED ON SCHEDULE I HEREOF By: ________________________________________ Name: Title: LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK By: ________________________________________ Name: Title: EXHIBIT A [Face of Note] CUSIP/CINS ____________ 8% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2013 No. ___ $____________ NRG ENERGY, INC. promises to pay to _______ or registered assigns, the principal sum of __________________________________________________________ DOLLARS on December 15, 2013. Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15 Record Dates: June 1 and December 1 Dated: _______________, 200_ A-1 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed. NRG ENERGY, INC. By: ________________________________________ Name: Title: Dated: This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture: LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee By: ________________________________ Authorized Signatory A-2 [Back of Note] 8% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2013 [Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture] [Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture] [Insert the Unit Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture] Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated. (1) INTEREST. NRG Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8% per annum from ________________, 20__ until maturity and shall pay the Liquidated Damages, if any, payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be June 15, 2004. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. (2) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the June 1 or December 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. (3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company A-3 may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity. (4) INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of December 23, 2003 (the "Indenture") among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are secured obligations of the Company limited to $1.25 billion in aggregate principal amount. Additional Notes may be issued pursuant to the Indenture and will be part of the same series as the Initial Notes. The Notes are secured on a second-priority basis by security interests in the Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents referred to in the Indenture. (5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. (a) Except as set forth in subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph 5, the Company will not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to December 15, 2008. On or after December 15, 2008, the Company will have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on December 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:
Year Percentage - ---- ---------- 2008............................................. 104.000% 2009............................................. 102.667% 2010............................................. 101.333% 2011 and thereafter.............................. 100.000%
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, at any time prior to December 15, 2006, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings at a redemption price equal to 108% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any; provided that at least 65% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under the Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and that such redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering. (6) MANDATORY REDEMPTION. The Company will not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes. (7) REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER. (a) If there is a Change of Control, the Company will be required to make an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral A-4 multiple thereof) of each Holder's Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the date of purchase (the "Change of Control Payment"). Within 10 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture. (b) If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales, within fifteen days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50.0 million, the Company will commence an offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets (an "Asset Sale Offer") pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary) may use such deficiency for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" attached to the Notes. (8) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture. Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. (9) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date. (10) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes. (11) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at A-5 least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; to provide for the assumption of the Company's or any Guarantor's obligations to Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation; to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder; to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; to make, complete or confirm any grant of Collateral permitted or required by the indenture or any of the Security Documents or any release of Collateral that becomes effective pursuant to the Indenture or any of the Security Documents; to conform the text of the Indenture, the Security Agreements or the Notes to any provision of the "Description of Notes" section of the Company's Offering Memorandum dated December 17, 2003, relating to the initial offering of the Notes, to the extent that such provision in that "Description of Notes" was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Security Agreements or the Notes; to provide for the Issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture; or to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture and/or a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Notes. (12) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest or Liquidated Damages on the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon redemption (including in connection with an offer to purchase) or otherwise, (iii) failure by the Company to comply with Section 4.15 or 5.01 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to comply with any other covenant, representation, warranty or other agreement in the Indenture, the Notes or the Security Documents; (v) default under one or more instruments evidencing or securing Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries having an outstanding principal amount of $50.0 million or more that has resulted in the acceleration of the payment of such Indebtedness or failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, when due, subject to certain exceptions; (vi) certain judgments for the payment of money in an amount of $50.0 million or more or other judgments that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, in each case, that remain undischarged for a period of 30 consecutive days; (vii) a material breach by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any material representation or warranty or agreement in the Security Documents, the repudiation by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any of its material obligations under any of the Security Documents or the unenforceability of any of the Security Documents with respect to Collateral having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $25.0 million or more; (viii) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor (or any group of Guarantors) that constitutes a Significant Subsidiary, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor (or any group of Guarantors) that constitutes a Significant Subsidiary, shall deny or disaffirm its or their obligations under its or their Subsidiary Guarantees; and (ix) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Exempt Subsidiaries) that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Exempt Subsidiaries) that, when taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary. If any Event of Default occurs and is A-6 continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default. (13) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee. (14) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder, of the Company or any of the Guarantors, as such, will not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or such Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes. (15) AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. (16) ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act). (17) ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 23, 2003, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Company and the Guarantors to the purchasers of any Additional Notes (collectively, the "Registration Rights Agreement"). (18) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a A-7 convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon. (19) Guarantees. This Note shall be entitled to the benefits of the Subsidiary Guarantees made by the Guarantors pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. Additional Guarantors may be added and Guarantors may be released from their Subsidiary Guarantees as provided in the Indenture and the Subsidiary Guarantee. The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to: NRG Energy, Inc. 901 Marquette Avenue, Suite 2300 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Attention: Treasurer A-8 ASSIGNMENT FORM To assign this Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:___________________________________ (Insert assignee's legal name) ________________________________________________________________________________ (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.) ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code) and irrevocably appoint ________________________________________________________ to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him. Date: _______________ Your Signature: ____________________________ (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) Signature Guarantee*: _________________________ * Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee). A-9 OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below: - Section 4.10 - Section 4.15 If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased: $___________________________ Date: _______________ Your Signature: _____________________________________ (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) Tax Identification No.: _____________________________ Signature Guarantee*: _________________________ * Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee). A-10 SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE* The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
Principal Amount of this Amount of decrease Amount of increase in Global Note Signature of in Principal Amount Principal Amount following such authorized officer of of decrease of Trustee or Date of Exchange this Global Note this Global Note (or increase) Custodian - ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------- ---------
* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form. A-11 EXHIBIT B FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER NRG Energy, Inc. 901 Marquette Avenue, Suite 2300 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Law Debenture Trust Company of New York 767 Third Avenue, 31st Floor New York, New York 10017 Re: 8% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2013 Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 23, 2003 (the "Indenture"), among NRG Energy, Inc., as issuer (the "Company"), the Guarantors party thereto and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture. ___________________, (the "Transferor") owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Transfer"), to ___________________________ (the "Transferee"), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that: [CHECK ALL THAT APPLY] 1. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act. 2. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a B-1 U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note, and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act. 3. [ ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE IAI GLOBAL NOTE OR A RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one): (a) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or (b) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof; or (c) [ ]such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; or (d) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act. 4. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. (a) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or B-2 Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture. (b) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture. (c) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture. This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company. _______________________________________ [Insert Name of Transferor] By: ___________________________________ Name: Title: Dated: _______________________ B-3 ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER 1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following: [CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)] (a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the: (i) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or (ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or (iii) [ ] IAI Global Note (CUSIP _________); or (b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note. 2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold: [CHECK ONE] (a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the: (i) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or (ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or (iii) [ ] IAI Global Note (CUSIP _________); or (iv) [ ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP _________); or (b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or (c) [ ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. B-4 EXHIBIT C FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE NRG Energy, Inc. 901 Marquette Avenue, Suite 2300 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Law Debenture Trust Company of New York 767 Third Avenue, 31st Floor New York, New York 10017 Re: 8% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (CUSIP _____________) Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 23, 2003 (the "Indenture"), among NRG Energy, Inc., as issuer (the "Company"), the Guarantors party thereto and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture. ___________________, (the "Transferor") owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Transfer"), to ___________________________ (the "Transferee"), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that: 1. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE (a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. (b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. (c) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is C-1 being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. (d) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. 2. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES (a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act. (b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner's Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [ ]144A Global Note, [ ] Regulation S Global Note, [ ] IAI Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act. C-2 This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company. _______________________________________ [Insert Name of Transferor] By: ___________________________________ Name: Title: Dated: ______________________ C-3 EXHIBIT D FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR NRG Energy, Inc. 901 Marquette Avenue, Suite 2300 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Law Debenture Trust Company of New York 767 Third Avenue, 31st Floor New York, New York 10017 Re: 8% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2013 Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of December 23, 2003 (the "Indenture"), among NRG Energy, Inc., as issuer (the "Company"), the Guarantors party thereto and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture. In connection with our proposed purchase of $____________ aggregate principal amount of: (a) [ ] a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or (b) [ ] a Definitive Note, we confirm that: 1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). 2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes has not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein. D-1 3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect. 4. We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment. 5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional "accredited investor") as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion. You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. _______________________________________ [Insert Name of Accredited Investor] By: ___________________________________ Name: Title: Dated: _______________________ D-2 EXHIBIT E [FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE] E-1 EXHIBIT F [FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS] SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this "Supplemental Indenture"), dated as of ________________, 200__, among __________________ (the "Guaranteeing Subsidiary"), a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (or its permitted successor), a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the Company, the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the "Trustee"). W I T N E S S E T H WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of December 23, 2003 providing for the issuance of ___% Second Priority Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the "Notes"); WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company's Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the "Subsidiary Guarantee"); and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture. NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows: 1. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. 2. AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Subsidiary Guarantee and in this Indenture. 4. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or agent of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Subsidiary Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy. 5. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY. F-1 6. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. 7. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. 8. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company. F-2 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written. Dated: _______________, 20___ [GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY] By: _______________________________ Name: Title: [COMPANY] By: _______________________________ Name: Title: [EXISTING GUARANTORS] By: _______________________________ Name: Title: [TRUSTEE], as Trustee By: _______________________________ Authorized Signatory F-3 SCHEDULE I Guarantors Arthur Kill Power LLC Astoria Gas Turbine Power LLC Berrians I Gas Turbine Power LLC Big Cajun II Unit 4 LLC Capistrano Cogeneration Company Chickahominy River Energy Corp. Cobee Energy Development LLC Commonwealth Atlantic Power LLC Conemaugh Power LLC Connecticut Jet Power LLC Devon Power LLC Dunkirk Power LLC Eastern Sierra Energy Company El Segundo Power II LLC Hanover Energy Company Huntley Power LLC Indian River Operations Inc. Indian River Power LLC James River Power LLC Kaufman Cogen LP Keystone Power LLC Louisiana Generating LLC MidAtlantic Generation Holding LLC Middletown Power LLC Montville Power LLC NEO California Power LLC NEO Chester-Gen LLC NEO Corporation NEO Freehold-Gen LLC NEO Landfill Gas Holdings Inc. NEO Landfill Gas Inc. NEO Nashville LLC NEO Power Services Inc. NEO Tajiguas LLC Northeast Generation Holding LLC Norwalk Power LLC NRG Affiliate Services Inc. NRG Arthur Kill Operations Inc. NRG Asia-Pacific, Ltd. NRG Astoria Gas Turbine Operations Inc. NRG Bayou Cove LLC NRG Cabrillo Power Operations Inc. NRG Cadillac Operations Inc. NRG California Peaker Operations LLC NRG Central U.S. LLC NRG Connecticut Affiliate Services Inc. NRG Devon Operations Inc. NRG Dunkirk Operations Inc. F-1 NRG Eastern LLC NRG El Segundo Operations Inc. NRG Huntley Operations Inc. NRG International LLC NRG Kaufman LLC NRG Mesquite LLC NRG MidAtlantic Affiliate Services Inc. NRG MidAtlantic Generating LLC NRG MidAtlantic LLC NRG Middletown Operations Inc. NRG Montville Operations Inc. NRG New Jersey Energy Sales LLC NRG New Roads Holdings LLC NRG North Central Operations Inc. NRG Northeast Affiliate Services Inc. NRG Northeast Generating LLC NRG Norwalk Harbor Operations Inc. NRG Operating Services, Inc. NRG Oswego Harbor Power Operations Inc. NRG Power Marketing Inc. NRG Rocky Road LLC NRG Saguaro Operations Inc. NRG South Central Affiliate Services Inc. NRG South Central Generating LLC NRG South Central Operations Inc. NRG West Coast LLC NRG Western Affiliate Services Inc. Oswego Harbor Power LLC Saguaro Power LLC Somerset Operations Inc. Somerset Power LLC South Central Generation Holding LLC Vienna Operations Inc. Vienna Power LLC F-2